Barcelona Airport Scanners

Hello,

I will be flying, with exposed 35mm 400 ISO film, out of Barcelona-El Prat airport on January 8, 2024 back to the U.S. Does anyone know whether that airport has the new CT scanners yet? I read an article that they will be in place for the "travel season" in 2024, which I assume means summer?

Also, any advice on taking film through the airport scanners?
- Is hand-checking allowed at Barcelona-El Prat? I emailed them and got back a useless generic list of rules that don't mention film or hand-checking.
- I understand that X-Ray scanners are relatively safe if hand-checking is not allowed?
- I understand that the new CT scanners will destroy exposed film? In which case I should have my film developed in Barcelona - any suggestions where?

Thank you all. This is a once-in-a-lifetime family trip and I'm terrified of having all my photos destroyed by a scanner.

Naples said:

This is a once-in-a-lifetime family trip and I'm terrified of having all my photos destroyed by a scanner.

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Shoot digital!

Naples said:

I understand that X-Ray scanners are relatively safe if hand-checking is not allowed?

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Yes.

Naples said:

I understand that the new CT scanners will destroy exposed film?

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Possibly/probably, but it's contested by some. I don't think there's going to be a firm yes or no.

You might find info on this thread.
As for x-ray scanners, I've never had an issue!

Barcelona & Stockholm are my home bases and for BCN no CT Scanners as of June 2023. I should be also travelling back to Stockholm around the same time in 2024 after Xmas/NY holidays. Feel free to keep in contact.
At the moment there is no confirmed roll out date for BCN, but high season is summer. In 2019 the lines were extraordinarily problematic and nowadays there is a lot of travel flow but doable.
Interestingly Stockholm has them in the main terminal (T5) just in time now and I missed them being in operation just a month. Having said that, pay attention into which terminals you are flying through as some airports don't have them in all. For BCN, T1 is the main terminal and T2 has mostly all EU and LCC flights and roughly would mean that T1 should be ahead in the implementation timeline.

I actually never ask for handchecks as it's just 2D old Xray scanners at the moment. All I can say are other photographers' experiences which in EU range from strict no, to accepted without many issues. Seemingly the 800 ISO rule is still in place, so some recommend carrying some 3200 film to convince.

Carmencita lab did some testing, not very scientific, but interesting to see how CT scanners fog film. It won't be destroyed per se but fogged and affected, depending on how the machine works. From the information around it can either be no visible issues or noticeably fogged.

There is quite a film scene & community in Barcelona compared to 10 years ago. Specially for color C41 there are good options.

koraks said:

Shoot digital!



Yes.



Possibly/probably, but it's contested by some. I don't think there's going to be a firm yes or no.

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Yes frankly the whole thing is a mess which creates uncertainty and invokes the "luck of the draw" phenomenon except for the U.S where hand inspection has long been an accepted fact

My sympathies to the OP and anyone else contemplating the use of film when flying outside of U.S. borders

pentaxuser

Prest_400 said:

Barcelona & Stockholm are my home bases and for BCN no CT Scanners as of June 2023.

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Good news!

Prest_400 said:

I actually never ask for handchecks as it's just 2D old Xray scanners at the moment.

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In Barcelona?

Prest_400 said:

There is quite a film scene & community in Barcelona compared to 10 years ago. Specially for color C41 there are good options.

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Any suggestions? I have contacted VM FOTO Laboratorio Fotográfico and they responded promptly that they will develop and mail to me.

Thanks!

So far any airport (eu/asia) I have visited with CT scanners anywhere in their security ecosystem has allowed hand inspection, even if my inspection line had the old x-ray type.
There seems to be an awareness trained when the new technology is implemented.

I always avoid nightmare airports like De Gaulle or Heathrow so can’t speak of those.

I always keep a Domke lead bag in my hand luggage if hand inspection should be refused. These bags are very effective against conventional X-ray (I know from experience) so I would hope they would give sufficient protection during a CT scan, but have yet to have that confirmed from personal experience.

Naples said:

Good news!

In Barcelona?

Any suggestions? I have contacted VM FOTO Laboratorio Fotográfico and they responded promptly that they will develop and mail to me.

Thanks!

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I haven't ever asked for handchecks as the machines are traditional Xrays and all has been so far so good. It aggregates with the stress of lining up and all.
Anecdotically I could have done it in 2020. Flew back from BCN in a eerie pandemic quiet airport that even the Scanner guard made small talk with me. About 1/4 of the time, cheese blocks do catch their attention!

