Question:
I think, if you request a hand search, they can’t turn it down.
This is true in the USA, where you have the legal right to a hand search, but in many countries it’s at the discretion of the agent and in a very few countries they won’t hand check at all. I’ve carried film into and out of 13 different countries and the only time I was refused a hand check was in England. Had to cajole a bit in Australia and Venezuela but they relented since I had the plastic see-through bags, which makes their job much easier. I’ve passed film thru the carry-on xrays a few times (at London’s Heathrow, and twice when I was running late trying to catch a connecting flight 
and never had problems with fogging so I don’t obsess about it, but since the effect is cumulative and since you never know when you’ll hit an aging uncalibrated xray machine I always try to get it inspected if possible.
Response:
400 should be safe with you or your carry on luggage. It may be safe with your checked luggage, but don’t bet on it. Some airports have a new type system that hits some of the luggage hard enough to damage Techpan. You may want to consider buying film as you go and having it processed as you go. Good film is available almost everywhere. You may pay a little extra, because you don’t know the good places to go, but most good films can be purchased almost anywhere. Doing so eliminates the X-Ray problem as well as possible problems of getting over heated and you don’t need to carry it around with you. Getting film processed as you go makes sure your equipment and you are working and getting the images you want. You don’t want to get home only to find that you have 18 rolls of overexposed pictures out of focus because the auto focus went out on the second day. Besides it is fun to see them on the trip. Good Luck and have a good time. Don’t let the photography spoil the trip.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know a safe why to carry 400ASA film through airport x-ray machines? Should I have the film on my person when going through the metal detector or store it in my luggage?
Response:
I make them hand search my bags. I had a problem, once, coming back into the states from Canada, but eventually they relented. I think, if you request a hand search, they can’t turn it down.
Response:
I did exactly what BHilton said. Took the film out of the cannister and placed the cartridges in a clear plastic bag. When I went through the metal detector I placed the bag in the bowl along with my keys, change and money clip. They hand inspected the film and all was well. – Tom C.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know a safe why to carry 400ASA film through airport x-ray machines? Should I have the film on my person when going through the metal detector or store it in my luggage? Never put it in checked luggage or it will get zapped. You can probably get away with letting it go thru the carry-on xrays but the absolute safest way is to take the film from the boxes and into a clear plastic baggie and hand it to the person at the metal detector and request a hand job (ok, maybe use different wording). In most countries they will comply (I’ve only been refused in England but I’m very polite). Here’s the official word from Kodak and Fuji … (copied from an earlier post so the URL’s may be dead by now but you get the idea): The manufacturers recommendations can be summarized as follows: 1. NEVER pack film in checked luggage. High-intensity scanners in use at some airports WILL fog film. 2. Cumulative exposure to carry-on x-ray scanners can fog film of any speed. Faster film (ISO 400 or greater) is particularly susceptible. 3. To be safe, do the following: a. Open the boxes, take film out of the canisters, and place in a clear plastic bag. b. Ask for a hand inspection. or a. Limit exposure to x-rays by having the film processed locally. Here’s what the manufacturers say: From the Fuji website: www.fujifilm.com "Excessive exposure to X-rays or heat can ruin or degrade the quality of your pictures. . . Most U.S.A. Airport Systems are fairly safe, but if your pictures are very important or if you will be passing through many airports, it is safer to have your film hand inspected. Airport systems in foreign countries often have higher doses of X-rays than U.S.A airports. Be extra cautious when traveling overseas. " "NOTE: . . . Most X-ray and heat damaged film produce pictures, but they lack brilliance. If you truly want the best pictures possible, avoid X-rays and use care in storing your film." From the Kodak website:
http://www.kodak.com/cluster/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – is98.shtml "Until recently, x-ray inspection units used for airport security have been relatively safe for films. However, as airports step up their security measures, some have introduced a new type of inspection unit that has a greater potential to fog film. To date, these units are not widespread, but we expect them to become increasingly common. " "This new equipment is intended for checked luggage, although it is possible that boarding-gate security checkpoints will use it in the future. Because your checked luggage may be subjected to these new units, we suggest that you hand-carry your film and request visual inspection." "Airport x-ray inspection equipment is the most common source encountered by most photographers. Except for the new types of inspection units described earlier, most inspection units in use today are relatively safe for films with an ISO speed or Exposure Index (EI) of 400 or lower. However, multiple exposures without reorientation of the film, cumulative doses of more than five exposures, and malfunctioning inspection units can cause fog. Films with an ISO speed or EI higher than 400 require added precautions because they are much more sensitive to x-ray exposure. Even with ‘film-safe’ x-ray units, you should limit exposure to one inspection. For films with a speed of 1000 or higher, request visual inspection if allowed by local regulations or law." "At airport inspection stations, be sure to look for posted advisories on potential effects on film. Requesting visual inspection of photographic materials is still the best preventive measure, when it’s allowed. For easy inspection, carry the film in a clear plastic bag. " From the AGFA website: http://www.agfaphoto.com/news/x_ray.html "All the reputable film manufacturers put together a test package of their main types of film, from 100 ASA to 1000 ASA, and in the 35 mm, APS and 120 rollfilm versions. " "The new luggage checker damages every film from 100 ASA onwards. They are fogged, and images of objects, for instance keys in the beam in front of the film, appear on the film. " "If your trip takes you through airports with the new luggage checkers, you should definitely put your films in your hand luggage. This is exposed to the X-rays either not all or only moderately." "Films in surrendered luggage will be fogged or spoilt by images of other items you have packed." "Examples of airports which are already using the new systems are: New York (John F. Kennedy), Miami, London, Amsterdam."
