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Diving Bonaire: Film and x-ray damage
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2002-11-26 to 2003-04-30: Film and x-ray damage
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robyn Churchill (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 12:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

What a great website! Thanks everyone for your advice on food in Bonaire. My next question is about going through airport security with film,,,lots of film. My boyfriend and I will have about 40-50 rolls between us. We're packing the film inside protective lead bags which will go into our carry-on luggage. The lead bags are supposed to only protect against low-dosage x-rays. We'll also be bringing some video tape. Has anyone had a problem with their film being damaged by airport x-rays? Should we ask that all our film be hand searched? We're flying out of Ft. Lauderdale airport. Thanks in advance for your advice. Robyn

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kevin welsh (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 1:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have a friend that works at the airport in Boston and he say's that the carry on bag's get minimal xray exposier and that the big luggage get's blasted so I would say carry it on and as far as your lead pouches if they can't scan it and see what's inside their going to tear your bag's apart good luck

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Allen (BonaireTalker - Post #75) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 3:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When you get to the security checkpoint, tell them that you have film in you lead lined bags. Better yet, have the bag out and let them see that you have film. I have not heard of security x-ray machines damaging film in carry on bags in a long time. Let the security people know your concerns (in 25 words or less, there are people in line behind you, after all) and they should be pretty careful with your film.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeffrey Rein (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 7:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

from what i read on airline websites, DO NOT PUT FILM IN CHECKED BAGS. It will get fogged. Carry on is fine. They also do not reccomend lead lined bags, if they can't see inside, they will look through your carry on bags. they reccomend keeping film in carry on not in lead lined bags

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lance (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 10:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The best way to get your film safely through the security check is to put your film in clear zip lock bags, and hand it to the agent at the x-ray machine for a hand check. If he or she still wants you to run it through the x-ray machine make sure it goes by itself. That way the film will only be exposed one time and not two, three or more times. I have noticed that regulators, BCs, cameras, and batteries always get may rechecks when x-rayed. I suspect that dense objects require the agent to turn up the power to see through the items and if your film is in that bag it might get fogged.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Gaunt (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #438) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 12:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Robyn,

I've never had a problem taking film through carry on and I usually have a LOT of it. 10 years ago I put it in the lead bags, but with the new security, I've decided to skip them. I've never had a problem with it getting clouded, and from what I understand, unless you're using something above 800asa you should be fine anyway.

Have a GREAT trip!

Michael

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jamie Barber (BonaireTalker - Post #39) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 3:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

So I've ALWAYS carried all my film in a gallon Ziplock, taken out of the boxes AND the cans... always politely asked for a handcheck of the bag at the security checkpoint. Until recently this has not been a problem but NO MORE! Every time now I get told in no uncertain terms to put that bag through the scanner. While at the same time I watch quite a few folks who have film in lead bags (that have gone though the scanner) asked to show the contents... where the just open the lead bag and let the security folks have a glance inside. Seems like the best solution to me! Just keep it easily accessible. And as far as those machines "not fogging" film goes: maybe 1 pass, maybe 2 passes, but if you've got a few machines each way it adds up! I've gotten washed out film home in the past... My friend just got home from travelling to Isreal--her photos looked like they were taken in a snowstorm!!! Wonder why?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #857) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 10:54 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jamie, maybe because it WAS snowing in Israel? :-)

Seriously, don't worry too much about these X-rays. I took some 30 rolls with me in September which went through security 4 times (Ams-Cur-Bon-Cur-Ams). No problem whatsoever, especially if you use slow film (50-100 ISO). If you use fast film (800+), then you might need the precautions.

Of the pictures (slides) I took back then, I found that Fuji Velvi (50 ISO) produced the most beautiful results; the colours and amount of light on Bonaire are perfect for that film. Of course, I'm talking *above* water here :-).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #858) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 10:54 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Aaaaaah... That's VelviA...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #3952) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 11:29 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Marc,

That's true for most X-Ray machines through which carry-on luggage is put through, but not for the monster scanners now being used to scan checked luggage at big airports.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #861) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 12:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Of course, I was assuming the film would be in the carry on luggage, along with the gear. Luck can only be pushed so far :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Richter - NetTech (Moderator - Post #1350) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 2:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When I checked in last time, the agent specifically asked if I had film in my checked bags and if so, I should take it out and carry it on. He said the new xray machines for the checked bags would definitely hurt the film.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robyn Churchill (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 4:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks everyone for all your great advice. My film, photography equipment and regulator will all go into my carry-on luggage. I'm going to remove each roll of film from its canister, and place the film into a clear ziploc bag. Hopefully, they'll be willing to just inspect it and not run it through the x-ray machine. It's mostly 400 speed film, so if they insist on an x-ray I'm hoping it won't be damaged. We're leaving in about 2 weeks, and I'm so excited! Now comes the next big decision...choosing dive sites. With all the great places to dive in Bonaire, I know we can't possibly see them all in one week. I think that's a good excuse for planning a second trip! Thanks again, Robyn

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie Hughes (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3649) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 5:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Robyn, I just cam back from Honduras and there were signs saying take all film out of carry ons so they could hand inspect it..We went through 6 total security sites and they all hand inspected it.. sometimes taking out every single one of the 50 rolls our friend brought and opening up the clear canisters and looking..Good Luck..and I definitely agree.. do not put it in you checked in luggage in a lead bad. they will open the bad and find it... We also did NOT lock any bags the whole trip!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Cabus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #155) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 11:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Freddie,

you don't lock your bags that are checked in? Aren't you worried that things go missing?

We are carrying for over 10.000$ in video equipment. It is all insured but it would be a small disaster if any of it was stolen. Without lights, housing or chargers we would most likely not be able to work properly. Therefor we put all gear that cannot be taken as hand lugage in a locked Pelican case.

It was never a problem before. Do you anticipate problems? Some of the stuff like the huge video light batteries might look suspicious.

 


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