
This is What Happens When an ISO 3200 Film is X-Rayed 19 Times
In case life isn't hard enough for photographers who shoot film, when traveling through an airport they have to worry about the X-ray scanners ruining their unprocessed film.
In case life isn't hard enough for photographers who shoot film, when traveling through an airport they have to worry about the X-ray scanners ruining their unprocessed film.
The United States Transportation Security Administration has rolled out the use of computed tomography (CT) scanners as the latest "threat detection" equipment scanner for airport security. As these are different from X-ray machines, what happens to film if it goes through one?
Fujifilm is following Kodak's lead and warning photographers about the new CT scanners being used at many US Airports starting this year. In a notice posted to the Fujifilm website, the company says the new scanners "may provide more damaging to unprocessed film and Instax film than previous generations."
Kodak Alaris has posted a detailed warning for film photographers, explaining that the new CT scanners being installed to check carry-on bags across the United States will almost certainly ruin your film, even after a single pass.
Airports around the United States are getting futuristic new CT scanners that give the TSA an instant 3D view of carry-on luggage contents, but the new scanners are a development film photographers should be wary of -- they can reportedly wipe out your unprocessed film with a single scan.