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Effect of Xray security check on films

Good luck with the Panasonic. I'd be interested to hear how you get on with it. I agree about having a proper traditional camera with 20+MP (full frame). What bliss that would be- no menus!
 
If you travel within continental US, X-ray machines that are used to screen hand luggage are supposedly "safe". Technically Kodak is saying that you can go through these 5 times or so before you will see any fogging on your ISO 400 film. In reality it depends on X-ray operators, who are sometimes just lazy (or stupid) and crank up the power to "see better". If you travel overseas - forget about it. Most X-ray machines used overseas work on much higher power settings, so you're running high risk of fogging your film. When it comes to check-in luggage - regardless of where you're going, film in check-in luggage will be ruined if it's Xrayed. Note I said "if". If I recall correctly, official statistics for checked-in luggage within US indicate that less than 5% of all checked-in luggage is actually X-rayed. If you travel overseas, chance of that is probably over 50%. If you travel to/from Israel, as far as I understand, 100% of all luggage is X-ray checked and run through pressurized chambers.

When I travel within US, I usually ship film to/from location using FedEx or UPS (and normally put a label, warning them not to X-ray it, since it has photographic film inside and saying it's okay to perform manual inspection), since I can't really rely on those TSA employees at security stations in airports to really know regulations that grant me right to request and receive hand inspection of my film.


So, it all depends on how much risk you're willing to take with that
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Yes, that's interesting. If you go through with film really it's generally a question of you may be lucky otherwise, like it or lump it - wherever you are in the world.
 
Horrified by this thread, as I commute between UK and Italy, and I brought some films over to Italy to use, and plan to take them back for processing !!!!
So on the BAA website it has this statement....

"Independent tests undertaken by the British Photographers' Liaison Committee (BPLC), to establish the full and exact details of any potential film damage caused by baggage screening machines at airports, have given the all clear to current hand luggage x-ray inspection systems installed at BAA airports.

The findings confirm BAA's previous recommendations to passengers, that they should carry unprocessed film in their hand luggage not packed in hold (checked-in) luggage. The findings confirm that hand luggage security scanning machinery is safe for all normal film types (up to and including ISO 400)*. Current digital camera storage media can also safely be examined by these x-ray machines without suffering ill effects.

Specialist film (ISO 800 and above) under exceptional circumstances, when passed more than eight times through the hand luggage security scanning machines, can be affected. However the nature of the change occurring is barely noticeable to the naked eye and indeed does not become clearly visible until film is exposed around 32 times.

BAA therefore continues to recommend that airline passengers carry all normal, undeveloped film in their hand luggage not in their hold (checked-in) luggage. We also advise that special arrangements can be made for photographers carrying professional film (ISO 800 and above) by prior arrangement with their airline or airport. Hand search requests for professional film will normally be accommodated, but the final decision in all individual cases will always rest with the on-duty security supervisor.

The results reported are in the context of standard film use. Professional photographers requiring more detailed information should refer in the first place to their own photographic association or organisation, or the BPLC on +44 (0)20 7739 6669.


So hopefully I am ok !!!
 
Stephen,

Sounds like you're okay for travel within the UK. Doesn't tell you much about the Italy situation though, so you better check with Italian side to see if your film is safe.
 
Hello together,

is there something new in meantime about x-rays ?

Are there any experiences about the airports in Peru ?

Kindly regards
Heinz
 
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