travelling with film

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How to Travel With Film: Tips for Flying, TSA & More

Traveling and photography go together like salt and pepper, but that doesn’t mean it comes without roadblocks. The obstacles are especially amplified if you’re traveling as a film photographer, with all that precious cellulose at risk of being damaged due to airport security X-ray scanners.

Airport security scanners are known to emit radiation through to your film that may cause fogging. Luckily, most modern airport security checkpoints are known to not cause damage to your film – but this tends to vary depending on which airport you are traveling through, the age of their equipment, and leniency of the airport staff.

If you’re still left unsure about traveling with your precious film, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a guide of solutions and alternative options to help store your film and mitigate your film from being damaged from airport security scanning.

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Flying with Film: Can You Bring Film on a Plane?

Yes, you certainly can! Long before digital cameras, travelers hauled their cameras and film rolls through airports and onto planes all the time. Film is not prohibited on planes, and airport scanners of the past didn’t cause as much damage as today’s.

How to Travel With Film

Concerns with traveling with film stem from undeveloped film being passed through modern airport security scanners. Here are our best tips to avoid damage to your film rolls. Remember, there’s always an inherent risk when traveling with film, especially when scanned – as factors like airport scanning strength and security tolerances vary from country to country.

Avoid Checked Baggage for Film

Firstly, we advise strongly against ever storing your film in your checked luggage – scans are done multiple times throughout transport, and the scanners used are much stronger, known to cause damage to undeveloped film rolls.

Carry-On Baggage

Now, let’s talk about transporting undeveloped film in your carry-on bags through airport security. This varies from airport to airport, but in the United States, the TSA states that their scanners don’t harm any film that is under 800 ISO.

35mm and 120 film that are 800 ISO or higher may be more at risk of scanning damage, whereas stocks under 800 ISO should pass through most scanners unscathed.

Damage or no damage – we’re here to tell you how to best avoid scanning altogether with some alternative options to avoid even having to take film through security.

• Anything under 800 ISO should be OK, but may start fogging after multiple scans
• 800 ISO film and up is sensitive and may pick up fogging within one security scan

Rule of thumb: the less security scanning you can achieve, the better – but not all security staff will provide the option for hand checks. Ultimately, the goal is to bring the number of times your film is scanned down to zero, or as close to it as you can get.

What to Do at Airport Security

The name of the game when bringing film through security is to be as convenient and polite as possible.

Take all of your film rolls out of their canisters and bags, and store them into a transparent, easy-to-open bag (Ziploc bags work great). Put your transparent bag in a quick, easy-to-access pocket or compartment on your carry-on luggage.

Once you get to the security, confidently and politely ask the staff if you could have the film hand checked.

Since you’ve shown consideration by preparing and asking politely, chances are, security staff will do the hand check for you, since you’ve helped them expedite the process!

If you’re traveling with film and plan on requesting a hand check, we recommend arriving at the airport a bit earlier to give yourself plenty of time at security – and spare yourself of any added travel stress.

If you’re traveling internationally and think getting a hand check could be a long shot, you can always pick up a durable filmguard bag to pack your film and help mitigate risk of fogging when scanned. These bags are a great alternative to hefty (and pricey) lead-lined bags for the same purpose. Note: these bags might lead to further checks, so again — they’re only recommended if you know you won’t be able to get a hand check otherwise.

Can You Bring a Polaroid Camera on a Plane?

While this isn’t specifically film, but a film camera , you may be wondering if you can travel with a Polaroid camera. Yes, you can! When it comes to Polaroid film, the same science as undeveloped 35mm and 120mm film applies here.

Polaroid film below ISO 800 should be fine, but anything exceeding 800 is likely to get damaged in airport scanning. We suggest the same approach here – store your undeveloped Polaroid film in a clear bag, and ask politely to have it hand checked. Developed Polaroid won’t be affected by airport scanners.

More Film Travel Tips & Alternatives

Buy the film at your destination.

If you’d like to avoid the extra step of packing film and asking for a hand check, you can always plan to buy your film at your destination! Check out Yelp, Reddit, or Google Maps for local favorites. The only risk here is the shop not carrying specific film stocks you’re seeking, or being sold out. A quick email to the shop to set up a pick-up is always worth a try! This way, you know fresh new film is waiting for you at your destination.

Develop the Film at Your Destination

This is recommended as a last resort (especially if you’re on a short trip), but lastly, you can always look into developing your film at your destination.

We suggest researching a reputable developing lab in the city you’re traveling to, and if you’d like to avoid the hassle of hand checks at security, have the film developed there.

For this to work, the rolls of film you have must be used up (and can’t be stored within your camera) – and the lab’s development turnaround would have to line up with your departure date and time.

It might not be the most convenient, but it’s an added step in ensuring your film is not damaged from airport scans. Many labs will offer express development services for an extra fee, or if you let them know you’re from out of town and are on a tight timeline, they might be willing to further accommodate!

Did any of these tips help? How do you usually pack your film for your travels? Let us know in the comments below!

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How To Fly Confidently with Film: Tips for Flying with 35mm, Medium Format, Instant film, and Disposable Cameras

Film-based photography has risen in popularity over the last few years due to social media introducing the medium to new audiences. Many want to bring film cameras to document their travels in addition or in place of a digital camera and/or smartphone. With the X-ray scanners used by airport security, many photographers are worried that their film may be ruined.

To safely fly with film, put your unprocessed film and camera in a heavy duty, clear bag, store it in your carry-on luggage, and ask a TSA official to hand check it to avoid being scanned by X-rays. The unprocessed film should also never be stored in checked luggage since checked bags go through even stronger X-rays which will definitely ruin your film. Also, consider applying for TSA Pre-Check when flying with film to avoid much of the hassle .

You can do a few specific things to avoid your film getting destroyed due to airport security measures. Let’s go into more detail about specific film types and other things you should look out for before taking film onto a plane. Keep reading to learn more.

Older X-Ray Scanners vs New CT scanners

In the past, airport X-ray scanners for security checkpoints were not very strong and allowed for film less than 800 ISO to pass through several times before any damage like fogging to occur. However, scanners used for checked luggage have always been much stronger than those used for carry-on luggage and would damage any kind of film at any ISO rating.

Do the Newest Airport Security Scanners Harm Photographic Film?

Which Airports Use the New CT Scanners?

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• Houston Hobby Airport (HOU)
• Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Oakland International Airport (OAK)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
• St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
• Tampa International Airport (TPA)
• Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• Green Bay–Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB)
• Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB)
• Baton Rouge Metro Airport (BTR)
• Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
• Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)

General Tips for Taking Film On A Plane

Flying with film may seem stressful but in my experience is easy if you prepare. Follow these general tips to fly confidently with your film:

• Try to identify how many times you’ll have to pass through airport security
• Keep your film and camera loaded with film in your carry-on luggage and not in your checked luggge
• Take your film out of all canisters and wrappers.
• Keep your camera and undeveloped film in your carry-on and keep them in a clear, sturdy plastic bag
• Store your clear bag of film and film camera in an easy to access location of your carry-on luggage
• Arrive 20 – 30 mins early airport security

Asking For A Hand Check Varies

Lead lined bags for protection, mail your film to avoid possible film damage at an airport.

If bringing film through TSA at all sounds a bit risky to you, another option is to send your film in a package to your destination or consider sending your exposed but unprocess film to an online lab for development so you don’t have to worry about it all going through airport security at all.

Tips For Flying with 35mm and Medium Format Film

In the images below you can see how airport scanners damaged the film and what it looks like. Notice the light and dark bands on the negatives as well as the fogging on the portrait.

How To Keep Your 35mm and Medium Format Film Safe While Flying

The  best method to keep your unprocessed film safe to ask security to hand-check  your camera and film if possible, so that it is not exposed to the x-rays at all. Put your unprocessed film and camera into a clear plastic bag (I recommend a  sturdy Ziplock gallon bag  like this one on Amazon.com) and ask the attendant for it to be checked by hand.

Follow these steps for confidently flying with your 35mm and Medium Format film:

• Keep your film and camera in your carry-on luggage and not in your checked luggage
• Take all of your film out of the canisters and wrappers
• Keep your film and camera in a clear, plastic bag
• Store your transparent bag of unprocessed film and film camera in an easy to access location of your carry-on luggage
• Ask for your unprocessed film and film camera to be hand-checked

Tips For Flying with Disposable Cameras

Disposable cameras can go through security but, just like with roll film, there needs to be some caution.

Most older X-ray machines found in airports will not cause damage to unexposed film in your disposable film camera rated up to ISO 800 unless the film is subjected to repeated passes. Though it is also not recommended to allow film of higher speeds, like 3200 ISO, to pass through the scanners.

How To Keep Disposable Cameras Safe While Flying

The best method to keep your disposable camera safe is to ask security to hand-check  your camera and film, so that it won’t be exposed to X-rays at all. Put your unprocessed disposable camera(s) into a clear, sturdy, plastic bag (I recommend a  sturdy Ziplock gallon bag  like this one on Amazon.com) and ask the TSA agent for it to be checked by hand.

Follow these steps for confidently flying with your disposable cameras:

• Keep your disposable camera(s) in your carry-on luggage and not in your checked luggage
• Take all of your cameras out of the wrappers.
• Keep your camera(s) in a clear, plastic bag
• Store your transparent bag of disposable camera(s) in an easy to access location of your carry-on luggage
• Ask for your disposable camera(s) to be hand-checked

Tips For Flying with Instant Film

How Do You Travel with Instant Film?

Always ask for it be hand checked but keep in mind the attendant will most likely open up any of the foil pouches that instant film comes in so if you go ahead and open it beforehand to save time.

Tips for taking your Instax camera on an plane are:

• If possible, obtain a lead-lined bag (like  this one from Domke )
• Keep your instant film and instant camera in your carry-on luggage and not in your checked luggage
• Take all of your instant film out of the silver wrappers.
• Keep your instant film and camera in a clear, sturdy plastic bag
• Store your transparent bag of instant film and your instant camera in an easy to access location of your carry-on luggage
• Ask for your instant camera loaded with film and undeveloped instant film to be hand-checked

Do X-rays Ruin Instant Film?

Yes, X-rays will create light and dark bands on your image, fog your undeveloped Instant film, and produce dark and muddy shadows. Notice the images below where the x-ray scan created fog on the image and the x-ray created white and dark bands of color.

Because of this it is best to keep your camera with carry-on luggage, store your camera loaded with film and undeveloped film in a clear plastic bag, and politely ask for a hand-check went going through security.

Consider TSA Pre-Check When Flying With Film

One way to make the airport experience go smoother when flying with film is to consider signing up for TSA Pre-Check. While it can be expensive if you don’t fly often ($85 for five years and $70 to renew), it can save you a lot of hassle, time, and stress.

With a TSA Pre-Check boarding pass, you get a dedicated line at airport security which tends to move faster and you get special privileges such as:

• Keeping on your shoes, belt, and light jackets
• Keeping your electronics (like cameras) in your carry-on
• Easier to hand check film (might not have to even remove it from your carry-on)
• Keeping your toiletries in your carry-on
• Bypassing the body scanner

It’s possible that you can get TSA Pre-Check for free if you get randomly assigned (more likely if you are a senior citizen (75 or older), military benefits, you redeem miles or points, be 12 or under, have a certain credit card, or if you are flying business or first class.

Digital Cameras and Security Scanners

It is important to remember that it is completely safe for digital cameras to go through the older and new CT style of X-ray machines. There is a slight chance that flash memory (like SD cards) can be corrupted due to amount and length of exposure but this has never happened to me in all the time I’ve been flying with digital cameras (13 countries between 2016 – 2019).

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Most Newer lithium ion rechargeable batteries have the Wh rating marked on them. If not, you can calculate the Watt Hour (Wh) by multiplying the battery voltage by the Amp hours (Ah).

My name is Lee Jones, MFA and I'm the professor behind The Photography Professor. My goal is to answer your questions about film-based photography in a format that is easy to read and understand.

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• Home      Film Tips & Reviews • Photo Lab Blog      Tips for bringing film through airport security and the TSA X-rays and the new CT scanners

Tips for bringing film through airport security and the TSA X-rays and the new CT scanners

So you love to travel and you love to shoot film? If so, you’ll often find yourself in an airport security line with a bag full of film. So what about those TSA X-rays and the new TSA CT Scanners? What effect can they have on your film?

This is a question we hear from our customers often. We have everything you need to know on the effects of the new CT Scanners, the traditional X-Ray scanners along with helpful tips to ease your mind on your next trip or when planning future film travels.

FAQs – Your Film and CT Scans/X-Rays

Tsa ct scanners.

When you make your way to the front of the line, just politely tell a TSA agent you have photographic film and you would like to request a hand-check.

Here are a few ways to keep your film organized and accessible for an efficient TSA experience:

• Take your film out of all canisters and wrappers.
• Place it in a transparent, ziplock bag.
• Keep your film in a side pocket or other easy-access area of your carry-on for quick removal.
• Don’t keep film in any luggage or baggage that will be checked. This includes cameras that still have film in them.
• Consider shipping your exposed film to the film lab for processing prior to your return trip… It’s easy if you take some prepaid mailers from The Darkroom.

TSA plans to have up to 145 units in place at airports around the nation by the start of 2020, along with 16 units at federal testing facilities.

TSA X-Ray Scanners

Most signs at TSA security checkpoints indicate film below 800 ISO will not be affected by the x-rays and, in our experience, this appears to be pretty accurate. We’ve sent dozens of rolls through x-rays (when the option to hand-check was not available) and the machines didn’t seem to have a very noticeable effect on the film—especially our black & white rolls.

Processed film is not affected by x-rays.

Flying with Film: Results from 3x X-Ray

What is the most ideal way to safely get my film through security?

Don’t keep film in checked baggage!

Checked baggage  often goes through equipment with higher energy X rays, but X-ray equipment used to inspect carry-on baggage uses a very low level of x-radiation that will not cause noticeable damage to most films. The high-dose X-ray scan on checked baggage can damage film immediately and corrections can’t be made at the processing lab. See below for examples of how X-rays affect film in checked baggage.

We always recommend getting your film hand-checked if possible, especially if you’re travel will include multiple x-ray scans. Even if it is below 800 ISO. We prefer to err on the safe side when your sweet analog memories could be at risk. When you make your way to the front of the line, just politely tell a TSA agent you have photographic film and you would like to request a hand-check.

If you do want to check film in your luggage, you can buy specialized film bags for X-ray scanners

Filmguard Bag specializes in protecting film in X-ray scanners by lining the vinyl bag with lead. Features include the ability to protect against fogging/streaking of unprocessed film with different sizes that can hold thirty-five rolls of 35mm film, or three 50-sheet boxes of 4×5″ film, or a small camera with a few rolls.

Note: We haven’t tried these bags and don’t know how well they work.

• Take your film out of all canisters and wrappers. • Place it in a transparent, ziplock bag. • Keep your film in a side pocket or other easy-access area of your carry-on for quick removal. • Don’t keep film in any luggage or baggage that will be checked. This includes cameras that still have film in them. • Consider shipping your exposed film to the film lab for processing… preferably to The Darkroom.

Instant Film

Always have instant film hand checked and never have it scanned through the x-ray machine. It must be hand checked. Film that’s wrapped in silver wrapping will likely be opened by the TSA agents, so you’ll save time and have it done with more care if you prepare it yourself prior. Anything instant such as Polaroid, Fuji pack film, and Instax will be fogged with muddy shadows when scanned by the x-ray machines.

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What if I can’t get my film hand-checked?

If for some reason you don’t have time, aren’t permitted, or totally forget to request a hand-check for your film, don’t sweat it. The odds are in your favor. We’ve gathered a handful of our x-rayed film scans—most of which went through an x-ray a total of 6 times and still produced great results!

Kodak TMAX400 U.S. X-RAY 4 TIMES

Ilford SFX 200 EU X-Ray 6 times

Ilford DELTA 3200 EU X-RAY 6 times

Examples of how X-ray effects film in checked baggage.

Below illustrates the extreme effects of x-rays when scanned in checked luggage..

If you’re curious, here’s what to expect when your film is scanned in check baggage.

