Quick question, how much will taking my film through airport security affect the end product? Just this week I was flying from Salt Lake to Denver, and kindly asked the TSA agent if they could hand check my film and not run it through the scanners. After a few minutes he came back to me and said that they "received numerous alarms" on my film, so they had to send it through. I've heard that if it is under 800 speed that not much will happen. I had two rolls of fresh 35mm 400 speed and some old Polaroid film, which did not turn out when I tried to shoot some last night. Any thoughts on this?

If the Polaroid was 3000 ISO, its shot.

Sorry, should have said what type of Polaroid film. It wasn't pack film that I usually use it was old SX-70 film (which has an ISO of 150 I believe?). It is done for sure, no image shows up at all, and I know the camera works fine. It expired in 1980 and who know where it has been stored this whole time. I'm developing the 35mm film tomorrow, I guess I will just have to wait and see what happens! I think it should be fine.

I've never had a problem with ISO 400 or less after multiple trips through airport security.
It's not too surprising that 33-year old Polaroid pack film which has been stored in potentially dubious conditions didn't work well, x-ray or not!

I've taken Delta 3200 thorough security with no problems. Just ask to have it hand checked if you're worried.

Posted by supersidalicious Sorry, should have said what type of Polaroid film. It wasn't pack film that I usually use it was old SX-70 film (which has an ISO of 150 I believe?). It is done for sure, no image shows up at all, and I know the camera works fine. It expired in 1980 and who know where it has been stored this whole time. I'm developing the 35mm film tomorrow, I guess I will just have to wait and see what happens! I think it should be fine.

Oh, that makes sense. That stuff has probably been dry for a couple decades now - integral films last maybe less than 10 years unrefrigerated before they become totally useless.

A friend of mine is sending me some TZ he found at his work that's probably from the late 80's or early 90's and I have no hope for it (but it was free, so...)