How To Travel With Film In 2024

[@vanandpillai9424]

Thank you for the refresher! I read that if you place the film in lead bags, the security will up the X-ray intensity to see what’s in it. Your tip of placing the films in transparent zip lock bags would be the best. And you said it right, make it easy for the security. 😅

[@TIPSinc01]

Yes I’ve heard that too but have seen other examples where it did work out well. Definitely with CT scanners. 🙌🏼

[@slothsarecool]

I haven’t had issues with a lead bag, but they ask to look every time

[@TIPSinc01]

@@slothsarecoolgood to hear!

[@juanlatorre8939]

Great tips! Thank you 🙂. My question is: When the film travels from the factory to retailers in other continents all over the world, isn’t it scanned for security in customs anyway? Thanks again!

[@jakubkkt]

I am deadass going to the airport in 2 hours :Ddd thanks for the video!

[@TIPSinc01]

You’re welcome and have fun my friend! Where are you going to?

[@DaniloAMViana]

Auto play really helped me this time. Just organizing my bag for a trip to Rio hahaha Thank you so much for the tips, my friend. Best regards!

[@TIPSinc01]

Good to hear! Hopefully it’s helpful, have fun mate! Going to be some good photos I think 🎞️

[@chevy9212]

I used a Leadbag and only brought low ISO film like Pro-Image 100/Gold 200 and Fomapan100, the scanners had 0 effect from what i could see atleast, Flew from Amsterdam to Sweden so it went through a CT i think!

[@TIPSinc01]

Yeah the low ISO film and the lead bag really worked out well there! I think it would be CT scanned if you flew from Amsterdam. Glad it worked out mate!

[@tobiasvandevoort5027]

​@@TIPSinc01 Schiphol heeft ct

[@banjo5835]

I just recently went to Barcelona and had some film rolls with me. I had no luck asking for hand checks sadly so I'm very excited to see how the pictures will come out. The good thing is both airports I went through had the old x-ray scanners 😅

[@TIPSinc01]

I think it will be all good, what speed film did you take with you?

[@lucafilms]

At what point would you use the Domke lead bag? I have the same. Let‘s play the scenario: you go to the security guy and ask for hand check. He says no. So you pack the film into your lead bag and let it go trough the scanner? The lead bag will turn out as black on the scanner‘s screen. Which results in a) he increases the strength of radiation or b) hand checks it (and probably hates you). Or how do you do it?

[@TIPSinc01]

Well, there are a lot of situations that could occur. But let me give you my latest one. I went first to Schiphol Amsterdam, I packed all the film in the lead bag and taped the “please hand check” card on the bag. Gave this bag to the security and they checked it. They first asked how high the speed was, I said 3200. Because I packed 5 rolls of delta 3200 just to make sure they couldn’t say it’s safe below 1600. After that they asked me to wait and they swapped some of the rolls. Easy. Then the way back I needed to get the check at Geneva. Which is pretty infamous for not giving those. So I did the same and surprisingly they were really helpful with it. They asked the speed, I said 3200, they swapped it and away I went. So as an extra tip! Pack some 3200 delta rolls just for the hand check. If the bag needs to go through the scanner, it’s always safer than without it. You can check the results from Lina (video is linked in the description) or check out the blog post on Carmencita Film Lab website. And to make you feel a bit assured, I had 40 rolls of Portra 800 go through a regular X-RAY once and they were fine. Just wouldn’t suggest letting it go through a CT scanner.

[@Julian-tc8qz]

It is a myth that the intensity is increased when you use a filmguard. The staff at the scanners cannot adjust the intensity. So if you use a film guard, this area will be black on the screen and the staff will have to do the hand check afterwards. But your film is safer than without. And the bag was worth it.

[@casperghst42]

Didn't Lina say that the "Domke 711-12B Filmguard Bag" does not help when the film is send through a CT scanner?

[@TIPSinc01]

The Domke bag doesn’t work a 100%. But it definitely helps a bit. Take a look at carmencita’s blog post about this. There you can see that it does some work.

[@casperghst42]

@@TIPSinc01 I did read the blogpost before seeing your tube, and yes it does help. But as other people pointed out, if the operator is just turns up the level when they can't see something or if your film get exposed multiple times then the film is as good as dead. This is unfortunately something we have to live with.

[@jakavozlic718]

Travel without film or with only 1 roll and buy more on location. If ypu are visiting a developed country they are gonna have a camera stores and photo studios that sell film. They allways have gold, ultramax and maybe some fomapan but for other films it realy depends

[@TIPSinc01]

Also an option, if the location allows it. But then you also need to develop your film over there. I’ve been to some locations where this was simply not possible. But if you’re in a major city and staying there it could.

