Devastated after return from GF - film ruined!

[CarolA]

Check your camera.

I have taken LOTS of film thru MCO and I always have it scanned and I never have had this happen. The only two times I have had film problem were due to a camear not sealing and my stupid decision to store the undeveloped film on top of a microwave.

I would make sure your camera is not leaking (ie the back is closing firmly etc) before you take more photos.

The other thing is that if this film had made LOTS of trips then it might have gotten damaged. If it was new film it should not have been damaged by the two trips. (The machines at MCO are no different then the machines at any other airport. The photo developing people are not in the security business!) They do have some machines they are testing at MCO, but in they are only for the humans to walk thru.

 

[Gretchen]

Sorry to hear about your pictures....such a bummer! If it makes you feel any better, I lost my roll of film of Paris, and of my daughters birth. Just lost them...can you believe that?

Yes, It is multiple screenings that ruin film. You need to be insistent and have your film hand checked. They use a solution to check for residue. It takes a few minutes, but then you know your film is ok. I allways have my film hand checked along with my camera. I try not to have any film in the camera and only take a roll or two and purchase the rest at Wal mart when we get there. We plan a grocery stop anyway, so it's no big to get the film then. The security people say that anything 800 speed or under will be ok, but remember everytime your bag goes through the scanner, the film is subjected to the xray.
Just my thoughts...
Gretchen

 

[SnowWhiteIsDreaming]

I know exactly how you feel. I had the same thing happen to my pictures from our trip to WDW last October. We had MNSSHP pictures, Chef Mickey & CRT pictures (on my DD's bday!), just tons of pictures...I'm a gotta-take-lots-of-pictures-of-my-kids Mom. My mistake was having hubby pack while I got the kids ready. He found a nice little compartment in one of our suitcases and plopped all the film in it (about 10 rolls). Then he unpacked it at home and gave it to me. When I got the pictures back from CVS, I couldn't believe how grey and grainy they were. I was so upset. Then DH told me where he packed them Anyways, I tried really hard to not be angry. I can see most of the pictures pretty well - they just aren't clear and perfect. The last roll of pictures I took was still in the camera which I carried in my carry-on so they came out beautiful... the kids standing in the WL, and the 1900 Park Faire Cindy's dinner. DH wasn't as upset as I was because he didn't spend so much effort taking such great pictures. Oh, well! I had a great trip and that's what counts.

I'm really surprised that your film got ruined by the xray machine at the gate 'cause mine went through the luggage screening and I can see all my pictures well - they just look like everyone is standing in a little grey haze.

 

[Lachesis00]

Good luck. I hope they can be saved and perhaps shared with us.

My MIL had the same thing happen. She was told only 800 speed and hers was 100. I now carry my film in my carry-on where I can pull it out at the security.

I like the idea of mailing it to someone before leaving...

 

[Breezy_Carol]

So sorry about the loss of your pictures. I know how heartbreaking that can be.

Regarding hand inspection...we flew to Orlando in April. I had all the film out of the plastic canisters in a clear ziplock bag. Both in Baltimore and Orlando they refused to hand inspect. Said it would not be damged and put it through the machine. Luckily it was ok. DH had one roll developed at ASMovies Resort while we were there, just in case.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

I'm so sorry about your photos. They refused to hand check my film at Providence, said it would be fine going through with the carry-ons as long as it was low speed film.

Glad you loved the GF. We were there in April and loved our lagoon view room (See my tag!) It's so beautiful there.

 

[Dodie]

Originally posted by ladycollector
I know that most film that gets destroyed happens from radiation at airports, but I wouldn't be surprised if the film developers made a boo boo and blamed it on x-ray machines..

That is EXACTLY what I was thinking. Scanners have told me many times that the x-ray won't affect film under 800 speed and I have had many refuse to hand check 400 film.

 

[DisneyJules]

You poor thing, I feel your pain. That's really odd the machines had that affect on your film. I was just there in February and had taken man rolls of film all of which were fine and I think they did go through the machines. Normally they ask you for the speed of your film, certain speeds can't go through. I was shooting off of 200. When I had gone when I was 12, my mom hadn't taken too much film since we were so busy having fun in WDW. She probably took about a roll and a half. Well the one roll full of our Disney pictures were ruined when my mom hadn't realized that the film had been used already and proceeded to put it back into the camera. We now have pictures of Grandma and Pluto, Grandma was not on that trip

 

[EsmeraldaX]

So sorry.

Thanks for the advice too. I wish this didn't happen to you.