As of developing in BCN, I even tend to batch my C41 and send it to labs there for dev&scan. VM Foto are good. There is Carmencita, Amigou, Visualkorner and even more. Also, if you are considering purchasing film in BCN the advantage is that many of these places are also selling it.

It's a bit more difficult when it comes down to E6 or B&W, which I do myself; then the rolls do travel back. There are however community darkrooms and so far I know of Pati llimona, which I didn't try back when I was local but can be an option for you. However, it's also a lot of time to take some hours and develop film.

I have googled a bit and the timeline for CT scanners is quite loose, not having even found an official press release about them. 2024 for BCN and MAD, then eventual roll out to smaller airports the later years.

Again, we're in this together in a way and I have put though on future logistics once these scanners are all around.

Nitroplait said:

So far any airport (eu/asia) I have visited with CT scanners anywhere in their security ecosystem has allowed hand inspection, even if my inspection line had the old x-ray type.

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Good to know, and if perhaps like TSA in the US, the knowledge that film and other sensitive materials is affected and accomodating this in the policy.

Nitroplait said:

I always keep a Domke lead bag in my hand luggage if hand inspection should be refused. These bags are very effective against conventional X-ray (I know from experience) so I would hope they would give sufficient protection during a CT scan, but have yet to have that confirmed from personal experience.

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Which seems good if the lead bags are provide enough protection, and I added it into consideration for the future.

I was through Barcelona airport a few times last year. They will politely refuse to do any hand checks on any film rated less than 1600 ISO, and will direct your attention to the sticker on the side of the machine that says its safe. At least that is what they did to me every time. In my experience, a couple passes through these old style X-Ray machines (they did not have CT scanners as of October 2022) is harmless.

I too had my "trip of a lifetime" in Spain last year and had similar concerns to yours. I opted to have my film - 30 some odd rolls - developed in Spain and then sent to me here in Canada. I went with Malvarrosa Film Lab in Valencia and they did a fantastic job. Highly recommended.

It is an incredible place. I'm still pining to get back. Enjoy your trip!

Prest_400 said:

Barcelona & Stockholm are my home bases and for BCN no CT Scanners as of June 2023. I should be also travelling back to Stockholm around the same time in 2024 after Xmas/NY holidays. Feel free to keep in contact.

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I will definitely contact you in late December for an update on what scanners are in Barcelona.

My concern with using a lead bag is that I read someone used it, then they removed the film and passed it through a second time without the bag.

I thought the thing to do was simply to have your rolls of film in your hand - show them to the agents and tell them "look, these rolls of film will be destroyed by these scanners...blah...can we bypass.."
I've heard accounts where the agents got the point and allowed it.

Naples said:

My concern with using a lead bag is that I read someone used it, then they removed the film and passed it through a second time without the bag.

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That's never happened to me and I always use one. However, some members here have pointed out that they're useless to protect the film. I keep using them because I've never had a problem neither with security nor with the film.

I'm in a similar situation. Planning a trip to France and Spain for this autumn or possibly next spring. In my previous adventures in Spain, when I asked the agent at the security check point for a hand check of my exposed rolls of film, the answer has always been a very emphatic and sometimes angry, NO. That was (obviously) before they had the new CT scanner. I've never had any problem with the current/old X-ray scanner used for carry on bags so it was never really an issue but it seems these new CT scanners will be a problem.

Having films developed and printed in country seems promising. I've done that in the past too but with mixed results and it has always been considerably more expensive than services back home.

I've come to the conclusion that it is simply not worth it anymore. I recently bought a digital camera - my first ever - and am learning how that all works. Clearly, using a digital camera presents one another set of issues and challenges.

I may very well leave all the cameras at home this time.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Prest_400 said:

....

There is quite a film scene & community in Barcelona compared to 10 years ago. Specially for color C41 there are good options.

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This is very encouraging. Although I don't plan to visit Barcelona, it gives me some hope that there are labs, good labs, in other cities ... and hey, worst case, maybe I can make a side trip to Barcelona on my way home? Seems like a nice problem to have.

BradS said:

I'm in a similar situation. Planning a trip to France and Spain for this autumn or possibly next spring. In my previous adventures in Spain, when I asked the agent at the security check point for a hand check of my exposed rolls of film, the answer has always been a very emphatic and sometimes angry, NO. That was (obviously) before they had the new CT scanner. I've never had any problem with the current/old X-ray scanner used for carry on bags so it was never really an issue but it seems these new CT scanners will be a problem.

