film shipping question

bruce1007

bruce1007

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Mar 18, 2012
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Hi all, is there anyone knew weather the film would be radiated by security checking while it was on way of shipping? Any advise will be appreciated.

Thanks
 
not that much value in the information, but I had a few packages of Portra sent to me by airmail and they seem to be fine.
 
It is my understanding that there was a report on the news the Cargo planes x-ray very little of their cargo unlike passenger aircraft. The x-ray machines for checked luggage are much stronger than the ones for carry on luggage. FYI lead lined bags are useless as demonstrated to me by the x-ray technician at the airport. He advised that the x-rays went through the bag and he showed me the images. I have since ceased using lead lined bags and let my film go through x-rays. I have not had any problems. I even mistakenly let my film go through the stronger x-ray for checked luggage without any change to the film. This may be an Urban myth. I have my film shipped to me all the time.
 
I had several times Lucky SHD 100 shipped out from Korea to Turkey and never had a problem. But it is slow film of course. Maybe someone has experience with fast films (like 800 ASA or faster).
 
Had a load of Arista Premium 400 shipped from freestyle to europe.
No visible issues, also if pushed to 1600.
 
Thank you all for the suggestion and experience sharing, but someone told me that there's effect for some high iso films, is that correct ?
 
Hi,

I think you need to stop to worry about it. I have pass a dozen of Xray Check point and a box of roll in my bag. Then i kept my bag with me during all my job in my car (3 weeks) That means something like 30 degree during the day (east african project).

I came back through xray again, developped at home and it was all ok :)

I never had any problem, perhaps i am lucky i don't know. But, i think, you need to stop to worry and burn your film.


The theory of an urban legend could be possible IMO. Photographers of all the times seems to be very protective and anxious about there materials and tools ! It's all a kind of fetischism (i admit i am fetiscist too)

Good day
 
I've travelled lots with film and it's hit-or-miss. I had a batch ruined by x-rays (400 and 100 film) in a lead xray bag going under carriage....then I've had film with no bag just fine. It's hard to give you a 100% answer because sometimes it happens. I had 40 rolls shipped and 4 were ruined by x-rays and the rest fine. However...99% of the time it has been fine, but if you can avoid chancing it, that's what I would do. Buy when you arrive and ship before you fly. Costs a little more in the long run, but I had a pretty big disappointment once and learned by lesson.
 
+1 to Jordan's post. Also just because you can't see any difference it doesn't mean there is no damage. To assess that, you would have to shoot the same scene with x-rayed and non x-rayed films and compare. I guess the most sound advice is to not to worry too much but try not to subject your film to x-rays repeatedly.
 
I'm was also looking for a clear answer for this.

Will send exposed film from Norway and US to Hungary. I've contacted the postal companies but no clear answer.

Seems people agree that in most cases it won't be a problem.
 
When you buy Fuji or Ilford film in the US how do you think they got there? Air freight maybe? I don't think it is anything to worry about.
 
the problem seems to stem mostly from exposed, but not yet developed film.

Just read what Kodak writes.
 
Since the X-ray effect on film is accumulative, it makes sense to reduce the frequency of this exposure as much as possible. This said, I have travelled extensively in the past (when X-ray scans were probably stronger) with both exposed and unexposed film with no noticeable image deterioration.
 
nowadays most x-ray / scanner on airport are film safe as far as i know...

*i saw on the web that film has been scanned will show some curve or effect (forgot the URL)..
but it's not a big deal.., almost every 2-3 month i travel with plane and no issues with my result..
 
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