traveling and film/equipment

[raven_garrison]

I will be traveling to London in March. I am not a seasoned traveler. My equipment will be a small lightweight field camera, and a small lightweight tripod. 4x5 film. I will keep my equipment and film with me at all times. Any advise would be appreciated. I was wondering. The film will be in my pocket. I will put a blank and an exposed sheet of film outside the box so customs can see what is in the box. But how does one do a hand inspection of film in a box? When I walk through the metal detector with the film on me, can this damage my film? And if I take it out of the foil wrapper, and replace it with a plastic bag inside the box, when I am walking through the metal detector, there will not be any "metal" alert. Correct? So my film will go undected? Therefore, then not needing to send it through the carry-on detector? which is stronger rays? Sorry if I'm confusing, but I'm inexperienced at this. This will be T-Max 400. I think I will try to get the film developed in London, but this depends on the wait. Thanks for your response.

[richard_rankin2]

You're dreaming if you think you're going to get a hand inspection of

anything around NYC or LAX anymore or probably any other US airport

and London Heathrow never will do one. You're best bet is to put the

film in your carry-on, wince when it goes through the x-ray and not

worry about it, even with 400 film. I've had sheet film (100 and

400) x-rayed numerous times, and actually put through a roll of 1000

speed 35mm all around Europe and Australia for numerous trips as an

experiment, and it came out fine. But don't pack film in your

checked luggage as the machines used on baggage is much more

powerful.

<BR><BR>

As to my field camera- I pack it in an f64 padded backpack with its

GG cover and the blackcloth, then pack the whole thing in a suitcase

with clothing around it and check it as baggage. Has worked for me

well and I've done around 150,000 miles in the past 12-14

months.<BR><BR>

Richard

[john_hennessy]

Traveling with film, camera and tripod presents three separate

problems.

 

<p>

 

First, film: there is a new Kodak site (the address of which I did not

bookmark) which says forget traveling with film post 9/11. Buy film

when you get to your destination and develop before returning. Kodak

evidently expects the carry-on x-ray machines to be more powerful than

pre 9/11. Kodak's site did not say this was gospel just that it is

likely to become true. But if it not true, then it appears to be OK to

put film in your carry-on luggage but not your checked luggage. If it

is true, then we have a problem because finding sheet film, loading

it, (or finding ready load) and finding a reliable place to develop it

in some strange place will be difficult and often impossible. In any

case, stuffing film into your pockets (less any foil bags) as always

worked for me. No inspection is ever done and the metal detector won't

harm film. Works best in the winter with the extra pockets and bulky

clothes. Just bought the Fuji QuickChange from Robt White but haven't

got it yet (see its discussion of a few weeks ago here.) That should

allow one to carry about 24-36 sheets easily. But the cartridge part

must have at least a metal spring, though it supposed to be plastic.

So I am not sure about that yet.

 

<p>

 

I have made a case for my tripod as opposed to buying one that says

"Gitzo---steal me" all over it. I made from 6" sewer pipe with a glued

fitting on one end and a screw fitting on the other. Lined with closed

cell foam (i.e., a back packing mattress), it has proven

indestructible as checked baggage. It has a shoulder strap attached to

two bolt eyes and drawer pull as a handle. It still has the sewer pipe

stencil on it for good measure. Perhaps it's too ugly to steal.

 

<p>

 

My camera I always carry on after stripping anything too heavy out of

the case. Otherwise it will be stolen or damaged by the baggage

gorillas. I have checked through the best camera cases but it is like

rolling dice; sometimes you get everything back intact other times

not. A wooden camera evokes fewer fears; I have been asked to turn on

my Technikardan.

 

<p>

 

All in all, it is becoming a big problem. But I am not ready throw in

the towel. Maybe we should use this forum to arrange equipment swaps

with like-minded photographers world wide and just carry on tooth

brushes like normal people!

[robert_lyons]

raven

specific to travelling to London it is not possible to have any film

hand inspected in UK and that has been the case for many years. I

regularly travel through and it is a British Law that all carry - on

be x-rayed. I suggest you purchase your film in London,Teamwworks is a

great shop in the downtown area and it caters to pros and LF. there

are also many other stores so just research it. as for returning

home,either have the film processed in London or again be sure to

research current info. on xray machines.

all the best

[oren_grad]

This appears to be the latest from Kodak on the subject - there's a

link to it from the home page:

 

<p>

 

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/aboutKodak/xRayScanner.shtml

 

<p>

 

In brief, they say that within the US, you should not worry about

putting film through the scanners for carry-in luggage. Some

passengers may be taken aside and asked to have their carry-on

scanned in one of the more powerful machines. In that case, Kodak

advises asking for a hand inspection, and suggests having film

wrapped in clear plastic for the convenience of the security staff.

Of course, that's useless advice with sheet film.

 

<p>

 

Overseas, all bets are off. Kodak advises seeking a hand inspection,

but they will refuse this at Heathrow, and possibly at many other

airports as well...

[dave_anton]

Raven,

As others have said, Heathrow does not allow for a hand inspection of

anything, never mind film, and that is true for many Euro countries

that I've been through...in fact when i do ask for a hand inspection,

they'll refuse it and it seems to me that they scan the item for an

even longer time!

 

<p>

 

If you are concerned about your film, London will carry pro shops that

stock TMAX 400.

 

<p>

 

There are a couple of things that I would recomend for travel. Keep

your tripod with your check-in to avoid issues with the size of your

carry-on bag, and, carry a back-up ground glass. (I have also

considered replacing my GG with a plastic version for travelling). If

your gg breaks when you are out there, you could be hauling alot of

useless gear.

