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X-Ray Damage Query

PhotoBob

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Joined
Feb 16, 2006
Messages
593
Location
Abbotsford, BC
Format
Multi Format
Picked some film up at Wukesong in Beijing awhile back - ISO 400, and to get back to Tianjin I took the bullet train which treats us a little like airport customs where we have to put baggage through their x-ray machine.
Fast Forward ...
I shot some of the film and processed it carefully but noticed a wavy pattern throughout the roll, I noticed this on more than one roll.
Grabbed an unexposed roll ... processed it and sure enough a frustratingly wavy pattern throughout the entire roll. I've got 6 more unexposed rolls of this stuff and ...
Anyway, the only thing I can think of is that x-ray machine at the train station. My ISO 100 film comes out okay!

Is it or is it not x-ray damage? Perhaps something else?
 
Almost certainly X-ray damage.

Very unusual it may be a Chinese made machine as all the machines made in the UK for export around the world are film safe (UK subsidiary of a US company whose production is for the home market only).

The machines that emit damaging Xrays are normally operated remotely as the rays that damage film have a cumulative effect on humans.

Ian
 
Carry your film through security at Chinese rail stations. I always do and they never bother me.