NotoFroto

I am a constant traveler. Each trip means several different airports and xray machines. Countless security officals say that XRAYs DONT affect film unless its over a certain speed. But I noticed on the back of my box of professional film (100 speed) it clearly says PROTECT FROM HEAT AND XRAY.often hte security people refused to hand inspect my film.Would multiple XRAYs to film lower the quality of the image at all? Even a little? Anyone notice differences?

PhotoGirl

Xray can affect undeveloped film. Especially if the roll of film has not been used.

fhotoace

What X-Rays can do is fog the film and it looses contrast and the blacks go grey in transparency film. The more X-Ray machines the film goes through the more fog you can expect.I use lead lined bags for my film and if possible have the film developed before I travel again. X-Rays do the most damage to exposed film.When you show up with a lead lined bag, they have to inspect it after it has gone through the machine in your carry-on

Mere_Mortal

This rather animated fellow has this to say about it.http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/airline.htm

BenH5739

X-ray damage is cumulative, however the scanners used for carry-on baggage are both of low intensity and low duration so the effect is minimal. Truthfully, you'll probably see more damage from the increased cosmic radiation your film encounters while flying than you will from the damage coming from a carry on X-ray scanner.The damage is certainly there, however the magnitude of it is so small that you won't notice it. Don't ever, ever put your film in your checked baggage. The scanners are much more powerful, and will damage your film. I've seen the effect from this first hand.EDIT:I don't recommend a lead-lined bag. The reason is that when the scanner sees the lead bag, it will stop the conveyor and crank up the intensity until it can see through the bag. Because of this, you'll end up increasing both the intensity and duration, and doing more damage.

jstjen71

YES!!!! X-Rays can ruin your film. One of the ways to protect your film is to purchase a lead bag. Go to a camera store and they should have some. This forces the security agents to hand inspect your film.

JenniferD4948

I wouldn't take it through airport x-rays.Always try to have the film developed before boarding your plane. You can always print at home.

JohnT

Yes, X-Rays can wreck your film--especially if you're traveling in a foreign country. Their X-Ray machines do not meet the same standards as those in the U.S. For that matter, they've been telling us the X-ray machines in the U.S. won't hurt your film; but you only have to have a dozen rolls ruined to take precautions. Use lead bags if you have to travel with film--they always inspect my gear by hand anyway. If I'm not going to somewhere exotic I buy film locally. I also order film and have it shipped to the hotel I will be using. I usually drop the film in the mail to my processor before I get back on the plane. If it is something really important I hand carry it onto the plane, in a lead bag and request a hand inspection in an attempt to escape any X-ray exposure. This may be overkill, but like I said I've had film ruined by airport X-ray machines.