P3D Re: film & X-rays

[Ronald Beck <ronald-beck@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

George,
I agree with you wholeheartedly.  Photography, stereo or otherwise, is
just a hobby for me too.  I simply resolve any anxiety that may occur by
placing my film in the lead bag.  After all, I spent the money for it,
it's a great place to keep my film together as well as any labeling
stuff I may have and the evil X-rays  won't get to it.  It's even got a
neat little plastic clip to keep it closed.  And, I usually pack it in
my (locked) suitcase.

Now, the film in my camera bag is obivously not protected in this manner
and I don't worry about fogging or eternal ruination when passed through
the machine.  In fact, the guards usually INSIST that they hand check my
camera bag rather than passing it through the machine which is more
inclined to "get my blood pressure up".

In all, since I bought the lead bag in the days before I was "educated"
to the lack of risk airport X-ray machines pose, I still use it on
occasion but am not fanatical about its use.  I know that my film has a
better chance of being ruined by my 4yr old opening the back of the
camera than by the airport machine.

Besides, keeping track of the luggage, kids, diaper bags, camera cases,
purses, carry-ons, games, toys, "cuddle bears" and other such items
pretty much keeps my mind off whether the film is going to get fogged or
not.  And, some of my attempts at "photo-art" could probably benefit
from a little fog.

> >So, while I've never seen any problems with film fogging while
> >travelling, I still take the precaution of placing the majority of my
> >film in a leaded pouch while travelling.  After all, the price of a
> >medium size bag is miniscule when compared to the price of 
> >going back to reproduce your photos.
>
> Agreed.  However, for me it is not a matter of cost but a matter of risk
> management and general philosophy of life.  Stereo photography is my hobby,
> a source of pleasure and not anxiety.  Why should I have anxiety over x-ray
> machines, arguing with airport officials (gets your blood pressure up, just
> thinking about it!) when there is no risk?  Instead, I choose to
> concentrate on factors that actually have ruined film for many people, like
> leaving the film in a hot car, leaving it unprocessed for many months, or
> using  cheap processing outfits just a save a few bucks.

> There is risk everywhere.  I would rather concentrate on real risk instead
> of worrying about little or non-existing issues.  But it is up to everyone
> individually to assess where there is risk and where there is not.  I am
> just stating my own personal convictions here (OK John? :-))
> 
> -- George Themelis


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 2624
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