Post 911 Airport X-Ray

casey4355 · 6th January 2008

I believe X-Ray dosage should be higher than pre-911.
Any advise on the above ?
What the highest ISO transported without any problems ?
I have some ASA 400s.

sexalicious · 6th January 2008

might be a problem dude. but if not wrong, i remember seeing film safe in one of the scanning machine on my way to hk.

waileong · 6th January 2008

On what do you base your belief that the dosage is higher?

casey4355 · 7th January 2008

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/servi.../tib5201.shtml

X-ray equipment used to inspect carry-on baggage uses a very low level of x-radiation that will not cause noticeable damage to most films. However, baggage that is checked (loaded on the planes as cargo) often goes through equipment with higher energy X rays. Therefore, take these precautions when traveling with unprocessed film:

Don't place single-use cameras or unprocessed film in any luggage or baggage that will be checked. This includes cameras that still have film in them.

If an attendant or security personnel informs you that your carry-on baggage must be stowed with the checked luggage or go through a second scan, remove your unprocessed film.

Have your exposed film processed locally before passing through airport security on your return trip.

If you're going to be traveling through multiple X-ray examinations (more than 5 times), request a hand search of your carry-on baggage. FAA regulations in the U.S. allow for a hand search of photographic film and equipment if requested. (See below for further FAA information.) However, non-US airports may not honor this request.

Request a hand inspection for all motion imaging origination films. Testing shows fog on motion imaging films even after a single X-ray scan. This increased fog flattens the entire toe region of the sensitometric curve reducing shadow detail in a telecine or projected image. However, Explosive Trace Detection instruments provide no risk to motion picture films and can be used in conjunction with hand inspection to provide a non-destructive method of motion film inspection.

If you're asked to step aside for a more thorough scan of your carry-on baggage, the film could be harmed if they use the more intense X-ray equipment.You should take your unprocessed film out of your luggage.

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. If you use a lead bag, check with the manufacturer for the effectiveness of their products with airport X-ray devices. The inspection process may be triggered by a lead bag on the scanner screen. In a typical airport surveillance situation, the baggage may be pulled aside for additional inspection.

Consider shipping unprocessed, unexposed or exposed film through an expedited carrier, but first check with the carrier to determine what package examination procedures they are using.

Be polite, helpful and patient. Please remember that security personnel are trying to protect the traveling public.

ndroo · 7th January 2008

Had some 400 and 1600 film with me, went thru xray in sg, bangkok and narita airport. Came back and they were still fine.

casey4355 · 7th January 2008

Originally Posted by ndroo

Had some 400 and 1600 film with me, went thru xray in sg, bangkok and narita airport. Came back and they were still fine.

thanks for the reassurance.
dun wan any disappointments when the pics are processed.

jcryan55 · 8th January 2008

Typically based on my experience, the X ray will affect ISO 800 film and above more. As a rule if thumb, I heard from my pro photographer friends, a ISO 800 film can take up to 4 pass of X Ray at airport. After that, some irregularities like partial fogging, light streaks at edges may happen.
Whenever possible, I tend to ask for hand inspection. I have ever carry back even IR film back from UK requesting for hand inspection. Remember to keep all your receipt and a namecard of the shop that you bought the films. This will provide more evidence to the airport customs that you indeed have film inside and not something suspicious. Also, be prepared to sacrifice a roll or two to allow the customs officer to randomly pick up and check. I allow them to choose from 6 boxes of IR film 2 rolls to pull out the film to verify that it is indeed film in the box. it helps when the boxes are sealed by the factory and the seal is broken in front of the officers. Better to waste 2 rolls of film than to come back with 60 rolls of IR film fogged when put through the X Ray.

Macky · 8th January 2008

As a rule I NEVER put my film in the check in bags.

Just back from Cairo where even hotels and museums have x-ray scanners and walk through metal detectors, let alone airports. My 400 positives were x-rayed many many times. No problems. But I can't vouch for any faster film.

