MarkP Posted March 13, 2016 Share #1 Posted March 13, 2016 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) So idiot me put about 8 rolls of ISO 50 & 800 Cinestill in my checked flight luggage, both exposed and unexposed... Has anyone's film survived this? Edited March 13, 2016 by MarkP Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 13, 2016 Posted March 13, 2016 Hi MarkP, Take a look here film in checked flight luggage. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Matlock Posted March 13, 2016 Share #2 Posted March 13, 2016 So idiot me put about 8 rolls of ISO 50 & 800 Cinestill in my checked flight luggage, both exposed and unexposed... Has anyone's film survived this? Never had any problems on flights to and from Hong Kong. I have heard of problems but have never met anyone who has experienced any. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted March 13, 2016 Thanks Matlock. Very reassuring if you mean the film was in luggage that went in the cargo hold? It is apparently exposed to much higher intensity radiation that carry-on luggage? Regards, Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock Posted March 13, 2016 Share #4 Posted March 13, 2016 Thanks Matlock. Very reassuring if you mean the film was in luggage that went in the cargo hold? It is apparently exposed to much higher intensity radiation that carry-on luggage? Regards, Mark Yes Mark, but I can only speak of my experiences from Heathrow to Hong Kong. Other airports may have different scanning? Perhaps others can come in on this? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted March 13, 2016 Share #5 Posted March 13, 2016 It's not advisable, but you can't do anything about it now, so you may as well process at least one roll of the exposed film. That will tell you if the x-rays have fogged it. You have nothing to lose, apart from the processing cost and your anxiety. Then you can make a decision about the rest. Chances are that you will be fine 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 38 Posted March 13, 2016 Share #6 Posted March 13, 2016 I have never had problems with security X-rays . On one trip some of my Kodachrome 64 must have had 7 or 8 goes in scanners. Other films appear to have survived . 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share #7 Posted March 13, 2016 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Thank you Andy and Matlock. Thanks Hugh, again are you referring to carry-on or checked luggage? If it had been the former I'd not have been too fussed. You may be interested in this document, albeit from 2002, from Kodak regarding film and security X-ray exposure: http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/cis98/cis98.pdf Edited March 13, 2016 by MarkP Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock Posted March 13, 2016 Share #8 Posted March 13, 2016 Thank you Andy and Matlock. Thanks Hugh, again are you referring to carry-on or checked luggage? If it had been the former I'd not have been too fussed. You may be interested in this document, albeit from 2002, from Kodak regarding film and security X-ray exposure: http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/cis98/cis98.pdf Fujifilm have also issued warnings and it is probably a good idea to keep films in hand baggage but, as I said, I have never had problems. This topic raised it's head several years ago and all sorts of lead lined bags became available. I just had the feeling that someone was making a lot of money selling these bags, but maybe that's just me being cynical? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted March 13, 2016 Share #9 Posted March 13, 2016 I have had film affected by constant security xrays. It was hand luggage and subjected to many series of xraying. I think airport machines vary greatly, according to the country. My problem (I assume) was because of a high content of 3rd world xray machines. OTOH, I have, in the past had many many films survive multiple exposures. However, the checked baggage (hold) scanning is more intense. If the frequency is not too much, you may survive unscathed. I would advise never to check film in hold luggage again. Suffer the inconvenience of carrying it on by hand. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share #10 Posted March 13, 2016 Thanks Erl, it was done by accident. I don't consider asking Security staff to check by hand much of an inconvenience. . I have NEVER, in 35 years of travelling with film, sent it in checked luggage till now Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yigitaltay Posted March 13, 2016 Share #11 Posted March 13, 2016 I just developed 200 iso color negatives and 400 BWs which passed through 8 X-Ray machines (Amsterdam, Istanbul, Ankara, Canakkale airports) at the security check and all has no indication of fogging or anything. I even didn't bother to ask for a hand check... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted March 13, 2016 Share #12 Posted March 13, 2016 I'd be more worried about potential for loss than for damage....bet you won't forget that again! Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share #13 Posted March 13, 2016 I'd be more worried about potential for loss than for damage....bet you won't forget that again! Jeff So true! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 13, 2016 Share #14 Posted March 13, 2016 Thinking about it, I've bought film from abroad on ebay and it must have gone through the 'checked' luggage type scanners at some point as freight. Not had a problem with any of it so far. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EoinC Posted March 13, 2016 Share #15 Posted March 13, 2016 Thinking about it, I've bought film from abroad on ebay and it must have gone through the 'checked' luggage type scanners at some point as freight. Not had a problem with any of it so far. Likewise - I buy film from overseas which comes in on courier flights (Hong Kong to Singapore). I presume (but don't know) that it goes through the standard checked baggage / airfreight screening. Here in Singapore, all sea containers are x-rayed as they leave the port. I drive past the big scanners each day. The containers remain on the trucks, and I would guess it takes less than 1 minute per 40 footer. The drivers stay in the cab, and have a healthy glow... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted March 14, 2016 Share #16 Posted March 14, 2016 I did post some Nikon Casettes loaded with film to Canada. Strangely the recipient found characteristic X-ray damage on one roll out of I think six. No sign of opening the parcel or security marks on it, never figured that one out. I agree that the only way to know is to develop them and given my experience all of the shot rolls. even some frames may be OK. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted March 14, 2016 Share #17 Posted March 14, 2016 As Andy wrote, develop some and see -- luggage that goes into the plane has a higher x-ray intensity. In the US they tell you not to put film in checked bags, and under 800 is fine through regular screening. I try not to travel with 800 or higher as a rule. For your batch, my guess is that the 50 will be fine and the 800 is a who knows. As Chris noted, each roll may have been impacted differently. I would not, however, use any of the unexposed rolls, why take the chance. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted March 14, 2016 I would not, however, use any of the unexposed rolls, why take the chance. Agreed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted March 14, 2016 Share #19 Posted March 14, 2016 I'd process a portion of each roll and see, too tight to sacrifice a whole roll. You'd need to find a lab that will do this though, as I suspect most will be "automated" to the extent that they do the whole roll. I'm certain there will be no damage though, but checking is simple and saves the worry. Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted March 14, 2016 Share #20 Posted March 14, 2016 You might as well process the whole roll. I see no advantage in only processing a part as the additional cost would be prohibitive and I am not sure you would learn anything useful. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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