I'm going to the Southwest USA next september,and i take a lot of films along.Flying from Milan are about 6 flys roud trip.do You think any problems can occour about X-rays?
Posted by Luigi Bianchi on August 27, 2006 at 5:00 AM
Hi Antonello!!!
I have carried about 20 films without any protection, in 2 different trips: no eye-visible problem on final pictures.
But, if you wanna be sure to have no surprises, You can buy a lead-added bag to avoid any x-ray infiltration. Take a look here: http://www.ilfotoamatore.it/lista2.asp?criterio=raggi+x
The product is: Hama Anti-XRay bag (3200iso) (about 18,80E).
Posted by Andy Richards on August 27, 2006 at 9:49 AM
You may want to research this before relying on the lead bag. I remember reading on one of the forums a couple years ago, that the new hi-power X-ray equipment they use in the baggage department has a sensor that when it sees something like the lead bag, ramps up the power. I am not sure you can rely on a lead bag to safely protect your film. Seems like the hand carry option is still the best.
Posted by Cliff Beittel on August 27, 2006 at 8:00 PM
"what about use the lead bag for the cary-on?"
I've done it once. The advantage is that if they refuse hand inspection (which in the U.S. is supposed to be your right, last time I checked the TSA website), they will see the lead bags, then hand-inspect the film on the other side of the machine (which is what you wanted in the first place). Worked fine for me. I actually bought the bags for travel overseas, where some x-ray machines for carry-on are said to be too intense, and where some airports won't hand inspect for any reason. Normally, I've been able to get hand inspection in the U.S. To carry any decent amount of film (several hundred rolls) you need the large bags made by Optech or a similar product. Each bag holds 60 or more rolls (without the plastic containers, as I recall).
At the TSA website, there is a list of the reasons why you should ask for hand inspection. One thing that qualifies is having more than five x-ray exposures of any film that is going to be pushed. That will happen on any long international trip unless you use lead bags and get hand inspection where you can.
Of course, if you are traveling alone (i.e. without a spouse or companion to provide a second carry-on), you may not have room for both your camera equipment and film. In that case, I ship film ahead to my destination (I use FedEx). I then carry-on only a day's worth of film in case the rest is delayed (which hasn't happened yet!).
P.S. If I read you right, you will be on six flights round trip. Probably at least one flight each way will be a connecting flight that will not involve an x-ray exposure. If so, you will not have more than five cumulative exposures (assuming you aren't carrying film that went unshot on a previous trip, and that you don't later fly with film not shot on your upcoming trip).
Discussion
6 repliesI have carried about 20 films without any protection, in 2 different trips: no eye-visible problem on final pictures.
But, if you wanna be sure to have no surprises, You can buy a lead-added bag to avoid any x-ray infiltration. Take a look here: http://www.ilfotoamatore.it/lista2.asp?criterio=raggi+x
The product is: Hama Anti-XRay bag (3200iso) (about 18,80E).
Thanks for Your suggestion
I've done it once. The advantage is that if they refuse hand inspection (which in the U.S. is supposed to be your right, last time I checked the TSA website), they will see the lead bags, then hand-inspect the film on the other side of the machine (which is what you wanted in the first place). Worked fine for me. I actually bought the bags for travel overseas, where some x-ray machines for carry-on are said to be too intense, and where some airports won't hand inspect for any reason. Normally, I've been able to get hand inspection in the U.S. To carry any decent amount of film (several hundred rolls) you need the large bags made by Optech or a similar product. Each bag holds 60 or more rolls (without the plastic containers, as I recall).
At the TSA website, there is a list of the reasons why you should ask for hand inspection. One thing that qualifies is having more than five x-ray exposures of any film that is going to be pushed. That will happen on any long international trip unless you use lead bags and get hand inspection where you can.
Of course, if you are traveling alone (i.e. without a spouse or companion to provide a second carry-on), you may not have room for both your camera equipment and film. In that case, I ship film ahead to my destination (I use FedEx). I then carry-on only a day's worth of film in case the rest is delayed (which hasn't happened yet!).
P.S. If I read you right, you will be on six flights round trip. Probably at least one flight each way will be a connecting flight that will not involve an x-ray exposure. If so, you will not have more than five cumulative exposures (assuming you aren't carrying film that went unshot on a previous trip, and that you don't later fly with film not shot on your upcoming trip).
Bye
Anto