Paper and x-rays

thebanana · Mar 19, 2009

Is photgraphic paper sensitive to airport x-rays? More specifically, will paper fog when placed in non-carryon luggage? Is carry-on OK?

Anon Ymous · Mar 19, 2009

I don't know about non-carry on luggage, but carry-on should be safe. If slow/medium speed films are safe for carry on, then paper would be safe. After all, we're talking about 3-6 ISO sensitivity, ultra slow. But then, carrying paper might not be very practical...

thebanana · Mar 19, 2009

I am hoping to bring back some 11x14 paper on an upcoming trip to NYC. It's more practical to bring it back in the luggage that's being checked, but if those x rays are damaging, I might have to reconsider. Has anyone had this experience?

Kevin Caulfield · Mar 19, 2009

It is a lot less sensitive to X-rays than film is. It will be fine in your carry-on luggage without a hand inspection. I've done it quite a few times.

srs5694 · Mar 19, 2009

You could also consider mailing it to yourself. I'm not sure how much of a hassle or expense this would be for a US-to-Canada package, but you could look into it.

nworth · Mar 20, 2009

fschifano · Mar 20, 2009

I wouldn't worry much about carry-on baggage x-ray equipment. If it is safe for films to make a pass or two through the scanner, it will be safe for the paper which is orders of magnitude less sensitive. I'd be very leery of running it through checked baggage. It may be ok, but considering the price of photo papers these days (almost $80 for a box of 8x10 Ilford RC MGIV!) I wouldn't risk it.

I understands that having it shipped or mailed to your home would probably obliterate the savings you'll realize by shopping at B&H, and that carrying a large amount of paper on board can be inconvenient at best. The best advice I can give you is to work the numbers. See how much you'll really save after figuring shipping costs, etc. Then decide.

thebanana · Mar 20, 2009

fschifano said:
I wouldn't worry much about carry-on baggage x-ray equipment. If it is safe for films to make a pass or two through the scanner, it will be safe for the paper which is orders of magnitude less sensitive. I'd be very leery of running it through checked baggage. It may be ok, but considering the price of photo papers these days (almost $80 for a box of 8x10 Ilford RC MGIV!) I wouldn't risk it.

I understands that having it shipped or mailed to your home would probably obliterate the savings you'll realize by shopping at B&H, and that carrying a large amount of paper on board can be inconvenient at best. The best advice I can give you is to work the numbers. See how much you'll really save after figuring shipping costs, etc. Then decide.

Good advice. Thanks. The paper I'm looking for is for a Lith project, and as far as I can tell is not available here in Canada. so I can either order it online or buy it there and mail it home. The cost will be about the same either way.

Paper and x-rays

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