X-Rays and Film Fogging

[Mark_Poole@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Mark Poole)]

     A while ago, I was jetting off to Mexico, for a friend's, sister's 
     wedding (I just used it as an excuse to go to Guadalajara).
     I knew I would be packing an SLR and about 12 rolls of film, and was 
     concerned about the X-rays fogging it.  I set out to read what I could 
     about it.
     
     First, I discovered that it doesn't happen "that often" (that is 
     really reassuring, eh?).  No, really, "they" say that you would have 
     to pass the film through many times to get fogged.
     
     The major factor is film speed.  Higher film speed increases the 
     likelyhood of fogging.
     
     The next factor is if the film has been exposed (you have shot off the 
     roll).  This increases the chance of fogging.
     
     I went out and bought a lead foil pack (it was about $10 bucks, 10 
     years ago).  I put all my film in this.  I opened this for the 
     security people, and they passed it around the X-ray machine.
     On the way back, I put all my exposed rolls in the lead foil pack, and 
     stuffed it in my suitcase.
     
     I had no problems.
     
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     Mark Poole               |  Mark_Poole@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
     The ants find kingdoms in a foot of ground -William Rose Benet 
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