X-ray or not at the airport? Help!

[CraftTeaLady]

I'm flying tomorrow and need to know, do I let my digi go through the xray?

I remember hearing that you putting it through could mess w/ it. Is that so? Not so?

If you say NO - What should I say?

I love to fly but hate to pay for the right to feel violated. UGH!

I know, I know, security...

[Lauren]

If you're really concerned, you could ask to take the body out for hand inspection but I've run mine through the machines many times and not a problem.

[lisarose]

How funny.. I was just reading an article on this! Apparently digital cameras are fine to go through, but its the actual FILM that can be ruined.
And, interstingly, the equipment to scan hand luggage is weaker than the equipment that goes through the checked baggage.
I have taken my digital camera thru in my hand bag pleanty of times and its fine. hmmm.... I have lost the link to where I was reading that!!!

[CraftTeaLady]

Oh TY girls! I appreciate your reponses! Film bad, digi ok.... woo hoo! Thanks!

[Lauren]

Ok, Lisa - I'm going to have to hijack the thread to say I love that photo of you! Those beads are something awesome!

Anyway, glad we could help! Film bad, digi good sums it up pretty well for me in all aspects. ;)

[vshaw]

I never had a problem. Now if it is an expensive camera you can tell the for x amount of dollars I would rather you inspect it and not send it through the machine. They never have a problem with that either.

[HeidiD]

Yes, film bad, digi fine.

<-- Used to manage a custom film developing lab. :)

X-rays are basically light-rays, so sending film through x-ray machines is actually exposing them to light. You can imagine what that does to film! Even the bags they sell to supposedly protect film from x-rays doesn't help, because the machine operators can see into those bags. And if they can see into those bags, it means light is getting through!

Since digi doesn't use light to store images, x-rays and light-rays don't affect it at all. Makes sense, huh? :)

And, yes, the x-rays for checked luggage are powers of 10 stronger than the ones for carry-ons. NEVER send film or traditional cameras through checked luggage.