I read the tips on traveling with a digital camera and am considering buying one. But what about using a 35mm camera? I have read about packing the extra film in a lead lined bag. Does anyone know if this is neccessary? And what about airport secuity, will a lead lined bag set off alarms? I have also read it is best to develop film before bringing it home, is this best and how much more expensive will it be?
Reply to this I'd hoped a film expert would respond here (which I'm not) - but this is what I know.
If you put film either exposed or unexposed in the luggage that is checked in and then goes into the hold - it will be exposed to massive x-rays and therefore ruined. I expect a lead lined box would lead to your luggage being dismantled and search - a little label informing you of such on receipt.
The x-rays used for hand luggage are much less powerful and (supposedly according to the security staff) will not damage the film. I've heard differently - but only degradations in quality rather than complete loss.
In Germany, high quality developers will be on every high street - so I would suggest that developing photos in Germany would be a good idea. In third world countries it's a different matter - a lack of high quality developers would mean that it is worth the risk of taking film through security checks.
Reply to this Carry your exposed and unexposed film in a clear plastic bags so you can ask that it be hand inspected.
Leave the tails out of the film canister but square off the tails on exposed film. The tails will let a suspicious inspector tug and see it really is film. Other than that shoot digital.
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