S602 X-Ray

stuartd · Aug 2, 2003

Here's the real definitive answer.

WARNING: Equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage your undeveloped film.

Traveling with Film

Never place film in your checked baggage.
Place film in your carry-on baggage* or request a hand inspection.

Carry-on screening equipment might also damage film if the film passes through more than 5 times.

None of the screening equipment - neither the machines used for checked baggage nor those used for carry-on baggage - will affect digital camera images or film that has already been processed, slides, videos, photo compact discs, or picture discs.

General use film*

You should remove all film from your checked baggage and place it in your carry-on baggage. The X-ray machine that screens your carry-on baggage at the passenger security checkpoint will not affect undeveloped film under ASA/ISO 800.

If the same role of film is exposed to X-ray inspections more than 5 times before it is developed, however, damage may occur. Protect your film by requesting a hand-inspection for your film if it has already passed through the carry-on baggage screening equipment (X-ray) more than 5 times.

TIP: Remember the 5x X-ray limit for your carry-on.

TIP: You may request a hand-inspection of any undeveloped film.

Specialty film*

(film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher and typically used by professionals)

At the passenger security checkpoint, you should remove the following types of film from your carry-on baggage and ask for a hand inspection:

Film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher
Highly sensitive X-ray or scientific films

Film of any speed which is subjected to X-ray surveillance more than 5 times (the effect of X-ray screening is cumulative)
Film that is or will be underexposed
Film that you intend to "push process"
Sheet film
Large format film
Medical film
Scientific film
Motion picture film
Professional grade film

Other Tips and Precautions

If you plan to request a hand inspection of your film, you should consider carrying your film in clear canisters, or taking the film out of solid colored canisters and putting it into clear plastic bags, to expedite the screening process.

If you are going to be traveling through multiple X-ray examinations with the same rolls of undeveloped film, you may want to request a hand-inspection of your film. However, non-U.S. airports may not honor this request.

If you plan to hand-carry undeveloped film on an airplane at an international airport, contact the airport security office at that airport to request a manual inspection.

Consider having your exposed film processed locally before passing through airport security on your return trip.

We recommend that you do not place your film in lead-lined bags since the lead bag will have to be hand-inspected. If you have concerns about the impact of the X-ray machine on your undeveloped film, you can request a hand inspection.

You may still consider bringing a lead-lined bag if you are traveling through airports in other countries as their policies may vary. Check with your airline or travel agent for more information on foreign airports.

This guidance was developed in cooperation with the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A).

This info is from
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_0085.xml

--
See my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/stuartd

Alias · Aug 2, 2003

Which I could also have lifted pretty much verbatim as you have done and differs from my abbreviated answers in the thread only in far more detail about types of film. I also have the advantage of having worked with the industry, know the specs and operating tolerances and have a great deal of experience of having both film and cards "exposed" to checking.

One further point. I went through BAA's Aberdeen Airport some weeks ago and was selected for a special check when my camera bag went through the x-ray, packed with all the gear that we have to carry these days (chargers, spare batteries etc..) No real hassle, I was able to discuss with the operative exactly how the processes worked and they were efficient, thorough and very friendly. They did point out, however, that digitals attract attention if they are surrounded by a great deal of electrical accessories and that they were working with the airlines to more closely screen bags containing large amounts of electronics (I also had a small DVD player as hand luggage!!).

Airport authorities and airlines around the world are working very much together on this so, if you are carrying a lot of gear, it may be wise to go through departures a little earlier than previously.

Its about time this question, which has cropped up here every few months for the last two years and more was laid to rest and perhaps Phil could have a general info page for travelling on which it could be placed.

stuartd said:
Here's the real definitive answer.

WARNING: Equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage
your undeveloped film.

Traveling with Film

Never place film in your checked baggage.
Place film in your carry-on baggage* or request a hand inspection.

Carry-on screening equipment might also damage film if the film
passes through more than 5 times.

None of the screening equipment - neither the machines used for
checked baggage nor those used for carry-on baggage - will affect
digital camera images or film that has already been processed,
slides, videos, photo compact discs, or picture discs.

General use film*

You should remove all film from your checked baggage and place it
in your carry-on baggage. The X-ray machine that screens your
carry-on baggage at the passenger security checkpoint will not
affect undeveloped film under ASA/ISO 800.

If the same role of film is exposed to X-ray inspections more than
5 times before it is developed, however, damage may occur. Protect
your film by requesting a hand-inspection for your film if it has
already passed through the carry-on baggage screening equipment
(X-ray) more than 5 times.

TIP: Remember the 5x X-ray limit for your carry-on.

TIP: You may request a hand-inspection of any undeveloped film.

