How to Bring the film?

[beyond]

I m goin to HK next week. Wanna bring my trusty FM2n for a tour. THe problem is..What about films. CAnt pass tru Xray machine rite?

[noruazumi]

cannot... they can't pass through x-ray machines. from what i heard, u can ask customs to manually check the films to avoid the films being scanned using x-ray.

[beyond]

OK. Say if I already load a film into the cam. Tak kan the fella gonna open up my film door...Terexposed kang...

[asris]

hi,

i've put some films thru x-ray machine and they came out (processed) fine.
those were X-ray machines in LCCT and Kuching international airports.
i've heard that different airports use different x-ray machines with variable degree of x-rays. but i can't confirm on this.

or else u might try the film protection bag/pouch. search 'filmshield' on ebay. i haven't use it myself so again can't confirm its effectiveness.

hope that helps and by the way, fm2 is one bad ass camera. i absolutely love it! :)

[noruazumi]

someone that i knew came to Penang via Penang International Airport, all his 120 films gone. he suspected that it caused by the x-ray machine.

[beyond]

It would be too risky ler..I think I ll talk to the kastam officer...I m also officer mar..Mayb give face? I can open up the film and let him check one by one.

[moshpit21]

cannot... they can't pass through x-ray machines. from what i heard, u can ask customs to manually check the films to avoid the films being scanned using x-ray.

OMFG, few rolls of mine been happily passing thru the x-ray.. :0

i only know this thing now...

there goes my velvia 50 and velvia 100.. :rolleyes:

-peace-

[Freaky]

Old x-ray machines used to 'kill' film, new ones don't. But still best to check with operator. That's if they're helpful and friendly... They might strip search you just for asking:P

[Alan]

X-ray machines for hand luggage are normally film safe for up to ASA400. But the effects are cummulative and will show if you scan them too many times. The most I have put ASA400 films gone through x-rays is 4 times and they didn't show any negative effects.

The alternative is ask to hand inspection but that is at the discretion of the officers. Some of them would ask you to snap a couple of shots for film loaded in cameras, a procedure that I would gladly comply with. There are some who will insist to stick them into the x-ray machines.

However, x-ray machines for checked-in baggage are significantly more powerful. NEVER PUT FILM INTO CHECKED-IN BAGGAGE. You are quaranteed to fog them. KLIA has a small sign in the check-in counters warning that. Worst still, there are some airports that have cranked up the power on their x-ray machines post 9/11.

[hyin21]

I have never encounter any problem before. Anyway, the few times I tried it, it was ISO200 films, I think ISO400 should still be OK.

[ShaolinTiger]

I never had any problem with ASA400 going through x-ray machines multiple times, no fogging or messed up negatives.

Never tried any more sensitive film though.

Best to ask the people manning the x-ray - usually nowadays they have a notice on the machine though saying "Film safe"

[apgm]

Last time, there use to have kind of film bag where you can put your film inside to avoid from X-ray scan. But cannot find anywhere nowaday.
X-ray usually effect on high speed film and slide/positive film. But the effect not so obvious in term of color balance of a film....sensitivity might affect...???

[beyond]

I tried to order some Fujifilm Natura ASA 1600. But was advised against it..COz when they send it in..THey have to undergo the Xray Machine..

[moonrat]

Last time, there use to have kind of film bag where you can put your film inside to avoid from X-ray scan. But cannot find anywhere nowaday.
X-ray usually effect on high speed film and slide/positive film. But the effect not so obvious in term of color balance of a film....sensitivity might affect...???

I was on negatives/slides until three years ago. Until then, I used clear see-through film plastic canisters (the one that comes with the films) and place them in a clear see through plastic bag for visual inspection - for both unexposed and exposed films. Usually no objections by the officers. Of course there were a very few occasions where the officer was more stubborn than me and wanted the film put through the x-ray machine together with the other hand luggage. No problem there as the x-ray did not fog the films in camera and plastic film container -- in both overseas and malaysian airports. But never never check in with your checkin luggage.

[beyond]

Hi guys. Just got back today. Managed to land my hands on few rolls of Fujifilm Natura ASA 1600 in HK. GOt back to Macau safely. But on my flight back to KL, the joker immigration officer (lady) in Macau, took a look and asked me to throw it away..I got the shock of my life. Requested to talk to a superior officer in charged. Luckily the fella is also an avid photographer. Hahaha. Lepas.