Do scans/x-ray equipment ruin film/pictures?

[la37]

I've been told that the scanners or x-ray equipment that they use at the airports and the ports to check luggage/carry-ons will ruin film(pictures on undeveloped film). Does anyone know if this is true or not? TIA for any info.

 

[Billinaz]

Unless you are dealing with very high ASA film, there is not a problem with film that goes through the carry on scanners. The ones that Xray your luggage willl ruin film.

I put mine in a film bag for my carry on and it prevents x ray from getting to the film.

 

[TooPure4u]

If it is 800 speed it WILL is what I was told at the airport.

 

[my3kids]

I have found that the screening used for checked luggage at airports WILL ruin the film. The carry on scanners seem to be fine at the airport.

 

[wdw47]

we have heard it does with faster speed film we had all our rools of film developed at the hotel be for we went home a little more expencive but at least we had all our photos

 

[PattiO]

The film should be carried on. They say that film 800 speed and higher is what can be damaged.

 

[fireplug]

I had a roll ruined on our last cruise!
It was 400 film I think.

Steve

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Don't put your film in your checked luggage. It will definitely be ruined.

We had a bunch of film from our kid's cameras, and it was all fine in our carry-on bags. My son had 1 800 speed underwater camera that went through in his carry on fine.

I read somewhere that you can ask to have your film hand inspected at the airport. The film bags are a great idea--I'll get one just to be safe.

If we have time, I will often go to a major chain like CVS, Walgreens, etc. and have my film developed and digital cards downloaded to disc before we get to the airport. Usually the one-hour routine works well if there is enough to do in the area--maybe lunch or something....

 

[CTFamilyCruisers]

What the other posters said is correct - 800 speed and higher can be damaged. But don't put any film in your checked baggage. If you are really worried, you can request your film and camera be searched by hand, but expect to have a thorough - and I do mean thorough - search of you, your carry ons, shoes, undergarments (esp. underwire bras), etc., searched. It will add quite a bit of time on to your airport security screening. We have travelled numerous times with our film in carry on bags with no problem.

 

[jrabbit]

What the other posters said is correct - 800 speed and higher can be damaged. But don't put any film in your checked baggage. If you are really worried, you can request your film and camera be searched by hand, but expect to have a thorough - and I do mean thorough - search of you, your carry ons, shoes, undergarments (esp. underwire bras), etc., searched. It will add quite a bit of time on to your airport security screening. We have travelled numerous times with our film in carry on bags with no problem.

Yes, thats why I'm going to buy a digital camera before my next trip!

 

[pdarrah]

Please notice that MANY of the one-time use underwater cameras use 800 speed film! You should really consider having it hand-checked, but it will probably be OK if you forget and it goes through once.

The problem with the x-ray scans is that it seems to have a cumulative effect on film. If the same roll of film goes through the x-rays multiple times, it can start fogging. We encountered this with some 400 speed film that we took on a couple of trips (back when we carried both a digital and film camera). We didn't finish it and took it on 2 or maybe 3 trips and the pictures ended up with a light "mist" of fog

If you put your rolls of film into a plastic baggie (take it out of the little black tubes) and just ask to have that hand inspected they will usually do it without any questions and it doesn't even slow you down much. However, at the port, the security people will INSIST on scanning your film no matter what so it is going to get scanned at least once getting on the ship. If you carry it into a port, it will get scanned again as you re-board. If it also gets scanned at the airport on the way to the ship and again on the way home, that could start to cause damage to the film.

pdarrah

 

[ann-e-mator]

My mom (obsessive photographer) put all 100 rolls of her film in a separate suitcase and to save room she took all the canasters out of the boxes... well since she did that (and took it on as a carry on because of the xray machines) they insisted on her sitting on the floor and opening EVERY CANASTER.... my dad, grandparents, and I watched her from the other side of the security stand and laughed at her.

 

[minniemoms]

They used to hand inspect my film, but the last 3 airports I was in, they told me they don't have time to do that anymore. But DONT check it underneath. Always carry it on. If they aren't busy, they MIGHT hand inspect but I wouldn't count on it If you have time, you could have DCL or your hotel mail in home for you. I have done that a few times. But I have had them go thru the xray converyor belt with me, and I haven't had a problem and I take lots and lots of pictures on every trip I go on

 

[markºoº]

NEVER put any film or disposable camera in checked bags as most airports now have higher powered scanners that will damage ANY film. The TSA screeners usually will even ask to make sure you do not have film in checked bags.

As for carryon bags, those scanners are lower power and will not damage film under 1000ASA. TSA screeners usually are not too happy to hand inspect film and will ask you to just screen it - especially is there is a line. I have travelled dozens of times and have hundreds of rolls of film (anywhere from 50 to 800ASA) scanned through the carryon's and never had a problem.

Remeber you film will get scanned each time you return to the ship after visiting a port or CC. To eliminate film being scanned numerous times, I remove exposed rolls from my camera bag and leave in the cabin. Also, I will only take the amount of film I think I will need for the day and leave the rest in the cabin.

 

[KKB]

Carry in carry on; give your camera for hand inspection if you use 800 or higher. (They may try to tell you it will be OK since few people use 800, but if you make a point, they have to hand check, unless you are a suspicious character!)
I accidentally packed disposable water camera & regular while only putting digital in my carry on. We got lucky and all film turned out OK>
HMMMMMM does this indicate lack of screening behind the scenes?
Kristin

 

[mississaugamom]

Can the opaque film bags (lead-laminated?) be used in carry-on luggage? Would this provide any additional protection for film? We have three flights but ship boarding on our next trip, so I'd like to protect it as much as possible.

Arlene