Chances of fogging?

[hiroh]

I just went through the airport security and forgot to take the film out for the hand-check. I have some Tri-X, HP5+ and Fuji Acros 100. All unexposed, stored in the Kodak metal cointainer.

What are chances my film is fogged? Should I be worried and perhaps buy new film for this trip or this should be totally fine?

I know that opinions are divided on this topic, but it would give me piece of mind to hear from you. Not that much because of the film cost, but because I’d hate to return from the trip with fogged film.

 

[Craig]

The film went through the regular carry-on security, not the checked baggage scan? If it was in hand luggage you'll be fine, if checked baggage likely it's fogged.

 

[pentaxuser]

I wish you luck with a consensus here. Ilford and Kodak both announced some 2 years ago that the latest CT scanners harmed all film but since then the extensive threads here have had posts saying that users went through the latest CT scanners without any damage

I think all you can do is inquire if the scanner you passed through was a CT scanner and if so then it would appear that damage cannot be ruled out. However if it was the former X-ray type then given that you films were not the high speed D3200 or Kodak 3200 you should be OK

pentaxuser

 

[hiroh]

Yes, carry-on security. Thanks! I thought so, just wanted few more confirmations

 

[hiroh]

I wish you luck with a consensus here. Ilford and Kodak both announced some 2 years ago that the latest CT scanners harmed all film but since then the extensive threads here have had posts saying that users went through the latest CT scanners without any damage

I think all you can do is inquire if the scanner you passed through was a CT scanner and if so then it would appear that damage cannot be ruled out. However if it was the former X-ray type then given that you films were not the high speed D3200 or Kodak 3200 you should be OK

pentaxuser

It was San Francisco, I would have guess it’s CT, but I found this on TSA website:

“TSA’s current screening technology for carry-on bags uses 2-D images. The CT technology applies sophisticated algorithms for the detection of explosives and other threats by creating a 3-D image that can be viewed and rotated 360 degrees for a thorough analysis.”

 

[BAC1967]

I usually leave my film in my carry on bag when I go through security and have never had a problem. I have taken some rolls through SFO recently without issues. These were all shot last year and were scanned at least once, some where scanned at SFO.

Palau

 

[pentaxuser]

It was San Francisco, I would have guess it’s CT, but I found this on TSA website:

“TSA’s current screening technology for carry-on bags uses 2-D images. The CT technology applies sophisticated algorithms for the detection of explosives and other threats by creating a 3-D image that can be viewed and rotated 360 degrees for a thorough analysis.”

So what does the TSA's notice tell you in terms of whether the current screening technology renders it a CT scanner or not?

Personally I couldn't tell if the 2 D v 3D etc means anything in terms of film damage

pentaxuser

 

[relistan]

This is still the best source that I know for what to avoid:

FAQ's

Your first point of call for all Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) covering products, technical, sales, marketing and more.

www.ilfordphoto.com

 

[Don_ih]

Ilford and Kodak both announced some 2 years ago that the latest CT scanners harmed all film but since then the extensive threads here have had posts saying that users went through the latest CT scanners without any damage

It might be that Kodak and Ilford have a different opinion on what constitutes "damage" than users would...

 

[Agulliver]

First off, if your film went through a regular X-ray scanner for cabin bags, it's fine. If it went through one of the new (as in under 2/3 years old) CT scanners it *may* not be fine. Depends to some extent on luck, as does putting film in checked baggage. Bottom line is the regular X-ray scanners don't damage film and CT scanners sometimes do.

The newer scanners generally look more like a hospital CT scanner than the square box regular X-ray scanners. They're bigger, may have a "doughnut" shape visible and will obviously look new. I have only been in four US airports in the last two years but they all had info printed and on electronic screens advising that photographic film was safe. Presumably security lines with CT scanners will have info that film is not safe. So....what did you see? What did the printed/electronic info say and what did the scanner look like? You could try emailing the airport to ask too.

To be honest, generally I feel people worry too much about airport X-rays. But there are certainly some precautions worth taking....such as hand inspection if you think you're approaching a CT scanner.