Large Format Equipment in carry on luggage = "unknown" object

Just out of curiosity - who of you have travelled with the large format equipment in the carry on luggage and what was the reaction at the security check?

I recently did that for the first time and at both security checks (Vienna, Helsinki) my Wista got detected as something unknown. It was scanned twice and I needed to take it out of the back. It indeed looks suspicious on the screen, particularly if you have the cable release close to the camera
I wonder if this happened to someone before - and repeatedly?

Thanks for sharing some experiences,

Dietrich


Oh yes - will my exposed sheets show some images after developing, or are they ruined now by the x-rays of the security check?

In our experiences here in the US it's roughly 50-50 with camera gear of any sort. Two trends hold true. If you have lots of gear densely packed, it will be checked. And during slow times at smaller airports it's likely to be checked.... Especially if the examiner is a budding photographer who would rather talk camera gear than work at an airport!

As for the film, supposedly the scanners used at gates here in the US won't hurt film, or at least not slower film such as used with 4x5's. All bets are off with scanners hidden away in the baggage security areas. It's never a good idea to pack film of any sort in your checked bags.

Higher ISO film is more likely to suffer damage from repeated exposure. You can ask for hand inspection of film, but be careful. The inspector may want to open film boxes whose seal has been broken. It's best to carry unopened, factory sealed boxes with you as carry-on. You should consider sending exposed and/ or opened boxes home via FedEx or other carrier.

--P

Thanks for your responses Hank and Preston! I can confirm, my bag was densely packed: 5D Body+Lens, Wista, Filmholders, cable release, batteries and other small stuff.

Also thanks for the info on the scanners. I googled a bit and learned that the devices for checked baggage have stronger radiation and may indeed harm film. The scanners for the carry-on baggage are designed to not harm film.

-Dietrich

Airport X-ray exposure rarely fogs film below ISO800. It is possible but very unlikely. Do NOT ask them to hand check your film unless you'd like them to open the film boxes and ruin all of your exposures. Just put the film through the X-ray scanners. Preston's advice is very good about mailing back exposed film. In fact, you could even send it direct to your lab if that works for you.

So far I haven't had any issue flying with my LF gear, but it is possible to have security raise questions. Strangely, the last time I went through the airports here, the security folks were having trouble with my keys, small electronics and their chargers in the other end of my photo pack. I had no trouble with the LF gear.

I carried my Arca-Swiss Discovery as a carry on until fall 2009. I have not flown anywhere I wanted to take LF since then. Never had a problem with it as a carry on, even though there is a lot of metal there. On occasion they would open the bag but it was never denied as a carry on.

One time the guy running the scanner saw it on the screen and said, "Large format camera. What brand?"

I usually carried 3 boxes of Quickloads in a small bag with me as my other carry on. If I needed more film than that it was FedEx to ship it to the location.

Now, the baggage revenue police, er I mean gate attendants might want to hassle large format today.

Thanks for sharing your experiences! Another aspect of LF-photography I needed to learn...

Dietrich