GavinTing · 14th January 2008

Take out all your film from the cardboard box, but leave in the plastic round case thingy. Put them all in a ziplock bag. To be safe, buy a roll of high ISO, like 1600 or 3200 (if you can find). When going thru airport xray, say you have "film ranging up to iso 3200" that must be hand checked. Just pull out the whole ziplock for them to see. If i remember correctly, US law says its required to handcheck if requested.

alvin · 15th October 2008

I know this thread is old, but thought I'd add a bit. I went through a few domestic flights in oz recently, (1 week b4 this post), I accidentally left my 120 rolls on the flight from Melbourne to Sydney, after processing, there were 1-2 slides damaged per roll. Velvia 100F. Rest of the way, I got them to manually hand check. Sometimes they do insist on using the scanner, but I just pleaded and gave my best puppy dog eyes. It works :P

Thankfully the damage was to the areas of sky, I should be able to figure a way to scan and fix them in post.

YMMV!

Alvin

clubgrit · 16th October 2008

I try to only bring ASA 400 and below, and have never had any problems in and out of the USA, and Singapore, used or unused film, 35mm and 120. Even within the Singapore government offices' X-Rays during the height of the security alerts.

I'll never argue or plead with any of the security personnel, especially in the USA which is usually very busy (at least when I'm there), with long lines ...

Bottomline, I have no issues with airport xrays. One can argue that maybe I was just lucky ? But almost 50 at one go without any problems is a good sign ... of course, there are a few bad exposures where I know is my fault :-), and nothing wrong with the camera or in development.

I also order loads of film from overseas,no problems at all, even 1600. I'm not sure if they Xray these. If not, then one can ship all the film via courier to one's home.

.

soongparkyueng · 19th October 2008

Had a few rolls of both precessed and unprocessed Delta 3200 past the sg and china airport.There was no damage at all.but you can request for hand inspection if you feel insecure.process locally ASAP when u finish your rolls.it may be cheaper outside SG even.esp those shooting 120 n above.

6th January 2008	#1
casey4355 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 735	Post 911 Airport X-Ray I believe X-Ray dosage should be higher than pre-911. Any advise on the above ? What the highest ISO transported without any problems ? I have some ASA 400s.

6th January 2008	#2
sexalicious Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: northeast Posts: 975	Re: Post 911 Airport X-Ray might be a problem dude. but if not wrong, i remember seeing film safe in one of the scanning machine on my way to hk. __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/sexalicious/ Life starts at the speed of 240km/h

6th January 2008	#3
waileong Deregistered Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,597	Re: Post 911 Airport X-Ray On what do you base your belief that the dosage is higher?

7th January 2008	#4
casey4355 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 735	Re: Post 911 Airport X-Ray http://www.kodak.com/global/en/servi.../tib5201.shtml X-ray equipment used to inspect carry-on baggage uses a very low level of x-radiation that will not cause noticeable damage to most films. However, baggage that is checked (loaded on the planes as cargo) often goes through equipment with higher energy X rays. Therefore, take these precautions when traveling with unprocessed film: Don't place single-use cameras or unprocessed film in any luggage or baggage that will be checked. This includes cameras that still have film in them. If an attendant or security personnel informs you that your carry-on baggage must be stowed with the checked luggage or go through a second scan, remove your unprocessed film. Have your exposed film processed locally before passing through airport security on your return trip. If you're going to be traveling through multiple X-ray examinations (more than 5 times), request a hand search of your carry-on baggage. FAA regulations in the U.S. allow for a hand search of photographic film and equipment if requested. (See below for further FAA information.) However, non-US airports may not honor this request. Request a hand inspection for all motion imaging origination films. Testing shows fog on motion imaging films even after a single X-ray scan. This increased fog flattens the entire toe region of the sensitometric curve reducing shadow detail in a telecine or projected image. However, Explosive Trace Detection instruments provide no risk to motion picture films and can be used in conjunction with hand inspection to provide a non-destructive method of motion film inspection. If you're asked to step aside for a more thorough scan of your carry-on baggage, the film could be harmed if they use the more intense X-ray equipment.You should take your unprocessed film out of your luggage. 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. If you use a lead bag, check with the manufacturer for the effectiveness of their products with airport X-ray devices. The inspection process may be triggered by a lead bag on the scanner screen. In a typical airport surveillance situation, the baggage may be pulled aside for additional inspection. Consider shipping unprocessed, unexposed or exposed film through an expedited carrier, but first check with the carrier to determine what package examination procedures they are using. Be polite, helpful and patient. Please remember that security personnel are trying to protect the traveling public.