Source: Kodak.com

Exposure from checked baggage scanners can have an extreme effect and fog film.  Fog typically appears as soft-edged bands 1/4 to 3/8 inch (1 to 1.5 cm) wide. The orientation of the fog stripe depends on the orientation of the film in the scanner relative to the X-ray beam. The X-ray banding is often linear or wavy running lengthwise or horizontally on the film. Whether the undulating wavelengths is visible depends on the photographic content. Busy scenes will obscure or lessen X-ray effects, otherwise, the photo may display some signs of wavy lines or fogging.

black-and-white negative films – Patterns in dark areas color-negative films – Neutral or brown patterns in the dark area slide film  – Neutral or brown Patterns in the light areas

Thanks for posting guys. This article is very accurate and consistent with my personal experience. I travel all the time and always ask for a hand check. It’s easiest to have all your film (inc. camera if it has film in it) in a separate bag so you can just hand that all to the security agent. One thing I will add is that if you are dealing with a foreign country that doesn’t speak English, don’t be afraid to be stern with the security that it can’t go through the X-ray. Throughout south east Asia one of the ways I was allowed to do this was by taking a picture for the security personnel to prove the camera is functional. Otherwise be nice and grateful that the security is treating your camera and film better than the baggage personnel sure would. Cheers!

What about the x-ray cases sold to defend the film from the rays? Does anyone use them?

I aways put my film in a lead “airport xray secure xray” bag. I keep it in my carry on. It almost always prompts a hand check when they put it through the xray scanner. Too many times have I had a hassel with the security for a hand check. They even once did a hand and sent it through the xray machine anyway. That was in India, but this is the exception. Almost everywhere else they ask what’s on the lead bag and I tell them it’s film. They usually just do a quick check and let me through. Less problems this way (at least in my experience).

Great info and examples. I often travel with Ilford Delta 3200 and always assumed It was toast if it went through any x-ray machine. I have a small stockpile of x-rayed rolls, (from EU airport security that refused to handcheck film and when I’ve forgotten I had it in my bag going through museum security), that I’ve been afraid to shoot. I won’t let it go to waste now!

I’ve always sent instant film through the carry on x-ray machines and have never noticed a problem. But then I purposely shoot expired instant film most of the time, so any x-ray effects would be just another imperfection I actually want the film to produce.

Thanks- getting ready to travel with loads of film(negatives) , memories from 20 years ago.Do I need a clearance in advance from the security?

[…] Further readinghttps://filmadvance.com/2013/10/how-to-flying-with-film/https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2012/01/traveling-with-film-by-tobias-weisserth/https://thedarkroom.com/bringing-film-airport-security-effects-x-rays-film/https://www.digitalrev.com/article/travel-horror-what-happened-film-xray-scan-11-times […]

Film that has already been exposed and developed will not be damaged by X-rays.

If it’s developed you don’t need to worry; the x-ray won’t affect it. The advice here is about undeveloped film.

[…] you believe your film was damaged by X-rays at the airport. See this article on how to prevent it in the […]

My question: If I send film from a foreign country like India, will that package be x-rayed?

hello how about the 16mm rolls ? how can we pass it through xray process

Be warned. Lisbon airport has some very different ideas then the airports I’ve taken film through in Kuwait, Pakistan, India, Dubai, Amman, Rome, Istanbul, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Luang Phrabang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, New York City, Vancouver, etc… (the list goes on and on).

No friends of photographers, I can’t feel ashamed saying the airport security guards here and their managers are real bastards. Despite transferring through this airport in 2018 and being given a hand inspection upon request, on this transfer I was forced to X-ray my film in order to pass – and that was just transferring, not even going through immigration. No matter how long I tried – even speaking with the head of airport security – the message was the same: if it goes past security it goes through the X-ray and that is final. I asked what they do with professional photographers – and they insisted that all professionals did their research properly and knew that they needed special written permission from ANAC for their film. Of course ANAC was completely closed on weekends and didn’t take last minute quick turnaround submissions anyway. I have never had to apply to a civil aviation authority for permits to get film hand inspected, and even now I don’t really see much in the way of letting people know that’s what they have to do. So for those of you going to or from Lisbon, or even transferring through – be warned. If I had instant film it would be totally toast. Not eager to see how my infrared and high iso color rolls are going to look 🙁

Hey Ryan how was it at the end ? Same just happened to me in Lisbon Airport while transferring ….. I only have 400 ISO speed film so should be ok but did you have any issue ?

Just had a similar experience transferring through Lisbon. Without express written permission, everything goes through the X-ray. Luckily I had only low iso colour sheet film. I will try to reply here with the results when it gets processed

same here, in lisbon portra 400 was heavily damaged due to a hand check being denied. be aware! is there really no official procedure in place? i do this professionally and it it feels like playing there lottery every time.

i was in Oslo airport and they refused to hand check my camera with a roll of portra 400 inside. just got my roll developed and it’s completely toasted… luckily the second roll i had that was unused at the time turned out slightly better (underexposed for most photos but i’m not sure if it’s related or not)… super upset about my films but it is what it is and hopefully i’ll learn my lesson next time

I’ve emailed several security departments at ANAC and Lisbon airport over the past 2 weeks for an upcoming trip and received no response as of yet (19 days and counting).

The Customer Service at Lisbon Airport has responded but repeatedly directs me to a department that wont.

I can’t find anything on the ANAC site for contacting them about an exemption film or camera.

Plus one from Lisbon (june 2022). The lady checking boarding passes at security check was actually quite polite and said it would be ok to hand check them, but when I got to the tray line no amount of talking would convince the officers to hand check my film. Should’ve had aurhorizarion from airport authorities. And they had sniffers right beside the scanner!

Really sorry to hear that! Stories like this make me really angry…

Most airports are less willing to mess with hand inspections in this era of digital photography. For many years, film had virtually disappeared from the security equation. I still find airports in the USA that absolutely refuse to just hand inspect film. Indeed, when they make you take electronic stuff out of your bag for hand inspection, they end up putting each item removed from bag back on the belt. I had one instance in Houston where they removdd 6 usb cables, 5 batteries, a power brick and some other odds and ends from the bag by hand. Then they put each one through individually on the belt. Something similar happened to me in Frankfurt and Beijing. So, these are every day items and were treated this way. Imagine something strange like film being encountered. Hopefully, with the increase in both film use and CT scanner use the hand inspection will come back into play.

I have read the reviews so in total sense it would be better and safer to don’t have any x-rays on unexposed film and exposed film ?

I had mixed experiences – one airport in Boston was able to hand check. At the airport in Denver Colorado there was so sign that I could see at least regarding checking 35mm film. They also kept directing you like herding sheep so you went where they yelled for you to go. I got up to the check point to start putting my sneakers luggage etc in the bins and asked about scanning my film already in a clear bag and out and the woman rudely said “you’re in the wrong line, you have to go to that one” and pointed to a few lines over. She was not going to budge and I had waiting in the security check line for 25-30 minutes I couldn’t afford to start over to go to a new line. Was very disappointed and now makes me paranoid not all airports give a rats bum. Was going to look into the lead bag. They will take it out but at least it’s protected.

Sorry for any spelling errors. Was waiting in one large line and was directed to individual security check lines and *saw no sign regarding hand checking film* prior to getting in a smaller line

Was super anxious to travel with film but appreciated this article and happy to report my experience traveling with 35mm film was a success. Went to 4 airports in the US and didn’t see any signs saying film can go through but the TSA agents were happy to hand check every time, (every time just handed to them while I was putting things in bins) and got it back to me quickly. I made sure to use all the film so didn’t have to have them hand check the camera. I also kept it in the box I purchased it in so they recognized it as film just by me holding up.

[…] be aware that new airport scanners like the TSA CT scanners will damage unprocessed film on the first scan. To keep your film from being ruined, just put all […]

The airport in Lima just refused me a hand check of a polaroid with film inside. Does anyone know if my film is sure to be damaged?

I was just refused a hand check in Qatar Hamad International. Fingers crossed all the film i shot of our epic trip are alright. When I was a kid, my dad traveled with a lead-lined bag. Not sure how that’s any different if the security personnel can’t see inside. They’ll want to take the film out and zap it regardless.

[…] to allow film of higher speeds, like 3200 ISO to pass through x-rays. However, there are new, stronger airport scanners like the TSA CT scanners that will damage undeveloped instant film on the first run […]

[…] However, new airport scanners like the TSA CT (Computed Tomography) scanners (like the one below) will damage any unprocessed film on the first scan. To keep your film from being ruined, put all of your unprocessed and/or new film in a clear, plastic bag and request a hand-check during the security line. Also, keep in mind only new and unprocessed film will be affected, including instant film. […]

Traveling from JFK airport to London, a border guard noticed I had a transparent bag of exposed films and asked me if I like him to hand-check. I was quite surprised as I had anticipated some difficulties. He was incredibly polite and helpful. So, my takeaway from that was – make airport staff’s job easier, and be friendly and respectful.

Planning on travelling to Spain (Barcelona), Italy (Rome, Venice, Florence), and the South of France (Nice) this summer. Would anyone know of any problems regarding hand-checking films in any of these places? Really anxious about being denied hand-checks and having to put my film through X-rays scanners 😣

I just went through security at the Nice airport, and they would not hand check my film, even after explaining multiple times that it should not go through the machine. They instead pointed at a pictogram of a digital camera and insisted that it meant that my film would be ok. I hope you get more understanding people.

Hi Gabby, did you end up having issues in Barcelona? I’m going in a few weeks!

Hey Gabby! Any updated? Im in the same boat, leaving from Milan to go to Barcelona, Naples, and Nice. Lmk!

I flew through France to Florence. I had hand checks at all security checkpoints from USA to abroad. It was a real hassle at times. They would leave my Ziploc bag full of film, unattended, and I would be waiting a long time until someone got to it. Once they did hand check, they would open up each canister and brush each roll of film. The issue is getting through in a timely manner with lay overs of 2.5 hrs or less. This summer 2023 I am going to Malta and I am not i sure if I want the hassle. I shot film in 2001 in Malta traveling from the USA I can’t remember how it was handled, but I have the pics and they are all ok.

hi there does removing the foil around a roll of medium format of unexposed film lead to any light leak? I’m trying to make it easy on the staff by removing the foil before hand but don’t want to damage my film

no worries, no light leak without the foil.

Hi all, I will be travelling from Australia next month through Adelaide, Melbourne, Singapore, London Heathrow, London, Stansted & Salzburg. Can anyone tell me any of these airports are going to give me a hard time having my film hand checked? I usually develop my own film at home, but I am wondering if I should not travel with unprocessed film, but buy film in my holiday destination & pay a lab to develop before travelling through each airport?

[…] The best method way to keep it safe to ask security to hand-check your camera and film if possible, so that it is not exposed to the x-rays at all. Put your unprocessed disposable film and camera into a ziplock, or plastic, bag and tell the attendant you want it to be hand checked. […]

I’ll be transferring at Abu Dhabi Airport, United Arab Emirates in August. Has any had any problems with hand checks there?

I lost most of a bulk roll of HP5+ at the Oakland Airport this morning. Had successful hand checks of my bulk loader in the past, but the young TSA agent this morning insisted on opening up the loader “because there could be bullets inside.” He did not seem to grasp that this would wreck the film and insisted he just needed to check inside, as if I could just use it after he exposed 80 feet of film. So I opened the loader, took out the reel, and asked him to chuck it in the bin. He seemed confused that I did not want it anymore. I think the advice in this article is good. He did not have a problem with the individual 35mm cassette I had. Not sure what he would do with a bag of home-spooled 35mm cassettes, but now I know to leave the bulk loader at home!

[…] (for the sake of your health you should not be either). The extent of my suffering for art is TSA hand checks of my film canisters and I intend to keep both of my […]

Traveling from Edinburgh airport they absolutely refused to hand check my film and said they only hand check over 800iso. Really disappointing experience. I had a lead bag, but still worry that’s not enough to get perfect film back. I had portra 400 120

I just went through an X Ray Scanner at Mexico City airport. The security personal were ambiguous about the hand check as I got closer to the X Ray machine, and they let me no other option than get my camera through the X Rays 🙁 I have loaded a Kodak Pro Image 100 and hopefully my photos survive 🙏. Thanks a lot for the information and examples!

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Could anyone tell me what camera the above pictures are likely taken on?

What about instant film? For instance I’m thinking of bringing my fuijifilm mini instant. I won’t be bring film with me as I’ll buy it in the area I’m traveling to but I’m concerned about the photos I take after. Will those printed pictures be affected by going through the scanner??

[…] The  your camera and film if possible, so that it is not exposed to the x-rays at all. Put your unprocessed disposable film and camera(s) into a ziplock, or plastic, bag and tell the attendant you want it to be hand checked. […]

I am bringing home my mom’s childhood home movie film, some more than 60 years old. It is already developed so it should be fine, do you agree?

I will be bringing a panoramic X-Ray through Turkish Airport, will I have problem. Is there a new procedure in the UK where need a request from the dentist in Turkey, a form to be filled in etc. Thank you

[…] a low level of x-radiation that will not cause damage (in most cases).Here are some tips for keeping your film accessible for TSA […]

Having best blog like this are amazing and I think you must also try it for once atleast. crime scene cleaning

This is a must-read for anyone traveling with film! The care you’ve taken to explain the nuances of different scanners is appreciated. Keeping film organized in transparent bags and requesting hand-checks is now on my travel checklist.

The film will be spoiled, those who say otherwise simply haven’t checked it. For example, the base of a sheet that has been exposed adds approximately 0.2 to the density. I check all my sheets using a densitometer. And you need to understand that while traveling, the film passes through the scanner more than just once. This is very unpleasant to get the base ≈0.35 instead of ≈0.15. If you are an amateur and shoot 35mm, scan it and photoshop it, then you won’t notice this.

I lost 3 films a month ago, but I don’t know if it was because of the scanning devices at the airport or not, because the films were subjected to security scanning 5 times (2 in Romania – 2 in Athens – 1 in Riyadh) After returning home and developing the films, only 9 of the 105 images appeared, and the rest of the images did not appear Although I am sure that the development steps were perfect, I do not know 🙁

[…] Request for deletion View full answer on thedarkroom.com […]

I don’t know, I think CT scanners end traveling with film for good. TSA agents are cop academy washouts pretending to be drill instructors, who’s gonna risk their work trusting an agency shown to be unable to stop drugs or weapons? Putting film through X-ray machines is just about all they CAN do lmao

I think after this article I have found a new photography style after spending time at home and playing candy clicker – a great game.

Place the film in an anti-magnetic bag or box. This helps minimize the influence slither io of the scanner’s magnetic waves on the film.

Hello everybody.

I am running to some damage on my Portra 400 4×5 sheet film. I keep them frozen, they have been through X-Rays. A color shift, and extra exposure happens on the sides of the sheet, haven’t noticed any problems in the non exposed part of the film. Here are some examples.

Does any one of you have an idea of where this problem could come from?

I haven’t managed to post any images/examples, do you know how to do that?

[…] on my next few more boxes of stock (nevermind that I had no idea if they’d make it through the airport x-ray machines). The Ultramax came out fine, and I’ve since (poorly) digitized some of the negatives using a […]

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I’m sorry to hear about your frustrating experience at the airport. It’s unfortunate that the TSA agent didn’t understand the nature of your film equipment, leading to the loss of your HP5+. It sounds like leaving the bulk loader at home might indeed be the best approach in the future to avoid similar incidents.

Regarding Optifine Download , just as careful preparation is key to protecting your film, optimizing your Minecraft experience with Optifine can prevent unnecessary setbacks and enhance gameplay performance significantly.

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How to travel with film (and not risk ruining your photos)

The world was a much simpler place before the digital revolution. Back in the film photography days, there were rarely any circumstances where a photographer would have to deal with damaging X-Rays or CT Scanners that could ruin film.

Whether you’re taking professional photos or just vacation snapshots, you’ll need to take a few steps to ensure your film survives the journey home without getting scarred. Luckily, it’s fairly easy to ensure your film comes home unscathed.

Here’s what to do when you absolutely don’t want to leave your film camera behind.

1. Keep your film out of checked baggage

The checked baggage scanners are much more powerful than the scanners used for handling carry-on luggage, and will ruin any undeveloped film.

These scanners are designed to see through thick bags with laptops, metal containers, bottles of wine, and other electronics that you would have to remove from your carry-on bag. To do that, they need to use very powerful x-rays, or even new CT-scanners that will certainly ensure your film is unusable.

So always keep your film in your carry-on bags for best results.

2. Hand check your film at the airport

The majority of airports use low-powered x-ray machines for carry-on luggage that they won’t hurt film under ISO 800. But some airports in Europe and North America are beginning to adopt new CT Scanners that will damage unprocessed film every time.

To protect your film, you can ask TSA agents or airport security to give the film a hand inspection. Many security personnel will hand check film for you no questions asked, but if it’s a busy, frustrating day, they may not oblige your request.

