xrays and film. possible problem.

I just ordered 100ft of kodak plus-x film iso125 from the US (i'm in

canada) and developed a roll and it looks like it wasn't developed

enough. I think it might be my developer, but i'm not sure. would

xrays have this effect or is it my deveoloper that's old? i'd like to

know before i start spending more time shooting photos have have them

turn out like crap. thanks in advance.

If you search the Web using the terms "film" "damage" "TSA" you'll find a couple of sites that shouw pictures of x-ray damaged film. Typically it is bands of damage rather than overall even damage. This might help you visualize what x-ray damage to film looks like.

 

Why don't you try your film again in fresh chemistry and double-check your temps and times?

X-rays cause fogging (dark areas on the film). Check your developer.

<cite>Typically it is bands of damage rather than overall even damage.</cite>

 

<p>It depends on the machine in question. The high-energy scanners for checked baggage, which have been deployed in a number of airports in recent years, tend to produce bands. The ones more typically used for carryon tend to produce overall fogging. I have no idea what sort of equipment is used to scan film sent by mail or courier.</p>

Steve, According to teh x-ray machine mfg specs, TSA/Kodak guidance, and industry association studies, the machines used for carry-on luggage (and most mail scanning, from what I've heard) does not cause fogging of 125 ASA film... unless, maybe, it's subjected to the x-ray many, many, many times.

From Rapiscan specs:

 

HEALTH & SAFETY

All Rapiscan Systems products comply with applicable international

health and safety regulations including USA FDA X-ray systems

(Federal Standard 21CFR 1020.40) and Health and Safety at Work

Act 1974-section 6, Amended by the Consumer Protection Act

1987. Maximum leakage radiation less than 0.1mR/hr (1젓v/hr)

in contact with outer panels.

 

Film Safety: For ISO 1600/33 DIN, guaranteed up to 10 times

exposure to radiation.

 

CE Compliance: Yes

FCC & IEC Compliance: Yes

Your film wouldn't be fogged by x-rays. They don't x-ray packacges going on cargo planes, since there are no passengers, unless the packages are suspect.

My wife is a photo lab specialist, and is always commenting on the effects of x-rays on people's film -- foggy and washed out. Also, my Dad was Assistant Director of the FAA in the '70's, a photographer, and instrimental in instituting metal detectors and x-ray machines in airports -- He NEVER passed his film through x-rays, but asked that it be inspected by hand; he incouraged me to do the same, and my wife would too.

<i>My wife is a photo lab specialist, and is always commenting on the effects of x-rays on people's film -- foggy and washed out.</i><P>

Does she know that these foggy, washed out rolls of film were passed through x-ray machines rather than being poorly exposed, long out-of-date, and/or left in a hot car for half the summer?<P>

<i>Dad was Assistant Director of the FAA in the '70's, a photographer, and instrimental in instituting metal detectors and x-ray machines in airports -- He NEVER passed his film through x-rays, but asked that it be inspected by hand;</i><P>

If I were using airports with 70s-era baggage scanners, that might well be sound advice. Following the guidelines for current machines (don't worry about carry-on scanners for film speeds under 800), I've never seen x-ray damage to any of the hundreds of rolls of film that I passed through the carry-on scanner (many of them several times).<P>

To the original poster: <b>get some fresh developer</b>.