Specialty film*

(film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher and typically used by
professionals)

At the passenger security checkpoint, you should remove the
following types of film from your carry-on baggage and ask for a
hand inspection:

Film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher
Highly sensitive X-ray or scientific films
Film of any speed which is subjected to X-ray surveillance more
than 5 times (the effect of X-ray screening is cumulative)
Film that is or will be underexposed
Film that you intend to "push process"
Sheet film
Large format film
Medical film
Scientific film
Motion picture film
Professional grade film

Other Tips and Precautions

If you plan to request a hand inspection of your film, you should
consider carrying your film in clear canisters, or taking the film
out of solid colored canisters and putting it into clear plastic
bags, to expedite the screening process.
If you are going to be traveling through multiple X-ray
examinations with the same rolls of undeveloped film, you may want
to request a hand-inspection of your film. However, non-U.S.
airports may not honor this request.
If you plan to hand-carry undeveloped film on an airplane at an
international airport, contact the airport security office at that
airport to request a manual inspection.
Consider having your exposed film processed locally before passing
through airport security on your return trip.
We recommend that you do not place your film in lead-lined bags
since the lead bag will have to be hand-inspected. If you have
concerns about the impact of the X-ray machine on your undeveloped
film, you can request a hand inspection.
You may still consider bringing a lead-lined bag if you are
traveling through airports in other countries as their policies may
vary. Check with your airline or travel agent for more information
on foreign airports.

This guidance was developed in cooperation with the International

Imaging Industry Association (I3A).

This info is from
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_0085.xml

--
See my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/stuartd

--
PhilB

stuartd · Aug 2, 2003

Phil Blinkhorn said:
Which I could also have lifted pretty much verbatim as you have
done and differs from my abbreviated answers in the thread only in
far more detail about types of film. I also have the advantage of
having worked with the industry, know the specs and operating
tolerances and have a great deal of experience of having both film
and cards "exposed" to checking.

Well very good for you then, and excuse me for pointing directly to the information source, never mind that it expands on your previous responses. In addition I believe the info I provided gave any required infomration, thus rendering your "experience" largely irrelevant.

Alias said:
(I also had a small DVD player as hand luggage!!).

And here I thought they were banned from usage onboard, at least that's what the cabin crew on the flights I have been present on tell me.

Alias said:
Airport authorities and airlines around the world are working very
much together on this so, if you are carrying a lot of gear, it may
be wise to go through departures a little earlier than previously.

Yes, I believe that my verbatim quote mentioned this, but just go ahead and state it as if I didn't.

Alias said:
Its about time this question, which has cropped up here every few
months for the last two years and more was laid to rest and perhaps
Phil could have a general info page for travelling on which it
could be placed.

My response and the site I linked did this, or do you not understand that due to your "experience". Perhaps Phil could add the link to the site I provided earlier.

Sorry if I seem a little caustic but I try and reply in a similar tone to which I'm addressed.
--
That's it, my last post here as I've had enough.

tata.

rob scrimgeour · Aug 2, 2003

Austin Stevens said:
Does anyone have experience with running their S602 through the
x-ray machine at the airport? Is it safe?

While I have no personal experience, it is my understanding that x-rays will have no effect on either a digital camera or memory cards. These items are not sensitive to light, or x-ray.

However, the memory cards can be affected by strong magnetic fields. Because of this, I have heard it suggested that memory cards should be placed in the "key and metal" container whenyou travel through airport security. This will ensure that these do not receive a magnetic field. Both the wands and the walk though sensors have strong magnetic fields that can affect you rmemory cards.

Again, no definitive proof, but his is what I have heard.

Rob S.

Alias · Aug 3, 2003

You are a total pratt. THe DVD was a mains powered model, fully wrapped being taken home for use having been purchased cheaper in the UK than available in Ireland - why assume otherwise?

As for your caustic attitude being the result of how you are addressed, it was you who entitled your contribution "This really is the definitive answer" which implies your superiority and is aggressive in its tone.

I've been here a while (over 2 years) and, like most, try to help wherever possible. If you've had enough, its perhaps because you've upset a number of people

PhilB

stuartd said:
Phil Blinkhorn said:

Which I could also have lifted pretty much verbatim as you have
done and differs from my abbreviated answers in the thread only in
far more detail about types of film. I also have the advantage of
having worked with the industry, know the specs and operating
tolerances and have a great deal of experience of having both film
and cards "exposed" to checking.

Click to expand...

Well very good for you then, and excuse me for pointing directly to
the information source, never mind that it expands on your previous
responses. In addition I believe the info I provided gave any
required infomration, thus rendering your "experience" largely
irrelevant.

stuartd said:

(I also had a small DVD player as hand luggage!!).

Click to expand...

