Help! Is my film wrecked?!

SummerSound

SummerSound

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Tom
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Hi,
I'm on my way back from Hong Kong where I shot loads of medium format film (ISO 400 & ISO 3200).

I got most of it processed in Hong Kong but I had to bring 5 rolls back with me.

The Hong Kong airport security were brilliant! They understood it was film and should not be scanned. They hand-checked it no problem.

However, at Dubai, it was a different story! The security insisted it must be scanned and were completely adamant it would not be damaged. So it went through..

Is it wrecked?

They pointed at a camera icon on the scanner and said that meant it was safe for film. I can't imagine that is true!

Any thoughts? Are there film-safe scanners or am I up-the-creek?
 
Ok, so I've just seen the 'Taking film through airports' post below and am quite reassured.

Apologies for not searching. Sleep depravation and blind panic...

I'm still concerned about the 3200 speed film though. Any experiences?
 
I've took film from here to HK and had my film x-rayed on the way out at UK and Dubai and then the way back HK and Dubai. There was film I had pushed to 1600 that had been x-rayed at least four times and they turned out okay so I think yours should be as well.
 
All you can do is get it developed and see for yourself - No matter how many replies you get here (or anywhere else) will affect the outcome.

I've used ISO3200 films abroad and had no problems.

Your films should be fine.
 
There's only one way to tell - stop mucking about and get it processed :LOL:

It's always a good idea to get film processed as soon as possible after you've shot it anyway, so just get it in to the lab mate.
 
According to Stansted airport, tests carried out by the British Photographers' Liaison Committee found that it took over 8 passes before specialist ISO 800 and above films showed any damage when analysed under lab equipment and up to 22 before there was any visible damage so I think your film is likely to be fine.

http://www.stanstedairport.com/portal/page/Stansted%5EGeneral%5EPlan+and+book+your+trip%5ETips+and+advice%5EAdvice+for+photographers/ef7c6e1c95c8d110VgnVCM10000036821c0a____/448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____/
 
NinetyEight said:
All you can do is get it developed and see for yourself - No matter how many replies you get here (or anywhere else) will affect the outcome.
Click to expand...

/thread
 
Thanks very much for the replies guys! I really appreciate them. (y) It sounds like I'm going to be Ok. PHEW! The thought of losing so many shots from the amazing places I've been in Hong Kong was most upsetting! :crying:

Wilson and 'NinetyEight' - thanks for sharing your personal experiences and Samuel - that link is great, cheers!

Cheers TPers! I shall get the films off to the lab ASAP confident that they'll be fine :D
 
Most airports' machines are considered X-Ray safe anyway, for a while they were actually labelled as such but the replacements rarely have that signage on it (since it's not going to be a problem for the vast majority of air passengers).
 
SummerSound said:
Just to let you know, all films were absolutely fine! :)

So it seems that even ISO 3200 film can stand at least one scan. (y)
Click to expand...

Good news its a worry though just because they say its safe its nice to know that your film was ok.

Hope to see some of the images

all the best

:)
 
Glad it all worked out for you....

Of course, if we don't see the pictures, it never happened ;)
 
I don't think there was anything to be too concerned about, but I'm glad it worked out well. This should be reassuring the next time you have to go through airport security, because most places aren't as obliging as HK in my experience!
 
TheBigYin said:
Glad it all worked out for you....
Click to expand...

Cheers! It seems all of the replies were correct. You can get away with a certain amount of airport scanning, even with high ISO film. :)

TheBigYin said:
Of course, if we don't see the pictures, it never happened ;)
Click to expand...

Right, you asked for it! All shot on 120 medium-format film using two Holgas. The colour images are ISO 400 and the B&W images are ISO 3200. All scanned at home by me. (It's been a long week!)

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