One Time Use Camera
 

I'm planning to bring a one-time use camera in my carry-on luggage. The TSA website suggests that film should not be be put in checked luggage and that film should be declared at the checkpoint for hand inspection.

One of my concerns is that my one time use camera is also waterproof -- it is sealed in a plastic case that does not appear to be easily opened. I would appreciate your suggestions on the best way to proceed through security with it.

It also just occurred to me that I will also have to clear security in Argentina (LAN airlines) as well -- any tips on how I can bring the camera there safely without damaging the film?

Thanks!

In your situation I'd buy the disposable camera at my destination and have the film developed before my return.

absolutely!
 

You likely will pay more, but will get better photos.

Make sure that if you purchase the camera at your destination that you double-check the expiration date printed on its package; a lot of those disposible cameras sold to tourists can be near the end of their effective lifespans (and thus produce lower-quality photos due to the chemicals in the film having aged).

You shouldn't have any problems having the camera hand-inspected by the TSA, although I've heard anecdotal reports of screeners who apparently are unaware that you can request hand-inspection of things like film and cameras. A supervisor should be able to set them straight (mind you, I said, "should.") Even the carry-on x-ray scanner can, after several exposures, begin clouding undeveloped film.

I had to argue with a TSA screener over 1000 ASA film. In the end, I won, but it took getting a supervisor involved.

I agree with the others. Buy a disposable camera at your destination. And get the pictures processed before you leave. It'll cost more, but the premium is worth it considering the risk of damage.

One of the things that pushed me to digital was my getting sick and tired of having to argue with the TSA over film - and contrary to what they say, the xray can cause problems on any film, not just 800+.

Alot of the disposable cameras come with 400 or 800 speed, which makes them more sensitive to the xray than 100 or 200 film.

When I was in Japan, I went to a camera store and bought a very thick lead pouch to transport my film (I still carry around a disposable to/from Hawai'i for underwater photography) - it works like a charm and the screeners only removed it from my bag and checked it manually once. You may be able to find a similar pouch at a good camera store and use it to carry your film or the disposable camera itself - I just sent my parents to Las Vegas with their disposable camera in my lead pouch.

One question: why choose a one-time use camera? If you want high quality photos, but don't want to lug around a more expensive camera, you can get a really cheap, but decent auto-load camera with abit of a zoom at most drug stores - then purchase some high quality film for the shooting. You can re-use the camera while keeping the cost impact from its loss or damage low. This is what I did when I was sea kayaking, and the photos turned out much better than any disposable.

I've never not had to argue, although it's never taken a supervisor.

I would be fine asking for a hand inspection from TSA if I had a regular one time use camera. But I see a potential number of issues popping up since it's enclosed in a waterproof plastic case. Add that to the fact that I have to deal with TSA in SFO (departure city), JFK (connecting city -- switching terminals), and again with Argentinean security -- that's one big headache (and one long trip!).

I'll probably get a disposable camera at my destination, or use my digital camera and hope it doesn't get wet.

Now I just wish I hadn't opened the disposable camera -- otherwise I could have easily returned it to the store.

Unless you are shooting high-speed film (800 or above) and subject it to multiple scans, you won't damage it by putting it through carry-on x-ray. Given the quality of one-time-use cameras, there will be far more loss of contrast caused by the plastic lens then will result from the very low-power x-rays used in the carry on scanners. It's a different story in checked luggage -- those x-ray scanners are much higher-powered and will damage film.

Depending on your digital camera, you can get a weatherproof and/or waterproof / underwater housing for it relatively inexpensively. I had one for one of my old Canon point-and-shoot cameras that I paid around $120 for; that was the full underwater housing, and if you're just trying to protect it from splashes, etc., there are often "weatherized" housings available more cheaply. Of course, if you've got a SLR, you're probably going to have to shell out over $1k for a good Ikelite housing for underwater use (and given the investment of the camera + lens, that $1k-ish is a bargain IMHO).

I do have a Canon point-and-shoot, but it's a bit too close to my trip to get a waterproof housing (I'm leaving tomorrow). The waterproof housing looks neat -- it would come in handy for scuba diving.

Depending on what time you're leaving, you may be able to find a store that would send the housing FedEx Priority Overnight (arrives by 10:30AM).

You'll get much better pictures using your digital camera and a waterproof housing than you ever will using any disposable.

Whatever you do, don't let it go through the x-ray, not even once. I had an 800 speed one-time-use camera that went through once by mistake and all of my pictures came out cloudy and fuzzy. Some say one time is ok, but don't take the chance. Be insistent that it get hand checked unless you want to have vacation photos that look like they were taken on a hazy, foggy day, outside and inside.

More than likely, you bought a one-time-use camera that was improperly stored or way past the expiration date. Carry-on scanners will not hurt 800 speed film, even with multiple scans and any damage would appear as a lowering of contrast, not as cloudiness or fuzziness. Before I went digital, I use to shoot 800 speed film all the time (though in a good SLR, never in a one-time use camera). My film would, typically, be scanned 5 or 6 times on any one trip with absolutely no ill-effects.