Jazmin Li
Travelling with film can be a nerve-wracking experience for photographers, especially with the introduction of more powerful CT scanners at airports. CT scanners can cause serious damage to unprocessed film, and even one pass through a CT scanner can ruin a roll of film. Traditional X-ray scanners, on the other hand, typically do not harm film under 800 ISO. To ensure your film is not damaged, it is recommended to keep it in your carry-on luggage and request a hand inspection. Marking your film pouch or bag with Do Not X-Ray can help make this request clearer to airport staff. While some photographers have reported issues with airport staff honouring their requests for hand inspections, others have found that being patient and polite can increase the chances of success. Ultimately, the best way to protect your film is to get it developed before your return flight, as developed film is not light-sensitive and can safely go through scanners and be placed in checked baggage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can developed film go through airport security? | Yes, developed film, negatives, prints and slides are not light-sensitive and can be safely put through scanners or checked baggage. |
| How to carry film through airport security? | Always carry film in hand luggage. |
| Can film be put through an X-ray machine? | Rolls of film under 800 ISO can go through X-ray scanners with no effect. Carry film in a clear plastic bag and request a hand inspection. |
| Can film be put through a CT scanner? | No, CT scanners can damage film. |
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What You'll Learn
- Developed film is not light-sensitive, so it can go through airport security scanners
- Traditional X-ray scanners don't affect film under 800 ISO
- CT scanners can damage film under 800 ISO
- Hand-checks are a safe option to protect your film
- Pack film in a clear plastic bag, separate from your carry-on luggage
Developed film is not light-sensitive, so it can go through airport security scanners
If you're a film photographer, you've likely wondered if airport security scanners will damage your film. The scanners and X-ray machines used for luggage inspection produce light energy to which unprocessed film is sensitive. However, if you've already developed your film, there's no need to worry—developed film, negatives, prints, and slides are not light-sensitive. You can safely put them through the scanners or in your checked baggage.
That said, it's important to distinguish between traditional X-ray scanners and the newer, more powerful CT scanners. Traditional X-ray scanners typically don't harm film under 800 ISO. However, CT scanners use much more powerful rays and can cause serious damage to film, even at slower speeds. Therefore, it's recommended to keep your film with you as carry-on baggage and request a hand inspection to avoid any potential issues.
When travelling with film, it's a good idea to allow extra time to get through security, as requesting a hand inspection may take longer. You can also use a clearly labelled "Do Not X-Ray" pouch to make your request clearer to security staff. Keep in mind that regulations and inspections vary by country, so some international airports may not honour your request for a hand inspection.
In summary, while developed film is not light-sensitive and can go through airport security scanners, it's always a good idea to be cautious when travelling with film. Keep your film with you as carry-on baggage, request a hand inspection if possible, and be patient and polite with security staff.
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Traditional X-ray scanners don't affect film under 800 ISO
There are a few things to keep in mind when bringing film through airport security. Firstly, it is important to distinguish between traditional X-ray scanners and CT scanners. Traditional X-ray scanners use a single beam of radiation to create an image, while CT scanners use multiple radiation beams to create a 3D image. The latter is becoming increasingly common in airports, especially those with higher traffic, and emit a higher dose of radiation.
Now, regarding the impact of these scanners on film, it is generally accepted that traditional X-ray scanners do not affect film under 800 ISO. This is because they use a lower level of radiation that is unlikely to harm film with an ISO of 800 or lower. In fact, some sources recommend placing film under 800 ISO in a clear plastic bag and sending it through the traditional X-ray machine, rather than requesting a hand check. However, it is still recommended to request a hand check for film under 800 ISO, especially if there will be multiple flights or transfers, as this is the safest option to avoid any potential damage.
On the other hand, CT scanners are more powerful and can cause serious damage to film, even at slower speeds. Therefore, it is crucial to request a hand check for film of any ISO speed if a CT scanner is being used. Additionally, lead-lined bags used to be an option to protect film from radiation, but they are no longer recommended. This is because the X-ray operator may increase the power of the machine if they cannot see the items within the bag, which can ultimately damage the film.
