packing camera film

[travelingtwin]

Any suggestions on how to pack film for my camera. My husband said to pack it in the carry on, but dose'nt this go though the x-ray too! Any suggestions I would hate to not have my pictures turn out. Im so excited about going I can hardly stand it!!!!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Do NOT pack film exposed or unexposed in checked luggage! The x-ray is much stronger. Also there is chance of loss.

Put it in your carry on. You can request a hand check of a camera bag if you have the type of camera with lenses, etc. you may want to consider that.

Also there are lead bags, called film safe among other things, that you can put the film in. That is what I will do. More than likely the security folks will then also hand check the bag because the scanner can't read through the lead. "Officially" a single exposure to the x-ray level of the scanners carry on bags go through for lower than 400 speed film is supposed to be "ok". I don't take chances especially since most of my film is 400 or faster.

Deb

 

[alexturner74]

Any standard film under 800 is okay in carry-on luggage going through the screening equipment. If you take the same unexposed film through the carry-on screening equipment more than 5 times however, then damage may occur.

Don't be afraid. However, if you want to be super conservative, then you can have then check your carry-on by hand.

 

[MarkRG]

And, even more so if it is a big concern, you can buy film there-there are shops right in the airport that sell film, and that's past security. They also do sell it shipboard. And can develop film for you shipboard, for about $13 a roll, if you're really worried about it.

I personally don't use film for much of anything except the waterproof disposable cameras. And we might have them developed right on the ship just to get the pictures back right away.

My advice is to go digital. At this point you could pick just about any ones sold at any electronics store and not go wrong.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I can appreciate what Alexturner74 is saying but am one of those that tends to edge on the cautioun side anyway. I'm not taking a chance on my film.

I based my post on what several professional photographer friends/acquaintances have told me as well as what I have read in my photography magazines. I'm a strictly film person - don't like the quality of most digitals once they start getting enlarged. Although I will say I had the opportunity to do some shooting with a really HIGH end digital that has 6 megapixcels and up to an 8x10 those were pretty good. Not great on fast action though.

Also part of the reason I will request hand check is to protect the equipment. I've seen too many bags go bumping down and even OFF the conveyor belts to risk my lenses to that sort of handling.

MarkRG - as for buying it in the airport or elsewhere on the cruise and/or having it developed there, I'll probably shoot over 50 rolls of film during the week and the outlet I use gets me 400 speed at $1.79 a roll, 800 at $1.89! I buy in bulk. However, I would agree that if someone isn't planning on shooting that much it is an option.

Deb

 

[Moosysmom]

We were told waterproof cameras and 800 speed or higher film should only go through the machines once. I had it all hand checked when coming back from Orlando and it was fine. The shop where I get my film developed, says that the lead bags are the best.

 

[mm4mm]

I made the mistake of accidentally putting a few rolls in my checked luggage on our way home from the Magic in Jan '03. The pictures were snowy when developed. I would recommend carrying all rolls of film in your carry on, or have them developed on the ship.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

With the new explosive-detection machines, they usually ask you if you have any cameras or film in your checked luggage before they run the bags through. At least, this has been my experience.

I used to carry my film (mostly 200 or 400) in a lead bag until I discovered that the bag had a crack in it. Since then, I've just carried it in my backpack (carry-on) and have not had any problems. We've recently entered the digital age (have to send baby pics to grandmom on a regular basis), so I guess I don't have to worry about this anymore.

Funny thing about the lead bag: You would think that the x-ray machine would not be able to determine what it is, and that they'd want to hand-inspect your bag. Of all of the trips I've taken with it (probably upwards of 20 flights), I've only ever had to open the bag (and actually turn on the camera) once. Sometimes they ask what it is and then take my word for it. Sometimes they do nothing.

 

[LoveMickey]

I know the xray machines at the airport are not suitable for film, but what about the machines that check your baggage when getting on board. Are these the same type?

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I understand that they are quite similar. Not sure what current policy is - on our first cruise I just put the camera through and ended up with some fogged rolls. On the second I asked them to check it, some CMs would, others not.

Deb

 

[Moosysmom]

I was told on that the machines checking the bags you take on the plane with you that your film should be fine 400 speed or less. I think I'm just going to have it handchecked from now on. I hate the thought of losing priceless pictures, and I'm not quite ready for the digital age yet.

 

[Karista]

I put all of my film in a large ziploc bag and had it in my carry-on. Before going through security I just requested a hand inspection. Even though I knew I wanted to protect my film, I felt like I was being an inconvenience. The lady inspecting the film said not to worry about it, that it's their job! She said "I have the time if you have the time." It was really no big deal and it's better to be safe than sorry.

One tip she gave me, and I'm glad I did this, was to take a little sharpie marker and number your film canisters as you use them. Then after getting home, I marked each film packet with the number before having them developed. It was nice to put all of the pictures in order before looking at them, plus I knew that I had all of my film and if one would have been missing I would have a general idea of which roll it was.

 

[Moosysmom]

I like the sharpie tip, When I went to Ireland years ago, I put a little masking tape number on each canister and then taped that to the envelope.