Xray scanners on cruise ships - killing film use?

[rayfoxlee]

I packed my film camera and a good stock of film in great anticipation for 12 days in the sun. Little did I think that my film loaded camera would be scanned twice - once by the port authorities and then again when going back onboard - every time I went ashore. I tried to have my camera hand checked, but to no avail.

Now I know that scanners for carry-on baggage use lower dose xrays, but on that trip, my film could have been scanned 12 times by the cruise line/port authorities and twice at the airports. That seems excessive and risks damage - I was loaded with C41 B&W stock. Luckily, I had an LX3 with me, but I missed the M7.

Has anyone experienced this problem and what do members consider the maximum number of scans that a 400 iso film can suffer before being fogged? Any advice, please? I guess the camera should be put in a lead-lined bag to pass through the scanner, but I'm just not sure how effective these are.

It seems that we film uses are being squeezed from all sides and 'keeping the faith' is getting harder all the time. Once an affordable digital alternative to the M7 arrives that can offer a similar user experience (and pleasure), then perhaps it will be time to jump ship (pun intended).

Ray

[rxmd]

I suggest you don't worry. 12 passes is not a lot, and you don't have to take all your film ashore every time anyway.

Otherwise, I think most of the answers to this thread can be subsumed by the generic X-ray comment template. Substitute "cruise liners" for "flights" if you feel like it.:
_______________________________________________
FILM PHOTOGRAPHERS' X-RAY THREAD COMMENT TEMPLATE
(Version 1.1)

Section 1. Anecdotal evidence

[_] I had film in my checked-in luggage

[_] I don't know if it was scanned at all
[_] It was damaged

[_] I had film in my hand luggage and it wasn't damaged in spite of being scanned ___ times

[_] That was in the following exotic countries: _____________
[_] I tried to get a hand inspection and [_] got it / [_] didn't get it
[_] I had this weird film: [_] ISO > 3200 [_] Infrared [_] X-ray film [_] Other: ____

Section 2. General information

[_] Here's a link to the Kodak bulletin.
[_] Here's a link to the TSA bulletin.
[_] Here's a link to a random blog post: ___________________
[_] I recommend using a lead bag

[_] Don't use a lead bag, they'll just crank up the intensity

[_] They can't do that for labour safety reasons

Section 3. Other points

[_] Show pix
[_] The TSA sucks
[_] Other generic X-ray-related comment: _________________
[_] Other generic flight-related comment: _________________

[ColSebastianMoran]

Excellent template, rxmd. But you forgot the emotional aspect...
- These were once-in-a-lifetime important images
- This worried me so much that I _______ .

[robert blu]

I cannot give you suggestions more than rxmd already did. I was impressed by your sentence :"It seems that we film uses are being squeezed from all sides and 'keeping the faith' is getting harder all the time. Once an affordable digital alternative to the M7 arrives that can offer a similar user experience (and pleasure), then perhaps it will be time to jump ship (pun intended)." which I fully understand and share.
robert

[rxmd]

Originally Posted by ColSebastianMoran

Excellent template, rxmd. But you forgot the emotional aspect...
- These were once-in-a-lifetime important images
- This worried me so much that I _______ .

Thanks. I'll take care of that. In version 1.2 I'll put in an Emotional Response section.

[Rayt]

Originally Posted by rayfoxlee

Has anyone experienced this problem and what do members consider the maximum number of scans that a 400 iso film can suffer before being fogged? Any advice, please? I guess the camera should be put in a lead-lined bag to pass through the scanner, but I'm just not sure how effective these are.

It seems that we film uses are being squeezed from all sides and 'keeping the faith' is getting harder all the time.
Ray

The most number of scans I have experienced must have been my trip to India and Pakistan. The hotel in Lahore had an xray machine at the front door so coming in and out through the day I literally lost track. I was worried and begged the security for hand inspection but they did their job and said no. Flying between Lahore and Delhi and changing flights in Karachi you can imagine how many times my stuff had to get scanned. The total count from the trip must have been about 30 times or more. I shot Neopan 400 and Provia 100F and did not notice anything unusual that would indicate xray damage.

Don't make the fear of xray an excuse to shoot digital! I don't bother with lead bags and such. Until I personally see xray damage in my films from hand carried luggage scans I won't worry about it.

[Pablito]

Originally Posted by rxmd

Thanks. I'll take care of that. In version 1.2 I'll put in an Emotional Response section.

It's always an emotional response. That is ALL you need
SUCH a tired old subject and SO much info already out there.


Now then, I'm going on a trip for two weeks. What is the best film to use in India? Then the second week I am going to Bavaria. What is the best film for Bavaria. Or should I take my DSLR?

[uhligfd]

Just travel more often and you will forget your fears re film and being scanned a lot etc.

And before you do travel, search this site for all our experiences ... It helps you get acquainted with what those who travel a lot know and do not worry about at all.

==> RELAx, please, the water is just fine to drink most everywhere ...

[rxmd]

Originally Posted by uhligfd

==> RELAx, please, the water is just fine to drink most everywhere ...

Well here it isn't

[dct]

I also was on a cruise few years ago. Of course they scanned my luggage at any shore leave. I used 200 and 400 ISO color film. No effects at all.

[htimsdj]

Don't take all your film on and off every time you leave the ship. Only the film you will use that day. Even if you have to waste film that way, the most any single roll would suffer is boarding the ship twice.