[@BernardTreyvaud]

Just buy your film on your destination country and have it processed there! No problem in Europe!😊

[@TIPSinc01]

Well, in the last four years every destination that I went to didn’t have film let alone a lab. So I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re sure about it.

[@BernardTreyvaud]

@ where did you travel?Thailand, Malaysia, Singapour, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Europe is no problem to buy films have them processed and even get your files on email or sms.

[@TIPSinc01]

You’re naming countries not cities. When I traveled to Thailand the only place was Bangkok, places like Phuket didn’t have any, let alone the rural regions I went to in the north. I went to Sicily, Italy. No film no lab. Surinam, no film no lab. You can probably find a film store and a lab in a lot of countries. But then you have to plan your trip around being able to go to a lab/film store.

[@BernardTreyvaud]

@ I guess if you go to Hurricane Utah you probably will not find what you’re looking for perhaps like in Phuket or Taormina, in my Country if you go to such place like Davos or Zermatt you will not find the film you want or a lab. Traveling requires a bit of planning. Nice photographing week end to you!

[@LetsExplore307]

Omg I'm traveling to Japan in a November and I have some instax film for the fujifilm mini evo and was going crazy trying to figure out how to travel with the film and not run the risk of damage. I know I can get more in Japan but I wanted to bring my own.

[@TIPSinc01]

Well this is going to get you the best chance to hand check your film! Another tip, take some Delta 3200 with you. Worked for me this year when they said it’s safe until 1600 iso lol.

[@LetsExplore307]

@@TIPSinc01 I have to check if they sell that in my country but as far I knew I never seen that at Best Buy US. But if I find one I’ll take it and make them hand check my bag

[@TIPSinc01]

@@LetsExplore307 good luck mate and have fun!

[@BernardTreyvaud]

@@LetsExplore307 Japan home country of Fuji don’t you think that you may find Instax film there? lol!

[@angelinoschintu]

Good video. Thanks. By the way what aspect ratio is it? 4x3?

[@TIPSinc01]

Thanks and you’re welcome! Yes the aspect ratio is 4X3 🙌🏼

[@NickCheng93]

If the xrays can't penetrate the lead bag, won't they not be able to see what's inside on the machines and want you to take everything out of it?

[@TIPSinc01]

They might want to hand check it afterwards. But I’ve heard that they do see through the bag but it reduces the impact by 30,40%.

[@NickCheng93]

@@TIPSinc01 thank you, sounds like an "everyone wins" kind of situation, they can scan and we protect the film slightly

[@TIPSinc01]

@@NickCheng93 yeah, but it’s a final safety measure. I would always try and ask for a hand check. Especially with the new CT scanners 🙌🏼

[@NickCheng93]

@@TIPSinc01 are the CT scanners always the big circle ones that look like turbines? If I see an older normal looking machine is it safe to assume it's not CT?

[@TIPSinc01]

@@NickCheng93 yeah you’ll see it. It’s a futuristic thing lol

[@AdamBuker]

When I last flew, I asked my film to be hand checked. Then they ran it through the X-ray machine anyway and flagged me for additional screening. Most of my shots were ruined. I haven't flown since.

[@TIPSinc01]

Ah man that’s sad to hear! Seems like experiences are so different for a lot of people.

[@lottic]

I don't understand; wouldnt security either turn the power up on the xray machine to view through the lead lined bag; or take the film out of the bag anyway?

[@TIPSinc01]

In my experience they don’t. If they can’t see through the bag they might hand check it afterwards. I’ve heard that CT scanners can see through the bag, but it still protects the film for around 30-40%.

[@SennTimmer]

I needed this video 2 days ago when I was flying.. Sadly they made me put my film through the scanner, no matter what I said or how kindly I asked them they refused to. They also said the scanner wouldn't damage the film under 1600 wouldn't be damaged but I don't believe that personally. My leader of Cinestill 800T was badly damaged, but we will see. Hopefully it's not too bad🙃 Sadly I can't attach the image of my Cinestill 800T here for everybody to see.

[@TIPSinc01]

Sorry to hear that mate! Hopefully it’s all right, do you remember if it was a regular scanner or a CT scanner? I’ve had some 800 speed film going through the regulars and that worked out fine. Hopefully yours will too. 🙏🏼

[@SennTimmer]

I don't know sadly, was too busy talking to the staff at Nice Airport. Can't find it on google either. Will update here when I get my film developed, currently shooting that Cinestill 800T roll because I really want to know haha

[@TIPSinc01]

@@SennTimmeryeah let me know!

[@jethrojacinto2798]

Anything 4:3 aspect ratio just does something to me 😩

[@TIPSinc01]

I feel you on that one!

[@maxdronov]

or simply shoot on iphone

[@TIPSinc01]

I saw someone bringing a Nintendo DS to take photos at a concert recently. Made me rethink my life choices.

[@WhoIsSerafin]

I’d rather have a colonoscopy.😂