Response:
…and his comments are worthless for overseas. Overseas inspectors don’t have the patience to hand inspect anything,–into the hopper for it! Switch to a Hassy and carry the film in your jacket pockets! No metal reels! Dan
Response:
says… Does anyone know a safe why to carry 400ASA film through airport x-ray machines? Should I have the film on my person when going through the metal detector or store it in my luggage?
Well a metal detector is different than an x-ray machine of course. In short, never put film inside checked baggage. A lot depends on if you’re flying domestically or interationally. There’s a little Photo FAQ at http://www.visitparis.com that speaks about x-ray machines. Don
Response:
Hmm . . . not when I’ve gone through. It’s usually the bowl/basket next to the walkthrough metal detector.
Yup, that’s the one I’m talking about. — Erik Dahlbeck Echo-Romeo-India-Kilo Delta-Alpha-Hotel-Lima-Bravo-Echo-Charlie-Kilo
Response:
Most security people seem to understand and oblige.
Not in Arlanda International, Stockholm, Sweden, in case you would drop by. They give you some probable rubbish about some photographer hurling heaps of rolls through the scanner several times without any problems. — Erik Dahlbeck Echo-Romeo-India-Kilo Delta-Alpha-Hotel-Lima-Bravo-Echo-Charlie-Kilo
Response:
Matt For just 2 scans (there and back) in most developed countries Matt 400 iso it is not a problem. I have had problems with 800 and Matt above. Can you give us more information about the problems? —
Response:
I did exactly what BHilton said. Took the film out of the cannister and placed the cartridges in a clear plastic bag. When I went through the metal detector I placed the bag in the bowl along with my keys, change and money clip. They hand inspected the film and all was well. – Tom C.
The money clip might have helped… 
I went through the same thing a couple of weeks ago. Left some film in the original boxes, They just looked at them, didn’t open them. Opened some of the canisters for the unboxed stuff. Bert
Response:
…or just carry it back in all your pockets. i’ve never had a roll of 120 EVER set off a metal detector…. Dan
Response:
speaking of this, why hasn’t a film manufacturer produced a decent 35mm film cassette in plastic so as to avoid any metal problems? it would solve this problem entirely if you can slip the film into your pockets like I do with rolls of 120,–since they went to plastic reels several years ago… Dan Lindsay Santa Barbara
Response:
In Prestwick, the metal detector is set off by 2 rolls of 35mm film, but it is not by a single one. Koen
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …or just carry it back in all your pockets. i’ve never had a roll of 120 EVER set off a metal detector…. Dan
Response:
I just took it out of the boxes and put it in a plastic bag, still in the plastic canisters. The only problem is if they are black canisters rather than the translucent ones. They will then just make you open them up. I find it saves me from having to put all the rolls back into their canisters and when I am coming home from a trip I loose all the notes made on the lids etc. For just 2 scans (there and back) in most developed countries 400 iso it is not a problem. I have had problems with 800 and above. If you have a stop over (like I did from Toronto to Costa Rica via Houston) then you might want to hand inspect when you can. Canada and the US is not ever a problem so I always do it there. That way if they refuse in another country it is not as big a deal. Most security people seem to understand and oblige. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know a safe why to carry 400ASA film through airport x-ray machines? Should I have the film on my person when going through the metal detector or store it in my luggage?
Response:
I did exactly what BHilton said. Took the film out of the cannister and placed the cartridges in a clear plastic bag. When I went through the metal detector I placed the bag in the bowl along with my keys, change and money clip. They hand inspected the film and all was well.
