Just back from a big trip to US/UK and hand checks at Gatwick, Heathrow, BWI, JFK, DFW and Sydney were all provided without question and even a little light banter on the topic of film. Carrying it all wasn't the most fun back in economy (but then what is in cattle class!) but hopefully worth it. I just used a couple of cheap hard plastic containers in my carry-on to put it in so I could easily hand it over for a check at security. I can't see the point of the lead bags myself, every airport I went through had CAT scanners.
coogee wrote:
Just back from a big trip to US/UK and hand checks at Gatwick, Heathrow, BWI, JFK, DFW and Sydney were all provided without question and even a little light banter on the topic of film. Carrying it all wasn't the most fun back in economy (but then what is in cattle class!) but hopefully worth it. I just used a couple of cheap hard plastic containers in my carry-on to put it in so I could easily hand it over for a check at security. I can't see the point of the lead bags myself, every airport I went through had CAT scanners....Show more →
Gatwick hand checked? Wow.
It’s been a couple of years but in the past I was refused w extreme prejudice! Maybe it’s because they have the new scanners and know film would be toast?
It’s been a couple of years but in the past I was refused w extreme prejudice! Maybe it’s because they have the new scanners and know film would be toast?
Sorry to hear that. A painful experience having precious film scanned and not pleasant either by the sounds of it.
It does seem like they've updated their protocol, they were no fuss when I asked. I made sure at every port to have everything ready for them in an easy to deal with container, no boxes or plastic film containers and to be super polite (not suggesting you weren't of course )
Their website has a specific callout for film hand checks, although it refers to X-rays and I don't think they are X-ray machines anymore:
https://www.gatwickairport.com/passenger-guides/security.html However, analogue photographic film is susceptible to damage from X-rays. To ensure image quality is preserved, we advise passengers to avoid placing analogue film in X-ray machines. Instead, please speak to a member of staff on the security lane where an alternative screening method will be provided, that meets security requirements while protecting your photographic materials.
coogee wrote:
Sorry to hear that. A painful experience having precious film scanned and not pleasant either by the sounds of it.
It does seem like they've updated their protocol, they were no fuss when I asked. I made sure at every port to have everything ready for them in an easy to deal with container, no boxes or plastic film containers and to be super polite (not suggesting you weren't of course )
Their website has a specific callout for film hand checks, although it refers to X-rays and I don't think they are X-ray machines anymore:
Oh wow, I sort of stopped taking film out of UK airports probably 4-5 years ago because of how rude and unhelpful the people at security were. I do have to say, going through either airport (Heathrow & Gatwick) has improved massively in the last couple of years. Maybe that has changed the attitude of staff as they don't have to pretend they are herding cows back into their pen any more. Maybe I should take a couple of rolls next time, see what happens.
The question is, even if flying out is ok...what happens flying back?
panos.v wrote:
Oh wow, I sort of stopped taking film out of UK airports probably 4-5 years ago because of how rude and unhelpful the people at security were. I do have to say, going through either airport (Heathrow & Gatwick) has improved massively in the last couple of years. Maybe that has changed the attitude of staff as they don't have to pretend they are herding cows back into their pen any more. Maybe I should take a couple of rolls next time, see what happens.
The question is, even if flying out is ok...what happens flying back?
That was my experience too. I was very polite, and they were rude and frankly aggressive.
Nice to see that it has changed.
panos.v wrote:
Oh wow, I sort of stopped taking film out of UK airports probably 4-5 years ago because of how rude and unhelpful the people at security were. I do have to say, going through either airport (Heathrow & Gatwick) has improved massively in the last couple of years. Maybe that has changed the attitude of staff as they don't have to pretend they are herding cows back into their pen any more. Maybe I should take a couple of rolls next time, see what happens.
The question is, even if flying out is ok...what happens flying back?
I don't recall having to go through security scanning when landing at an airport, only immigration/customs. The scanning is for getting on an aircraft?
And I learned something about CT scanners, thanks fjablo!
coogee wrote:
I don't recall having to go through security scanning when landing at an airport, only immigration/customs. The scanning is for getting on an aircraft?
And I learned something about CT scanners, thanks fjablo!
Yes, you need both airports to facilitate hand inspection etc without hassle. Unless of course you mail it back but, that's not an option if you're flying weekends or do not have time/apettite to go looking for materials to pack and then queue at a post office.
coogee wrote:
I don't recall having to go through security scanning when landing at an airport, only immigration/customs. The scanning is for getting on an aircraft?
And I learned something about CT scanners, thanks fjablo!
Depends on the country where you are arriving to. Some countries scan luggage from foreign arriving airlines.
After a couple of months of internal discussion, I’m off on a short, one week, film only road trip. I picked up, what seems to me to be the perfect travel tele for M cameras..the 90mm Macro Elmar-M f/4. So will try 21/50/90mm on an M6, M-A & M3. Success will be measured in the percentage of shutter activations that take place with the lens cap off.
Took a bunch of film/cameras with me on a month in UK/US and all good, glad I did.
These are all with the humble little Rollei Prego AF (same as Samsung Slim 35/2.8) point and shoot and Kodak Pro Image 100. I have many more on MF that were more serious b&w ones to print later.
coogee wrote:
Took a bunch of film/cameras with me on a month in UK/US and all good, glad I did.
These are all with the humble little Rollei Prego AF (same as Samsung Slim 35/2.8) point and shoot and Kodak Pro Image 100. I have many more on MF that were more serious b&w ones to print later.
This topic caught my attention. I was a late adopter to digital photography. I got my first digital SLR in 2006 after I returned home from a month long trip to China and Hong Kong with my film camera and 35 rolls of Fuji Superia and Kodak Gold. It was a pain to have security hand check my film which were stored in zip lock bags. I traveled by air to multiple cities so that meant going through airport security multiple times. Back then, shooting film was still common. It wasn't an unusual request to have my camera bags hand checked. I never shot another roll of film after switching to digital. I don't think I would air travel with a film camera again. Around town, I may bring my film cameras out of storage for old time sake.
Some places will not do hand check, period. I've had everything examined/scanned multiple times on entry into some countries because they don't trust the outbound security of other countries, sadly for good reason.
It's just too much hassle traveling with film nowadays. Save the film for home region use.
Dr G just borrowed my Samsung AF Slim Zoom for a Euro trip. Last time the film got a bit fogged - in France they denied the hand check. Fingers crossed better luck this time!
So far LAX was no issue with the hand check...
When traveling via aircraft, the camera gear come with me, and I have the film sent by Freestyle to the destination (in the US), and then I return the film back to CT via FedEx, and develop it in my home darkroom. When traveling by Amtrak, the gear and film are never away from me. I did have a few rolls fogged coming back through Heathrow in 2023, as they refused to do a hand-check of my carry-on. Until I figure a work-around for overseas travel, film shooting is out of the question for me outside of the USA.
@roboticspro why did you have the film shipped in the US? Every US airport I've been to has allowed hand checks. I've never had issues flying in the US with film.
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Sep 15, 2025 at 06:48 PM