r.reeder Loc: Mesa, Arizona

This is just an FYI for everyone.

I know that most here use digital cameras, but for those of us who go after the real thing, I offer this.

I had ASA 100 in an Argus C3, went through the TSA security (on the 1.Aug), & asked that my camera & film be hand checked. They said that their X-ray didn't affect film slower than ASA 800, so I let it go through. I just today finished up that roll of film, & (wait for it) the whole roll was fogged. I seriously doubt that it was mishandled at the Walgreen's where I take it for processing. I'd be willing to bet a steak dinner that it happened at the airport.

Maybe mine was a fluke, but maybe not. Be forewarned.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Next time tell them it's loaded with 1200 ASA film and ask for hand inspection.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Always use an x-ray film protector like the Domke Film Guard Bag from B&H.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/185375-REG/Domke_711_15B_Film_Guard_Bag_Large.html

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I've been taking film through airport x-ray scannings for years and never had a problem. In your case, they must have really cranked up that x-ray machine!

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

It's been many years since I hauled film through airport security but, never had a problem. I wouldn't put it past the techs at the Walgreen's lab to "accidentally" open a processor cover at the wrong moment.

DHunter Loc: Arkansas

I read that in some cases hand passing your film behind the scanner can sometimes get more of a dose of Xray than running it thru because of poor shielding in the early models.

I wonder about the poor security people standing behind it if that is the case.

I used a shielded bag, why not?
Of course you may also want to wear tin foil undies!

Maybe even a tin foil hat at high altitudes?

watchcow Loc: Moore, Oklahoma

I wonder if the new machines are "auto exposure" just like modern cameras. So when you feed it something solid it cranks up the magnetron to make really sure you can see what is inside. An Argus C3 is a hefty chunk of metal compared to most modern cameras. I could see that just showing up as a solid white brick on the screen lost amongst the socks.

Those shielded film bags are fun for TSA inspectors, those bags have been used in the past to cover up all kinds of things, so the solution is to roach everything else in the luggage to see through the film bag. If you thought you might have fogged film before, you definitely will now.

I have not had to fly much since 9/11 so i have not had these issues myself, but other countries have been hyper-vigilant longer than we have. To and from Africa. i was warned that the airports in Europe often take extra care examining luggage from flights originating in Africa. So I was told it would be a good idea to remove the film from all cameras, put it in a ziploc bag, and only hold the film bag out for hand inspection. When i got to the USA, the Memphis customs and TSA staff seemed to welcome the idea.

DHunter Loc: Arkansas

It was my experience that they would pass the bag around and hand search it which was ok by me.

But that was years ago and I had a government ID.

Things are much different now.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I always, and respectfully, request a hand inspection of any film I'm taking on an airplane.
--Bob

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I agree with the hand inspection and if they refuse ask for a supervisor. HOWEVER, I also use the x-ray protection on all film and the camera goes through without film in it. Typically, I have forgotten this at times and have had no bad experiences in the US but over seas x-rays may be different. Also, some of the US military x-rays have been suspect and there a poor enlisted person never ever asks for a supervisor or gives them a problem so just use the x-ray protector and call it a day. OR buy your film when you get there and ship it home for processing.

deneke

Watchcow wrote:"...other countries have been hyper-vigilant longer than we have." Once going thru transfer customs in Ampsterdam to a flight north into the UK, I had 40 boxed rolls of Fugichrome Velvia in a zipped lock plastic bag for the custom official to visually AND physically exam. He, of course, opened the bag, and broke open all 40 boxes of film and looked at every roll carefully. He had to summon help to allow others in line behind us to pass thru. We had few minutes to spare to catch our flight north. He was only half thru when the time was up on our flight and I knew that terminal had half mile long walks between gates. I demanded that they hold up our flight to the UK which they did. Previously I had used the lead lined security bags, but the bag weight and their number was a chore. Later times, I bought film at destinations as needed and gave away what wasn't used. This is another benefit of digital.

Deneke~

Hollywoodstuntkisser Loc: Lubbock, TX

If the film was as old as the Argus C3 it may just be like me, foggy with age…that camera has to be close to 60-years old. :mrgreen:

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Shielded bag. The dose is just upped to penetrate the foil.

DHunter Loc: Arkansas

Hopefully it is hand carried to the end and then opened.

These people will usually comply if you ask nicely.

dbk31hp Loc: Muskegon, MI

Curious about your statement "going after the real thing". Kind of sounds like digital is "fake". I did film for many years before digital and the pictures were great. However, with digital, the pictures are still real, but we can do the post processing instead of the labs we had to entrust the film to. I too carried film in airports but that long ago, maybe the xrays and other security tools had less intensity than now and maybe that's part of the issue but I wouldn't put anything past the processing labs either.