X-Ray & Cameras

[Terk-1]

Does TSA put digital cameras, memory sticks, camcorders & camcorder film through the x-ray machine in carry-on bags or do you need to take these out for them to look at? Is it safe for these items to go through this machine or will it damage the memory sticks & film? I know that it will damage these if they go through the x-ray machine for checked bags, but was not sure about carry-ons.

 

[OKW Lover]

There is no problem putting your digital camera through the xray machine. It was always the film that had a problem with the xray, so with digital cameras there isn't a problem.

 

[Terk-1]

It was always the film that had a problem with the xray

So should I put the camcorder film (the camcorder takes the small tapes) in a zip-lock bag and hand it to them or is this ok to go through the carry-on x-ray machine?

 

[DebbieB]

I think it's just undeveloped camera film that's a problem. Video Tapes should be OK.

 

[OKW Lover]

So should I put the camcorder film (the camcorder takes the small tapes) in a zip-lock bag and hand it to them or is this ok to go through the carry-on x-ray machine?

Sorry, I should have been clearer. Your digital camera does not use photographic "film" (remember that stuff? It usually came in a yellow box). Your camera uses a tape (or memory cards for still cameras) that is unaffected by xrays.

 

[mdhkitten]

I've always put my camera film through the x-ray machine at the security check point and have never had a problem, so I imagine that your film should be fine, too. It's always at the x-ray machine for checked luggage that they've asked me about film, never at security.

 

[seashoreCM]

Digital cameras and other valuables should not be put in checked baggage to begin with.

Published rules say that 800 and higher speed film should be hand inspected and photo experts still say that all film should be hand inspected, but anecdotal evidence has it that asking for hand inspection of film usually results in hand inspection of much more.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[goofy4tink]

I know it's overkill, but I do it anyway. I always put my camera, my 35mm back when I had one, as well as my digital one, along with any disposable cameras, in one big zip-loc baggie. Usually put my cell phone, any chargers..that kind of thing in it too. Then, I just pull it out of my carryon bag, send it through in the bin with my shoes/purse. Just makes it easier for me. I realize that you really do not have to do it this way, but that's what I'm accustomed to doing.
But, you do not have to worry about film being damaged. If you had left the film in your checked bag, then you may have reason to worry. Those xray systems are much stronger than the carryon ones.

 

[Donald is #1]

I agree with the other posters. You won't have a problem. I have never had a problem sending my camera (35 mm or digital) through the x-ray machine with my carry-on. Even when I was carrying film, (normally either 100 or 400 speed), I have never had a problem with the x-ray machine for carry-ons. That being said, I would never put my camera in my checked bags. I always carry it on no matter how much equipment I am carrying. The only piece of my camera equipment that I check is my tripod.

Have a great trip!

 

[Terk-1]

Thanks everyone for your input. Did not want to damage the camera or the tapes. Thanks again!

 

[CleveRocks]

X-rays are light. They are not light visible to our human eyes, but they are, in fact, light. FILM, like 35 mm film or 8 mm movie film, works because it is sensitive to light. You let a prescribed amount of light into the camera, and the light affects the film surface in such a way as to register an image, after certain chemicals are used in a certain way in a darkroom.

Since x-rays are light, they will affect film.

So it was never cameras or even images that were affected by x-rays, it was film.

Digital cameras don't use film -- they use digital data storage, EXACTLY the same type of digital data storage as laptop computers, MP3 players, music CDs, etc.

Camcorders of ANY type don't use film.

So we should all get it out of our heads that x-rays affect cameras. They don't affect cameras, they affect FILM. FILM. Just film. Not any medium that captures images ... just FILM.

 

[mdhkitten]

X-rays are light. They are not light visible to our human eyes, but they are, in fact, light. FILM, like 35 mm film or 8 mm movie film, works because it is sensitive to light. You let a prescribed amount of light into the camera, and the light affects the film surface in such a way as to register an image, after certain chemicals are used in a certain way in a darkroom.

Since x-rays are light, they will affect film.

So it was never cameras or even images that were affected by x-rays, it was film.

Digital cameras don't use film -- they use digital data storage, EXACTLY the same type of digital data storage as laptop computers, MP3 players, music CDs, etc.

Camcorders of ANY type don't use film.

So we should all get it out of our heads that x-rays affect cameras. They don't affect cameras, they affect FILM. FILM. Just film. Not any medium that captures images ... just FILM.

Yes, but apparently lower level x-rays, such as those used at security, don't affect film, or at least it's never bothered mine, and the officers have said that it's fine to run it through those machines.

 

[MouseyMin]

Yes, but apparently lower level x-rays, such as those used at security, don't affect film, or at least it's never bothered mine, and the officers have said that it's fine to run it through those machines.

Actually, all x-rays affect film to some extent. The lower lever ones used at airports just don't affect the film enough to be noticed by the average person. However, I read that x-ray damage to the film (and this goes for people too) is cumulative - the more times the same roll goes through the machine, the greater the likelihood of some damage to the film. High speed film is damaged more quickly than low speed film.