Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]on 25/1/00 2:57 am, Bob Kene at owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us wrote: > Oh, I plan to bring lots of Kodak NC/VC 400 and Fuji NHGII... also Trix- > and send home the exposed film via air mail; avoiding the deadly X rays on > the return trip... but how are customs etc, on bringing film in? I will > have all unexposed film in zip lock bags and request hand check- any > problems? You may find that air mailed film is exposed to an even greater X-ray risk. The industrial strength baggage X-ray machines used for postal security will 'out gun' those used at hand baggage checks at the airport - which, incidentally, is why you don't send your film with you main baggage. The only real problems I've had with X-rays and film has been with already exposed film suffering multiple hand-baggage checks on X-ray machines in less well equipped airports. Your request for a hand-check will be turned down. Even friendly Heathrow has a stringent 'no hand-check' policy; Paris you may find even less accommodating :-). I was once told that security didn't mind hand-checking all your films if you didn't mind having every metre length pulled out of the canisters to check they weren't fakes! It was pointed out that sealed film packs in shrink wrap - 'factory fresh' - are an ideal place to conceal drugs. The ideal solution would be to buy your film and processing locally. You could try asking Paris-based LUG listers where they buy and process their film. - -- David G Prakel The Benchmark Press http://www.cix.co.uk/~benchmark/