Camera PV 2007 » 35mm Film » Film damage alert..
Film damage alert..
Question:
There are new x-ray machines at many US airports that will ruin your film. They are called CTX 5000’s. The problem is that for security reasons they are not telling passengers about these new machines. We in the photo indusrtry are trying to get the word out. The only way to insure your film is safe is to have it hand inspected as carry on luggage. DO NOT put your film in your checked bags. Also Filmshield bags are useless against these new machines. How serious is the problem? Well an entire British documentary film that took months to make was totally ruined as it passed thru this new machine in London. Please dont risk having your vacation pictures wrecked. Have all film hand checked.
Response:
Hum. And I just bought a film bag because I’m using higher speed film. We take a lot of film and it’s so much easier than passing through lots of film. Do you have a reference with more information on this? Especially that the film bags don’t protect the film? Thanks, Judy Four Winds Travel Services, Inc. 630-851-4336, FAX: 630-851-5402 http://www.4windstravel.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >There are new x-ray machines at many US airports that will ruin your film. >They are called CTX 5000’s. The problem is that for security reasons they >are not telling passengers about these new machines. >We in the photo indusrtry are trying to get the word out. >The only way to insure your film is safe is to have it hand inspected as >carry on luggage. DO NOT put your film in your checked bags. Also Filmshield >bags are useless against these new machines. >How serious is the problem? Well an entire British documentary film that >took months to make was totally ruined as it passed thru this new machine in >London. Please dont risk having your vacation pictures wrecked. Have all >film hand checked.
Response:
Here’s a reference I found: http://www.airwise.com/news/headlines/scanners3.html I understood from this that they are used on checked baggage. Judy Four Winds Travel Services, Inc. 630-851-4336, FAX: 630-851-5402 http://www.4windstravel.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >There are new x-ray machines at many US airports that will ruin your film. >They are called CTX 5000’s. The problem is that for security reasons they >are not telling passengers about these new machines. >We in the photo indusrtry are trying to get the word out. >The only way to insure your film is safe is to have it hand inspected as >carry on luggage. DO NOT put your film in your checked bags. Also Filmshield >bags are useless against these new machines. >How serious is the problem? Well an entire British documentary film that >took months to make was totally ruined as it passed thru this new machine in >London. Please dont risk having your vacation pictures wrecked. Have all >film hand checked.
Response:
> Here’s a reference I found: > http://www.airwise.com/news/headlines/scanners3.html > I understood from this that they are used on checked baggage.
It is true that this article indicates they are used (mainly?) on checked baggage. However, the related article link at the bottom includes this: "The FAA has acknowledged the film-damage problem and advises passengers to put film in their carry-on bags because the ordinary lower-power scanners are generally considered safe. But United scans all baggage of departing international travelers in the CTX-5000." ? — Remove "nosp" from address for mail replies.
Response:
Photographers carrying a reasonable amount of film should always carry it on and have it HAND INSPECTED at the security checkpoint. Do not pass it through the scanner. Take 35mm film out the packaging beforehand if possible and carry it in ziplock bags for quick visual inspection. –Michael
Response:
Does this include video tape?> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
The latest issue (June) of Popular Photography magazine discusses the issue. — Todd Dennis Dennis Photography International http://www.zoomnet.net/~dpi