Security, 4x5 Film Boxes or Readyload

[Spencer Ladd]

Hello,

I am traveling to Ecuador to photograph in the Andes.

I have taken readyload film to Ecuador in the past and have passed through security with hand checks. No problems.

I would like to take boxes of film and load holders to save money and space.

Does anyone know if the security scanners will effect the following emulsions:

Kodak Portra VC
Fuji Astia 100F

I am worried about crossover, fogging, etc…

Spencer

[Gordon Moat]

I have let Fuji Astia 100F (Quickloads) run through security scanners with no worries. Unless you have more than six scanners to run through prior to getting the film processed, it is not something to worry about. Even then, on many cumulative exposures, problems with the images would be rare. A bigger issue would be them opening up something on inspection, and exposing the film to light.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography (http://www.gordonmoat.com)

[Spencer Ladd]

Thanks!

[mrladewig]

You're better off sending them through the x-ray than watching the baggage handler open the boxes to inspect the contents. Those films shouldn't have any effect from the xrays.

[Benno Jones]

I recently took a box of Acros Quickloads to Mexico and back with no hand checks (5 trips through the scanners) with no fogging problems.

[eric black]

I did a 3 week trip through parts of Argentina and Chile and noted the following: Fuji Velvia 50 and 100 survived 6 total trips through scanners with no apparent damage. There was the potential for 8 trips but on two occasions a pretty girl with us was able to get them to skip the scans and spare our film. The security people down there have a bit of the machismo thing going on so we men were warned to not even try ahead of time. In each case where there were questions about boxed film, they asked if they could open it and when politely were told no they told us we would have to send it through the scanner then. Overall, a very positive experience and trip. Have fun!

[Spencer Ladd]

Thanks. I am set. I can travel worry free.

Spencer

[Hollis]

I have seen xray damage on 160 speed C-41 emulsions in travels past after only 2 or 3 passes. I just returned from Africa and got all my quickloads hand checked there and back. If your film boxes are sealed (or the bags the quickloads are in inside the box for my case) then they have no reason to open them. It says on their site that if it is factory sealed, then they do not have to open them. I guess if they just will not hand check without opening, then send them through the machine but, you know, last resort and all.

[Bosaiya]

The site may say that they do not have to open them, but that doesn't mean they won't. I had an over-zealous inspector open each and every box. Took forever. He said there was no telling what I could have been hiding in those boxes. He was right, of course, and I couldn't really argue with him without furthering the situation down the wrong path. What I did not mention was that he couldn't be sure that I hadn't been a really clever bad guy and stored my nasties inside of the rolls that he was presuming safe.

[roteague]

Hello,

I am traveling to Ecuador to photograph in the Andes.

I have taken readyload film to Ecuador in the past and have passed through security with hand checks. No problems.

I would like to take boxes of film and load holders to save money and space.

Does anyone know if the security scanners will effect the following emulsions:

Kodak Portra VC
Fuji Astia 100F

I am worried about crossover, fogging, etc…

Spencer

Carryon x-rays will not affect these films. Nor, is hand checking neccessary.

[jeroldharter]

In 1993 (a bit out of date, I know) I spent 6 months in South America including 3 months in Ecuador then down to Ushuaia and back again. I think we flew about 26 flight legs on numerous airlines. I had a large supply of Velvia and I think some XP2. No fogging at all passing it through the scanner every time.

[Rakesh Malik]

A few years ago I took a trip to Ukraine with a bunch of 35mm film, shortly before I started using large format. Since I had to go through security Vienna as well as in Ukraine, and at the airport in Odessa they ended up scanning pretty much everything at least twice, my film went through at least six or seven scans, but there wasn't a trace of fogging on any of it. That was all Velvia and XP2.