[ez4me2remember]

Did anyone request a hand inspection of their 35mm film at the Guatemala airport when coming back home? I am not sure what their rules are concerning hand inspection of film. I know xray machines are sometimes much stronger outside of US....and I don't want to take a chance...even if most people do not have problems. And no,....I don't want to do digital instead....I am doing digital in addition, but my primary camera is 35mm...and it takes great pics!!!!

[ej-momtobe]

I used to request hand inspection all the time in central america until I went digital (although never in Guat). If you have film in your camera, most of them will need to examine the camera and take a photo or 2 to prove that it really is a camera. They will tell you that if you are <400 ASA you are ok to go through an x-RAY of your carry-on luggage. Going through the detector with 100 or 200 film should be OK even there if you are only taking a particular roll through once or twice, I just never did. I was always insistant and they eventually always hand check when requested.

My other trick was using a lead film bag for my film. (costs about $20) The airport x-ray machines can not penetrate the lead bag. When they screen your bag, they should note the lead bag and take it out for hand inspection but that is rarely done. They normally just let it pass.

[Rhody]

We did request a hand check at the Guatemala Airport, which they did with the rolls of film.
But we also had two disposable cameras from the foster mom, and they put them through the machine, even though we asked them not to. We were worried the film would be blank, but the pictures still came out. I think you may be safe if the film is under 800 speed, although I'd still ask for a hand check.

[LMG]

I have always allowed my film to go through the xray machines and have never had any problems.

[Zazzi]

We took our Nikon with 400 and 800 asa film, shot 200 photos and they went throught the xray machines ( carry on not checked) and everything was OK.
Zazzi