The best thing you can do is to make the film as easy for them to check as possible.

• Unwrap the film and remove it from any packaging . Every airport I’ve been through has opened the packages of film that I have brought through, so be prepared to make this step as easy as possible for them.
• Store the film in a clear plastic bag, or neatly in a film carrying case. Make the film as visible, and easy for the agents to swab quickly. That way, they will be much happier to hand check the film on a busy day.
• Keep ISO 800 and above film separate and visible . Some agents will refuse to hand check any film that is below ISO 800. Make sure these films are clearly visible on top, or in a separate bag so they can hand check just those films.

These vintage-looking metal cases on Amazon can fit 10 rolls of 35mm or 8 rolls of 120 . It’s not much, but having a couple of these will be enough to get through a good chunk of your vacation.

Personally, I like to keep the expensive and high ISO films in a case for protection, and then run my cheap Kodak Gold, Color Plus, and Pro Image 100 film stocks through the x-ray machine to reduce the hassle. I’ve processed a number of low ISO rolls that have gone through those scanners, and so far haven’t noticed any issues.

Lead leads to higher-powered X-Rays 

I’ve read a few people mentioning the use of lead bags, and that is by far the worst idea. TSA security agents have one purpose in life: snooping through your private belongings making sure you’re not smuggling drugs or bringing explosives onto an airplane. 

If you try to hide something from the TSA agents — like hiding the good snacks from your nosy brother — they’re only going to get more suspicious and turn up the x-ray power. And if they can’t see through it after that, they’ll empty the bag and send it through the scanner again.

If it’s a busy airport and you’re trying to sneak something past them, they’re going to go the extra mile to make sure your images come back fogged as heck. So the best thing you can do is give them the film outside of its packaging in an easy-to-manage bag or case. 

3. Don’t leave your film in a hot car

Rule number three about traveling with photographic film: if you wouldn’t leave a dog or a baby in those conditions, your film won’t like it either. The exception to this rule is, of course, in the fridge or freezer. But it’s still a good rule to follow.

Hot cars will ruin film. Color film will suffer if stored above 86°F (30°C) for more than 8 hours. But gelatin (the material that holds the image-forming silver) melts at 95°F (35°C). So storing it above that temperature for any amount of time could ruin your film.

The film inside your camera will usually be okay when you’re walking around for the day in hot weather. But leaving rolls of unprocessed film in the hot car is not a good idea.

If you’re going out for the day, make sure to bring only the amount of film that you need with you. I usually carry small film boxes that’ll hold just the right amount of film for a day or two, so that I can leave the rest of it behind in the cool lodging.

4. Hotel mini fridges can ruin your film

As much as possible, I try to keep all my film in the most stable temperature possible when I’m on vacation. Film can last for up to 2 months outside of a fridge — so the only time you should consider putting it in the fridge is if your hotel room is subject to drastic heat, humidity, and temperature changes.

Be beware: mini-fridges in hotels are not to be trusted. Especially the mini-fridges with freezer compartments tend to have horrendous control over humidity. This results in some ice buildup on the sides that can melt all over your film once it warms up, leaving you with a handful of film soup.

If you have to store film in a hotel mini fridge, be sure to place it inside a plastic Ziploc bag, or one of these film cases on Amazon . These cases or Ziploc bags will then protect your film in case of a power outage, or just the ice melting in a cheap fridge.

The other alternative is to keep the film out of the fridge altogether. Black and white films don’t need to be kept in the fridge at all, and color-negative films can last up to 6 months without refrigeration.

5. Buy film fresh at the location

Film photographers tend to have a bad habit of hoarding film. I get that it’s tempting to purchase film in bulk when film goes on sale, before price hikes, or if a certain stock is being discontinued. But that means nothing if the rolls get ruined with age or in transport.

The best way to keep your film fresh is to buy it fresh. And when you’re on vacation in another country or region of the world, there’s likely to be some new films that you’ve never been able to try before. For example, Orwo and Agfa in Europe, or some of Fuji’s premium stocks in Asia.

Shooting film originating from other countries can be an absolute blast, and can even add to the story of your vacation.

Even though you’ll still have to find a way to bring the film back home with you, at least you’ll only be able to run into trouble with your undeveloped film in one direction rather than two.

The other option is to have your exposed film developed at a local lab. Then you can mail the developed film back home, or safely bring it in your carry-on through the x-ray machines on the way home.

6. Develop your exposed film on location

Processed or developed film will not be damaged by X-rays or CT Scans, so it is a good idea to have your film developed before heading home. Most places in the world have labs where you can buy and develop film.

Always do a bit of research before going to see if there is an appropriate lab that can handle your film at your destination. For example, some cities in Eastern Europe won’t have a reliable supply of medium format film. And if you can’t find the film format you want to shoot, you also won’t likely find a place to have it processed either. In this case, the only way forward is to bring some film with you or switch to 35mm for the trip.

The processed film can either be mailed home in bulk or left in a safe place in your luggage.

35mm is better than medium format for traveling

Many travelers going to new locations will want to use their favorite cameras on vacation. And I totally understand the desire to bring your Hasselblad or Pentax 67 to the other side of the world.

But there are a number of reasons why you should leave the medium format beast at home.

• larger film cameras attract more attention . When you’re a tourist, you already stick out to the locals. But carrying around a large, shiny, obvious camera makes you stick out that much more.
• Medium format cameras are more fragile than 35mm . If you have a medium format camera, either you spent a lot of money on it to get one that was in really good condition, or it has been to the repair shop once or twice before. If you’re on vacation, there likely won’t be enough time to get your camera repaired if something goes wrong.
• Medium format film is harder to find . In some parts of the world, you will have trouble finding medium format film. But because 35mm is the most popular and affordable film, it is readily available almost everywhere in the world.
• You can pack more 35mm lenses and films than medium format . 35mm cameras and gear are way smaller than medium format film cameras. They are also far lighter weight, making them ideal companions when fighting the weight and baggage size limits of discount airlines.

If you’re traveling for work, then there may be no other choice than to bring a medium-format camera. But for the vast majority of us film photographers out there, you will be better off bringing a single small film camera with a couple of small lenses than you will be with a large, heavy, and fragile medium format camera.

Final thoughts

Traveling with film isn’t easy, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing. The magic of film is that the images always have a fun, and more real aesthetic than digital photography. There’s nothing better than getting those shots back from the lab and reliving all of your memories.

The film photos are usually my favorite, because it’s so forgiving. The photos don’t have to be clinically sharp to be good. And you’ll also have the option of making physical prints, which are much more fun to show your friends and family than digital files on a mobile phone.

Do you have any tips and tricks that have helped you when traveling in foreign countries? Let me know in the comments below!

Daren is a journalist and wedding photographer based in Vancouver, B.C. He’s been taking personal and professional photos on film since 2017 and began developing and printing his own photos after wanting more control than what local labs could offer. Discover his newest publications at Soft Grain Books , or check out the print shop .

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Photographers Field

Exploring the photographic field, flying with film: everything you need to know about airport x-rays.

How to combine traveling and analog photography? In this article I will be introducing the tips you should know when flying with film.

There are many instances I’ve felt like I need to properly wrap my film in foil cases or other protective material in order to be able to preserve the film when walking through an x-ray scanning. I’m now talking about those TSA X-rays and the new TSA CT Scanners – what effect can they have on your film?

We all know by now that going through x-rays can be harmful for the film, but to what extent?

The TSA has commented on scanning your films:

“We recommend that you put undeveloped film and cameras containing undeveloped film in your carry-on bags or take undeveloped film with you to the checkpoint and ask for a hand inspection.”

Table of Contents

The Film and CT Scans / X-Rays

1.tsa ct scanners.

Kodak Alaris has warned that TSA CT Scanners will damage unprocessed film. These scanners have been in use in the US and in other countries too and just one scan through these devices could destroy your film.

This can be easily avoided if you request a hand-check when you arrive to the security check-in and let the personnel know you have photographic equipment and film with you.

I use these tips when travelling to keep my film and photo equipment organized:

• Remove your film from all containers and wrappers
• Put it into a transparent bag
• Don’t keep film in any luggage or baggage that will be checked. This includes cameras that still have film in them.
• If you can, consider shipping your film back or develop them prior to your flights.

2.TSA X-Ray Scanners

At security checkpoints it’s indicated that film below 800 ISO will not be affected by the x-rays. In my experience this appears to be accurate.

When the hand-check was not possible, we had to send the films through x-rays. The machines didn’t have noticeable effect on the film rolls. But I repeat; processed film will not be affected by x-rays.

What is the ideal way get my film safely through security?

Do not keep your film on checked luggage. Always hand-check them.

The bigger baggage you check-in on your flight will often go through equipment with higher energy X rays, but X-ray equipment used to inspect  carry-on baggage uses a very low level of x-radiation that will not cause noticeable damage to most films.

If you do want to check film in your luggage, you can try specialized film bags for X-ray scanners . This way you can at least somehow protect your film if you cannot go around the x-ray scan.

But lead bags that used to be a photographer’s answer to the dangers posed by x-rays are not as safe anymore. With heightened scrutiny during security screening, one of two things will happen if you put a lead bag through x-rays. 

Either the screeners will back the bag up and zap it with x-rays again until it is penetrated and the contents can be seen (and your film zapped) or they will pull your bag and inspect it by hand (in which case you should have just asked for a hand-check to begin with).  In short, lead bags are not terribly useful these days.

One scan may not hurt medium-sensitivity film, especially when protected by a lead bag. But when that film undergoes higher levels of X-ray radiation blasts multiple times over several months , all of that goes out the window.

X-ray is just a higher-energy form of light outside the visual spectrum. And as such, its effects on film are cumulative, just as are the effects of longer exposures.

Finally, if everything goes wrong and you run into a security worker who absolutely insists that your film be x-rayed even after you’ve expressed your concerns, you need to give up your films and just trust they will come back unharmed. There’s nothing you can do at that point except get yourself into a world of trouble.

Unless it’s one of the few airports using the new CT machines, in all likelihood, your film won’t be damaged by a single scan anyway . This is why I rarely fly with film faster than ISO 400. If my film gets scanned once or twice, it’s unlikely to be catastrophic. And one hopes that screening staff trained on the new CT equipment will have a new appreciation for the damage that it can inflict on film.

Image: Fstoppers

If you liked this article, you might also like What Should You Know When You’re Printing Images Yourself

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How to Take Film Through Airports & TSA

Navigate the challenges of taking film through airports and TSA with our guide, offering tips to protect your film from damage during security checks.

Film Photography | Learn | By Ashley Darrow

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Knowing how to take film through airport security is something every film photographer needs to know.

I’ve flown with countless rolls of film and I’ve only ever had to scan my film once or twice. There are a few tips and tricks you can use to make sure your film isn’t fogged and ruined by those new CT scanners.

This guide is going to cover everything from the risk your film faces at the airport to how to get through the checkpoint without ruining your film!

Table of Contents

Does Film Get Ruined at Airport Security?

Image Credit – topnpt26

The x-ray scanners at the airport can do some serious damage to your film.

To be honest, a film with an ISO lower than 800 is likely going to be okay when traveling through a traditional X-ray scanner. I’ve had low ISO film scanned plenty of times with no noticeable effect.

However, airports have started introducing much more powerful CT scanners. These scanners expose your luggage to much higher doses of radiation than normal X-ray scanners. This poses a greater risk to film regardless of its ISO.

Here are a few of the big factors that come into play when it comes to just how your film can be damaged when traveling through airport security.

Speed Matters

Film with an ISO of 800 or higher can be damaged by X-ray scanners. Low ISO film is generally safe for traditional X-ray machines.

Newer CT scanners can damage film regardless of ISO. These new scanners cause considerable fogging and loss of detail, and can even impact color.

• Guide to Film Stock: What Are the Different Types of Film?

Checked Baggage vs Carry On

Your best bet is to always make sure that your film is going to be in your carry-on bag so that you can request a hand inspection.

Checked baggage goes through much more powerful X-ray scanners, which means that your film is going to be exposed to a considerably higher level of radiation. This means more damage to your film when it’s checked.

CT vs Traditional X-ray Machines

I’ve mentioned this point a few times already, but it’s just that important to discuss when it comes to flying with film.

CT scanners will fog and damage film of any ISO. No film is safe when it comes to traveling through these new, much more powerful, scanning machines.

The older X-ray scanners that you can still find in small airports don’t pack nearly as much of a punch when it comes to your film.

It’s still best to request a hand inspection, but I’ve sent film through those old X-ray scanners and not noticed much damage.

Spooled vs Unspooled

There’s also a difference when it comes to spooled and unspooled film.

Unspooled film that is loaded in a camera tends to take more damage when traveling through the X-ray scanner.

Film that is still wound in its spool has a way of protecting itself, which means that the outer layer of film will take more damage from the X-rays, but it will, in effect, protect the frames that are deeper inside the spool.

• The Easiest Way to Load a Film Camera

Multiple Trips Through the Scanner

The more your film has to get scanned, the more damage it’s going to take. One trip to the X-ray scanner might not cause any noticeable noise, but four or five trips will certainly start to wear down even low ISO film.

Multiple trips through a CT scanner can be even more damaging.

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If you plan on taking an international flight or have a lot of connections, it’s even more important to be ready to request hand inspections for your film.

Expired and Experimental Film

I love shooting with expired film and using experimental stocks from Kono or PsychBlues. However, these film stocks could be at a higher risk for fogging when they are exposed to airport scanners.

Experimental film stocks and expired films might be more easily damaged by scanners. It’s much harder to tell what effect the scanners will have on non-standard film.

• Comparison of All Common Film Formats & Sizes

Instant Film Stocks

Polaroid, Instax, and all other instant film stocks should receive a hand inspection rather than going through the scanner.

These film stocks are the most susceptible to damage from X-ray and CT scanners.

How to Get Film Safely Through Airport Security (6 Tips)

Image Credit – Gemma Evans

Traveling with photographic film doesn’t have to be a hassle. Here’s my 6-point strategy for getting through the airport and putting my film at minimum risk.

This is going to be a start-to-finish guide covering everything I do before I fly, when I get to the airport, and when I’m done shooting a roll of film at my destination.

Tip 1: Avoid Flying with Film if Possible

The single best thing you can do is to skip the problem altogether. If you can buy film at your destination, that’s the best way of preventing your film from being scanned at the airport.

Let’s face it: it’s gotten a lot harder to buy film in person these days, with fewer and fewer shops carrying photographic film at a reasonable price. I often ship my film to my destination to a relative, a friend, or even the hotel I’ll be staying at.

This allows me to get the film I need without having to carry film on a flight.

Tip 2: Get Your Film Ready for Flight

You need to make your film easy for a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) agent to inspect it. Here’s my process for ensuring that my film is much more likely to get a yes when I ask for a hand inspection.

I first remove my film from all packaging and canisters leaving only the film and its roll. I then place my undeveloped film in a clear ziplock bag.

For my own use, I typically label the outside of the bag with something like “Fuji 35mm ISO 800” just so I can keep track of things and get ready to take pictures when I land.

Pack your film in an easy-to-access pocket of your luggage so you’re not digging around when you get to security. I also make sure that none of my cameras are loaded when I fly.

• Useful Tips for Film Photography for Beginners

Tip 3: Take Film in Carry-on Luggage Only

Your film should always go in your carry-on luggage. Checked bags go through much more powerful scanners which can do some serious damage to film.

There’s no getting out of requesting a hand inspection when you’re flying with your film.

Tip 4: Request a Hand Inspection for Film

Always request a hand inspection when you reach the security checkpoint. The TSA even recommends asking for a hand inspection for camera film.

There’s no harm in asking. Even though a TSA agent can require you to scan your film, asking is free and they are likely to say yes.

Tip 5: Get Your Film Developed Before Your Return Flight

I like to get my film developed before I board my return flight.

This means I’ll finish shooting my film and send it off to the lab without having to take it home. You can also get your film developed locally.

Developed film is not damaged by X-ray or CT scanners.

Tip 6: Ship Your Film Home

If you don’t want to develop your film yet, you can always mail the exposed rolls back to your home.

I’ve done this a few times when flying internationally, where I had to make extra layovers and changes. This definitely saved my film from a bunch of unnecessary scanning.

Plus, this lets me develop my film on my own !

What If Security Won’t Hand-Check My Film?

At the end of the day, whether or not the TSA agent will perform a hand inspection on your film is at the discretion of that particular agent. If they decide that it has to go through the scanner, unfortunately there’s not much you can do.

However, you know I’m not going to leave you without some tips to increase the odds of your film getting a hand inspection that will save it from the X-ray scanner.

