I will be heading to the US a little later this year and am thinking of shooting film (probably MF - I think the challenges of LF might just be a step too far). I have a number of concerns regarding the effect of modern airport scanning machines on unprocessed film. My internet researches have been helpful, but it seems that there are still some 'foggy' areas. Here is a brief summary of what I think I have found.
1) It seems that there is universal agreement that film should not be placed in checked baggage. The Internet folks seem unanimous that this will lead to fogged film.
2) It is recommended that photographers place their films in a clear plastic bag and should ask for a 'hand search' when going through airport security.
3) Nevertheless, the screener may insist that the films go through their scanning machine. This need not necessarily be disastrous. Older Internet posts suggest that films of less than 800 ISO may be able to go through airport scanning machines up to 5 times without the risk of 'significant' fogging.
4) There seems to be some suggestion that newer scanning machines may not be so friendly as older machines (many of the posts I have read are 10 or more years old). However, I don't know if the 'newer machines fear' has any basis in fact. Does anyone know if the guidance has been updated in recent years?
5) The Internettites seem agreed that there is little point in putting films in a lead-lined bag. It is said that when modern airport scanning machines fail to penetrate the lead lining, the machines increase their output in an attempt to see through the bag. Again, I don't know if this is accurate or nonsense.
6) There is a reasonable photography store at my US destination and I have already confirmed that I would be able to pick up film in the US, meaning that, if I took it back unprocessed, it would only have to go through the scanning system once.
7) I have looked into the possibility of having films developed whilst out in the US. It seems that I could get colour film developed on a 'next day' basis (which would be do-able). Black and White, however, would take a week to process - although I might be able to expedite this ... for a higher fee. I think, on balance, I would prefer to process my own film.
So, after that long-winded exposition, my question is: do any forum members have experience of transporting films through airport security systems and, if so, have they run into any significant problems in doing so?
1) It seems that there is universal agreement that film should not be placed in checked baggage. The Internet folks seem unanimous that this will lead to fogged film.
2) It is recommended that photographers place their films in a clear plastic bag and should ask for a 'hand search' when going through airport security.
3) Nevertheless, the screener may insist that the films go through their scanning machine. This need not necessarily be disastrous. Older Internet posts suggest that films of less than 800 ISO may be able to go through airport scanning machines up to 5 times without the risk of 'significant' fogging.
4) There seems to be some suggestion that newer scanning machines may not be so friendly as older machines (many of the posts I have read are 10 or more years old). However, I don't know if the 'newer machines fear' has any basis in fact. Does anyone know if the guidance has been updated in recent years?
5) The Internettites seem agreed that there is little point in putting films in a lead-lined bag. It is said that when modern airport scanning machines fail to penetrate the lead lining, the machines increase their output in an attempt to see through the bag. Again, I don't know if this is accurate or nonsense.
6) There is a reasonable photography store at my US destination and I have already confirmed that I would be able to pick up film in the US, meaning that, if I took it back unprocessed, it would only have to go through the scanning system once.
7) I have looked into the possibility of having films developed whilst out in the US. It seems that I could get colour film developed on a 'next day' basis (which would be do-able). Black and White, however, would take a week to process - although I might be able to expedite this ... for a higher fee. I think, on balance, I would prefer to process my own film.
So, after that long-winded exposition, my question is: do any forum members have experience of transporting films through airport security systems and, if so, have they run into any significant problems in doing so?
