Security question about camcorder and camera

[dylansdad]

Pack them both in carry on and usually send thru xray. is this still ok? or do they need to see them work

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Just send them through, I would not load the regular camera with film, however, I would have them hand check film. No, they don't need to see them work.

 

[BurleyGirl]

What is the significance of this? Does the x-ray hurt the film? Do you place your film in a ziploc/see-thru baggy and then give them the baggy?

Thanks,
Kimberly

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I asked and was told that it was only a problem with film over 800 speed (professional I guess). I use 400 speed and have never had a problem. I have had my camera with film in it go through as well.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by BurleyGirl
What is the significance of this? Does the x-ray hurt the film? Do you place your film in a ziploc/see-thru baggy and then give them the baggy?

Thanks,
Kimberly

xray exposure is cumulative. Each time the film goes through scanners it is slightly damaged. The more it goes through, the more it is damaged.
They say anything under 800 is safe. I used to process film, the TSA does not. I have seen the damage the scanners can do and this was pre 9/11.
The film may have been scanned prior to its arrival at the store, that is one scan, you buy it take it on vacation in your carry on, it is another scan, you expose it, take it home via carry on, opps another scan. You have at least two scans on that film.

I do highly recommend carrying it in a baggie and handing it to the person at the scanner station. They cannot refuse to hand check it.

NEVER EVER put it in checked luggage, it will be totally ruined.

 

[BurleyGirl]

Thanks again, Gail, for a very informative reply!

-Kimberly

 

[Geoff_M]

letsbgoofy,

The "official" word from the TSA is that only film above 800 ISO could be fogged, but photographic industry association have conducted their own tests and concluded that fogging can occur with film speeds as low as 400 ISO with more than one pass. See: http://www.i3a.org/x-ray.html Federal law allows you to be given a hand check of film, regardless of its speed or how likely the TSA agents think it may be fogged.

 

[CarolA]

I sent 14 rolls of film thru the scanner going to Istanbul. Coming back the same 14 rolls (400 and 800) speed went thru the scanner at the Istanbul airport, the scanner at the gate in Istanbul and the scanner at JFK. Plus I have a feeling some of those rolls had already made two trips thur the scanner going to WDW. They were all fine when I developed them. Same thing with my moms. I just send the stuff thru and have never had any problem. DO NOT PUT IT IN THE CHECKED LUGGAGE!

While the TSA is suppose to agree to hand check your film there are no such regulations in foreign countires and the one time I asked they got VERY upset with me so now.....

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by CarolA
I sent 14 rolls of film thru the scanner going to Istanbul. Coming back the same 14 rolls (400 and 800) speed went thru the scanner at the Istanbul airport, the scanner at the gate in Istanbul and the scanner at JFK. Plus I have a feeling some of those rolls had already made two trips thur the scanner going to WDW. They were all fine when I developed them. Same thing with my moms. I just send the stuff thru and have never had any problem. DO NOT PUT IT IN THE CHECKED LUGGAGE!

While the TSA is suppose to agree to hand check your film there are no such regulations in foreign countires and the one time I asked they got VERY upset with me so now.....

Well, Carol, you got lucky. It does not happen that way all the time.

 

[dylansdad]

how about digital Hi8 MP tapes for camcorder?

 

[CarolA]

Gail,
As I indicated if you fly international you had better be prepared to send it thur. Some of the security guys take it as a personal insult if you don't want to send your film thru and I would rather take the risk then be held up over film! Also, at JFK it was a zoo! I actually would have been more afraid that it would be lost in a hand search. Those screeners and that space were VERY disorganized.

Also, the few times I have had film fogged I figured out it was actually do to something else. Once I left the film on top of a microwave. BAD MOVE LOL!

The other issue with hand screening is forgetting it. Be sure you remind yourself or have your traveling compainons remind you. YOu would be AMAZED how much stuff gets left behind now.

 

[CarolA]

Gail,
As I indicated if you fly international you had better be prepared to send it thur. Some of the security guys take it as a personal insult if you don't want to send your film thru and I would rather take the risk then be held up over film! Also, at JFK it was a zoo! I actually would have been more afraid that it would be lost in a hand search. Those screeners and that space were VERY disorganized.

Also, the few times I have had film fogged I figured out it was actually do to something else. Once I left the film on top of a microwave. BAD MOVE LOL!

The other issue with hand screening is forgetting it. Be sure you remind yourself or have your traveling compainons remind you. YOu would be AMAZED how much stuff gets left behind now.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by dylansdad
how about digital Hi8 MP tapes for camcorder?

No problem with them.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by CarolA
Gail,
As I indicated if you fly international you had better be prepared to send it thur. Some of the security guys take it as a personal insult if you don't want to send your film thru and I would rather take the risk then be held up over film! Also, at JFK it was a zoo! I actually would have been more afraid that it would be lost in a hand search. Those screeners and that space were VERY disorganized.

Also, the few times I have had film fogged I figured out it was actually do to something else. Once I left the film on top of a microwave. BAD MOVE LOL!

The other issue with hand screening is forgetting it. Be sure you remind yourself or have your traveling compainons remind you. YOu would be AMAZED how much stuff gets left behind now.

LOL, I probably would be amazed. I am really glad I went to digital.