Having films developed and printed in country seems promising. I've done that in the past too but with mixed results and it has always been considerably more expensive than services back home.

I've come to the conclusion that it is simply not worth it anymore. I recently bought a digital camera - my first ever - and am learning how that all works. Clearly, using a digital camera presents one another set of issues and challenges.

I may very well leave all the cameras at home this time.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

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Brad, I had very good quick processing work done in Paris last summer by Atelier Publimod. I'm a film photographer & darkroom printer. Digital just doesn't get me there. Several pro colleagues of mine do the same thing. Buy film and have it processed in Europe. That's the work around. CT scanners will become more prevalent. You won't win with security people in Europe.

Ilford says the scanners will ruin film... that's enough warning for me

"From the Ilford website (https://www.ilfordphoto.com/faqs/):

ADVICE FOR AIRPORT X-RAY SCANNERS: FILM & PAPERS
We are working with the DFT and Heathrow airport in the UK and will shortly be updating our information relating to the new CT type x-ray scanners being installed at major airports worldwide.
Based on our initial testing it is almost certain the new CT type x-ray scanners for cabin baggage will be deemed unsafe for any of our ILFORD and KENTMERE film products irrespective of ISO speed rating.
You must therefore ask for hand inspection of your films if the airport is using one of the new type scanners. We will be issuing more specific advice as we complete our testing and evaluation.
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE CT TYPE X-RAY SCANNERS
The following machines are currently on the market;
Smiths – CTIX
L3 – Clearscan
Rapiscan - 920CT / Connect CT
IDSS - Detect 1000
Nuctech - Kylin
Analogic Cobra

radialMelt said:

I was through Barcelona airport a few times last year. They will politely refuse to do any hand checks on any film rated less than 1600 ISO, and will direct your attention to the sticker on the side of the machine that says its safe. At least that is what they did to me every time. In my experience, a couple passes through these old style X-Ray machines (they did not have CT scanners as of October 2022) is harmless.

I too had my "trip of a lifetime" in Spain last year and had similar concerns to yours. I opted to have my film - 30 some odd rolls - developed in Spain and then sent to me here in Canada. I went with Malvarrosa Film Lab in Valencia and they did a fantastic job. Highly recommended.

It is an incredible place. I'm still pining to get back. Enjoy your trip!

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Thanks for the info.

It seems like the prudent thing to do is, upon my arrival at the Barcelona airport, look to see whether Barcelona has the CT scanners. If there are no CT scanners, on departure I should be safe running my exposed 400 film through the x-ray scanners. If there are CT scanners, before departure I will have to get my film to a local processor who can mail the negatives, prints, and scans to me. The problem is I will be arriving back in Barcelona on a Sunday and flying out Monday. Film processors will be closed Sunday and I won't have time Monday before my flight. Maybe I will have to arrange to leave my film at my hotel for pickup? Ouch.

What about sending my exposed film from Barcelona to my processor in the states? Will it go through a CT scanner anyway?

GregY said:

Brad, I had very good quick processing work done in Paris last summer by Atelier Argentique. I'm a film photographer & darkroom printer. Digital just doesn't get me there. Several pro colleagues of mine do the same thing. Buy film and have it processed in Europe. That's the work around. CT scanners will become more prevalent. You won't win with security people in Europe.

Ilford says the scanners will ruin film... that's enough warning for me

"From the Ilford website (https://www.ilfordphoto.com/faqs/):

ADVICE FOR AIRPORT X-RAY SCANNERS: FILM & PAPERS
We are working with the DFT and Heathrow airport in the UK and will shortly be updating our information relating to the new CT type x-ray scanners being installed at major airports worldwide.
Based on our initial testing it is almost certain the new CT type x-ray scanners for cabin baggage will be deemed unsafe for any of our ILFORD and KENTMERE film products irrespective of ISO speed rating.
You must therefore ask for hand inspection of your films if the airport is using one of the new type scanners. We will be issuing more specific advice as we complete our testing and evaluation.
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE CT TYPE X-RAY SCANNERS
The following machines are currently on the market;
Smiths – CTIX
L3 – Clearscan
Rapiscan - 920CT / Connect CT
IDSS - Detect 1000
Nuctech - Kylin
Analogic Cobra

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Good to know. Thanks!