And here I thought they were banned from usage onboard, at least
that's what the cabin crew on the flights I have been present on
tell me.

stuartd said:

Airport authorities and airlines around the world are working very
much together on this so, if you are carrying a lot of gear, it may
be wise to go through departures a little earlier than previously.

Click to expand...

Yes, I believe that my verbatim quote mentioned this, but just go
ahead and state it as if I didn't.

stuartd said:

Its about time this question, which has cropped up here every few
months for the last two years and more was laid to rest and perhaps
Phil could have a general info page for travelling on which it
could be placed.

Click to expand...

My response and the site I linked did this, or do you not
understand that due to your "experience". Perhaps Phil could add
the link to the site I provided earlier.

Sorry if I seem a little caustic but I try and reply in a similar
tone to which I'm addressed.
--
That's it, my last post here as I've had enough.

tata.

--
PhilB

Alias · Aug 3, 2003

Not only are you 100% correct about memory cards but placing the cards in the tray with keys and money won't necessarily protect them as some of the magnetic screeners "scatter" the magnetic field and the hand held wands also produce scatter. I've also seen the wands, left switched on, placed next to a full tray as the passenger went through the arch.

The only safe way to have cards and any disk device screened is to put them through the x-ray.

rob scrimgeour said:
Austin Stevens said:

Does anyone have experience with running their S602 through the
x-ray machine at the airport? Is it safe?

Click to expand...

While I have no personal experience, it is my understanding that
x-rays will have no effect on either a digital camera or memory
cards. These items are not sensitive to light, or x-ray.

However, the memory cards can be affected by strong magnetic
fields. Because of this, I have heard it suggested that memory
cards should be placed in the "key and metal" container whenyou
travel through airport security. This will ensure that these do not
receive a magnetic field. Both the wands and the walk though
sensors have strong magnetic fields that can affect you rmemory
cards.

Again, no definitive proof, but his is what I have heard.

Rob S.

--
PhilB

Gyorgy Abrusan · Aug 3, 2003

Yes, it is safe.

At least at the European (London, Edinburgh, Warsaw)airports. No degradation of picture quality on the CF in the camera.

Gyorgy

Austin Stevens said:
Does anyone have experience with running their S602 through the
x-ray machine at the airport? Is it safe?

Maurice Daniels · Aug 3, 2003

Geez, I flew into New york(LGA, EWR,JFK), London, Italy (Rome and Milan), Toronto, Vancouver; not to mention Xray security at the UN building and the NYSE (Tourist or what!?).

I have had to put my laptop through xray machines ever since I got one, and never heard of a problem (other than some oldold laptop batteries risked exploding, ha ha.) My 4900Z camera is no different. I have never heard a negative thing about the possibility of damage. It's just a piece of electronic equipment.

(There was a case in Winnipeg a few years ago where some Indians from an outlying Northern reserve were made to put their papoose through the Xray. A combination of communication difficulties and Airport security intelligence level... The baby is doing fine. I'd be more worried about humans than any electronics.)

Film is only a hassle because it is specifically reactive to electromagentic radiation and that's what XRays are. Electronics is safe at anything less than lethal doses - although I would imagine as components get finer, there's the risk that comsic rays and Xrays would affect the tinier components DURING OPERATION. You would have to reset your computer if it was running during an Xray does...

Gyorgy Abrusan said:
Gyorgy

Austin Stevens said:

Does anyone have experience with running their S602 through the
x-ray machine at the airport? Is it safe?

Click to expand...

Paul Edwards @ Work · Aug 4, 2003

The way i look at it is this.

My memory cards are my memories. they are my experiences, my hard work and my effort.

I am sure all of us have lost some photos at some point. You know how it makes you feel.

So for me. I ignore the science to some degree and all the claims. I err on the side of paranoid when dealing with what to me is worth more than gold.

You can set fire to my camera, drop it xray it, lose it. whatever. if i have the memory cards in my hand or in my wallet then i will sigh with relief.

if something goes wrong with a machine, my luggage is taken to be destroyed, dropped, screwed with in any way, and my cards are in there and damaged, regardless of probability, or theory. i am going to be gutted. truly gutted.

for that reason i remove my cards. the rest can go in the bin as long as my cards are safe. I use a card wallet and declare them seperately.

99.9% of the time im sure everything is groovy. but what happens when you are that 0.1% ???

not something im willing to risk quite frankly. so for me the point is moot. i dont care how most places are ok, or how the odds are slim. for me. cards out.

Time to order a lead card wallet, hehehe (that bit was a joke)

but this is just my opinion really.

if you are happy to leave your cards in a bag that leaves your hand even for a moment. thats your memories and your choice and all power to you to make your own decisions.

peace

P.

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