Best way to carry 35mm film through airports when traveling to a far destination?

Question

I don't know how easy, or expensive finding film will be, also how good/bad processing them will be is so i ws thinking of taking a bunch (100 or more ) rolls from home.

Answer 1

DO NOT PUT THE FILM IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE!!!

I travel often, and am a professional photographer. I take my film out of their boxes, so that I'm carrying just the roll in the plastic container. I then put all of the containers in a mesh nylon bag, and request a hand-check BEFORE it goes through the x-ray machine at the security check point.

They may not be excited about your request, especially if they are busy. Give yourself plenty of time. Be polite, but persistant. If the security screener tells you that it doesn't effect low-speed film, tell them that the effects are cumulative (which they are), and that you prefer not to take chances.

I've even been told the film will receive a higher dose of radiation during the flight than it will during the x-ray process. I simply repeated that the effects are cumulative, and that if the film received more radiation in flight, then I absolutely needed to have the film hand-checked.

A neat little trick I learned from another pro is to buy one or two rolls of the highest speed film you can. Then you can tell security that you ARE carrying high speed film that can be damaged by the x-rays.

Finally, if you use a variety of Kodak film with dark canisters, mark the top of the lids with a permanent ink pen so that you know what is in each container.

Answer 2

Here's what has worked for me. Take the film with you in your carry-on luggage, any not too large bag with a carry strap works well. Keep the film in a heavy duty , clear, zip lock bag. Have this out ahead of time and when you reach the baggage walk thru , in your most polite manner, ask the person in charge to please do a hand inspection.
These days with security concerns, that might not work , so bring the lowest iso speed film that you can work with, as this will reduce any possible effects to the film if you have to have it scanned.
The other school of thought is to carry the film in a lead lined bag, easily bought at most photo stores , which will protect the film and force a hand inspection. This can sometimes cause a slight delay in getting through the line.
The first method has always worked for me without a problem.

While not part of your question, a good back up option is to have a digital camera with a few spare memory cards. These cameras now can be purchased at fairly low cost, many models are small and easy to carry and the memory cards at middle settings (good enough for 8x10 enlargements) can store hundreds of photos. Plus you will have the option to edit right then and there and delete the photos (and free up memory) you dont like. good luck and enjoy your travels.

Answer 3

If I were you I would put all your film in a seperate carry on bag. When you go through security ask them to hand check the bag. Sometimes they will give you a hard time but keep insisting that it cannot go through xray. Also, if your film speed is slow like 200 or 400 the xray will not affect it. Its usually film with 800 speed or above that gets damaged. I have heard that black and white film has a greater chance of being damaged than color film. I'm not sure if this is true though. One thing that will help security is if your film is taken out of the box and canisters. They will give you less crap this way and you can get through quickly.

Answer 4

The airport will tell you no harm in having them x-rayed but it can and has fogged other people's film. Keep all of your film in a separate pouch and hand carry until you get to the metal detecters then ask for a hand inspection and tell them it is specialty film. Many airports will give you a very hard time and some will outright refuse the hand inspection so be ready.

They make a lead lined film bag, but it only adds to the problem. When the inspectors see the image is being blocked by the density of the bag they turn up the x-ray to compensate.

Makes me so happy I have gone over to digital.

Answer 5

You can ask for your luggage to be hand-searched, but not all airports will do that. So invest a few $$ in a lead bag (available at any camera store). Put your film in there to protect it. They'll end up hand-searching your bag anyway since the x-ray won't be able to see through the bag.

Use film that comes in clear plastic canisters (e.g., Fuji) so it's easy for them to see what's in it.

Do *not* put your film in your checked-in luggage, since they use a much stronger x-ray for that.

I've travelled many, many times using these methods and haven't lost a single film yet.

Answer 6

You shouldn't have to worry about the integrity of the film before it's been used. It'll just be a matter of space! Film rolls are small, stuff them where ever you can! In shoes, in your toiletry back, or take a few large ziplock bags to put them in and then pack them at the bottom of your suit case. When coming home though, I usually ship my used film back, I've had some important pictures ruined by the Xray machine, so now I don't take any chances.

Answer 7

100 rolls will take up quite a bit of space. So, you are going to want to carry the majority of them (about 90 rolls) in your luggage. And about 10 rolls on you. This way if your luggage is delayed you still have quite a few photos available to you.

Domke produces nice Xray safe film bags for around $24 and it'll hold 35 rolls. Very durable and will withstand weather and normal wear and tear. The link below will take you to where you can purchase one.

Answer 8

It should not be a major problem to just carry it in the canisters it comes in and put them in your bag as long as it is not high speed film. High speed film usually gets destroyed by the X-ray machines. I think they sell bags that keep film safe for travel, but I am not totally sure on that. You can look and see if you want.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, you can't take film with you on an airliner anymore simply because the new x-ray equipment that has been put in place after 911 will ruin it. I would suggest you buy a digital camera to avoid this problem. Unless of course you can find a good camera store at your final destination.

Good luck

Answer 10

If you are a professional, you may have to file a document that film is for business pourposes. Check that out with your destination's customs authorities as you are entering large ammount of film as a temporary importation.