• Make sure that your film is easily accessible. I take my film out of all packaging and place the film in a clear plastic ziplock bag.
• If you travel with a lot of film, break it up into two or three ziplock bags just to make sure it’s easy to inspect everything
• Ask the TSA agent for a hand inspection for photographic film right when you get to the checkpoint – don’t wait until the last minute.
• Throw a roll of film with an ISO 800 or higher in your bag. TSA agents tend to be more willing to do hand inspections if they know the X-ray scanner could damage your film
• Try not to have film loaded in your cameras. Those are harder to inspect and involve someone handling your expensive gear who might not know their way around an old-school film camera .
• Buy your film when you land rather than risk getting it scanned. This isn’t always practical, but it does eliminate the problem entirely.

What About Lead-Lined Film Bags?

Lead-lined film bags are a double-edged sword when it comes to protecting your film while traveling through airport security. Here’s why.

TSA agents who operate the controls of the scanning machines can simply increase the power of the scanner to get through those lead-lined bags. This winds up exposing your films to more damaging radiation than if they just went through in your camera bag .

It’s also possible that the lead-lined bag will trigger an alert since it’s an item that the scanner can’t easily see through. This could mean more tedious pat-downs and searches that might not be worth the hassle.

Photographers I know have had hit-and-miss results with lead-lined bags. Personally, I’ll be sticking to just requesting a hand inspection for my film.

FAQs About Film and Airport Security

Is my film ruined if it went through TSA?

Your film is not necessarily ruined when it gets scanned by the TSA. You’ll likely see some minor fogging, but it is possible that your film will experience much more noticeable damage depending on the intensity of the scan, the ISO, and other unique factors like the age of the film.

How does the new TSA scanner technology affect film?

The new TSA scanners use a CT scanner instead of an X-ray machine. This exposes your film to more beams of X-ray radiation. This means that even film of lower ISO values can still be significantly fogged or damaged by the scanner.

Does 35mm film get ruined in airport security?

35 mm film might be damaged when you’re traveling through the airport. Any film stock with an ISO of 800 or greater can be fogged if sent through an X-ray machine. The new CT scanners can do even more damage to 35mm film of any ISO.

Does Instax film get ruined in airport security?

Instax film can be easily ruined by airport X-ray scanners. The basic X-ray scanners can cause some significant fogging on these film stocks, which means that the more powerful CT scanners can do even more damage. You should request a hand inspection for all Instax film when traveling through an airport.

Can Polaroid film go through airport security?

Polaroid film should always be hand-checked by TSA and airport security agents. Polaroid film, and other instant film, can be severely fogged even by basic X-ray machines.

Can a disposable film camera go through airport security?

Your best bet is to ask for a hand inspection for your disposable film camera . A disposable film camera with an ISO lower than 800 can safely take a trip through a traditional x-ray scanner, but could be fogged by a CT scanner or in your checked luggage.

Airport Security Screenings and Photographic Film: The Takeaway

Here’s the big takeaway for taking your photographic film through airport security. Always request a hand inspection for your film.

Better yet, buy film on location when you land or ship it via your local post office to avoid having your film exposed to damaging radiation.

Got any other questions about traveling with film? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll make sure to answer your questions or write a new article based on your suggestions.

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Ashley is a photographer, writer, and film critic. When Ashley’s not writing essays on photography, cinema, and theory, he’s out taking pictures with retro film cameras.

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How to travel with film by land and sea

Everything you need to know before road tripping, pleasure cruising, or riding the rails with a film camera.

By Aaron Gold | Published Apr 25, 2022 11:58 PM EDT

Welcome to part three of our series on traveling with film and analog cameras. In previous installments, we covered general guidelines for traveling with film as well as air travel with film . In this article, we’ll talk about travel by car and train, both of which are particularly film-friendly; and traveling by water, which requires a bit more care.

Traveling with film by car

Car travel is great for film photography, as you’ve got plenty of space to bring all of the gear you want, and unlike air travel, you don’t need to worry about sending your precious film through airport scanners that could potentially damage it.

Your film and film cameras will be fine just about anywhere in your car; however, film prefers cool and dark conditions, and if you can maximize those, all the better. Avoid packing film or film cameras where they will be in direct sunlight, such as near windows or under hatchback tailgates. If possible, cover your gear with a towel or blanket to protect it from the sun.

Some cars have “hot spots” in their trunks: Hybrids and electric cars may have batteries or motors that warm the trunk floor, while mid- and rear-engine cars may have front-mounted radiators that bake the contents of their frunk (front trunk). Before traveling, take your car for a lengthy drive, then feel around your trunk to check for hot spots. 

Related: 5 reasons you should develop your own film

If in doubt, keep your film and cameras inside the cabin; if it’s comfortable for you, it’s probably comfortable for your film. If it’s cold out, avoid putting film on the floor, as this is where the heater ducts blow hot air, as well as door pockets, which may be significantly colder than the rest of the car. As with digital, it’s a good idea to keep a loaded camera in the center console so it’s easy to reach. Avoid putting larger cameras in door pockets or near the edge of the trunk where they might fall out when the doors or tailgate are opened. (Yes, we’ve made that mistake before. Several times.)

When you reach a destination it’s a good idea to bring your analog gear along with you rather than leaving it in a locked car, where it could be at risk of theft and/or temperature extremes. If you do need to store equipment/film in your vehicle, be sure to keep it out of sight—a locking trunk or glove box is your best bet.

Traveling with film by train

Like car travel, train travel is fairly benign for film. In the US, Amtrak’s security procedures are primarily focused on verifying the ID of travelers. TSA has performed some luggage inspections in the past, but aside from sharp objects (i.e. scissors to cut film leaders), there is little film equipment that should cause a problem.

Amtrak does have some restrictions on photography; they don’t want you taking pictures of other passengers or railroad personnel. Railroad staff may be overly cautious about photography on station platforms, as many train buffs have wandered into the path of an oncoming train while trying to get that perfect shot. If you’re using your camera on the platform, be hyper-aware of your surroundings and avoid platform edges. Don’t ever go near railroad tracks to get a photo! Trains are significantly wider than the tracks they run on, and many modern trains are electric or pushed by locomotives at the rear, which means you may not hear them coming.

If you are checking bags with cameras, bear in mind that some Amtrak train routes are run by buses, which means your luggage will be crammed and stacked into the underfloor bays. On the trains themselves, carry-on luggage that does not fit on overhead racks may have to be stored in common areas that are out in immediate sight and accessible to all. We recommend keeping cameras in small carry-on bags that will fit near your seat. Amtrak’s long-distance coaches have lots of legroom and their sleeping cars offer plenty of personal space, so there should be no shortage of room for your gear.

Travel with film by sea

Cameras and film have two enemies on the water: The water itself and the salt air (if you’re on the ocean). You need to protect your gear from both. 

Small, fast boats can generate a lot of spray and give your camera a good soaking. A weatherproof camera like the Pentax IQ Zoom WR should be fine, as will a fully waterproof camera like a Nikonos or a Canon Sure Shot A-1. Obviously, sea spray should be avoided at all costs for non-waterproof cameras, as the salt water can find its way into crevices and cause fatal corrosion. Consider bringing a waterproof disposable like the Kodak Water & Sport or Fujifilm Quicksnap Waterproof —and definitely bring one if you’re planning to swim.

Dropping your camera into the water is a bigger hazard than you might imagine. Your author’s grandfather, an experienced sailor, put wrist straps on every tool he had on his boat. His rule was “Tie it to your if you don’t want it to go into the drink.” Whether you’re on a small boat or a big liner, every camera should have a wrist or neck strap. Neck straps can be used the traditional way or securely wrapped around your wrist. Remember, all it takes is one good jostle to knock your camera out of your hand and into the water.

If you’re traveling on saltwater, opening the camera exposes its innards to salt air. A little bit won’t do much harm, but it’s best to minimize exposure just to be safe. Film changes are best done indoors or below decks. Same for lens changes, but if you must change lenses on an open deck, take your time and be deliberate. Remember, a dropped lens will roll—likely somewhere inaccessible, including straight to Davy Jones’ Locker. Always assume you are in imminent danger of dropping your gear into the water (because you are). 

As with all forms of travel, consider leaving your best gear home and traveling with cameras that can be repaired or replaced if something bad happens. Happy travels!

Aaron Gold is a contributor to PopPhoto, writing primarily about all things related to film and film photography. An automotive journalist by day, Aaron is an avid film photographer (also by day, because he doesn’t much care for flash photos), his shelves overflowing with a rag-tag fleet of 35mm and medium-format film cameras.

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Updated March 25, 2024

How to Travel with Photographic Film

By Emma Lloyd

H ow to travel with film, another seemingly tricky question within the long list of analogue photography myths and fairy tales. But do not fear!

😊 This article aims to answer all your film photography travel questions, so by the time holidays are back on the cards you will be ready and raring to go - with your analogue gear safely in hand.

What's the problem with travelling and film photography?

Tales from the Film Community

We do have some unfortunate travel tales from the community, see some of the tweets we were sent below. Fogging seems to be the main issue to watch out for, but don't worry we have plenty of tips to make sure you're prepared for your next trip, regardless of the film type you're taking with you!

What's a CT scanner?

CT, standing for Computerised Tomography, uses much more powerful rays than x-rays in order to form a 3D image of the scanned object. Of course, this is to keep us all safe but our beloved film has had to make the sacrifice. Film can be damaged after just one pass through a scanner, even low ISO films .

Will CT scanners damage my film?

The CT scanners can cause fogging- this is defined as ‘the deterioration in the quality of the image or the negative caused either by extraneous light, other electromagnetic radiation, radioactivity or the effects of a processing chemical.’ Fujifilm also noted other damaging effects such as distortion in shadow detail and general image degradation. In other words, your photos just aren’t going to pack the same punch!

Jelmer Quist from Emulsive was brave enough to take the ultimate test and put their film through a CT scanner! One roll wasn’t put through the scanner and the other took the plunge. You can see the results of the experiment here.

The Good News

This all may sound quite worrying, but fear not, you can still take your favourite films with you on your next get away!. There are plenty of tips and tricks to protect your film, and most airport security will happily hand check your film, so you can avoid it being put through the monstrous CT scanner!

Our top tips and tricks for travelling with film

⭐ Get a case for your film! Or re-use your Analogue Wonderland packaging!

All our branded packaging comes with xray and ct scan warning indicators printed on the box, which may be useful when you’re going through airport security.

We also sell some handy cases ( AnalogHeld , Kodak Film Case , JCH Case , Lomography Film Case ) some of which also have the x-ray warnings printed on them.

⭐ Pack your film away safely!

Take your film out of all its packaging and wrappers and store it in a transparent, ziplock bag (the same way you would for all your liquids in your hand luggage). This way you can easily show it to airport security for hand inspection!

⭐ Easy access

Airport security is certainly not the most thrilling part of any trip. Make the process as smooth and quick as possible by keeping your film somewhere that you have easy access to. A side pocket or other easy-access area of your carry-on for quick removal is ideal!

⭐ Keep your friends close, but your film closer!

To lessen the chance of our film accidentally going through a scanner, DON’T put it in any luggage or baggage that will be put in hold storage. This includes cameras that still have film in them.

⭐ Load later

This tip is less to do with the airport scanners and security checks, and more to do with the actual radiation we are exposed to during our flight. Did you know that the amount of radiation commercial pilots are exposed to a year is the equivalent of about 75 chest X-rays? ( Travelstatsman ) This kind of radiation, known as cosmic radiation, can damage your photographic film. In order to prevent this it is advised to load your camera after you fly. This is because the lead in your canister of film will protect the rest of your film from being damaged. However, if it is unrolled and loaded in a camera, it leaves more of the film vulnerable to come into contact with the low level radiation that we experience during fights.

⭐ Pack films that like it hot!

As mentioned in our blog on storing film, it is always best to keep your films in a cool, dark and dry place. So if you're planning on jetting off to somewhere lovely and warm, with perhaps a more humid climate, your films may not be as excited about this adventure as you.

So before you travel, why not consider picking a film that performs well in a hotter climate? Did you know that Kodak Pro Image was specially formulated and designed predominantly for Asian and South American markets. These areas of the world have much hotter climates than we are used to, hence the films have been designed to perform well in this heat. Kodak Pro-image is unique in that it can can be stored safely at room temperatures for long periods of time, including hot and humid climates. ( see our youtube video on it here ). 

⭐ Send your film home first!

Another way to avoid the airport security is to send your film home to the lab before you make your way back (you could even re-use your Analogue Wonderland packaging to send it home as it has x-ray warnings on!). You could bring a pre-paid mailer with you (but of course this means relying on the post in whatever country you’re in). Consider shipping your exposed film to the WonderLab for processing prior to your return trip… It’s easy if you take some prepaid mailers - we send these in our boxes for your convenience.

An alternative is to develop locally before making the return trip - as we discuss in our article on shooting New York City on film  as long as you can find a reputable lab that will look after your images (and you have the spare time) then it can ease your mind.

Positive Experiences from the Film Community!

Have a read through of some tweets from the film community, sharing their more positive experiences of travelling with film! See, nothing to worry about (just don't miss your flight)!

So there are definitely some risks when you travel with photographic film - CT scanners, heat, the radiation from flying are just some of the things to look out for.

But hopefully you are now feeling prepared and excited for travelling with your cameras again! Miles from ExpiredFilmClub flies frequently as part of his sports film photography career and has never had any problems - which makes me much calmer about my holiday snapshots. Plus I have my speech for airport security ready and can't wait for the chance to photograph somewhere that isn't just my local high street 😂

Edit: We have just heard from a lovely member of the film community who was travelling through Bristol airport recently that there were no issues! "I went through Bristol airport security and had no issues with film being hand checked. They were outside of plastic containers in clear plastic bags and they were hand checked within a few minutes." Brilliant news, thanks for the heads up Clarke!😁

In a word: don’t. I’ve been doing this for an age, and now can’t rely on film surviving even one airport, let alone three or more. Even if you get a slew of pleasant officers at security, there will inevitably be one jobsworth who insists your film goes through the fryer – and you’re done. Either buy/process your film at the destination, or massively derate your film – Ilford FP4 at 25ASA is a good start point, so even if you do get badly zapped, the fogging will be manageable. If you don’t, you’ll still be good – and with negs of awesome depth and clarity. If 25asa is too slow for you, and it will be – work with the speed restriction and see what sort of workarounds you come up with – you may surprise yourself.

Useful ideas here. Thinking back to the days when I used film abroad more, I used an envelope with a lead foil layer incorporated specifically designed for the purpose, and available from the usual photographic outlets. Maybe these are no longer made, but they certainly gave one peace of mind.

Just travelled from Bristol to Lisbon and back. Bristol were wonderful and swabbed my films with no problem – they were clearly completely used to dealing with film. Coming back from Lisbon was a different matter; I was told that all film has to go through scanners unless you have paperwork giving you exemption. Apparently it’s the same in all Portuguese airports. I’d shot FP4 and Lisbon hasn’t yet upgraded to CT scanners, so I got away with it but it put the wind up me big time. I’ll definitely do heaps of research about formal permission before I fly anywhere again.

Heathrow, both terminals 3 and 5 are extremely uncooperative. Even with 800iso film they don’t like doing it, and the whole piece about it going through multiple machines on a multi leg trip doesn’t wash with them either.

Currently in Greece after flying out from Liverpool Airport. Staff wouldn’t hand check and told to put in tray. Fingers crossed..

Maybe we need an awareness campaign?

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How To: Flying With Film

Juan Santamaria International Airport, San Jose, Costa Rica. (Camera: Olympus 35RC; Film: Fuji Provia 100F transparancy)

NOTE: This article has been significantly revised to reflect recent changes in airport scanning technology. You can read the revised version here.   This older version is retained only for archival purposes.

Traveling photographers always worry about what might happen to their film when it’s time to go through airport security. And with good reason. X-ray scanners can fog film and ruin your hard-won photos. But how real is the danger, and what can be done to minimize the potential for harm?

Right off the top, let’s deal with the idea of just tossing your film in your checked baggage along with your socks and underwear. In the often confusing and contradictory world of  air travel and film, the single point of universal agreement is that this is a bad idea. So, in a word, don’t. Airport screening in the U.S. follows guidelines issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and even they say, “Never place undeveloped film in your checked baggage, our security equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage your undeveloped film.” What more is there to add?