That’s weird. At all airports I’ve seen, they send those bowls through the scanner… — Erik Dahlbeck Echo-Romeo-India-Kilo Delta-Alpha-Hotel-Lima-Bravo-Echo-Charlie-Kilo
Response:
Hmm . . . not when I’ve gone through. It’s usually the bowl/basket next to the walkthrough metal detector.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I did exactly what BHilton said. Took the film out of the cannister and placed the cartridges in a clear plastic bag. When I went through the metal detector I placed the bag in the bowl along with my keys, change and money clip. They hand inspected the film and all was well. That’s weird. At all airports I’ve seen, they send those bowls through the scanner… — Erik Dahlbeck Echo-Romeo-India-Kilo Delta-Alpha-Hotel-Lima-Bravo-Echo-Charlie-Kilo
Response:
Does anyone know a safe why to carry 400ASA film through airport x-ray machines? Should I have the film on my person when going through the metal detector or store it in my luggage?
Response:
Does anyone know a safe why to carry 400ASA film through airport x-ray machines? Should I have the film on my person when going through the metal detector or store it in my luggage?
Never put it in checked luggage or it will get zapped. You can probably get away with letting it go thru the carry-on xrays but the absolute safest way is to take the film from the boxes and into a clear plastic baggie and hand it to the person at the metal detector and request a hand job (ok, maybe use different wording). In most countries they will comply (I’ve only been refused in England but I’m very polite). Here’s the official word from Kodak and Fuji … (copied from an earlier post so the URL’s may be dead by now but you get the idea): The manufacturers recommendations can be summarized as follows: 1. NEVER pack film in checked luggage. High-intensity scanners in use at some airports WILL fog film. 2. Cumulative exposure to carry-on x-ray scanners can fog film of any speed. Faster film (ISO 400 or greater) is particularly susceptible. 3. To be safe, do the following: a. Open the boxes, take film out of the canisters, and place in a clear plastic bag. b. Ask for a hand inspection. or a. Limit exposure to x-rays by having the film processed locally. Here’s what the manufacturers say: From the Fuji website: www.fujifilm.com "Excessive exposure to X-rays or heat can ruin or degrade the quality of your pictures. . . Most U.S.A. Airport Systems are fairly safe, but if your pictures are very important or if you will be passing through many airports, it is safer to have your film hand inspected. Airport systems in foreign countries often have higher doses of X-rays than U.S.A airports. Be extra cautious when traveling overseas. " "NOTE: . . . Most X-ray and heat damaged film produce pictures, but they lack brilliance. If you truly want the best pictures possible, avoid X-rays and use care in storing your film." From the Kodak website: http://www.kodak.com/cluster/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/… is98.shtml "Until recently, x-ray inspection units used for airport security have been relatively safe for films. However, as airports step up their security measures, some have introduced a new type of inspection unit that has a greater potential to fog film. To date, these units are not widespread, but we expect them to become increasingly common. " "This new equipment is intended for checked luggage, although it is possible that boarding-gate security checkpoints will use it in the future. Because your checked luggage may be subjected to these new units, we suggest that you hand-carry your film and request visual inspection." "Airport x-ray inspection equipment is the most common source encountered by most photographers. Except for the new types of inspection units described earlier, most inspection units in use today are relatively safe for films with an ISO speed or Exposure Index (EI) of 400 or lower. However, multiple exposures without reorientation of the film, cumulative doses of more than five exposures, and malfunctioning inspection units can cause fog. Films with an ISO speed or EI higher than 400 require added precautions because they are much more sensitive to x-ray exposure. Even with ‘film-safe’ x-ray units, you should limit exposure to one inspection. For films with a speed of 1000 or higher, request visual inspection if allowed by local regulations or law." "At airport inspection stations, be sure to look for posted advisories on potential effects on film. Requesting visual inspection of photographic materials is still the best preventive measure, when it’s allowed. For easy inspection, carry the film in a clear plastic bag. " From the AGFA website: http://www.agfaphoto.com/news/x_ray.html "All the reputable film manufacturers put together a test package of their main types of film, from 100 ASA to 1000 ASA, and in the 35 mm, APS and 120 rollfilm versions. " "The new luggage checker damages every film from 100 ASA onwards. They are fogged, and images of objects, for instance keys in the beam in front of the film, appear on the film. " "If your trip takes you through airports with the new luggage checkers, you should definitely put your films in your hand luggage. This is exposed to the X-rays either not all or only moderately." "Films in surrendered luggage will be fogged or spoilt by images of other items you have packed." "Examples of airports which are already using the new systems are: New York (John F. Kennedy), Miami, London, Amsterdam."
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