Avoiding X-ray machines with your instant camera during travel is important to prevent potential damage.
Vacation season is upon us, and many photographers will be traveling. For those who prefer film photography, airport security procedures can be a cause for concern. There's ongoing debate about whether airport X-ray machines damage undeveloped film. To ensure your precious photographs remain unharmed, here's a guide on how to protect your film during air travel.
James Artaius, an experienced photographer who works with Olympus, OM System, Canon, and Hasselblad, among others, shares his knowledge on the subject. He advises that airport X-ray machines can potentially damage undeveloped film, causing fogging, light streaks, or colour changes such as sepia tones. This damage is more apparent on undeveloped or higher speed films, especially after multiple exposures to X-rays over time.
To safeguard your film while traveling, the best approach is to avoid letting it pass through the X-ray scanners. Most airports allow you to request a manual hand search of undeveloped film at security checkpoints—simply ask security staff before screening. Additionally, keep your film in its original packaging or a lead-lined bag designed to block X-rays, though note that lead bags may not always be permitted. Carrying film in your carry-on luggage rather than checked bags is also recommended, as checked baggage may be exposed to stronger X-ray machines. For instant films like Polaroids, which are more sensitive, hand inspection is especially important since X-rays can cause visible damage very quickly.
Instax advises requesting a manual hand search with the airport attendant instead of using X-ray machines to avoid potential damage to undeveloped film. Polaroid has also advised photographers to protect their film from airport scanners due to its sensitivity. Some photographers use 35mm film cameras, while others use instant cameras. Regardless of your choice, it's essential to check the type of instant film you need before traveling, as different film types may have different sensitivities to airport X-rays.
It's important to note that none of these precautions apply to photographs that have already been taken, as X-rays have no effect on exposed film. Airport security procedures and machines may vary, and it may be difficult to find someone qualified to confirm their safety for camera film. Some reports suggest that airport scanners do in fact damage film, while others dispute this claim. However, it's not worth taking the chance, as the cost, inconvenience, and missed memories are not worth it.
For more information on the differences between the best instant cameras, check out James Artaius' Instax vs Polaroid breakdown. James Artaius started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus and clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom, and L'Oréal. He has 25 years of experience as a journalist, serving as the head of Digital Camera World for 7 years.
In summary, undeveloped film can be damaged by airport X-ray machines, so requesting hand inspection and using protective sleeves or lead bags can help preserve your photographs during air travel. It's always better to err on the side of caution to ensure your precious memories remain just that—precious.
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- For those who are fond of photography and are planning to travel during the vacation season, it's crucial to safeguard their undeveloped film from potential damage caused by airport X-ray machines.
- James Artaius, an experienced photographer who works with various camera brands, suggests carrying undeveloped film in its original packaging or a lead-lined bag, and keeping it in carry-on luggage rather than checked bags.
- Instax and Polaroid have advised photographers to request a manual hand search at security checkpoints to avoid potential damage to their undeveloped film.
- AAB evaluates different instant cameras in their Instax vs Polaroid reviews, where James Artaius shares his insights, having worked in the photography industry since 2014.
- It's important to note that once photographs have been taken, X-rays have no effect on exposed film, but damage to undeveloped film can be significant, causing fogging, light streaks, or color changes.