It is worth noting that regulations and procedures may vary by country, and some international airports may not accommodate requests for hand checks. However, in the United States, hand checks for film are a right and cannot be denied. Overall, when travelling with film, it is important to be patient, polite, and allow extra time to ensure the safety of your film.
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CT scanners can damage film under 800 ISO
CT scanners are becoming increasingly common in airports. They use high-intensity screening technology, which is significantly more powerful than traditional X-ray machines. This added strength can cause serious damage to unprocessed film. Even one pass through a CT scanner can fog and ruin a roll of film.
The TSA states that film with an ISO speed of less than 800 can go through a carry-on X-ray machine without issue. However, some sources suggest that lead-lined bags can help protect film from CT scanners, but only to a certain extent. Their protection ranges from 30-50%, and they can keep film up to 800 ISO usable after 1-2 CT scanner passes. Over two passes, for every ISO over 200, there is quite serious visible damage.
To avoid damage, it is recommended to ask a TSA agent for a hand check when bringing film through TSA checkpoints. Most agents are willing to accommodate the request, especially when prepared. However, regulations and inspections vary by country, so it is important to check the local rules.
Additionally, it is advised to never pack film in checked baggage as these bags go through high-powered CT scanners that can cause immediate and irreversible damage. Instead, always carry film in your carry-on bag.
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Hand-checks are a safe option to protect your film
To avoid this, you can request a hand-check for your film at airport security. Hand-checks are a safe option as they do not expose your film to any light or radiation. Most airports will accommodate requests for hand-checks, and it is the recommended way to protect your film when travelling. It is important to be patient and polite with security staff, as they are trained professionals whose first responsibility is security.
You can also take other precautions to ensure your film is safe. For example, always keep your film in your hand luggage, as checked luggage goes through more powerful scanners. You can also use a clearly labelled "Do Not X-Ray" pouch for your film, which makes your request easier for security staff to understand. Additionally, wait until you reach your destination to load your film, as airport security may open the back of your camera and fog your film.
While some sources suggest that film under 800 ISO can go through X-ray machines without a problem, it is still recommended to request a hand-check to be extra diligent. This is because even traditional X-ray machines can affect film with an ISO of 800 or above, and multiple X-rays can increase the risk of damage. Therefore, requesting a hand-check is the best way to ensure your film is completely safe when travelling through airport security.
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Pack film in a clear plastic bag, separate from your carry-on luggage
If you are a film photographer, you may have wondered about the safety of your film when passing through airport security. The scanners and X-ray machines used for luggage inspection produce light energy, and film is sensitive to this.
To ensure your film stays safe, it is recommended to pack it separately from your carry-on luggage in a clear plastic bag. This makes it easier for airport staff to hand-check your film, and they will be less likely to accidentally expose the film in your camera. It is also a good idea to unload any film from your camera, as airport security may open the back of your camera and fog your film.
When passing through security, you can ask for your film to be hand-inspected. Most airports will be familiar with this request, but it may slow down their workflow, so it is a good idea to allow extra time. You can also purchase a film pouch with a "Do Not X-Ray" label, which clearly communicates your request to the TSA.
It is important to note that CT scanners, which are becoming more common in airports, use much more powerful rays than traditional X-ray machines and can damage your film. Therefore, it is recommended to keep your film with you in your carry-on luggage, as checked baggage goes through these high-powered scanners.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, developed film, negatives, prints and slides are not light-sensitive, so they can safely go through scanners or in checked baggage.
Keep your undeveloped film in your hand luggage and carry it through security yourself. You can ask airport security to hand-check your film, although this may be refused in some countries.
Traditional X-ray scanners should not affect film under 800 ISO. However, CT scanners can damage film under 800 ISO, so it is recommended to avoid putting undeveloped film through these scanners.