So our only practical option is to bring the film with us through airport security, and this is where the situation gets a little vague. Here’s the TSA’s take on the subject:

The X-ray machine that screens your carry-on baggage at the passenger security checkpoint will not affect undeveloped film under ASA/ISO 800.

But they also note:

If the same roll of film is exposed to X-ray inspections more than 5 times before it is developed, it is possible that damage may occur.

Air Canada makes the same points:

The equipment used for carry-on baggage at pre-board screening areas will not damage film with an ISO/ASA under 800. However, damage may occur if the same roll of film is exposed multiple times to a pre-board x-ray inspection.

If we parse these statements carefully, a couple of red flags go up. First, presumably, films with ISO ratings of 800 and greater should not be scanned even once. Second, repeated scanning is potentially harmful. Why? Because the effects of x-ray exposure are cumulative. Clearly the situation not as cut and dried as simply saying that anything under 800 is fine, anything over isn’t. Reading between the lines a bit, if a single scan is unwise for ISO 800 film, then it follows that two passes through the equipment (double the exposure) would be unsafe for ISO 400 film. Similarly, ISO 200 film should not go through more than four times and 100 speed film is in danger with eight scans. It’s almost impossible to avoid passing through security multiple times on a given journey, so clearly this is a concern.

A second consideration is what constitutes an acceptable amount of fogging? It’s not as if ISO 800 film is fogged into oblivion by one pass through the scanner, and ISO 400 is utterly unaffected — it’s a continuum. It all comes down to how much fogging are you prepared to accept in your photos? An amount that the TSA deems okay? Perhaps the TSA and other security operations have arrived at the ISO 800 number based on exhaustive testing and in-depth consultation with film manufacturers. But I doubt it. So what to do?

The safest course of action is to avoid having your film scanned at all, or at least, as few times as possible. Here are a few suggestions to help you accomplish that goal. First, keep your film in a clear plastic baggie that you can get at easily while in the security line up — just like you do with your liquids and gels. Screeners tend to be much more helpful if you make an effort to keep things moving along smoothly and don’t hold up your fellow passengers. Remember — they’re under intense pressure to get everyone through the system as quickly as possible. Anything you can do to help them achieve that goal will only help engender cooperation.

Second, be polite and prepared. I wait until it’s my turn to walk through the scanning arch, then, when I have the attention of the screener, I hold up my baggie of film and request a “hand check.” Those seem to be the magic words that security personal recognize and know how to respond to. “Please” and “thank you” are the other magic words, but then you knew that already, right?

Occasionally you’ll run into a screener who will rigidly apply the “under 800” guideline. That’s why I always include an expired, old roll of fast film in my baggie, so when they ask what kind of film I have, I can truthfully say “it’s a mix of different ISOs, including some fast film.”

What about special protective film bags? Don’t bother. Kodak succinctly describes the pitfalls: “The once popular lead-lined carry bags aren’t practical today because if an inspector can’t see through the bag, he will increase the intensity of the x-ray until he can. Therefore, film may receive more harmful radiation than it would otherwise if it were normally inspected.” Alternatively, the screener will probably just take your film out of the bag and run it through the machine anyway, but this time, in a slightly annoyed state because of the extra time and trouble it’s taking to process your carry-on stuff. See my previous note about making their lives easier.

Finally, if everything goes wrong and you run into a security worker who absolutely insists that your film be x-rayed even after you’ve expressed your concerns (politely, of course), don’t fight it. There’s nothing you can do at that point except get yourself into a world of trouble. If gentle persuasion didn’t work, angry insistence certainly won’t. In all likelihood, your film won’t be damaged by a single pass through the machine anyway. This is why I rarely fly with film faster than ISO 400. If my film gets scanned once or twice, it’s unlikely to be catastrophic.

Having said all of the above, I should add that I’ve traveled with film through dozens of airports both internationally and in the U.S. and Canada, and have never returned home with fogged film. The security staff I’ve encountered have, for the most part, been friendly and cooperative. Once in a while I even run into a screener who is also a fellow film user and is eager to chat. In my experience, such encounters are far more common than those wtih uncooperative security workers.

Unfortunately, every time I put a link in for the TSA’s guidelines, it dies. Their information on the subject seems to be something of a moving target. Your best bet is to go to their web site and perform a search for “camera film.”

Here’s what they are currently saying:

Undeveloped camera film is not prohibited, but you should only transport it in your carry-on baggage; the equipment used to screen checked baggage may damage undeveloped film.

If you are transporting high speed (800 ISO and higher) or specialty film, you may request to have it physically inspected when presented at the screening checkpoint instead of undergoing x-ray screening. You may also request that all of your undeveloped film be physically inspected instead of undergoing x-ray, particularly if your film has or may be screened by x-ray more than five times. To facilitate physical inspection, remove your undeveloped film from the canister and pack it in a clear plastic bag. We recommend leaving your film in the unopened manufacturer’s packaging.

In summary: – Never put your film in a checked bag. – Keep your film in a clear, plastic baggie and request a “hand check.” – Avoid traveling with film faster than ISO 400. – Include one roll of old, fast film in your supply. – Be polite when dealing with security personnel.

Happy travels!

45 Responses to How To: Flying With Film

Nice advice… I was about to take some film either in a older lead-lined bag or get something newer, but the Kodak logic seems right… Didn’t know they could crank up the radiation at will. My solution at the moment will be to maybe bring a few rolls and mail-deliver the bulk to the first hotel. After multiple-stops in a week by car, I’ll mail the shot film out to the labs or to home and fly filmless on the return trip, just carrying the digital shots with me. Larger format film is too expensive and film in general is, for me, a intensive effort on the shots I take, to risk fogging.

Bob: Some people dispute that screeners can “crank up the radiation at will,” but as I said in the article, even if they can’t, they will probably regard the mystery blob of your film bag as something that needs additional inspection, which might mean emptying its contents and running them through the machine anyway. Gary

I am going on a trip this summe and was planning to take around ten rolls of film. After reading this article I was wondering if my film woul be affected at all. I shoot 200/400 speed film and the film would be in my suitcase( not carry on) on the way there and the way back.

As I emphasized above, the one thing just about everyone agrees upon is that putting film in your checked bag is a bad idea. I wouldn’t do it once, let alone twice. Film with ISO of 200 or 400 will probably be okay as carry-on, so long as you don’t put it through scanners too many times. Gary

If possible, I mail my film home. It’s an inconvenience but if you want to be sure…

Everything that is mailed is inspected by X-Ray and will not control the way the inspection is done.

I prefer to take the films with me and to act like is advised in this excellent article. Taking the films with you, you will have some control how they are inspected.

Clarified a lot of issues for me regarding traveling with film. Learned to take the film through carry-on, smile and ask for a “hand check” regardless of the ASA and be sure to have the film in a TSA approved size baggie to expedite the process. I never travel with film over an ASA of 400, so should be in good shape. Thanks for taking the time to put this info together!

Thank you so much for these tips! This is really helpful!

Can an older camera without film be packed in check-bag & take a new roll of film in my purse, carry-on?

Sure. The camera isn’t the issue, it’s only the film that’s potentially harmed.

Thank you for the advice, I hadn’t even realised that this was an issue. Last year I put a 200 iso film into a bag that went into the baggage hold and thankfully it was absolutely fine! I wouldn’t have done it if I’d known this though, sounds like I was lucky. It was on a flight from Bucharest to London so perhaps the Romanians aren’t as stringent with the scanners as they are in America.

I suppose this affects film that hasn’t been exposed as well?

I found following on the official website from Heathrow Airport * These films will be visually unaffected by up to eight and in some cases 32 passes through the hand-luggage x-ray machines. Processed film can be x-rayed virtually without limit, without suffering any ill effects whatsoever from these machines.

What is meant by processed film? I suppose exposed film? In this case there is no danger, is this correct?

Processed film = film that’s already been developed. Exposed that hasn’t been developed would be in trouble.

Thanks for this, a very helpful article.

Does your ‘suitcase’ get scanned? I wasn’t planning on taking any luggage on board with me therefore keeping it in the main storage of the plane.

Is this at risk at all? I’m going to be going through Iceland/ Alaska/ Canada then back to the UK via airports, so the film will be scanned multiple times if they do scan non ‘hand-luggage’

Many thanks!

All luggage gets scanned, which is why I recommend asking for a hand check of your film. Re-read paragraph #2.

“To facilitate physical inspection, remove your undeveloped film from the canister and pack it in a clear plastic bag. We recommend leaving your film in the unopened manufacturer’s packaging.”

this statement seems contradictory. do I remove it from the box and cannister? or leave the unopened box?

Only the TSA can say for sure. I just leave it in the unopened box. If they want to take it out the box, they can. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t.

What about scanning film that is in a camera? Would that pose a problem?

I don’t think the camera offers much protection, so it would be affected to the same extent as a roll of film in its box.

I am going to be going to Australia soon. I will have with me both iso 200 & 400 35mm film as well as iso 800 instant film. Will unused packs of the instant film be okay through security? Also, with the 35, I assume it will be okay on both the way there and the way back if it is scanned twice on the way there and twice on the way back.

I would request hand checks of all your film. I don’t see an upside to taking a chance — especially with the instant film.

Pingback: 52 Photo Tips #15: Don’t put film in hold luggage | Zorki Photo

thanks for the usefull and interesting advice.

I am travelling from the mainland Europe to Edinburgh, UK. Following text can be found on the Airport security website: “Specialist film (ISO 800 and above) under exceptional circumstances, when passed more than eight times through the hand-luggage security scanning machines, can be affected. However, the nature of the change occurring is barely noticeable to the naked eye and indeed does not become clearly visible until film is exposed around 32 times.”

further stated: “Hand search requests for professional film will normally be accommodated, but the final decision in all individual cases will always rest with the on-duty security supervisor.”

So if I can believe this website it would take a ISO 102800 film to get only “barely visible effect”. I’ll spare you and myself the calculation to 32 times. However this will not hold me back to still ask for a hand check!

Hi fellow film enthusiasts,

I’ve been traveling Europe for about 4 1/2 months now and brought 20 rolls of Kodak Portra 400 with me on my travels. I hadn’t done any prior research to my trip and all of my rolls have been on about five flights total inside my checked-in luggage. Upon doing some research and still currently traveling, I’m worried all of my film is going to be fried when I get them developed.

I realize it’s completely my fault but I’m hoping atleast some of the film is still salvagable.

Has anyone had any experience dealing with film that has gone through checked-in luggage x-rays?

I’m taking my Nikon F4 and a lot of Portra, even some 160vc, I’m afraid they’ll check the film inside my camera. There’s a roll of Portra in there currently and I leave next week, should I try wind it out and attempt to leave the leader out or should I keep it in there and hope they don’t ask to inspect it?

Hey, Zac, what happened with your filme? Did you already developed? The same happened to me! I traveled with my undeveloped filme on my checked in luggage and now I’m afraid I lost it 🙁

I will know the result next month. I hope i’ll be lucky. hah good luck for you too!

An extreme solutions with black and white film would be that you could bring the chemicals (in the allowed amounts) to process it at your place of stay. Of course that doesn’t help undeveloped film.

Anyone know of these effects are more or less impactful on Polaroid 600 film?

If you are using instant film, especially the ones form Impossible-Project, the following link may be interesting: https://impossible.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/216750328-How-to-travel-with-Impossible-film-

They recommend to remove all film from the checked baggage and to place it in the carry-on baggage. And processed film will be unaffected by x-rays.

However, I think, that heavy x-ray influence still may impact the processed instant films. => Has anybody experience with processed instant films (from Impossible Project)? Thanks!

At US airports the hand search is a nice option. Of cause it might be more difficult if you shoot sheet film (4×5″ and larger), because they come in a paper box in which you could hide anything and if you open the paper, the films are exposed. So there is only the x-ray.

In Europe you can forget hand search completely. They will insist on the x-ray. I never had any problems with my films (mostly ISO100, sometimes Tri-X 400 and Portra 400) so I do not worry to much.

But in general I would not really worry anyhow. If I travel to some place in the USA, I have my hotel adress a few days before I get there so two or three days before I get there, I make a mail order from Adorama or B&H and it will be there a day after my arrival.

In Germany there is Fotoimpex who send out the goods within the following day latest and German post usually works overnight.

As long as you stay within countries like the USA, Canada, western and central European countries or Japan, Hongkong, etc. there is zero problem to get the film locally. If you use C-41 films you can even get the developed without any problem before you fly home.

I have been travelling with sheet film for 30 yrs and rarely had a problem with fog, because I packed it in a lead case, maybe just a little at times depending on how many times I went through security checks, but the fog would be slight and over the whole surface, and I could print through this ‘base fog’…BUT for the first time yesterday I had a serious problem, which I thought I should share. When I flew to a distant location I packed my 4×5 in a lead envelope as usual…unexposed. To my dismay when I personally developed my film locally, the whole pack of film had a serious exposed band about 1 cm all the way across the surface, and all the way through it, at exactly the same spot. At first I thought it might be me, camera?bellows?lens? Nope! When I developed a sheet from the brand new unexposed package, it too had the band and I could see another slight band at the top of the sheet also. I know for a fact that a new generation of scanning equipment is in operation in airports and these are VERY powerful…my error was too pack my film in lead, because when the scanner cannot see through it, a second more powerful burst of X-Rays is sent and that one destroys everything! Including passengers and the poor security official believing what he is told and spending days on end sending bursts of X-Rays or Gama Rays at this point! If there is a moral to this story, I think the best thing would be to ship the film directly from a reputable photo/film supplier via a trustworthy carrier eg Fed Ex…but to inquire with both if this is possible and what security checks the film will go through…. I hope this little piece of advice might prove useful…and I wish you all the best to all you Film Lovers out there. When there is a will, there is a way!

Thanks for the helpful article.

In your experience, will security personnel inspect a camera containing partially exposed but undeveloped film? Or does the camera itself need to go through the X-ray scanner (as I would expect they would insist on, given it’s an electro-mechanical device). In this case, I assume the guidance would be to rewind partially exposed rolls and have them hand checked.

I’ve travelled on one trip with undeveloped rolls of Ilford Delta 3200, which were scanned at least 2-3 times going through airports. I didn’t notice any fogging in that case, but I will try to have my film hand checked in the future.

Will they hand check your camera as well? I have a roll in my camera currently and I haven’t even shot half of it yet! Luckily it’s only ASA 400.

I’m curious..I have a film from the 40’same I believe. I will be traveling from Seattle to Las Vegas soon. I want to take it with me to have it looked at by a German History buff. The film is a 9.2mm Austrian tape. Will it be safe to travel with?

I find this topic quite interesting as I was planning on travelling with film, but I guess I’ll just develop it before getting on the plane. Question though: so how do film rolls come to Europe and other continents without being damaged? I suppose the cargo shipments get scanned as well? Interested to know.

I recently bought a nikon FE2 (used but in great condition). I took a trip from Victoria -> Cabo ->Toronto -> Victoria so I went through 3 carry on scanners with it. When I tried to get the film developed they told me it wouldn’t work and suggested it could have been the x-rays. Looking at the film there are no frames or anything, just a foggy wave going horizontally across the whole strip. Could the xrays be that damaging? or does this sound more like a user/camera error?

Hi Ezra, sounds like X-Ray damage as shown on Kodak Website.

https://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/tib/tib5201.shtml

Thanks for the valuable info.

I have a canon AE1 camera and will be travelling out of the country with it. I’m wondering if the film in my camera is safe? I would hate to waste a roll of film (I’ve only taken 3/24 exposures) What is the procedure for checking film cameras?

Hi: two things; 1) politeness is not the same in the whole world. There are countries where they are even more paranoiac at airports or checkpoints than others. I agreed with all that you said here, but if for any reason at check screen security you insist to explain why you ask for a hand check in some countries, they will be refusing to do so until you´re dead. I am mexican, and in México authorities don´t give a shit about politeness, sad but true. 2) I am a 40 years experienced photographer (ten of them spent as a photojournalist in old times not digital) who had traveled quite a few thousand miles, and to say something extra to a more relax extent, I would tell you for sure, that I even traveled wit ISO 3200 and nothing happens not even noticed change in the quality end when my film were developed. As shit happens, sometimes even miracles also happens. 🙂

Possibly a silly question but … does this apply to all film, whether it has been exposed or not ? Is the film at risk before I even shoot any pictures ? I’m doubtful whether I can buy and/or process 120 film in some countries I’m planning to visit so I’m trying to understand the risk !

Yes, exposed or unexposed film face the same kinds of risks. The only kind that isn’t at risk is film that’s been developed.

