Travel with MF to Punta Cana

netog · Feb 2, 2015

Hi

I am going to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic to my honeymoon in 2 weeks. I wanted to take my Fuji Gf670 and some ISO 100 color film with me. It is a very compact camera, easy to carry around.
I was wondering if someone here has any experience about going with film to that country. I have some concerns about X-ray in airports ...

I didn't find any travel forum.. so I ask the question here.

Thanks in advance

wiltw · Feb 2, 2015

I presume you know the generalization: no film in checked baggage (which can be fogged during the CT inspection of checked luggage), but film ISO400 and lower is just fine in the (very low dose) Xray machines in Security.

You can TRY (but do not expect them to comply, especially in London Heathrow!) to ask for hand inspection...put film into a clear plastic bag so they can see what is inside the bag, but do not be surprised --especially now that film is increasingly rare -- that a security inspector asks to do something stupid with a roll, like unroll it so he can sell what is inside...don't laugh, I indeed HAVE been asked to do that -- before 9/11/2001 had ever happened!!!

FM2N · Feb 2, 2015

If the flight from were you are is direct then the carry on of camera equipment should be fine but if you need to transfer to a smaller plane To your final destination I had a problem with them wanting to put my camera equipment under the plane in cargo. Once I explained its cost they allowed me to carry on but it was a bit of a battle.

paul_c5x4 · Feb 2, 2015

120 film on plastic spools won't set off the metal detectors - Baggy trousers and deep pockets have worked for me in the past.

macfred · Feb 2, 2015

Hand inspection is the way to go. I asked for this several times - no problems at all so far.

Other people trying x-ray protection bags like
http://www.amazon.com/Domke-711-15B-Large-Filmguard-Black/dp/B00009USZ5/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_0
or
http://www.amazon.com/Hama-Safe-X-Storage-Protects-Against/dp/B006N00JVG/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt

I have no experience with those bags.

Kodak Support : http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/tib/tib5201.shtml

RattyMouse · Feb 2, 2015

Why is this fear still going on today? I have had my film X-Rayed 6 straight times with no ill effects! That includes Delta 3200.

I send my film through X Ray scanners ALL the time and never worry about it.

Not once has any of my film suffered.

I would take more than ISO100 film with you on your trip. Enjoy!

BobMarvin · Feb 2, 2015

I traveled to the Dominican Republic last March with my Super Ikonta A and T Max 400 film (in carry-on luggage). I had no problem with any fogging.

rbultman · Feb 2, 2015

I have no issues with 125 and 400 speed b&w and color films carried. Never checked do can't speak to that. Includes trips to Lebanon, Portugal, and the Caribbean.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

netog · Feb 3, 2015

Thanks a lot for your comments guys. I am sure it will be a lot of fun

netog · Feb 25, 2015

Ok guys. I just did the trip.
The film was Kodak Ektar 100. The rolls went for X-rays 3 times. Not a problem at all
https://flic.kr/p/rmG3QF

frank · Feb 25, 2015

I'm a b+w guy, but colour was a good choice here!

SLVR · Feb 25, 2015

Great color!

jspillane · Feb 25, 2015

paul_c5x4 said:
120 film on plastic spools won't set off the metal detectors - Baggy trousers and deep pockets have worked for me in the past.

Just out of curiosity - is there less radiation in the walk through machine than the one your bag goes through? I guess that makes sense. That may be a nice peace of mind solution. I usually get hand checks in the U.S. but it is too hard to communicate or convince in other countries in my experience.

Once at JFK the security guy hand-checking my film told me that the other day a pro had come through and he had to hand check several hundred rolls, swabbing each individually (!).

netog · Feb 26, 2015

frank said:
I'm a b+w guy, but colour was a good choice here!

Thank you Frank. This beach is a total paradise. Color is my choice for landscape and b/w is what I use in portraits usually.

wiltw · Feb 26, 2015

jspillane said:
Just out of curiosity - is there less radiation in the walk through machine than the one your bag goes through? I guess that makes sense. That may be a nice peace of mind solution. I usually get hand checks in the U.S. but it is too hard to communicate or convince in other countries in my experience.

Once at JFK the security guy hand-checking my film told me that the other day a pro had come through and he had to hand check several hundred rolls, swabbing each individually (!).

YES, as I stated in the earlier post #2 of this thread. Xray for carry-on which is in passenger Security is very low dose X-ray, while the baggage check stuff is a CT scan at higher dose (normal patient diagnosis CT is about 10x the dose of a single Xray). Kodak has for decades warned NEVER put into checked baggage any non-processed film.

Also as I stated earlier, London's Heathrow airport has NEVER responded to any requests for hand inspection...they take it out of your hand, inspect YOU and put the film on the belt thru Xray!

jspillane · Feb 26, 2015

wiltw said:
Xray for carry-on which is in passenger Security is very low dose X-ray, while the baggage check stuff is a CT scan at higher dose (normal patient diagnosis CT is about 10x the dose of a single Xray). Kodak has for decades warned NEVER put into checked baggage any non-processed film.

Yes, of course! NEVER IN A CHECKED BAG.

My question to keeping film in your pockets is: is there less radiation in the walk through (body) scan than the scan for carry-on items?
Hand-checked items (in the U.S.) do not receive any radiation.

I've had film (exposed, fresh, expired, slow, fast) go through scanners in Europe a bunch of times and never had any negative impact from it. It's probably mostly paranoia.

Travel with MF to Punta Cana

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