Sachin Walls
Travelling with film can be a tricky business. If you're wondering whether your Instax film can go through airport X-ray machines, the short answer is yes, but there's a catch. While exposed film is generally safe from X-ray damage, unexposed film is a different story. To avoid foggy, washed-out photos with a strange colour cast, it's recommended to keep your camera and undeveloped film with you as carry-on luggage and request a manual hand inspection to avoid putting your precious film at risk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can Instax film go through airport X-ray? | Yes, but only if it has been developed. |
| Alternative | Request a hand check. |
| Effect of X-ray on undeveloped film | Loss of saturation, vibrancy, sharpness, and gain of grain. |
| Effect of X-ray on developed film | None. |
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What You'll Learn
X-ray damage prevention methods
X-ray machines are commonly used in airports to scan luggage and carry-on bags. While these machines are essential for security, they can potentially damage undeveloped film. Here are some methods to prevent X-ray damage to your Instax film when travelling through airports:
Request a Hand Check
Requesting a hand inspection of your film is a recommended way to avoid X-ray damage. Most TSA agents are accommodating of such requests, especially if your film is easily accessible and removed from its packaging. However, regulations vary internationally, and some countries may not allow hand checks.
Use a "Do Not X-Ray" Pouch
Using a "Do Not X-Ray" pouch, such as the Darkroom Do Not X-Ray Film Pouch, is a clear way to communicate your request to avoid X-ray scanning. These pouches are made of durable, see-through material and labelled with "Do Not X-Ray," making your request clear to TSA agents.
Ship Film with Caution
If you are concerned about exposing your film to X-rays, consider shipping it to your destination via expedited commercial carriers like FedEx, UPS, or DHL. These companies generally do not X-ray their packages. However, when shipping internationally, you cannot guarantee how other institutions, such as customs, may handle your package. Label your shipment clearly with "light-sensitive materials" to reduce the risk of X-ray exposure.
Avoid Checked Baggage
Always keep your film in your carry-on luggage. Checked bags go through high-powered CT scanners, which can cause irreversible damage to undeveloped film. Carry-on X-ray scanners typically use lower levels of radiation and are less likely to harm film under 800 ISO.
Use Clear Plastic Bags
Place your film in a clear plastic bag when going through security checkpoints. This allows TSA agents to see the contents easily and may increase the chances of accommodating your hand-check request.
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Requesting a hand check
While most TSA checkpoints state that film rated 800 ISO or lower is unlikely to be affected by standard X-ray machines, it is still recommended to request a hand check to be safe. Photographic film can be damaged by X-ray machines, and while some sources claim that Instax film can survive X-rays to some extent, others recommend avoiding X-rays altogether when travelling with film.
To request a hand check, first ensure that your film is easily accessible and out of its packaging. Place it in a ziplock bag or a "Do Not X-Ray" film pouch. Then, inform the TSA agent that you are carrying photographic film and politely request a manual inspection. According to travellers, TSA agents are usually accommodating of such requests, especially at U.S. airports. However, some travellers have reported instances where their request for a hand check was denied, and they were forced to send their film through the X-ray machine.
If you are travelling with Instax film, it is worth noting that different sizes and shapes of Fuji Instax film (square, wide, etc.) will also need to be hand-checked to avoid damage. While some sources claim that Instax film can survive X-rays, others have noticed a decrease in quality, with images appearing less vibrant and exhibiting a grayish-green colour cast, loss of sharpness, and increased grain.
It is important to note that requesting a private screening is also an option. At any time during the security screening process, you may request a private screening accompanied by a companion of your choice. Additionally, you may decline Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) screening in favour of a physical screening. However, some passengers may be required to undergo AIT screening if selected for enhanced screening prior to their arrival at the security checkpoint.
To summarise, when travelling with Instax film, it is recommended to request a hand check to avoid potential damage. Place your film in a designated pouch or bag, inform the TSA agent, and politely request a manual inspection. While most travellers report accommodating staff, it is worth being prepared for potential denial and having your film inspected by an X-ray machine.
