High ISO film and airport x-ray machines

[DisneyWorld Delight]

I know you cannot take your regular film in your carry on, because the xray scaner will ruin it. What about your camcorder and film? Is that ok to keep in a carry on, or should it be in the checked luggage? Camcorder? Film? TIA

 

[RitchG]

Well, let's take them one at a time.
Film - the x-ray machine will put some energy through the film. Most newer systems don't hurt normal film but if you have high-speed (ISO1000 +) or infrared film you may find your film "ghosted". Unexposed film is more susceptible than film with images on it. Also these days your luggage may be x-rayed before it gets on the plane anyway.
Camcorder tape: x-rays don't do much to the tape or the magnetic stuff on the tape. But, the high-power parts that make up an x-ray system act like a magnet and might scramble the tapes. Again, most modern system are well shielded (so they don;t hurt the operators over time) so this isn't an issue. And the newer digital tapes (MiniDV, Digital8, etc.) are less susceptible than the older VHS and Hi8 tapes.
Digital cards: these don't really get affected by x-rays or the x-ray system.

So if your stuff is fairly new, you probably won't have any problem. I've done a lot of flights with MiniDV and CF, SD and MMC memory cards with no problem as carry-ons. A while back when I traveled with film, if I was traveling domestically I didn't worry about (and didn't have and troubles with) the film; internationally I also had the film bag hand-inspected.
HTH.
---Ritch

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

Thank you. It does. Help, I mean.

 

[Geoff_M]

I know you cannot take your regular film in your carry on, because the xray scaner will ruin it.

You most certainly can take film in your carry-on luggage. What you should not do is place any film (non-digital) in your checked luggage. The newer more sophisticated scanners they use on checked luggage will readily damage film. The lower dose scanners they use to carry-ons pose little risk to your film. But even then, by law, in the US you are given the right to ask the TSA for a "hand check" of any film you carry on the plane.

And as stated, digital "film" and video tapes use a totally different process to capture images and they are not affected by x-ray radiation.

 

[mbtileguy]

i use the kodak disposable cameras will the xray machine at the airport hurt the film??? i have never had a problem before but i never heard of this ,i usually keep them in my carry on in case they loose my luggage i will still have my photos.

 

[0bli0]

honestly, i wouldn't worry about it too much. this roll of kodak ultracolour UC400 went through the xray at least 12 times on this last two trips -some before and after being exposed (they really like sending my camera bag through the xray a few times...) before finally being developed. i used to carry my film in a clear ziploc bag and request a hand check but after running late for a plane last year, i forgot with no adverse effects.

(the vignetting at the corners is a characteristic of the camera, not the xray)

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

You should keep film in your carry on. The amount of radiation that they use to screen carry on bags is a lower dose than what they use for checked bags. The higher the dose of radiation that your film gets the greater the chance for the film to be exposed. Hope this helps

 

[Groucho]

The TSA recommends that all film be hand-inspected. On my trip, I had all mine done this way. One screener said that it only affects fast film, faster than 400 speed. I'm not sure that I believe that 100%, but I had some 3200 so I had a good excuse. It only takes a minute and hey, that's what the screeners are being paid to do.

It's probably not a huge deal if you don't (in my case, I was already using film a couple years past the use-by date so it's not like I had perfect film anyway!), but if you have an extra minute or two (all it should take), you might as well.

 

[lidec]

is it safe to take 800 speed film through airport xray or will it ruin it? Should I pack it in the luggage instead of carryon

 

[Gdad]

What is this f-i-l-m you speak of? J/K

A quick google search found this site from Kodak- They say carry-on is okay but to me- why take the chance? I would hate to have my vacation pictures messed up.

 

[SharonLowe]

NEVER put film in checked luggage, no matter the ISO!!!! The scanners for checked luggage are much more powerful and will ruin your film, whether it is unused or used.

800 speed film should be hand-checked at the security checkpoint. Put the film in a clear plastic bag out of the boxes and nicely ask them to check it by hand. If they question you, say it is high speed film and they will do it for you.

Since each pass of x-ray causes more damage, you should really ask for any film to be hand-checked since at a minimum, you will expose it twice - once going and once coming home. If they question, say it is high speed or that it is professional film, which is more prone to damage from x-rays.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Stupid question of the day. I bought an underwater disposable camera for our day at Aquatica before leaving home. I generally travel with 400 speed film, so I simply put the camera in the bag with that, and went through airport security not thinking. I'm in Orlando now, and remembered that 800 and above isn't supposed to go through the x-ray. It is, of course, 800 Do I need to just toss the camera? What are the chances that it was NOT damaged? We aren't going to Aquatica until later in the week, so there are no pictures on it yet.

 

[rtphokie]

Stupid question of the day. I bought an underwater disposable camera for our day at Aquatica before leaving home. I generally travel with 400 speed film, so I simply put the camera in the bag with that, and went through airport security not thinking. I'm in Orlando now, and remembered that 800 and above isn't supposed to go through the x-ray. It is, of course, 800 Do I need to just toss the camera? What are the chances that it was NOT damaged? We aren't going to Aquatica until later in the week, so there are no pictures on it yet.

While it's always best to request hand inspection of ISO 800 or greater film, you are probably okay under the circumstances. You'll see 800 ISO mentioned multiple places including the TSA guidelines for simplicity and to keep people from insisting that their ISO100 film be hand inspected and slowing down the already slow process of getting through airport security.

The International Imaging Industry Association says that ISO 800 used in single use cameras should be able to take a couple of X-Ray scans before problems arise. ISO 1000 is a different story in single use cameras and ISO 800 black and white, motion picture, medical and scientific film should also be hand inspected as it is more sensitive to this kind of treatment.

Also look at it this way... the damage, if any, is already done, the only $$ you'll be out additionally is processing. Why not go ahead and use the camera? A disposable underwater camera isn't going to produce spectacular images anyway so I wouldn't sweat it too much. If there are probems, scan the photos into your computer and much of that fogging can be removed with one click. If you are planning to use it underwater, even in what looks like perfectly clear water, underwater shots are going to look a bit fogged due to light reflecting off tiny particles in the water and the general lack of light down there.

Be sure to share your results here. I'm curious to hear how it comes out.

Some links on the topic of film and x-ray and magnetic scanners:
TSA's policies on film
Kodak
International Imaging Industry Association on X-Ray and MRI exposure to film

 

[photo_chick]

You're probably fine. I accidentally sent some color 1600 though a few years back, I forgot it was in my purse. It came out fine.

The reason higher ISO films have issues with the scanners is because they have larger grains in them. Other films, especially x-ray film and black and white, have more silver halide in them.