Hi; this is a very useful article. Thank you for posting it. Sorry if I missed the answer for what I’m about to ask; I checked also other articles. I know that unprocessed film is at risk, but I’ve read that exposed film is even more sensitive than unexposed one. I’ve also read about the number of times that a film could be scanned without expecting damage: like around 4 or 5 times for ISO400 film, for example. What is the number to expect when the film is exposed? Half that of the unexposed?

http://www.thephoblographer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Chris-Gampat-The-Phoblographer-TSA-Travelling-with-film-1-of-1ISO-4261-30-sec-at-f-2.4.jpg

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Tips on Traveling with Film: Don't Be Naive, X-Ray Scanning Kills Film

Airport authorities officially say that film at or above ISO 800 may be damaged by X-ray scanning. But they really should tell you that ISO 800 film  will  be damaged and that less sensitive film still could be affected. I found this out the hard way. Here's how I learned an important lesson along with a few other tips for avoiding issues while traveling with film.

I'm a big film shooter and even run a small film camera rental company . It's not like I'm a stranger to the process of hand checks and lead film bags to protect my film from X-rays. But for all the times I did so well and was so careful, how many mistakes might it take for all my film to be ruined? You guessed it: it only takes one, folks!

I flew enough last year to benefit from Southwest's Companion Pass. So it's a fair bit of flying. And every time, I load up my bag with all my film inside yet another lead-lined film bag that keeps all my film "completely safe." When I leave it in the backpack to go through the X-ray machine, there's about a 50-percent chance that it gets hand-checked by TSA (at least in the TSA Pre-Check lanes I get to use). But by taking it out and running it through separately, that likelihood drops by a factor of five. So I keep it handy and treat it as the lowly people who aren't in Pre-Check treat their laptops: out it comes every time before it gets X-rayed.

Meanwhile, I often travel with my Hasselblad 203FE kit in its own hard case. This keeps all the film backs, loaded or not, in one place. While the camera and lenses themselves go through, I am adamant about having each back with ISO 400 and higher film in it hand-checked. If it's only for one or two legs of a flight, I'll let the lower-ISO film (at ISO 50-100) go through. Having an item hand-checked is your right, by the way. If you ask for it, they have to give it to you. So do it (we're about to find out why).

The Mistake

On a recent trip back home for the holidays, I had half of a roll of CineStill 800T (great film!) still ready to shoot in my Hasselblad back. A person in front of me made the biggest fuss over being searched and gave the TSA agents the hardest time. It was incredibly awful to watch. So, after taking my lead film bag out and placing it on the belt, I opened my Hasselblad case to grab that one, half-filled back.

I actually started feeling guilty for the TSA agents as I looked at the lineup of what was about to be inspected through the X-ray machine. Honestly, most of them are pretty good people who deal with incredibly — how should we put this — unintelligent, short-tempered people all day, every day. So, I closed the lid of the case and decided just this once, it could go through. Just this once, I'll trust TSA's ISO 800 guideline. Naturally, this was so incredibly dull of me that I can now call myself a hypocrite after calling the entire general public unintelligent and short-tempered.

Once I received the film back from the lab, I received the unfortunate news that there were wavelength-shaped patterns of fogginess across my film. This wavelength pattern shows up literally as a wave of fog that travels up and down like a standard sine wave across the entire roll and is indicative of the exact type of damage X-ray scanning can cause. Other types of damage include general narrow or wide banded areas of the film that are noisy or foggy with reduced or obliterated shadow detail. Color film also often exhibits greenish hues when exposed to X-ray radiation.

Notice the foggy wave that spans across the bottom third of the bottom set of images especially. These frames also exhibit increased amounts of grain and terrible shadow detail, although they were exposed enough to blow out plenty of highlights in the center.

However, the roll outside of the film bag wasn't the only one that was affected. In fact, it wasn't the film that was in the Hasselblad back unprotected by a lead pouch that I first saw with these banding issues. In fact, all of the film in my film bag had somehow been effectively ruined. What I found out upon further research was something that, unfortunately, I had read before and simply chose to ignore.

In fact, when your baggage is X-rayed, it goes through a low-power scan, first. If something looks suspicious or is difficult to see, the power is increased until the agent behind the computer can either see what is inside the bag or decides to have it pulled for further inspection. During this process, the protection of a lead bag is no longer so great. Moreover, while I normally travel with just a few extra rolls as backup, I had been traveling the last few months with a much broader film choice as part of ongoing tests I was conducting during each shoot. But this meant less rolls were actually shot on each shoot, and I ended up traveling with and re-scanning ten or more rolls over a half-dozen times.

Naturally, one scan may not hurt medium-sensitivity film, especially when protected by a lead bag. But when that film undergoes higher levels of X-ray radiation blasts multiple times over several months, all of that goes out the window. X-ray is just a higher-energy form of light outside the visual spectrum. And as such, its effects on film are cumulative, just as are the effects of longer exposures. And just that quickly, without thinking, I once got back a handful of rolls of completely fogged film.

This image was the best of the bunch, but even well-exposed, you can see quite a bit of grain (especially colored and/or greenish grain) show up throughout the image. This is especially evident in the non-exposed, black borders of the film, but shows throughout the image nevertheless.

How to Avoid Ruining Your Film

Here's how to not be me and how to stay safe — forever — with your rolls of film.

• Whenever possible, limit the amount of unprocessed film you're traveling with by buying it at your destination and/or having it developed before you head back. X-rays can't harm already-developed film.
• Have a lead film bag as backup, but do not count on it to protect your film like a magic shield. Continue to treat your film as though it's always unprotected.
• Always request a hand check of any and all film. Film at low speeds such as ISO 50 or ISO 100 won't hold up to multiple or higher-power X-ray blasts.
• Know that if you're in another country, a request for a hand check may not be granted. Being extra polite with an utterly helpless attitude and insane level of deep and genuine love-filled concern for your film can go a long way.
• Be aware that film backs won't always go through security so neatly. While I get away with it most of the time, there have been some close calls where I would have had to wind up a roll early to prove there was nothing else inside the film back, even with my TSA Pre-Check status. Just because you have Pre-Check doesn't make you better or above any of the other rules passengers must follow (just kidding, of course it does).
• Don't be naive. Wishful thinking is nice. But it's not practical. And it's not so nice when you get all your film back and all of your shots are ruined because you were stupid just once.
• Be more careful with motion picture film, as it is especially susceptible to X-ray damage.
• Different films react differently to X-rays, and there are varying types of X-ray and levels of power. Sometimes, the film just gets extremely grainy. Other times it's completely foggy. And other times it may not be damaged at all. Don't count on being safe just because it didn't affect things last time.
• Go digital. This is terrible advice, as it doesn't let you shoot film.
• Keep your film cool by keeping it insulated. X-rays aren't the only thing that can damage your film. While we can't always keep our film refrigerated, a little time outside the fridge or freezer isn't terrible at all. But if it gets too hot in a car or while backpacking through the desert, your film might also be damaged. Keeping it insulated within jackets, multiple layers of clothing, or any other layers of anything at all will help keep your film at least at reasonable temperatures.

While Kodak is generous enough to leave up an online  article  that covers the effects of X-rays on certain types of film and in various scenarios, that article was last updated in 2003, so don't count on X-ray machines being too similar today. The article is, however, extremely detailed and already warns users of X-ray exposure of film as slow as ISO 400 even once. So it's safe to say TSA is doing some of its own wishful thinking on behalf of all film shooters with its ISO 800 guideline.

The important thing is to be as safe as possible no matter what you run into. Some things you just can't help. Sometimes you'll run your film through x-rays 11 times , and some rolls will be okay while others are not. Not all of my rolls were ruined. But it's impossible to know which ones were and which ones weren't without shooting them. And that's not a chance I can take on a shoot for a client. Those rolls are now "experimental." And anything that comes back from the lab too fogged over will be a waste of at least $20 each time. That's the bummer. Don't be like me. Enjoy your warm-weather travels with film and stay safe out there!

If you love travel and photography, consider checking out our Photographing the World Series with Elia Locardi where we go to some of the most beautiful locations in the world and teach the process of creating world class landscape images.  Save 15% by using "ARTICLE" at checkout.

Adam works mostly across California on all things photography and art. He can be found at the best local coffee shops, at home scanning film in for hours, or out and about shooting his next assignment. Want to talk about gear? Want to work on a project together? Have an idea for Fstoppers? Get in touch! And, check out FilmObjektiv.org film rentals!

I have personally had Portra 400 end up damaged after one scan.

I managed to dodge this when I flew back from SFO. Had a roll of Cinestill 800T left in my rangefinder, so I just sucked it up, roll it back into the cassette, sharpie the frame onto the cassette, and ask them nicely to hand search the film.

I bought one of those lead line pouches, but it's more of a last resort if they make me scan them.

Sorry to hear that a bunch of your film got ruined.

I've never had an issue requesting for a hand check. I present a box or bag that has only contains rolls of film so they don't have to look through anything else.

in film days I was travelling in Central America and had over 100 rolls on me :) every single one got toasted :) no way did they want to hand check and no way were they going to do what you wanted so they shoved them through so glad to never hassle with film anymore :)

Amazing how easy we forget. Back in the day this was photography 101 advice. Of course back in the day we didnt have as much security issues as we have now. It was enough to ask security to check all your film by hand while your camera made the trip down the X-ray conveyor. Wedding photography was fun

One tip. Put your film in checked luggage in a lead bag. If they need you to open your bag after scanning your luggage, go for it, they, most of the time, do a visual check of it and you can put it in the bag after this. On the cabin luggage line, it's harder to get TSA letting something not going under X Ray.

I understand the thinking, but I would actually never put film in a checked bag, as checked bags go through an even stronger X-ray machine. Even in a lead bag, I don't think the film would survive a trip through checked luggage if the X-ray was on a higher power setting at all... That's why the safest bet is to get it processed before you leave on your next trip or to have it hand-checked if possible.

I’m planning a two and a half weeks trip soon. Would like to bring my Walkman with me. Does anyone know if my mix tapes will survive the airport security? Also I would want to bring some VHS-cassettes too to share with my family.

Protect Your Film from X-Ray Damage During Air Travel

When you fly, take your camera and plenty of film. Analogue does more than capture your memories from a trip; it captures the feelings too. Your camera also causes you to interact differently with the environment: you are more observant and people are more likely to be curious about and approach you. Finally, you will be as delighted by the surprises when you return and develop your film, like the boar in the cloud below, as your friends will be when you share your treasures with them.

Traveling by air with the film is an adventure in and of itself, but well worth it. You will need to prepare for your trip though. This article offers tips for a successful photo expedition; most importantly, getting to your destination and back without x-ray damage to your film.

Things You Should Know Before Traveling

X-rays used in security screening will damage your film, so prepare carefully for your analogue adventures. For an illustration of the consequences of checking your bag with film or passing it too many times through carry-on x-ray equipment, see Kodak’s pictures of ruined negatives and resulting prints at Kodak .

Before you travel, check the airport security guidelines for carrying a camera and film. If you will be traveling in the United States, the Transportation Safety Administration provides advice at TSA . During my first trip with an analogue camera, I found TSA agents friendly and helpful when requesting a hand inspection of my film. Don’t be afraid to ask.

If you have a very long flight itinerary, I strongly suggest mailing your film. It was a major hassle going through six hand inspections—two in Amman, two in Frankfurt, and two in Newark—when returning from Jordan. Send your film to your place of destination in advance to avoid delays and possible damage. Use a well-known shipping company with media mail services. Call your lodging for delivery instructions. Consider the convenience and security of using a mail-in film development service, such as the Lomography Film Lab

Prepare Your Film by Packing

Packing your camera and film is easy. Here are some tips to keep your film safe:

• Buy as much film as you can carry.
• Throw away the cardboard packaging.
• Keep the film in those iconic plastic canisters. If you have empty clear canisters, use these instead of opaque canisters.
• Use a transparent zip-lock bag; don’t bother with buying a lead-lined pouch.
• Place your film baggie in your carry-on where you can very easily locate and retrieve it.

Traveling with Film: Do’s and Don’ts

If you want to make it to your destination and back home with film undamaged by x-rays, remember these do’s and don’ts:

• Do be prepared.
• Do not pack film in checked bags.
• Do put your film in your carry-on bag.
• Do not forget to remove your film when passing through security check-points.
• Do pull your film out early.
• Do not dig around in your bag and hold up the line.
• Do ask for a hand inspection.
• Do not be rude to the security officer.
• Do smile and say thank you.
• Do not forget to develop and share your photos soon after travel.

I hope this article helps you enjoy your photo adventure par avion. Don’t forget to take a handful of color negative film to capture all of the unforgettable moments you will want to share with your friends! Moreover, please share your pictures from your analogue adventures on your LomoHome . Put a link to your expedition’s photo album in the comment section. And if you have tips for making it home with the most precious souvenir from your trip, your film, please share them here.

written by cassidy on 2012-02-08 #gear #tutorials #travel #film #flying #tipster #traveling #damage #x-ray-fog #traveling-with-film #protecting-your-film #flying-with-film #protecting

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23 Comments

Nice tips! Will remember these when I go abroad this summer! I had no idea you could take out the films and ask for hand inspection.

Great tip & Great photos

What about putting film in your large/non-hand luggage? Will that be ok?

I recently went to Macau and my films got x-ray scanned in the Macau Airport. The custom official said the x-ray is film safe up to 32000 iso, so I had no choice but to scan it ... I have already send my films to process, hopefully there is no real damage.....

I've travelled loads with film in both my checked and hand luggage. Never had any problems. I think, like @mazott said, the machines are safe now for film. I may be wrong, and maybe my next trip will prove it... but so far, so good.

Lucky you. In Portugal, Brasil and France security officers were adamant: film could NOT be hand inspected, it had to go through x-rays. I was told no film under 1600 ISO would be affected by the x-rays. The only place where they let me take the ziplock bag out was Italy. Anyway, I got an xpro film that looked a little washed out, but I am not sure weather it was the expired film, my crappy scanner or the x-rays effects.. :)

nice tips! :D

nice tips ang great photos

This is interesting. I'm going to the Bahamas from New York City...yikes! Should I take my camera out of the 120mm wrapper for it to be checked?

I found myself digging for "flying with film" info last summer when I travelled with film cameras for the first time in two decades. The Kodak site linked in the tipster is very useful. I let a few rolls go through the scanner on the outbound flight, but since I bought more film at my destination, I requested hand-inspection of about 15 rolls (in a largish ziplock bag) of 120 film at Boston Logan on the way home. They were happy to do it, even though none of the film was over 400iso. When asked, I told them honestly that it was low-speed, but some of it had already been scanned once and I was trying to avoid cumulative scans. They used one of those chemical sniffer wand things like they use on laptops. He opened the newly-bought 5-pack box and wiped the ends of each roll individually, but he didn't take the new rolls out of the foil - I kind of expected he might, but no. Caveat: The airport was absolutely NOT busy at the time. No line at security. I got there quite a bit early. I kept notes about which rolls had been scanned - none of my film showed fogging when it was developed. YMMV. My advice? Take low-speed film. Keep it in your carry-on. Get to the airport early. Ask very nicely for a hand-check. If it must go through the scanner, treat that film as an experiment. Experiments are fun!

Mint! Thanks for the advice and ace photographs! I had a film ruined as it was left in my camera and was scanned twice due to a connecting flight! Booo! :(

So ask for a hand inspection instead of the X-ray if i have film in carry-on? okaay (:

Thanks for the tips and great pictures of Petra! I travel a lot and never had any problem with all the films I carry around... and no film was ever damaged by the x-rays for me... perhaps I always was lucky?

If you have a changing bag, then you can use that as an anti-xray bag. Put in all your films and cameras loaded with films inside your changing bag and that should do it. That's what I do when I travel. Hand checking is the safest way though but I find it a bit time-consuming especially when you carry more than 10 rolls. Cheers! :)

Good article. Definitely have to echo bridgetj's point about getting there early. I forgot about this fact recently and almost missed my flight because I had them hand inspect my film. =)

I have found that older expired rolls are definitely more susceptible to xrays than fresh film. I always keep mine in a ziplock bag and have them hand check them.

It's nice to know that...

What about films already INSIDE your camera? If I ask for manual inspection so there's the risk that they'll open the camera burning the photos already taken! [I'm sorry for my poor english!!]

I'm traveling domestically in Canada this weekend and hoping that I can get away with a manual inspection. With luck I"ll remember to NOT load my camera before going through security.

Great pictures of Petra!