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X-ray effects on undeveloped film
X-ray scans at airport security checkpoints can have detrimental effects on undeveloped film. The impact of X-rays on film is cumulative, and the level of damage depends on the film's sensitivity and the intensity of the X-ray radiation. Higher-intensity X-ray scans, such as those used for checked luggage, are more likely to cause noticeable issues.
Airport X-ray machines can fog film, creating soft-edged bands approximately 1/4 to 3/8 inch (1 to 1.5 cm) wide. These fog stripes may appear as linear or wavy lines running lengthwise or horizontally on the film. The visibility of these X-ray-induced patterns depends on the photographic content, with busy scenes obscuring or lessening the effects. Additionally, colour film may exhibit greenish hues when exposed to X-ray radiation, along with increased grain and poor shadow detail.
To avoid potential damage to undeveloped film when passing through airport security, it is recommended to request a hand check or manual inspection. While lead-lined bags were once used to protect film from X-rays, they are no longer recommended due to their ineffectiveness against stronger X-ray machines, such as CT scanners. Instead, clearly label your film package with "light-sensitive materials" or "do not X-ray" to ensure airport staff handle it appropriately.
It is worth noting that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States states that film with an ISO speed of less than 800 can typically pass through X-ray machines for carry-on luggage without issues. However, some sources suggest that even film with an ISO speed of 400 or ISO speed of 800 can be affected by X-rays, resulting in reduced image quality. Therefore, it is generally advisable to err on the side of caution and opt for a hand inspection whenever possible.
Additionally, it is important to keep your film cool and insulated, as extreme temperatures can also damage undeveloped film. By following these precautions, you can help ensure that your undeveloped film remains intact and unaffected by X-ray scans during airport security checks.
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Carrying film as hand luggage
When travelling with film, it is recommended that you carry it in your hand luggage. This is because X-ray machines used at airport security can damage unexposed film, causing washed-out, foggy photos with a pinkish hue or a grayish-green colour cast. To avoid this, you can request a hand check of your film at the airport. This is possible at most airports, but it is recommended that you contact the airport's customer service team in advance to confirm.
Once your film has been developed, X-rays will not cause any problems, so you can safely put exposed film in either your carry-on or checked luggage when travelling.
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X-ray effects on exposed film
X-rays can have detrimental effects on exposed film. The effects of X-rays on film are cumulative, similar to the effects of longer exposures. The impact of X-rays on film is often observed as foggy bands running lengthwise or horizontally on the film. This fogging is caused by high-intensity screening technology, which can ruin any and all film, exposed or not. The fog appears as soft-edged bands about 1/4 to 3/8 inch (1 to 1.5 cm) wide, with the orientation of the fog stripes depending on the film's orientation in the scanner relative to the X-ray beam.
Color film often exhibits greenish hues when exposed to X-ray radiation. The film may also show increased graininess and a loss of sharpness, with noticeable degradation in darker areas. The level of damage caused by X-rays can vary, and older X-ray scanners may produce less severe effects than newer CT scanners.
To avoid X-ray damage, it is recommended to request a hand check for film inspection at airport security. Carrying film in a clear plastic bag and politely insisting on a manual inspection can help ensure your film is not damaged by X-ray scanning. Additionally, marking film with "Do Not X-Ray" labels and shipping it with "light-sensitive materials" indicators can help prevent accidental X-ray exposure during transportation.
While some sources suggest that film with an ISO rating of 800 or lower may be safe from X-ray damage, others caution that even film below this ISO range can be affected. Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid X-ray scanning for all types of film whenever possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, exposed Instax film can go through airport X-ray without any issues.
It is recommended to carry unexposed Instax film in hand luggage and request a manual hand search to prevent possible fogging of the film during X-ray inspection.
The film will still be usable but there may be a noticeable difference in quality. Photos may appear less vibrant with a grayish-green colour cast and increased grain.
Polaroid film is sensitive to radiation, so it is recommended to request a hand check for undeveloped Polaroid film to avoid X-ray machines.
Even if your unexposed instant film goes through an X-ray, it will still be usable. However, the quality may be affected, resulting in washed-out, foggy photos with a pinkish hue.
