Are the inner wrappers in sheet film boxes light tight?

Phil Woodney · Aug 13, 2006

I'll be traveling to The States next week and taking my 5x7 along for the first time on an aircraft. I've dismantled the camera to fit in a carryon, assuming that will still be permitted by the time I fly. I plan to carry a box of film with me and pick up more while at my daughter's house. My question regards inspection procedures. In the event that inspectors want to examine the film boxes more closely, and perhaps open them to make sure it really is film, if the inner bag is removed, but not opened, to feel the sheets inside, is it going to be fogged? Again, this is my first time carrying sheet film and don't really know what to expect given the increased security precautions now in effect.

Thanks very much!

Phil

Dave Miller · Aug 13, 2006

Why don't you buy the film when you get to the states?

dphphoto · Aug 13, 2006

The inner bags are supposed to be light tight. I've never tested it, but have seen any number of new sheet film boxes opened up in daylight back when I worked in pro photo labs.
Double check with the film's manufacturer. Dean

rrankin · Aug 13, 2006

I once sent some film to be developed wrapped in two layers of those bags inside one of those light cardboard mailing envelopes. The top sheet of film was actually exposed a bit onto sheet #2 by the Australian sun at some point of its journey. So, I think that being 'light-tight' might be a somewhat relative concept. I've travelled a l,ot with film and have had some boxes 'sniffed' but have never had anyone ask to open one.

As a fairly frequent international flyer, my guess is that you can forget carrying film and a camera aboard anyway flying to the USA. You can get reasonable film in the US anyway, so I'd say order it and have it shipped to your daughters house.

Good luck,
Richard

jp80874 · Aug 13, 2006

Dave Miller said:
Why don't you buy the film when you get to the states?

Depending on size of film needed, type and her location this may be difficult. There are many medium to large cities where it is very difficult to buy sheet film. I live near Cleveland and gave up a couple of years ago. It might be more practical to order what you want from US Mail order sites using your credit card, and have it shipped to her home. Our own J&C is a possibility, B&H in New York, Calumet in Chicago come readily to mind. You can use the link here for J&C.
Calumet is: http://www.calumetphoto.com/ctl?ac.ui.pn=home.Home&syrinx.ui.cc=Y&ac.ck.pv=

B&H is: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=catalog.jsp&A=getpage&Q=RootPage.jsp

Have a great trip.

John Powers

roteague · Aug 13, 2006

I traveled a lot with sheet film, and from my experience, you are not likely to get even looked at with a box of sheet film, if it is still sealed, much less someone wanting to open it.

JDavis · Aug 13, 2006

Last year, I flew from Alaska to Colorada, with a stop in Minneapolis. I had a number of 120 rolls with me, all still sealed in the original box. I requested hand inspection so it wouldn't go through the X-rays (same reason it wasn't in my checked baggage).

While I was taking off my shoes, my belt, my watch, my ID tags (around my neck), my wallet, and the loose change in my pocket, the inspector managed to open each and every roll of 120, and had even unrolled one.

Strangely, they left the 35mm film alone.

You can't trust people to posess intelligence, nor, apparently, the ability to read.

roteague · Aug 13, 2006

JDavis said:
Last year, I flew from Alaska to Colorada, with a stop in Minneapolis. I had a number of 120 rolls with me, all still sealed in the original box. I requested hand inspection so it wouldn't go through the X-rays (same reason it wasn't in my checked baggage).

While I was taking off my shoes, my belt, my watch, my ID tags (around my neck), my wallet, and the loose change in my pocket, the inspector managed to open each and every roll of 120, and had even unrolled one.

Strangely, they left the 35mm film alone.

You can't trust people to posess intelligence, nor, apparently, the ability to read.

When you request hand inspection, you are more open to the inspectors wanting to open boxes, roll film, etc. There is no reason, short of high speed film, to not send your film through the hand carry xray machine.

KenM · Aug 13, 2006

Just let the film by x-rayed - as long as it's not ultra-high speed film, you'll be fine.

Based on your description of the contents of your luggage, be prepared for some strange looks from the scanner dude (or dude-ette) - when I came back from Arizona last year, the look on the guy's face was hilarious. Of course, I had my camera, 7 grafmatics, 7 lenses, filters, etc. all packed into a small roller.

mark · Aug 13, 2006

Never had a problem with hand inspection. Now, getting MF camera kit scanned caused me to lose precious time unpacking everything so the inspector's boss could inspect every part. All because I packed the 150mm lens in the diaper bag. Unbeknownst to my wife who was a bit perturbed at the extra weight. I really though she knew it was in there. I carried the camera bag and diaper bag for the rest of the trip.

bdial · Aug 13, 2006

For Kodak film, I have routinely unboxed it down to the inner wrapper in normal indoor light in preparation for loading holders. The Kodak inner wrappers are sealed, but I'm not sure the Ilford I used recently was.
Sending it through the hand carry x-ray is probably the next best choice to buying it here, however I'd put it through separately from the camera case, so that if they want to have a closer look they aren't temped to send it and the bag through a few more times to make sure of what's there.

John Jarosz · Aug 13, 2006

I just completed a trip in the US between Chicago/Denver.

I had two boxes of Readyloads. In one, the foil pack was opened, the other was factory sealed.

in Chicago they opened the first and saw the film.. They insisted on opening the second. When they saw the foil wrap they stopped and let it pass.

In Denver they opened the first and saw the film. They opened the second, saw the foil wrap and said, "Either we open the foil or x-ray the envelope." They opened the second foil wrap.

Now these are Readyloads where the box is much bigger than plain 4x5 film. But my point is that the inspection procedures for items the inspectors have never seen vary quite a bit.

I asked the inspectors how often they see Readyloads and every one said they never saw a box of them before. They never saw a view camera either. Go figure. (I know some will write and say it's not possible for the inspectors to have not seen a view camera before. But that's what they told me)

john

KenS · Aug 13, 2006

inner foil packets

Phil Woodney said:
In the event that inspectors want to examine the film boxes more closely, and perhaps open them to make sure it really is film, if the inner bag is removed, but not opened, to feel the sheets inside, is it going to be fogged? Phil

Phil,

I can attest to the fact that the inner foil packets are light tight. I used to buy the Kodak foil packs in 100 per box and stiill use them for (as required) for unloading exposed film in my changing box. I feel fortunate in that I still have a few packs left since they are no longer produced as "separate items" by Kodak.

I believe Light Impressions used to be a source for similar enevelopes in 8x10 size.

Ken

Ken

Phil Woodney · Aug 14, 2006

Thanks for the replies everyone! As to the question of buying film while in the Sates, I actually have ordered quite a bit to be delivered to my daughter. 3 boxes of Quickload Astia, 50 sheets of E100VS (both in 4x5 because I can't find what I want in 5x7), and 100 sheets of 5x7 Foma 100. I am carrying 25 sheets of Forte 400 from here. The cost of film so much lower in America which is why I've bought so much. But I was concerend about bringing it back. I do plan to allow it through the hand-baggage x-ray, but given the increased security, I won't be surprised if the inspectors want to have a closer look. Hence my question. I am not really worried but thought I would double check.

Again, thanks for all the help!
Phil

Are the inner wrappers in sheet film boxes light tight?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency