Will airport xray machines damage SD cards?
Dec 6, 2017 09:12:54 #
Dec 6, 2017 09:18:13 #
X-rays not a problem. Gamma rays a different story. But with a strong enough dose of gamma to cause a problem, you wouldn't be around long enough to care.
Dec 6, 2017 09:32:42 #
Dec 6, 2017 10:08:37 #
gunflint wrote:
Curious if anyone has ever had any issues resulting from camera gear and more specifically SD cards going through the airport scanning machines?
Any info is appreciated!
Any info is appreciated!
NO!!! Never had a problem with any cards after going through screening
Dec 6, 2017 11:02:22 #
bpulv
Loc: Buena Park, CA
dcampbell52 wrote:
No. they were accused of damaging film but I have traveled with hundreds of rolls of film over the years and only had 3 or 4 rolls damaged. SD, Compact Flash, and other electronic cards are not affected. Neither are my computer (laptop and usb) hard drives.
When I use to fly with film, I protected my film by putting it in special foil lined bags that formed a Faraday shield https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage and provided protection form radiation, EMD (ElectroMagnetic Discharge) and ESD (ElectroStatic Discharge). I use no special protection for flash memory cards and have never had a problem in or out of cameras.
Dec 6, 2017 11:15:18 #
lsimpkins wrote:
X-rays not a problem. Gamma rays a different story. But with a strong enough dose of gamma to cause a problem, you wouldn't be around long enough to care.
Very true.
Dec 6, 2017 16:03:15 #
I travel a lot internationally, so lots of different airports and screenings. I have my cameras, SD cards, and external hard drive in my carry-on, and have never had a problem. Not something to worry about.
Dec 6, 2017 17:11:52 #
Iv'e been told that scanning machines cannot affect SD cards. On my last trip my bag was put though for a second dose. It had no effect on my images.
Dec 6, 2017 17:34:58 #
gunflint wrote:
Curious if anyone has ever had any issues resulting from camera gear and more specifically SD cards going through the airport scanning machines?
Any info is appreciated!
Any info is appreciated!
Film yes, but SD cards I doubt it. I have had them scanned in airports befor with no problems resulting from it.
Dec 6, 2017 19:03:47 #
Dec 8, 2017 08:33:44 #
bpulv wrote:
When I use to fly with film, I protected my film by putting it in special foil lined bags that formed a Faraday shield https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage and provided protection form radiation, EMD (ElectroMagnetic Discharge) and ESD (ElectroStatic Discharge). I use no special protection for flash memory cards and have never had a problem in or out of cameras.
I did too. And I split all of my film between 2 or more bags (just in case). Then coming back, I split my exposed film. I never take any "special" precautions with my SD cards. But I ALWAYS carry my cameras as a carryon and NEVER EVER check cameras or camera equipment.... with the possible exception of tripods, light stands, umbrellas etc. that are PROBABLY not going to be picked up by mistake at the baggage carousel.
Having said this, I have been known to pack some of my exposed SD cards in my lugage with my clothes... but mainly to not have all of my "egges in one basket". If I am really being anal about priceless and unreplacable photos, I have my dual card Nikon's put the same image on both cards so I can have a copy in lugage and one in with the cameras.. This is just insurance and I have (so far) never had to worry about it.
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