7th January 2008	#5
ndroo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: www.fuzzyeyeballs.com Posts: 6,719	Re: Post 911 Airport X-Ray Had some 400 and 1600 film with me, went thru xray in sg, bangkok and narita airport. Came back and they were still fine. __________________ fuzzyeyeballs

8th January 2008	#7
jcryan55 Deregistered Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,112	Re: Post 911 Airport X-Ray Typically based on my experience, the X ray will affect ISO 800 film and above more. As a rule if thumb, I heard from my pro photographer friends, a ISO 800 film can take up to 4 pass of X Ray at airport. After that, some irregularities like partial fogging, light streaks at edges may happen. Whenever possible, I tend to ask for hand inspection. I have ever carry back even IR film back from UK requesting for hand inspection. Remember to keep all your receipt and a namecard of the shop that you bought the films. This will provide more evidence to the airport customs that you indeed have film inside and not something suspicious. Also, be prepared to sacrifice a roll or two to allow the customs officer to randomly pick up and check. I allow them to choose from 6 boxes of IR film 2 rolls to pull out the film to verify that it is indeed film in the box. it helps when the boxes are sealed by the factory and the seal is broken in front of the officers. Better to waste 2 rolls of film than to come back with 60 rolls of IR film fogged when put through the X Ray.

8th January 2008	#8
Macky Gallery Subscriber Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central Posts: 154	Re: Post 911 Airport X-Ray As a rule I NEVER put my film in the check in bags. Just back from Cairo where even hotels and museums have x-ray scanners and walk through metal detectors, let alone airports. My 400 positives were x-rayed many many times. No problems. But I can't vouch for any faster film.

14th January 2008	#9
GavinTing Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,276	Re: Post 911 Airport X-Ray Take out all your film from the cardboard box, but leave in the plastic round case thingy. Put them all in a ziplock bag. To be safe, buy a roll of high ISO, like 1600 or 3200 (if you can find). When going thru airport xray, say you have "film ranging up to iso 3200" that must be hand checked. Just pull out the whole ziplock for them to see. If i remember correctly, US law says its required to handcheck if requested.

15th October 2008	#10
alvin Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London, United Kingdom Posts: 611	Re: Post 911 Airport X-Ray I know this thread is old, but thought I'd add a bit. I went through a few domestic flights in oz recently, (1 week b4 this post), I accidentally left my 120 rolls on the flight from Melbourne to Sydney, after processing, there were 1-2 slides damaged per roll. Velvia 100F. Rest of the way, I got them to manually hand check. Sometimes they do insist on using the scanner, but I just pleaded and gave my best puppy dog eyes. It works :P Thankfully the damage was to the areas of sky, I should be able to figure a way to scan and fix them in post. YMMV! Alvin

16th October 2008	#11
clubgrit Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pacland Posts: 1,837	Re: Post 911 Airport X-Ray I try to only bring ASA 400 and below, and have never had any problems in and out of the USA, and Singapore, used or unused film, 35mm and 120. Even within the Singapore government offices' X-Rays during the height of the security alerts. I'll never argue or plead with any of the security personnel, especially in the USA which is usually very busy (at least when I'm there), with long lines ... Bottomline, I have no issues with airport xrays. One can argue that maybe I was just lucky ? But almost 50 at one go without any problems is a good sign ... of course, there are a few bad exposures where I know is my fault :-), and nothing wrong with the camera or in development. I also order loads of film from overseas,no problems at all, even 1600. I'm not sure if they Xray these. If not, then one can ship all the film via courier to one's home. . Last edited by clubgrit; 16th October 2008 at 05:50 AM.

19th October 2008	#12
soongparkyueng New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 13	Re: Post 911 Airport X-Ray Had a few rolls of both precessed and unprocessed Delta 3200 past the sg and china airport.There was no damage at all.but you can request for hand inspection if you feel insecure.process locally ASAP when u finish your rolls.it may be cheaper outside SG even.esp those shooting 120 n above.