I am travelling with Porta 160/400 film 120 format. On a trip through China, VietNam Middle east and Poland I had only one case where the screeners refused to hand check. It was in Hong Kong where not a single person in security knew what film was!! A numer of their people were contacted while I waited. The final answer was that they had to put the film through the machine because they did not know what it was! Sandy

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Avoiding the Nightmare: Tips for Film Photographers Traveling Internationally by Drew Evans

• Learn to Shoot Film: Tips & Tutorials
• October 7, 2022

Written by  Drew Evans

Traveling internationally can be a nightmare. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a first-timer, heading abroad often requires a lot of planning, budget, and time.

As a photographer, it can turn into more of a headache, as you’re lugging very expensive and fragile gear across borders.

I recently returned from a wonderful trip to Europe, where I spent twelve days eating great food, taking in beautiful sights, and photographing more than I have in a while.

And while the trip was unforgettable, it wasn’t without turbulence (sorry, the pun was too easy to turn down). I was worried about what to bring, where to go, how to shoot, and everything in between.

Here are a few lessons I learned throughout my recent travels and a bit of advice for any film photographers planning on traveling this holiday season:

1. Less Can Actually Be More

If you’re anything like me, the paradox of choice can limit your fun. As a somewhat frequent sufferer of FOMO, I certainly didn’t want to create an opportunity where I’d miss out if I didn’t have the right gear.

Ahead of my trip, I was crowdsourcing advice and going back and forth on what gear to bring. Do I travel light with my Leica M6 or do I pack my Mamiya 7 ? How many lenses should I bring? Do I want the incredible detail of 120 film or the flexibility and ease of 35mm?

But I kept coming back to the same thought – if you’re going to be out and about, bring the camera that will be the best balance of high quality and portability. My answer became more and more obvious: bring your Leica M6 + 35mm lens.

As it turned out, packing light was the best possible decision.

Every morning, I wasn’t worried about what camera to bring or which lens would best serve what I might want to shoot. The simplicity of my kit made the trip so much more enjoyable. Every time I put the viewfinder to my eye, I knew exactly what to expect – a set of 35mm framelines.

My general advice would be to keep it simple. You’ll be less worried about changing lenses or swapping cameras and more focused on your subject and your surroundings.

Read more about the benefits of traveling with minimal gear here.

Related: Seahorse 830 Protective Camera Case: A Tough & Versatile Pelican Alternative

2. Bring Film Stocks You Know

The night before we left, I was rummaging through my refrigerator trying to figure out my film selection for the following weeks. I found myself going back and forth on what to bring. Maybe it was finally time to load up the roll of Portra 400 VC that I’ve been saving for close to a year.

But I was given some advice by a good friend when it comes to film: trust what you know.

While it’s good to try new things and experiment, I’d recommend bringing film (and gear) you trust. Since you’ll already be in unfamiliar territory on your travels, it’s probably better to use film that you know well already.

I wound up loading up on Kodak Portra 160 , Portra 400 , and Cinestill BwXX . I knew how to use them well, which made it easier to walk into any scenario and have a good sense of what the results may look like.

Bright sunlight in the middle of the day? I’d opt for BwXX for high contrast black and white images. Soft morning light? I’d grab Portra 160. Most other situations, I’d load Portra 400.

I brought a few extra rolls just in case, which gave me the flexibility to experiment if I felt the desire. But much like the simplicity of my camera and lens choice, it was nice to not spend time going back and forth on what to load just to regret it.

3. Pack a Tote

I’ll keep this one short: bring an extra lightweight bag to make the shooting experience easier. It may seem silly, but it is extremely noticeable when you only have your large backpack to carry your gear around.

I’ve made the mistake before of bringing my big camera bag on the plane with all of my gear, travel essentials, computer, headphones, and more, only to need to use that as my everyday bag while on my trip. It was big, bulky, and made things just that much more difficult.

Throw a small tote bag or a collapsible backpack into your luggage – you’ll be happy you did.

4. Prepare for Security

One topic I get weekly messages on is how to travel with film. There are a few things to remember and ways to safely get through security, particularly x-ray machines.

First and foremost, don’t stress!

Generally speaking, most modern x-ray machines at the airport will be able to “safely” scan film at or below 800 speed. Many machines will have signs that specify that, but it can be hard to pick them out when you’re scrambling to get through security.

That said, it’s always best to not let your film go through the scanners at all, just to be sure.

Ask the agents on staff to handcheck your film, and they’ll be able to pull it aside to manually check it out. I highly recommend putting your film into a clear plastic bag and unpackaging it as much as possible. For 35mm, remove them from their plastic canisters. For 120, take them out of their boxes, and if you feel comfortable, unwrap them from their plastic wrappers (leave them taped tight though).

If you’re in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, you can find stickers and/or cards that indicate that your bag cannot be x-rayed. If you want to keep your film in your bag and avoid the hassle OR if you have film in your camera already and can’t (or don’t want to remove it), you can buy an x-ray safe bag from any camera store.

All in all, traveling with film doesn’t need to be too stressful if you know what to expect ahead of time.

5. Do Research Ahead of Time

This is another one that you might say doesn’t deserve a spot on this list, but I know many people that are woefully unprepared for travel and don’t wind up shooting in situations where they could. I’ve experienced it plenty as well, and that’s typically when regret sets in.

Take some time before you travel to figure out the general look and feel of your destination. Find a couple spots that you know you’ll want to shoot and plan to make stops along the way.

As a landscape photographer, it can be harder for me to travel in cities where I’m not as familiar with the shooting experience. Before heading to Europe this time through, I found a few locations I didn’t want to miss. I spent some time on Google Maps Street View exploring ahead of time to know what to expect.

While I didn’t map out an exact travel route, it was still nice to be prepared with camera in hand.

Related: The 3 Film Cameras I Take on Every Trip

6. Don’t Leave Without Your Camera

When traveling, some people have a tendency to want to leave gear at the hotel when going to grab a quick coffee or have a bite to eat before starting or ending the day. If you pack light and don’t have a ton of gear to travel with, it’s much easier to be prepared for any situation.

Take advantage of every opportunity to shoot. It’s likely that you won’t travel back to these places any time soon, so you might as well be ready at any moment.

Some of my favorite shots from my recent trip were from the quick 15 minute walks to the convenience stores or a 30 minute trip to grab a coffee in the morning.

7. Don’t Rush to Develop

This last tip is my personal philosophy, so feel free to ignore.

When I first started shooting film, I would finish a roll and immediately run to my local lab to get it developed. I never wanted to wait – the move from digital made me want results as fast as possible.

But I slowly realized that this wasn’t part of the joy of shooting film for me. The process is deliberate, slow, and not about immediacy.

Over time, I would wait a day to go to the lab. Then it became a few days, which then turned into weeks. I found myself often forgetting what was on a roll of film by the time I scanned it in because it had been so long.

While it’s become a natural part of my shooting process now, I recommend waiting to all of my friends. Don’t develop your film right when you get back from a trip… I know, it’s hard to wait, and it can be extremely exciting to see what you’ve created.

But your expectations will be sky high, and it’s more likely that you’ll ignore good shots or pass over good work because you were expecting too much.

I got my film back almost six weeks after my return, and the excitement to see my images was just as high as it would have been six hours after. But instead of remembering specific scenes or shots that I took, I was able to relive my travels and be surprised with the results.

And I can safely say that a few of my favorite shots would have been ignored as “throwaways” had I developed immediately.

Thank you so much, Drew! Drew is a regular contributor here at Shoot It With Film, and you can  check out his other articles here , such as  CineStill BwXX: A Newfound Love  and  What I Wish I Knew Before Moving from Digital to Film .

You can also check out more of Drew’s work on his  Instagram .

Leave your questions about traveling tips for film photographers in the comments!

Related Posts:

Drew Evans is a cityscape and landscape film photographer and a regular contributor for Shoot It With Film. Find his other articles here , such as Lecia M6 35mm Camera Review and 6 Tips for Buying and Shooting the Leica M6 .

Blog Comments

October 8, 2022 at 2:01 am

Thank you for this article. I wonder about one point: putting a loaded camera in an x-ray safe bag to go through security should attract the attention of the monitors. Wouldn’t it be better to carry only cameras that aren’t loaded with film?

October 11, 2022 at 7:26 pm

Good point – I’ve traveled with a camera (no lens attached) in an x-ray bag a few times with no issue, but I definitely try to finish rolls or unload them fully before travel.

By and large, though, putting a roll of film through a machine once most likely won’t ruin it (I’ve done that before too). So if you put a loaded camera through once without taking any of the above steps, it will hopefully be okay.

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Guide To Travelling With Film

If you are travelling with film through airport security there are some precautions you can take to protect your photos..

If you are travelling with film on an aircraft you need to be careful. The x-ray scanners used by airports for security can actually expose and damage your unexposed film. It is best to take it in carry-on cabin luggage, as the scanners used for these bags aren’t as powerful and therefore there is less potential for damage.

It is sometimes possible to request a hand inspection for films. This is where the security personnel will check your film by hand rather than putting it through the x-ray scanners. Most airports should allow this, but it can vary between locations and countries.

If you are going to request a hand inspection, make sure to pack your film in a clear plastic bag and remove it from your carry-on bag at security. You will then need to explain the situation clearly and ask for a hand inspection.

X-Ray Scanners And Film

Traditional X-ray scanners used to check hand luggage are safe for all but the highest speed films – 800 ISO and above. So if you have anything below 800 ISO, you should be fine to have it scanned.

This also applies to Polaroid film. The machines will cause a reaction in the film which ruins the colour. Unexposed Polaroid Film that goes through an X-ray machine usually turns out cloudy and pink.

We do not recommend taking any film in your checked hold luggage, the X-ray machines used for scanning these bags are more powerful than the hand luggage scanners and are much more likely to cause damage to your film.

CT Type X-Ray Scanners

As of 2020, there is a new generation of x-ray scanners being installed in airports around the world. These are the CT (that’s Computer Tomography, by the way) type x-ray scanners.

Based on initial testing by Ilford Photo , these new scanners, which are used for cabin baggage, run a high chance of damaging film, irrespective of its ISO. Therefore you need to ask for hand inspection of your films if the airport is using one of these new scanners. Both Kodak and Fuji have also issued statements encouraging film photographers to request that their film is hand-checked.

If the airport is using any of the following CT type x-ray scanners, and you are travelling with film, ask that it be hand-checked at security;

• Smiths – CTIX
• L3 – Clearscan
• Rapiscan – 920CT / Connect CT
• IDSS – Detect 1000
• Nuctech – Kylin
• Analogic Cobra

If you are travelling by Eurostar, they are using standard scanners which won’t affect film under 800 ISO, but they are happy to inspect by hand. You can read more here .

Develop Before You Travel

Scanners don’t affect film that has already been developed. So you could also try buying film at your destination and getting it developed before you travel home. This may not be possible everywhere, but it could help in some situations. Particularly where your photos are too valuable to risk.

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Flying With Instax or Camera Film? Keep in Mind These Important Pointers.

Published/Updated: Jul 15, 2024 · Erica Ho · 2 minute read

It may be retro, it may be kitsch, or it may simply be a personal preference, but traveling with film does present its own challenges. The last thing you want is to damage that expensive film.

Certain film speeds (ISO 800 or higher) are particularly susceptible to X-ray damage causes by airport typical security screeners. Instax camera owners, pay attention, because this applies to Instax film.

The best way to travel with film—even if it’s instant—is to carry it on and keep it a clear Ziploc. Once travelers reach security, they should ask the staff for a hand check. (Keeping an old, expired roll of film will help guarantee the hand check happens. More on that in a sec.)

Should you check it? Not even the TSA suggests that

Though film is permitted in both carry-on bags and checked bags, the TSA has this to clearly say about it:

We recommend that you put undeveloped film and cameras containing undeveloped film in your carry-on bags or take undeveloped film with you to the checkpoint and ask for a hand inspection.

Personally having checked an Instax camera and having it arrive damaged, we would agree with this statement.

The X-ray effect on different films

Basically, anything under ISO 800 is fine to pass through the X-ray machine. Everything ISO 800 or above should be hand checked. This includes Instax film .

In general, if film does somehow go through the scanners, going through it once or twice is unlikely to affect the film significantly. Freelance photographer and B&H employee Brent Eysler points out to us that, "I’ve left [Instax film] in the camera before and it’s gotten radiated, and it’s been fine."

However, repeated X-ray exposure is definitely not going to do it any good. The Darkroom has a fascinating post on how the X-rays affect film development, with a visual contrast/compare on the effects.

Film Advance explains this thoroughly:

…The effects of X-ray exposure are cumulative. Clearly the situation [is] not as cut and dried…. If a single scan is unwise for ISO 800 film, then it follows that two passes through the equipment (double the exposure) would be unsafe for ISO 400 film. Similarly, ISO 200 film should not go through more than four times and 100 speed film is in danger with eight scans.

So, if it’s anything you’ve learned, it should be that all Instax and instant film should also be hand checked going through airport security.

Smart precautions from the film buffs

(Piotr Szczepankiewicz / Flickr)

Though a hand check should be sufficient, some photographers may find it helpful to carry a Sharpie to label film speeds and to carry an expired roll of film to protect their film (reasoning to come). The ultimate goal is to get TSA to leave that clear baggie undisturbed.

Because the rule is that they’ll only hand check film speeds faster than ISO 800, Film Advance notes that:

Occasionally you’ll run into a screener who will rigidly apply the 'under 800' guideline… I always include an expired, old roll of fast film in my baggie, so when they ask what kind of film I have, I can truthfully say 'it’s a mix of different ISOs, including some fast film.'

TheFINDlab also recommends carrying a Sharpie and labeling the ISO (1600/3200/6400/etc.) on the transparent bag clearly so TSA can see it at a quick glance.

The film pros also note special protective film bags aren’t necessarily helpful either because the inspector won’t be able to see through the bag, so they will either (1) increase the intensity of the X-ray or (2) take the film out of the bag, and then pass it through the scanner.

So there is no point.

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Time bandits review: taika waititi's apple tv+ comedy is haunted by a more imaginative past.

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Time Bandits Creators Taika Waititi & Jemaine Clement On Playing Supreme Being And Pure Evil

All 5 real-life historical people in time bandits season 1, explained, time bandits show cast & character guide.

• Time Bandits may not live up to the original, but it has bright spots for a wide audience to enjoy.
• Featuring fun aesthetics and sweet characters, the show blends humor with high-stakes drama.
• The series tries to tackle too many plotlines, leaving some character development feeling rushed and unresolved.

Time Bandits is Apple TV+'s updated take on the classic 1981 film by Terry Gilliam, and though there are familiar elements, it doesn't quite live up to the original. There's no question that the first Time Bandits needed some revamping, as many aspects don't hold up when set against the modern cultural context. However, there's magic missing in the 2024 series, even if the cast and characters of Time Bandits and the series' many witticisms will appeal to a wide audience. Unfortunately, even its best quips won't help the series stand the test of time.

Time Bandits (2024)

Time Bandits isn't new territory for Taika Waititi, who plays a small role and serves as a writer and creator of the show. It's hardly a departure for the filmmaker who has made his name on projects with children as the protagonists. In Time Bandits , his comic sensibilities are apparent in every line. However, it's hard not to long for the film, even though comparing the series to the movie feels like a false dichotomy. Each serves a different purpose and caters to separate audiences, but the ghost of the film can't help but haunt the 2024 Time Bandits .

Fun Aesthetics & Sweet Characters Save Time Bandits From Mediocrity

Though far from perfect, there are bright spots to be found in the kid-friendly show.

Blend a family-friendly version of Cunk on Earth with a slightly less religious Good Omens , and you'll have found the tone of Time Bandits . Fans of Waititi's historically inaccurate Our Flag Means Death will also find the themes and structure comparable, if not quite the same. However, all of these shows appeal to a similar audience, and it's one that Time Bandits knows well. Though the series is meant for children, there's no question that nostalgic parents could wander into an episode and be immediately charmed by the sensitive and humorous dialogue and hijinks.

Lisa Kudrow and Kal-El Tuck play Penelope and Kevin, the two central characters, and they do their best to anchor the show with an emotionally compelling bond. Kudrow gets to flex her comedic muscles but isn't afraid to show a little vulnerability as Kevin and the rest of the bandits break down her walls. Kevin, as a character, is difficult to criticize. He's the stand-in for every child who didn't fit in growing up. Of all of Time Bandits ' attempts to tug our heartstrings, it succeeds most when showing Kevin's loneliness.

Stylistically, it's exciting when there are clear homages to 1980s fantasy films, especially in the aesthetic design of Pure Evil, played by a jovial Jemaine Clement, one of the writers and creators.