 

<p>

 

What I would like to know is how Kodak ships their product to other

countries without getting it scanned? If this is possible what about

pre-shipping your film ahead of time and picking it up when you get

there and then shipping it back? This may be more trouble than its

worth if you are only going to London, but if you are travelling to a

more secluded country, it may work out?!

[dave_anton]

...sorry, I meant to say that "London will HAVE pro shops that carry

TMAX 400".

[neil_poulsen1]

Within the last week, I received a forwarded email from a friend in

which the writer described the following incident. As he was going

through an airport check stand, the attendent insisted on opening his

film boxes to check the film. After an "exchange", they finally ended

up in a dark closet so that the attendent could check every fourth

box.

 

<p>

 

The same email also indicated that airports had been instructed to

raise the X-Ray power to maximum, and that film was being fogged.

 

<p>

 

I suppose one can get color developed at the destination of travel,

but how about black and white? Does UPS or Federal Express x-ray

their packages? One could purchase film there and then ship it back

home for development.

[david_goldfarb]

London's a civilized place. I would just purchase film there.

 

<p>

 

That said, FedEx says they don't routinely X-ray, since there are no

passengers on their flights, and cargo flights are not seen as likely

targets, so shipping is an option, or you could purchase film there

and ship back. Just don't pack any drugs or explosives with your

film, or they might attract the attention of the dogs.

 

<p>

 

In some airports, I've brought sealed boxes of film and explained what

they were and haven't had a problem. If they have the machine that

tests for explosive residue, they can test the box by wiping the

outside and putting the wipe in the machine.

 

<p>

 

I'm usually asked to open my camera case, because all those strange

shutters and cable releases and such look suspicious, but I just

explain politely what it is, and haven't had any difficulties.

 

<p>

 

I usually check my tripod in a Tenba TTP bag, and that's always been

fine.

 

<p>

 

Have a great trip!

[john_hennessy]

Here is the address of the Kodak site I could not find earlier. It is

not encouraging.

 

<p>

 

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/support/technical/xray4.shtml

[steve_baggett]

For what it's worth, I just returned from a week in CO and had VC160

and Provia-100 ReadyLoads/QuickLoads x-ray'ed twice as carry-on

baggage (in Memphis on the outbound and in Denver on the return) and

just developed them and they show no fog. Many do suffer from

composition problems, however, but that's my fault.

[bill_nagel]

Are the people currently going through the airport carryon scanners

putting their film in lead lined film bags? I'm just curious. I've

always traveled this way and would like to know how airport security

reacts to these since 9/11.

[qtluong]

Raven: your strategy for going through security will work (it's

what I do all the time). Metal detectors don't affect film.

<p>

The "high-intensity X-ray machines" mentioned in the Kodak page

are easily distingished from the ordinary X-ray machines by their

huge size. There is one or more in the ticket area of SFO, but

next to them *there is a sign*

warning passengers to remove all film before

scanning. You cannot any longer request hand inspection at routine

security, but routine security does not use so far the

"high-intensity X-ray machines" and has a sign posted saying that

film won't be harmed. I don't think it would be acceptable for the

airlines to fog film, even in the name of (bogus, IMO) security. I

expect if they ever use the "high-intensity X-ray machines" for

routine inspection, they'll have to hand-inspect film again. In the

meantine, I wouldn't worry as much as the Kodak page would suggest.

[adam_mxrk]

Just retuned from London, I brought 100, 120 rolls with me from

Denmark, since the film price in London are twice compared to

Denmark. They were all scanned in the carry-on luggage -no damage.

They are VERY concerned in London about the size and contents of the

hand luggage, they only allow a small amount of personal items at the

moment, and I think you may get a hard time convincing the security

that you can bring the camera with you in the cabin.

 

<p>

 

I will give my warmest recommendations for development in London to:

Tapestry.MM, 51-52 Frith Street down in Soho, they do beautiful

development in 90 min. www.tapestrymm.com

 

<p>

 

Have a nice trip

[stuart_whatling1]

Raven,

 

<p>

 

If you're worried about XRays, get your film at Teamwork (Foley St

W1 - they're about 10% cheaper than Calumet for most film types and

have good stock levels) and have it developed by one of the labs in

Soho - Tapestry and Metro are ok, though I always use Joe's Basement

on Wardour St - they're open 24x7 and are very reliable.

 

<p>

 

Personally though I wouldn't worry. I flew back from Beirut yesterday

where security is extra-sensitive at the mo - my bags (containing 400

sheets of exposed Provia) went through two extra sets of x-ray

machines on the way into the airport and there are no traces of

fogging. Everything went into checked baggage - the Gitzo in my main

rucksack and the Wista etc in a Tenba backpack. Nothing was harmed by

this experience - I just made sure I was at the front of the carousel

at Heathrow!

 

<p>

 

Enjoy your trip and don't forget to check out Teamwork - it's a great

little shop and the only decent LF specialist in London. Oh - and

remember that this being england, in March the weather will be really

miserable!

[avatar]

You can demand hand inspections in the USA. Outside the USA and its posessions, you may be SoL. My page has a link to someones experiences at various European airports. Under the Code of Federal Regulations, film doesn't have to be x-rayed in US airports (except maybe film backs)! It does not matter what speed it is. It can all be hand checked if you like. Print out the regulations (49CFR1544.211(e)(4) to show the screeners! There is too much information on my page to put here. Here is how to avoid the X-ray machine Check my page on it! Here is your definate answer to x-raying in airports. There are links to all the relevant regulations for printing along with an explanation of the federal structure and tips to make things go easier: <a href="http://home.kc.rr.com/aaronphoto/xray.html">http://home.kc.rr.com/aaronphoto/xray.html</a>