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Film and Airports 2008

clive

By clive
in Film Forum

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Rona!d

Rona!d

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I don´t use "film safes", Andy explained why. I come early for handcheck and the only time the stuff denied was at Genova airport/Italy (although we had our own plane!). In the USA you can insist on a handcheck, i have a printout of that rule, but never needed it till today.

 

Be friendly, show that you understand their job and help them to make it. A cumulation of X-Ray is the reason why i ask for handcheck. Some films i bring back unexposed and use them on the next trip. I learned that up to 5 times is ok for a 100 ASA, but you never know. And on some travels, 5 times x-raying is common.

 

Funny: Some older security people told me, that they noticed I´m a Pro, because of the M-cameras. The younger ones look at me like I´m an alien who never heard of the digital-revolution.

 

p.s. NEVER put your DIGITAL cameras in the cargo compartment, always in the cabin!

Otherwise they might get damaged (if not lost before:rolleyes: ), the sensors and some displays don´t like the climate down there.

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ndjambrose

ndjambrose

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Certainly UK airports don't offer a hand search option.

 

Absolutely true.

 

Asking for a hand inspection will be declined in the UK. At that point your choices diminish rapidly. If you make a fuss you'll be escorted away by security, which will end with an interview with airport police. If you refuse to go through the security channel and decide to leave the queue your behaviour will be viewed as suspicious, and this will also end with an interview with the police.

 

The path of greatest convenience is to put your film in a transparent plastic bag and pass it through the scanner. I've done this many times with high speed film; it does not present any kind of risk to your film, even cumulatively.

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Agent M10

Agent M10

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I haven't traveled to the UK yet with my plastic bag, but I've had more than enough TSA folks say that the film had to go through the X-ray machine. Each time that has happened the supervisor has been consulted and the film is then hand-checked (not too many folks go through with as many rolls as I do). Like I said, I've never been refused hand-checking, but sometimes some of the personnel aren't aware of the rules which allow for hand-checking upon request and it takes a short back-and-forth to get it done.

 

I know that most of the time the x-rays won't hurt the film, but I've read anecdotal stories about whole projects being ruined. I have it hand-checked to avoid that situation.

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andybarton

andybarton

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Since 2006, we have had fellow Britons decide that it would be a good thing to blow up airliners mid-Atlantic, by the use of bombs made from toothpaste and Coca Cola (or something). They have recently been convicted and sent to live at Her Majesty's pleasure for the rest of their lives.

 

This is why you can't take more than 100ml of shampoo on a plane anymore, and why liquids have to be checked through in a clear plastic bag.

 

The days of negotiating with security staff seem to be long gone.

 

Whether this is the same all over the world, I don't know, as I never travel outside of Europe, but Neil is right. Make a fuss and they can certainly ruin your day, if not your weekend.

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peter_n

peter_n

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Are you sure?
There may be outliers but all we can go on is our personal experience. My recent experience is Madrid, Dublin, London and Berlin. No handchecks anywhere, and a particularly nasty argument with a security guard in Barajas (I had Neopan 1600). After that I learned my lesson.
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clive

clive

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Thank you for all your thoughts and suggestions. When traveling to the UK I usually take my M8 but this time thought it would be a nice change to take my M7 along instead. Even as far back as 2003 I remember it being impossible to have film hand checked in the UK. My question was really to find out if the power of the machines has increased since then.Right now I'm still undecided which camera to take, but leaning (again) more and more to the M8. However, if I do decide to shoot film this time, I'll take it in Ziploc backs and try to have them hand checked on the way out and take my chances on my return (unless I can find someone really good, quick and reasonably priced while I’m there (any suggestions?)

 

Thanks again for all your help and advice.

 

Clive

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Riccis

Riccis

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I can imagine the kind of 'hand check' you'd get for your film. Security guard opens canister, looks at it for a bit, graps leader and pulls film out of canister......

 

James:

 

You better not bring the film in canisters since they usually have to wipe each roll individually (this has been my experience).

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clive

clive

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Your film will be fine if you visit the UK.

 

Where are you coming to? We will be able to recommend the last processor in every major town...

 

I'll be in South Devon for ten days (I'm a Brit and I used to live there some years ago). I remember using swcl (Film and Photo Processing, Exhibition, Display Equipment and Signage) about ten years ago and at that time they were a Kodak Pro Lab and quite good thought way too expensive (especially their film prices)

 

:)

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Leitzmac

Leitzmac

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Clive:

 

If you are flying through London and have the time, (assuming you're shooting black and white) try getting your films processed by Robin Bell (R O B I N   B E L L - Photographic Printer) in Fulham. I have used various 'pro' labs over the years and have been disappointed by the catalogue of errors including scratched negs etc. so was looking for a more personal service from someone who really knows their stuff, Robin turned out to be that guy - the attention that he pays to my work and the results are, in my view second to none.

 

For tranny I'd suggest Russels (The Russells Group) in Wimbledon, they provide an excellent level of service which is the result of a very intimate operation coupled with a high level of expertise.

 

Contact them in advance and they'll work around you, both have been absolutely brilliant with regards to last minute requests over the years.

 

Sorry I can't help you with regards to South Devon labs.

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clive

clive

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Clive:

If you are flying through London and have the time, (assuming you're shooting black and white) try getting your films processed by Robin Bell (R O B I N***B E L L - Photographic Printer) in Fulham. I have used various 'pro' labs over the years and have been disappointed by the catalogue of errors including scratched negs etc. so was looking for a more personal service from someone who really knows their stuff, Robin turned out to be that guy - the attention that he pays to my work and the results are, in my view second to none.

.

 

 

I'm flying into London, but going immediately to Devon. I think I'm leaning more and more to taking my M8 after all (and for all the same reasons as usual) I really enjoy both of these cameras (M7, M8) each for different reasons. I'm always trying to find reasons to shoot film again, but all the travel variables and unknowns is again proving too much for me on this trip! Thanks for all your help though.

 

 

 

:)

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