With these new super powered x-rays gizmos that our luggage must now go through, I forgot whether it is best to pack film in luggage or carry on. Don't want my unexposed film to get "zapped" by our latest homeland security machines. Anybody know?

lauriemar....i've heard not to run your film thru the x-ray machines, but, i forgot about that on my last trip, and of course the film went thru....was concerned that my pix wouldn't come out right when i had them developed....in my opinion, they came out just fine....didn't seem to do any damage....just my experience....kerry

Laurie, as I understand it, putting the films in your checked bags is no longer the right thing to do. The Xrays for our checked bags are very strong now. It used to be that we shouldn't have film in our carryon . . .I guess now, we keep our films in our carryon and then have the security check them past without putting them through the xray.

Seems like I saw something somewhere that x-ray only affects really high speed film.

KCJD

Here's a link that says both
http://www.drdaveanddee.com/xray.html

Synop.
Carry on x-ray scanners are low dose, checked baggage x-ray will make you sterile.

Only if you're inside the checked bag.

Technical there is no reason to take care. X ray
don`t hurt any films.
I never take care and have never problems.
Works before and works after passing X rays.

I am going for the carry on option as I am an amatueur photography freak and don't want to take the chance. Thanks for the responses!

Hi Laurie - not sure if you've left for Costa Rica yet but here's what I've learned in the last month.

The xray machines that your checked luggage goes through is too strong and therefore, you are warned that your film (any speed) may be ruined.

As for carryon baggage, they say that higher speed film may be affected (800 asa or higher) by the xray for carryon. I saw this warning in Hawaii yesterday as I waited to clear security.

You can always request that your film and camera be hand inspected to be sure there's no damage. This, of course, takes you more time to go through Security.

Have fun!