Does anyone know what the risks are from "today's" x-raying/TSA/etc. procedures
in terms of analog-cameras and their film?

I prefer my old-fashioned camera and will be taking it [currently loaded] and
two or three more rolls of 200 or 400 speed color film. We'll be going on a
total of six flight-legs, some international. Is it better to check or carry-on?
Anything else I should know?

Thanks so much for any advice.

--LG

Do NOT check film. The screening for checked luggage with ruin the film.

TSA tells you that the xray for carry-on will not affect 'regular' film, but I would be concerned about high-speed film or multiple xray exposures. I would ask nicely for a hand inspection of the film and consider having the film developed before your return. (You can develop the film but save the printing 'til you get home if you are concerned about space.) TSA info. here (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1248.shtm).

Do NOT check film. The screening for checked luggage with ruin the film.

TSA tells you that the xray for carry-on will not affect 'regular' film, but I would be concerned about high-speed film or multiple xray exposures. I would ask nicely for a hand inspection of the film and consider having the film developed before your return. (You can develop the film but save the printing 'til you get home if you are concerned about space.) TSA info. here (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1248.shtm).

Thank you! I will now go and move the extra film to my carry-on, possibly in
a regulation zip-lock bag. I'm a bit nervous about requesting a "hand-inspection".
What will that entail? Will I have to wait a long time? I'll have with me three
young children who will need help shoeing/deshoeing so I want to be as
streamlined as possible.

--LG

TSA site has additional info.: remove film from canisters, place in a clear bag, and tell the TSA agent it has been through prior xrays. I would add a print-out of this TSA page (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1035.shtm)to your bag.

I haven't carried film recently but when I have I've always requested a hand inspection. They say below ASA 800 is ok but the effect is cumulative. 4 hits (quite reasonable for an international connection) and you're down to safe only below ASA 200. Also, what happens if they back things up to have a better look? Anything could be fried in one hit that way.

I've got some clear plastic tubes to pack film in. While they can hold 5 rolls I pack 4 so they are loose--tip them and you can see everything. (The end caps aren't clear.) They are reasonably rugged and watertight--much better protection than a ziplock.

The only time it added more than 1 minute was the first time--before I used the tubes--when one inspector checked each can. We had shot 40 rolls. The tubes draw an explosive swab, that's it. In China they don't even get that, just a quick eyeball.

I have an x-ray pouch for film that I sometimes declare and it gets a quick look-over - no more than a minute or so.

Sometimes I forget and leave it in the carry on, and more than half the time the bag goes straight through with no problems. I find this alarming as TSA can't see through it and the big blob of the pouch should (I have been told by a TSA agent) always prompt opening of the bag!

I've seen people with Xray pouches for film being told to get them out of the bag at the TSA screening point. The contents are checked and then the bag is resealed, but at LHR they ran the wand over my films to see if there was any added metal inside the films or so they told me that was the reason....

What about putting film in a lead bag and letting it be x-rayed in luggage? Am I false in thinking that the lead would provide adequate protection for the higher level of x-ray intensity that is used today?

I used such bags 20 years ago, but haven't in years, but my dad apparently just used one & he isn't sure if he should even bother developing his film. I said try one or two, but thought it would likely be OK given that it was in a protective bag.

I have *major* hassel normally at ORD T5 when i'm traveling back with film... almost if they just want to X-Ray ... Normally, i use a clear plastic bag for film so they can see what it is.

Although I shoot comparitivly normal slide film or Neopan, I shoot mainly with 120 film when abroard (I just prefer the larger negative), and I get "Its fine to go through sir" (not by the time I get to ORD and its time to go home... and its been through a few times at Manchester or IAD).

(although the advice to get the film processed locally is a bit of a no-no for me... I haven't got a a US permenant address...)

I'll be taking the guidlines with me next time... although to minimise my chances, I'll try and find film shops in ORD and near IAD that stock 120 Slide film...

...deleted

What about putting film in a lead bag and letting it be x-rayed in luggage? Am I false in thinking that the lead would provide adequate protection for the higher level of x-ray intensity that is used today?

I'm bumping this question -- any experts have any thoughts on lead bags & checked luggage??

TIA.

I'm bumping this question -- any experts have any thoughts on lead bags & checked luggage??

TIA.

I'm definately not an expert, but found this info. on Kodak's web site (http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/tib/tib5201.shtml):

Lead-lined bags, available from photo retailers, will weaken the X-radiation on film and reduce potential harm. However, the effectiveness of any particular lead bag depends on the intensity and electric potential of the X-ray generator, the lead's thickness, and the film speed.

Given the higher strength scanners used for checked luggage, I would not risk sending film in checked luggage, even in a lead bag.

Thank you! I will now go and move the extra film to my carry-on, possibly in
a regulation zip-lock bag. I'm a bit nervous about requesting a "hand-inspection".
What will that entail? Will I have to wait a long time? I'll have with me three
young children who will need help shoeing/deshoeing so I want to be as
streamlined as possible.

--LG


Don't worry about asking for a hand inspection of your film. I do it all the time and have never encountered a problem from the TSA. I am prepared, though. I take the film out of the little plastic containers and put it in a clear plastic bag so that when I get up to the x-ray apparatus I can just hand it over to the attendant with a request for hand inspection. Usually they just glance at it briefly and pass it along so I can pick it up on the other side. On the way home, I usually have my film in two plastic bags - one for the used film and the other for left over unused film. Again, I have never encountered any resistance to this method.

Given the higher strength scanners used for checked luggage, I would not risk sending film in checked luggage, even in a lead bag.
Thanks, scoow! Unfortunately it is too late for unthinking dad's film - already been through, but maybe, just maybe the bag was enough. I keep telling him to develop one roll and see, but he's been slow about it - I think discouraged by knowing he probably screwed up his pictures. Maybe this will be a lesson. ;)

Ooops -- duplicate post. (Now I know how that happens...)

Maybe this will be a lesson. ;)

When he does develop the film, please report back. For your Dad's sake, I hope it worked.

Still don't think I would risk it, but I'll be interested to hear.