Dear Tufa,Tufa wrote:
The question of ANALOGUE CAMERAS/FILM
I have travelled on plane with home-bought film rolls and back again, and they all developed OK. The rolls went through the X-ray machine something like 5 times.
If you load your camera with 35 mm black-and-white film, you can develop it yourself at home. This is the future for truthists! If you develop at a shop in N.Y. the pictures will be monitored, as was done at the JFK assassination. If you save your camera and go to Canada, and develop much later you will be OK. Note that most reasonably modern cameras are also filled with electronics, and can possibly also be destroyed by a strong field. The film is OK, but the thing refuse to "click"!
I do not agree, and would like to challenge on that too. The X-ray/Gamma level to mess up the film will likely (how much?) also be dangerous for people. Patients with X-ray injures would certainly stir up some questions!simonshack wrote:But again, this is not the only way analog film could have been "deleted/controlled". Back in the old days, I remember that walking through airport X-ray luggage machines would be the nightmare of every photographer. If you left your film rolls in the screened luggage, the rolls would often turn out blank/burned-out. Now, is it really hard for anyone to imagine that the few exit roads from Lower Manhattan had similar (and more powerful) X-ray machines deployed on 9/11?
if you would like to challenge that too, you will have to deal with both Kodak and my own life experience: my first photography teacher had all his rolls blanked/fogged-out after passing through airport X-ray scanning. I remember he was absolutely livid in anger about having lost his work - and he would likely punch in the face whoever tells him that this never happened - or wasn't caused by the airport's security X-ray scanning.
And here is Kodak's very own warning (dated 2003):
"Be polite, helpful and patient. Please remember that security personnel are trying to protect the traveling public."http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/ ... 5201.shtml
Airport Baggage Scanning Equipment Can Jeopardize Your Unprocessed Film
Because your pictures are important to you, this information is presented as an alert to travelers carrying unprocessed film. New FAA-certified (Federal Aviation Administration) explosive detection systems are being used in U.S. airports to scan (x-ray) checked baggage. This stronger scanning equipment is also being used in many non-US airports. The new equipment will fog any unprocessed film that passes through the scanner.
The recommendations in this document are valid for all film formats (135, Advanced Photo System [APS], 120/220, sheet films, 400 ft. rolls, ECN in cans, etc.).
(...)
Suggestions for Avoiding Fogged Film
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. However, baggage that is checked (loaded on the planes as cargo) often goes through equipment with higher energy X rays. Therefore, take these precautions when traveling with unprocessed film:
Don't place single-use cameras or unprocessed film in any luggage or baggage that will be checked. This includes cameras that still have film in them.
If an attendant or security personnel informs you that your carry-on baggage must be stowed with the checked luggage or go through a second scan, remove your unprocessed film.
Have your exposed film processed locally before passing through airport security on your return trip.
If you're going to be traveling through multiple X-ray examinations (more than 5 times), request a hand search of your carry-on baggage. FAA regulations in the U.S. allow for a hand search of photographic film and equipment if requested. (See below for further FAA information.) However, non-US airports may not honor this request.
Request a hand inspection for all motion imaging origination films. Testing shows fog on motion imaging films even after a single X-ray scan. This increased fog flattens the entire toe region of the sensitometric curve reducing shadow detail in a telecine or projected image. However, Explosive Trace Detection instruments provide no risk to motion picture films and can be used in conjunction with hand inspection to provide a non-destructive method of motion film inspection.
If you're asked to step aside for a more thorough scan of your carry-on baggage, the film could be harmed if they use the more intense X-ray equipment.You should take your unprocessed film out of your luggage.
Lead-lined bags, available from photo retailers, will weaken the X-radiation on film and reduce potential harm. However, the effectiveness of any particular lead bag depends on the intensity and electric potential of the X-ray generator, the lead's thickness, and the film speed. If you use a lead bag, check with the manufacturer for the effectiveness of their products with airport X-ray devices. The inspection process may be triggered by a lead bag on the scanner screen. In a typical airport surveillance situation, the baggage may be pulled aside for additional inspection.
Consider shipping unprocessed, unexposed or exposed film through an expedited carrier, but first check with the carrier to determine what package examination procedures they are using.
Be polite, helpful and patient. Please remember that security personnel are trying to protect the traveling public.
Yeah sure - but beware: Terrorists may still smuggle explosives on board - in their underwear!