BradS said:

Good to know. Thanks!

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Brad, Here's the link to their website. Cool location. Very professional outfit. A couple of nice pubs and cafés in the vicinity.

Naples said:

What about sending my exposed film from Barcelona to my processor in the states? Will it go through a CT scanner anyway?

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There are several anecdotal reports of people sending film and other light sensitive materials by regular mail from one continent to another with no problems at all. I've received film from China as well as the US on occasion, without any issue. I'm not aware of any horror stories, but I think the main issue is that you just can't be entirely sure.

Naples said:

Maybe I will have to arrange to leave my film at my hotel for pickup?

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Maybe you can find a fellow photographer in Spain you can mail your stuff to, so that they can drop it off at their local lab and then expedite everything back to you again when it's done. I'm going to signal in @halfaman whom I believe resides in Spain - perhaps he can comment on this line of thought.

BradS said:

In my previous adventures in Spain, when I asked the agent at the security check point for a hand check of my exposed rolls of film, the answer has always been a very emphatic and sometimes angry, NO. That was (obviously) before they had the new CT scanner. I've never had any problem with the current/old X-ray scanner used for carry on bags so it was never really an issue but it seems these new CT scanners will be a problem.

Click to expand...

Good to know. I won't even ask. The CTs are supposed to be in for the 2024 "travel season"; hopefully that means not in January.

BradS said:

I may very well leave all the cameras at home this time.

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I wish I could but this will be our last trip as a family before the kids marry off.

GregY said:

Brad, Here's the link to their website. Cool location. Very professional outfit. A couple of nice pubs and cafés in the vicinity.

Accueil

L'atelier publimod est un laboratoire photographique basé à Paris.

www.atelierpublimod.fr

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Excellent! thanks.

BradS said:

I'm in a similar situation. Planning a trip to France and Spain for this autumn or possibly next spring. In my previous adventures in Spain, when I asked the agent at the security check point for a hand check of my exposed rolls of film, the answer has always been a very emphatic and sometimes angry, NO. That was (obviously) before they had the new CT scanner. I've never had any problem with the current/old X-ray scanner used for carry on bags so it was never really an issue but it seems these new CT scanners will be a problem.

Having films developed and printed in country seems promising. I've done that in the past too but with mixed results and it has always been considerably more expensive than services back home.

I've come to the conclusion that it is simply not worth it anymore. I recently bought a digital camera - my first ever - and am learning how that all works. Clearly, using a digital camera presents one another set of issues and challenges.

I may very well leave all the cameras at home this time.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

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In country film purchasing and developing works fine in Barcelona, back in 2009 I sourced film online from UK and Germany but nowadays you find retailers or labs (at least Carmencita) whose prices are in range of big EU retailers. OT but for Sweden I am actually noticing that at the moment sourcing locally for a lot of films is beneficial, but might be seeing old stock prices.
I actually keep 35mm cameras back home in Spain and have some film stocked there, as I am always visiting family relatively frequently. The last time being June and last Xmas I did not bother to carry my Fuji 6x9. The medium format came last September and I barely shot it, but again loved the results when I processed them months later that I will try to shuttle it around again. When I see the beauty of Ektar-Portra on medium format, or a great negative that I later wet print... My digitals just have a different niche and look. On the other hand, it's not really travel photography I do so for the frequent weekend trips this year I just carried a 35mm P&S with ISO 400 B&W. With medium format I am a very methodical shooter and not taking pictures just walking around.


But back to topic, there is quite a lively community compared to even 2017. In many cases however, I am thinking C41 process and scan. E6 is much more niche and then B&W I do myself back home. @Naples Amigou lab is a smaller new place that has an own mailbox where people can drop the rolls in when closed, but all the info is in their Instagram.
These logistics make it a bit difficult, needing to source or develop film locally being just a couple days in a location does take time and energy.

Yes, shoot digital! Air travel today is nothing like air travel in the 1950s. Personally I shoot film almost exclusively, but for foreign travel today with crowded planes, airports, etc, lugging film and film cameras along with all other discomforts of contemporary flying, I would go digital. A digital camera with zoom lens and a few cards is all you’ll need.
More than once I spent time trying to explain to airport security that it is impossible to “turn on” my Leica M4. Digital will save a lot of aggravation.

koraks said:

Shoot digital!

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guangong said:

Yes, shoot digital!

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I did. I shot it and tossed it in the can.