However, there is something off about the chemistry between Penelope and Kevin, and the surrogate parent-child relationship is too vital to the series for this not to be an issue. In terms of the visual components, Time Bandits is well aware of its roots but feels no obligation to them. Stylistically, it's exciting when there are clear homages to 1980s fantasy films, especially in the aesthetic design of Pure Evil, played by a jovial Jemaine Clement, co-creator and writer (alongside Iain Morris). The jaunts to all of history's greatest hits look well-polished, even if some of the CGI falls flat.

Nothing less could be expected of an Apple TV+ production, and it's clear that the team wanted to create immersive settings that felt like a real piece of history. History buff or not, the series is impressive to behold, but spectacle isn't the real reason we tune into a show like Time Bandits . The characters are feats of imagination that only a child could envision, but they feel trapped by the whisper of an adult voice in their ear. Time Bandits fails to let loose and truly enjoy itself.

Time Bandits creators, writers, stars & directors Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement discuss the new show and joke about where in time they would go.

Juggling Too Many Plotlines Bogs Down Time Bandits' Story

The intersecting plot threads and storylines don't quite reach a satisfying convergence.

For all its sweetness, Time Bandits is quick to undercut its most emotional moments with a throwaway joke or cutaway to yet another intersecting storyline. Though the story was designed this way, the series juggles too much without giving proper time to any narrative arc beyond the main one. It's unsurprising that Time Bandits season 2 has already been hinted at, as the series leaves plenty of room for more adventures by the time the ten episodes have wrapped. However, this means season 1 doesn't provide the payoff we're looking for.

Perhaps lessons are learned and days are saved, but the personal development and growth feel rushed, and some character nuances are lost in the ensemble format. If Time Bandits can be boiled down to one essential message, we can't choose our family, but we can build another one. Kevin learns that there's space in his heart for the bandits and his parents, but his time might be better spent saving the universe rather than dragging his family to Woodhenge. Even a children's series must be more than its moral lessons, and Time Bandits doesn't quite hit that mark.

The first two episodes of Time Bandits will premiere on Apple TV+ on July 24, followed by weekly episodes until August 21st.

Eleven-year-old Kevin joins a group of time-traveling thieves on a comedic and perilous adventure. As they navigate through various historical periods, they embark on a mission to save Kevin’s parents and ultimately the world, blending humor with high-stakes drama in this adaptation of Terry Gilliam's cult classic​.

• Time Bandits' story is at its most heartfelt when focusing on Kevin and his feelings
• The series has a fun tone and is very sweet
• It's hard to completely buy into Penelope and Kevin's parent-child relationship
• The series juggles too much without giving proper focus to anything beyond the main story

McCormick Place installs bird-safe film to deter migrating birds from hitting its windows

Birds rely on the moon and stars to travel, and bright lights from glass structures at night throw off their navigation. the $1.2 million project began in early june and will be completed before the fall migration..

Film with small white dots covers the windows of McCormick Place Lakeside Center. The film is intended to prevent birds from striking the building’s large glass windows and dying.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Following years of pressure from bird advocates, McCormick Place Lakeside Center’s glass facade is becoming more safe for birds.

The lakefront building’s glass windows are currently being covered with a bird-safe film, which is meant to deter birds from flying into the glass.

The $1.2 million project began in early June and will take three months to complete, just in time for the beginning of the fall migration, according to a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which manages McCormick Place.

“As an organization that strives to be a good neighbor and environmental steward, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority remains committed to minimizing McCormick Place’s impact on local and migratory birds,” said Larita Clark, the authority’s chief executive, in a statement.

Last. year, thousands of birds died striking McCormick Place lakeside center. The agency that oversees the building worked with bird experts to install a film to cut glare that could alter bird migration.

Birds rely on the moon and stars to travel, and bright lights from glass structures at night throw off their navigation. Pulled toward the light, they often can’t perceive the glass and think they can fly straight through.

The center is one of the easternmost structures along the lakefront and made mostly of glass — about two football fields’ worth. It sits along one of the major bird migration paths. In one night last fall, roughly 1,000 birds flew into the lakefront building and died.

Field Museum workers inspect dead birds.

Associated Press

After that deadly night, the authority’s staff began working with bird advocates, experts and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to make the building more safe for migratory birds, the spokesperson said. The authority’s board approved the project in March.

In addition to the bird-safe film, the center will continue using measures to prevent bird collisions, including closing drapes and turning off lights when possible, the spokesperson said. For the migration season, the authority will work with the Field Museum to monitor and track collisions daily.

Thousands of birds died each year striking glass windows in Chicago.

“McCormick Place’s glass retrofitting and light reduction are a win for birds,” said Annette Prince, director of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors.

The move is also setting an example for other buildings and future projects, especially for large glass structures near green spaces and waterfronts, Prince said.

Prince’s group, along with the Bird Friendly Chicago coalition has worked for years with the Chicago Department of Planning and Development to create comprehensive guidelines to help developers design buildings to prevent birds from striking them.

The city’s current sustainability plan recommends applying bird-safe measures similar to what McCormick Place is doing. But Prince and other advocates want them to be requirements .

Birds rely on the moon and stars to travel, and bright lights from glass structures at night throw off their navigation.

‘Roadspreading’ returns: How Pennsylvania’s oil industry quietly dumped waste across the state

S iri Lawson and her husband live on a stamp of wooded, hilly land in Warren County, Pennsylvania, nestled in the state’s rural northwest corner. During the summer heat, cars traveling on the county’s dirt roads cast plumes of dust in their wake. Winter’s chill can cause a hazardous film of ice to spawn on paved roads. To protect motorists from both slippery ice and vision-impairing dust, communities across Pennsylvania coat these roads with large, cheap volumes of de-icing and dust-suppressing fluids. In Lawson’s case, her township had been using oil and gas wastewater as a dust suppressant, believing the material was effective.

But researchers have found it is no better at controlling dust than rainwater. It can also contain toxic chemicals and have radioactive concentrations several hundred times the acceptable federal limit in drinking water. Given the risks it poses to human health and the environment, Pennsylvania lawmakers and the state’s environmental agency disallowed this practice more than seven years ago. 

But oil and gas companies have continued to spread their wastewater practically unchecked across the state, thanks to a loophole in state regulations. A Grist review of records from 2019 to 2023 found that oil and gas producers submitted more than 3,000 reports of wastewater dumping to the state Department of Environmental Protection, or DEP. In total, they reported spraying nearly 2.4 million gallons of wastewater on Pennsylvania roads. This number is likely a vast undercount: About 86 percent of Pennsylvania’s smaller oil and gas drillers did not report how they disposed of their waste in 2023 . 

Wastewater dumping is an open secret on Pennsylvania roads. At a legislative hearing this spring, state senators Katie Muth and Carolyn Comitta, both Democrats, said they witnessed companies spreading wastewater last fall during a tour of new fracking wells. Lawson, who has become a public face of opposition to wastewater dumping, experiences sinus pains and believes her symptoms are connected to living near roads coated with wastewater. Sometimes the pain has been so intense she’s had to leave her home “to get different air.” She’s submitted multiple complaints to DEP over the years, but she says it has done little to drag the agency off the sidelines. 

“I am told [by DEP] to catch the truck,” Lawson said. “I’m told to be my own cop.” 

Neil Shader, a spokesperson for DEP, told Grist that the department “is committed to responding to all brine/roadspreading complaints that are received from the general public” and that it investigates all complaints. “If/when a responsible party is identified, appropriate enforcement action is taken,” he said. 

Lawmakers first banned the use of wastewater from fracking wells as a dust suppressant in 2016. Two years later, the DEP issued a moratorium on the use of wastewater from traditional drilling methods as well. But conventional oil and gas companies have found a loophole that allows them to skirt these rules with impunity. The DEP requires permits for wastewater disposal, but the agency grants an exception if the wastewater can be reused for a “beneficial” purpose. Any waste that is no more injurious to the environment and human health than a commercial alternative may be classified as a “coproduct,” a designation that receives less DEP oversight.

Under Pennsylvania law, companies can grant their wastewater coproduct status by conducting in-house analyses to determine whether their waste is harmful to human health or the environment. These tests do not have to include a radiation analysis, even though studies have shown radium from oil and gas wastewater — which often contains 300 to 560 times the acceptable levels of radioactive substances in drinking water — has made its way into roadside vegetation, fresh water , and up the food chain . A company is only required to submit its justification for using the coproduct status if asked by the DEP to do so. 

The agency rarely asks. In 2021, the DEP requested justification for claiming coproduct status from 16 companies. Only 10 responded. The DEP told them that the materials they submitted were “inadequate.”

Any conventional driller who is audited and “roadspreads” in the absence of an approved coproduct determination from the DEP — and without updating or submitting a new coproduct determination — is technically violating the agency’s moratorium, putting them in murky legal territory. But without agency enforcement, these companies face no consequences.

“As far as I am aware, there have been zero notices of violations, compliance orders, fines, and penalties for anything dealing with rogue dumping of wastewater,” said David Hess, a former DEP secretary. “No one is enforcing the moratorium.” 

Shader, the DEP spokesperson, told Grist that the coproduct term will no longer appear in waste reports because oil and gas companies “have been using the product type incorrectly,” likely misunderstanding the term’s purpose. The agency “investigates reports of unauthorized roadspreading of brine and will take enforcement action as appropriate,” he said. “DEP encourages members of the public who observe potentially unauthorized roadspreading of brine to report the activity to DEP.”

The agency’s decision to drop the classification can largely be traced to the work of Karen Feridun. Feridun is the co-founder of the environmental organization Better Path Coalition, and in 2019 she noticed that the DEP had newly listed “coproduct” as a waste type in its oil and gas reports, implying to her that the agency had tacitly issued a blanket approval of wastewater dumping on roads. She then filed a public records request, which led the DEP to request a meeting with her. During the discussion, agency representatives told her that its oil and gas division had added the term to its waste reports after an “oral request” from Pennfield Energy LLC, a conventional driller in Pennsylvania. The agency told her it had no paper trail of the communication. 

Feridun was outraged. “I am convinced they knew exactly what drillers were going to do,” she said. To her, the agency had all but confirmed it had endorsed wastewater dumping.

The DEP has denied Feridun’s interpretation of its decision. The agency was attempting to “readily identify” which companies had already conducted waste toxicity assessments as a precursor to dumping their wastewater, Shader said. “The addition of this product type code was in no way intended to imply that the requirements [for safety and efficacy] did not need to be satisfied.” 

The incident also appeared to indicate miscommunication within the agency. State waste codes are generated by the DEP’s Bureau of Waste Management, but oilfield oversight largely rests with the agency’s oil and gas division. Feridun wondered whether the oil and gas division had informed the waste management department of its decision to include a novel term in its records. Since the department told Feridun it had no paper trail, she said it could not give her an answer.

When asked whether the DEP’s oil and gas division communicated its waste report change to the bureau of waste management in 2019, Shader said that the divisions communicate “on a regular basis to discuss activities regulated by both programs.”

Lawson’s experiences, new research, and the findings from Feridun’s records request have thrust oil and gas companies’ behavior back into the state’s political spotlight. At a state senate hearing in April, Bill Burgos, a professor of environmental engineering at Pennsylvania State University, told lawmakers “there is no more research that needs to be done” to determine whether oil and gas wastewater is safe and effective for treating roads. Burgos has published several studies on oil and gas wastewater, including one recently that found the fluid is ineffective as a dust suppressant . 

In early May, Feridun and a group of other activists delivered a letter to Governor Josh Shapiro and members of the legislature asking them to ban companies from spraying roads with wastewater. Two lawmakers have since introduced dueling bills on the issue. Representative Martin Causer, a Republican serving a swath of northern Pennsylvania, proposed to legalize the practice while Representative Greg Vitali, a Democrat representing a region east of Philadelphia, moved to ban it.

Some of the public pressure appears to have paid off. In April, the DEP proposed amending coproduct criteria to mandate an assessment of a material’s efficacy, but it is unclear if this would include radiation testing, which would give the DEP — and the public — a fuller picture of oil and gas waste’s toxicity.

Earlier this month, the agency went a step further: At a legislative hearing in front of the state house’s Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, the DEP said it supported Vitali’s bill banning oil and gas companies from spreading their wastewater on roads and preventing the fluid from being treated as a coproduct by the department. The bill advanced out of the committee with support split along party lines, but it faces a steep climb to the governor’s desk, given that Republicans control the state senate. 

Until something changes, people like Lawson continue to live near roads doused with toxic wastewater. She said the dumping has been more frequent lately. If the DEP is going to more aggressively regulate oil and gas companies, it needs to be better funded, said Hess. 

“As long as [companies] can get away with it, they will,” he said. “That has been the history of their entire existence.”

This story was originally published by Grist with the headline ‘Roadspreading’ returns: How Pennsylvania’s oil industry quietly dumped waste across the state on Jul 24, 2024.

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Review: 'Time Bandits' reboot with Lisa Kudrow is full of tired jokes

They say comedy is all about timing, not time travel.

Alas, if only there was anything funny at all in Apple TV+'s "Time Bandits," a rehash of the 1981 Terry Gilliam film. That cult-classic romp came from the minds behind Monty Python and was witty, inventive and surprising. Its successor? Not so much.

For Apple's version, the Python brain trust has been replaced with a more current crowd: Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. The pair are behind FX's superb "What We Do in the Shadows," and each has plenty of comedy credentials in his own right, from Waititi's sadly canceled "Our Flag Means Death" to Clement's long "Flight of the Conchords" career.

These are funny guys, and they are working off the template of a funny, if dated, movie. So the end result should be funny, right? That's the Hollywood math that leads to these revivals, remakes and reboots, anyway. Funny + funny = money. I mean funny.

But even if the recipe was right, something went wrong in the oven. "Bandits" (streaming Thursdays, ★½ out of four) is a slog. The story of a history-obsessed kid who's whisked off to travel in time with a group of hapless thieves just doesn't work in this new version, which stars Lisa Kudrow as the head hapless thief in charge. It's boring, the jokes are tired and predictable, the stakes are down in the basement, and the actors are entirely lacking in chemistry.

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The cast is a real problem from the first moments of the series. The young actor playing Kevin the history nerd (Kal-El Tuck) is very cute and sweet, Kudrow still has a magnetic smile but the group of bandits (Charlyne Yi, Rune Temte, Tadhg Murphy and Roger Jean Nsengiyumva) is a mishmash of performers who seem to think they're in five different shows. Each bandit hardly has enough characterization to make you remember their name, let alone care about anything that happens to them. (One of the main actors, Yi, says they were the victim of abuse and assault by another actor on the set. Yi uses they/them pronouns.)

"Bandits" is all muddy and messy and not entirely coherent, and that has nothing to do with the whole sci-fi time travel part. The movie's appeal was putting this group of funny people together on a silly journey with a cute kid and family-friendly jabs at history, but this "Bandits" gets all the details wrong. The tone is too silly for adults but not silly enough for kids . It doesn't help that in the 43 years since the first movie came out, irreverent historical comedy has become something of a played-out genre (look at " History of the World Part II" and "Miracle Workers" in just the past few years). All the elaborate costuming, CGI dinosaurs and smoky glares from Clement (as a character helpfully known as the root of all evil) can't cover up a fundamentally weak script.

It's not necessarily any one person's fault, just a whole lot of disparate elements that don't fit together. I feel especially bad for Kudrow, who has struggled over the past few years to find a steady role to match her talent. She is a very particular kind of actress, for sure, but writers on "Mad About You," "Friends" and "The Comeback" managed to create iconic roles. Come on Hollywood, do better for her.

Hollywood can generally just do better. "Bandits" probably didn't need to be remade. We are certainly living in an era where existing intellectual property is king, but when you go this obscure, what's the point? Maybe 1 in 3 potential viewers will have vaguely heard of the movie before. Big whoop.

Waititi and Clement are some of the best talents in the industry, but even the best aren't faultless. "Shadows" is their own creation, and it's clear they are better when they're working off their own material instead of another soulless reboot.

Maybe the timing just wasn't there for them.

We fact-checked some of the rumors spreading online about the Trump assassination attempt

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MISIDENTIFIED SHOOTERS

Altered images, false claims shooting was staged, predictive programming conspiracy theories.

Reporting by Seana Davis; additional reporting Esther Chan; editing by Stephanie Burnett and Christina Agnagnostopoulos

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Fact Check: Transgender woman misidentified as Trump shooter

A photo misidentifying the suspect who allegedly tried to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump went viral in posts online that said the shooter was transgender.