Airport X-ray Security OK for DVX, tape?
- Thread starter kmcgrath
- Start date
Dyrseve989
Well-known member
I've been able to get away with bringing DV tapes through the carry on x-ray without any sort of degaussing of the tape, but im not sure about the camera
-Matt-
-Matt-
X-rays can definitely damage film; I think tapes and maybe cameras but I'm not sure.
However, modern scanners don't cause damage (think they moved on from X-rays) and they scan MILLIONS of peoples' camcorders every year. I would just be a little worried if it is a really old dodgy scanner in a poorer country.
If you are concerned, ask the attendant, or just slip the tapes in your pockets. Pocket contents are never scanned by anything IME. It is very unlikely that there will be any problem.
My friend had a VX1000 and an XL1 destroyed in a plane hold at easter... that is more worrying!
However, modern scanners don't cause damage (think they moved on from X-rays) and they scan MILLIONS of peoples' camcorders every year. I would just be a little worried if it is a really old dodgy scanner in a poorer country.
If you are concerned, ask the attendant, or just slip the tapes in your pockets. Pocket contents are never scanned by anything IME. It is very unlikely that there will be any problem.
My friend had a VX1000 and an XL1 destroyed in a plane hold at easter... that is more worrying!
thisiswells
Retired
Hi,
Despite of all the common sense in the world, I still worried about this. I recently sent 9 tapes through airport carry-on security without any problems. I understand the scanners used for checked baggage are far more powerful, so I would only trust tapes in a carry on personally.
Airport security tells us only high speed film (800+) is damaged by X-rays, but that is complete nonsense. Perhaps the damage isn't noticeable to a security employee but all film is damaged by Xrays to the trained eye of a photographer.
You can get "Do Not X-Ray" badges for undeveloped film, of course.
Hope this helps.
Brian
Despite of all the common sense in the world, I still worried about this. I recently sent 9 tapes through airport carry-on security without any problems. I understand the scanners used for checked baggage are far more powerful, so I would only trust tapes in a carry on personally.
Airport security tells us only high speed film (800+) is damaged by X-rays, but that is complete nonsense. Perhaps the damage isn't noticeable to a security employee but all film is damaged by Xrays to the trained eye of a photographer.
You can get "Do Not X-Ray" badges for undeveloped film, of course.
Hope this helps.
Brian
235 Studios
Veteran
Check out my expierences at this thread:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread.php?t=29746
Some other have suggested some good tips as well. Hope this helps. Oh, and the footage is A-OK.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread.php?t=29746
Some other have suggested some good tips as well. Hope this helps. Oh, and the footage is A-OK.
Baluardo
Well-known member
I made a long search myself on this topic very recently.
Except 0.1% negative reports on tape damage (which eventually was thought to be due to some other reason), NONE of the people who posted had bad experiences.
I recently went to UK and shot a documentary. My camera and tapes went through 3-4 xray scans. footage is perfect. no dropouts or problem. so is the camera.
As a principle, send the DV tapes through xray scanner and NOT the metal detector magnetic doors, and *viceversa* for 35mm films (if u can).
Most important, DON'T check in the tapes with your big suitcase at the checkin: they use WAY stronger xrays there. i'm sure nothing would happen as well (dv tapes are magnetic), but you never know. But i'm sure you wouldn't let your valuable footage to get out of your control anyway...
Anyway, my idea is that it's very unlikely that you can get something damaged at those powers.
definitely you might be asked to open your case and show the contents (the shotgun mic looks like a part of a gun), especially if you're carrying a black hard case and you're wearing a black suit, and sunglasses
Anyway, i tried each time to get the tapes manually inspected to avoid even the minimum amount of xray. i had success in just one case.
Don't worry about it. focus on your shots instead!
Andrea
Except 0.1% negative reports on tape damage (which eventually was thought to be due to some other reason), NONE of the people who posted had bad experiences.
I recently went to UK and shot a documentary. My camera and tapes went through 3-4 xray scans. footage is perfect. no dropouts or problem. so is the camera.
As a principle, send the DV tapes through xray scanner and NOT the metal detector magnetic doors, and *viceversa* for 35mm films (if u can).
Most important, DON'T check in the tapes with your big suitcase at the checkin: they use WAY stronger xrays there. i'm sure nothing would happen as well (dv tapes are magnetic), but you never know. But i'm sure you wouldn't let your valuable footage to get out of your control anyway...
Anyway, my idea is that it's very unlikely that you can get something damaged at those powers.
definitely you might be asked to open your case and show the contents (the shotgun mic looks like a part of a gun), especially if you're carrying a black hard case and you're wearing a black suit, and sunglasses
Anyway, i tried each time to get the tapes manually inspected to avoid even the minimum amount of xray. i had success in just one case.
Don't worry about it. focus on your shots instead!
Andrea