Answers From The New York Institute Of Photography

Will airport X-rays harm your film? Yes, they can...but you usually don't have to worry, according to NYI. Here's why. The X-ray machines in all American airports and most overseas international airports will not harm your film, provided your film is X-rayed just once or twice. So if you're flying to Disneyland or Hawaii or London and back, your film should not be harmed by the airport X-ray machines.

A problem arises, however, if your film is X-rayed more than a couple of times. X-rays are cumulative. The second dose adds to the first. The third to the second. And so on. Eventually, your film will be harmed by the accumulation of X-rays. So if you're going on a multi-leg trip, beware. Insist that your camera and film be hand-inspected on each leg of your journey. Security personnel are required to heed your request in the U.S., and the inconvenience is minor.

NYI notes an exception to the "once-or-twice-is-OK" rule, relates to extremely sensitive (so-called "fast") films - films rated ISO 800 or faster. These sensitive films may be harmed by even a single dose. So insist that they be hand inspected even on a one-leg trip.

Video Advice

Finally, in case you're worried about traveling with your camcorder, here's what NYI says about videotape. Videotape won't be affected by X-rays - even repeated X-rays. But it is very sensitive to the magnetic field in that security "doorway" you walk through. Our advice: Never take videotape through that "door." Never. Not even once! Either place it on the conveyer belt along with your hand-luggage, or have it hand inspected.