Airports should really put up warning signs and caution people more about this.

 

[manning]

It looks like Rajah offer may be the only option. It is amazing what these photo programs can do. It may not be a perfect picture, but it would be better than what you have.

Maybe you have a friend who is into digital photos. If they are more than likely they would have one of these programs and the know how.

 

[Cinderella37]

Sometimes it's very difficult to get a security agent to hand check film. In Pittsburgh, they're a lot more willing than in Orlando. Orlando is one of the toughest and strictest airports in the nation (even before 9/11). My solution was to put it in carry-on luggage and shoot a test roll in WDW. We'd get it developed the next morning and never had a problem. Then, we'd take all 15 rolls to be developed at WDWat the end of the trip. It was expensive but at least we had something to do on the plane home, plus it gave me piece of mind. I must say, though, that there'd always be film left in my camera and when I'd get it developed, the pictures would be fine.

I'm taking a digital camera for the first time this year and I'm really nervous about it. My fiance brings his laptop with him, but I haven't a clue as to how to download pictures. I just take my CompactFlash to Walmart and get prints made, as well as a CD. I'll probably just bring two large CompactFlashes with us and worry about developing at home. I'd still rather take a 35mm, but I'm trying to come into the 21st century!

 

[helenabear]

So sorry to hear about your film I think you just mad me very glad I do not use film cameras anymore. I hope Rajah will be able to help you, but if it is what I saw of my friends' film not too long ago, I wouldn't get your hopes up too much. I even sent it off to a few who are near pros and they couldn't fix it I will wish you luck on it though.

 

[sharonk]

Good news - I just checked my dh's digital camera and he took a few pictures of the kids at the GF while I was checking in. I have one of my boys in front of the hotel by one of the classic cars and one of my 3 kids in the "children's area" of the lobby. It isn't much....but I'll take them.

I'll post them if I can figure out how!

Sharon

 

[poohbear1029]

I am so sorry you lost those precious photos. It doesnt bring them back, but maybe some of the tips offered here from the DIS will help you and others in the future.

I took a photography class and the photographer said that cumulative radiation is bad even for film below 800. So while once thru is okay...the trip down and back may be too much. I shoot mostly digital, but use film sometimes. This is what I have done to try to avoid damage:

Buy my film when I arrive at my vacation destination

Then, I use an online developer (www.snapfish.com). I request envelopes from them and before we leave to come home...or during the course of the week, I mail the photos to them. (Beware that the PO boxes in the Hotel lobbies at WDW are a bit slow).

This helps me to avoid bringing any film thru more than once, as sometimes I still bring the film home with me if I have run out of envelopes.

Hopefully Rajah is able to save some of your photos for you!

 

[poohbear1029]

ooh, one more thing...you might want to just shoot a roll of film with your camera now and have developed. In 97, we went to WDW and my photos came out this way, but it was because my camera had died! I didnt know it until we got 1/2 way thru our trip.

 

[Laura]

Originally posted by poohbear1029
ooh, one more thing...you might want to just shoot a roll of film with your camera now and have developed. In 97, we went to WDW and my photos came out this way, but it was because my camera had died! I didnt know it until we got 1/2 way thru our trip.

Good advice. I took a busted camera with me to London and didn't know it until I got my pictures back.

 

[outstandinfarmer]

I've had photo developers ruin my film. Boy was I mad!!!!!

My DH is a professional photographer and he is ALWAYS editing pictures. He does an awesome job with making bad pictures look beautiful.

I'd be happy to have him look at some of your pics and see if he can do anything with them.

Please email me. He'd be happy to do it. (He likes a challenge and loves being able to help people when no one else can )

My email is OutstandinFarmer@yahoo.com

 

[outstandinfarmer]

I think you just made me very glad I do not use film cameras anymore.

I agree. With film there is so much at risk.

 

[kellib36]

We bought waterproof single use cameras at home last month, and brought them with us.....I got a great price at home.....

But I'm worried about what they will come out like....xray on the plane, xray onto the ship, xray each time we got back ON the ship, xray each additional time we took them off and back on the ship.

I requested they hand check them getting back on the Wonder, and the guy was VERY firm.....everything goes through the xray machine....these were just the waterproof cameras with the rubber band strap. Very obvious what they were......

I wasn't happy and if they're screwed up, I'll have to write to DCL!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sure do hope you can have one of the several offers here work out for you, so sad. I would be in the dumps for sure.

I have used only digital for past 4 years, so happy I do, never a problem. Hope it works out.