Hello,
I'm wondering how much trouble it is to bring recording equipment by
plane to Europe. I'm in the US and would like to record a festival
back in my father's 'old country'. I'd be bringing a two track
recorder, two mics, stereo bar, cables, a stand and other odds and
ends. I think getting it out of the US will be a problem and getting
it back into the US might be a problem. Everywhere else should be OK
(I might not be able to bring batteries through one airport though).

Mics, the stand and the stereo bar can all look like great pipe bombs
to security people. The recorder and cables might look a little odd
too.

What should I know ahead of time?

The stereo bar is a hollow tube and I can pull the end caps off so
they can see right through. I'm going to be buying a compact stand
that hopefully I can do something similar with (any suggestion on what
type?).

How do I go about clearing the mics and recorder through security?

I'd like to bring as much as possible as carry-on luggage. Maybe the
stand and cables can be checked in.

I'd rather not have to rent equipment. I will be having a hard enough
time getting around as it is.

I am fairly sure I can get it all to fit inside a carry-on sized bag
along with a little room left over for clothes. I guess the old camera
will have to go through check in.

Thanks for any tips you might have.

Peter

I took a bunch of stuff to Australia with me a few years ago (immediately
post-911). No problem with security, but I did have to pay duty to bring it
into the country. I saved the receipt, so when I brought it back home I
processed the receipt and got a full refund by check in the mail six weeks
later or so.

I was out about $200 for the period, but other than that, no hassle.

I don't know if UK is the same, but since they're both Commonwealth
countries, they probably are.

If you're going to check anything, you might as well check everything. Just
be sure you've got a good case.


Good luck, and let us know how it comes out.

--

"Peter B." wrote in message
om...
Hello,
I'm wondering how much trouble it is to bring recording equipment by
plane to Europe. I'm in the US and would like to record a festival
back in my father's 'old country'. I'd be bringing a two track
recorder, two mics, stereo bar, cables, a stand and other odds and
ends. I think getting it out of the US will be a problem and getting
it back into the US might be a problem. Everywhere else should be OK
(I might not be able to bring batteries through one airport though).

Mics, the stand and the stereo bar can all look like great pipe bombs
to security people. The recorder and cables might look a little odd
too.

What should I know ahead of time?

The stereo bar is a hollow tube and I can pull the end caps off so
they can see right through. I'm going to be buying a compact stand
that hopefully I can do something similar with (any suggestion on what
type?).

How do I go about clearing the mics and recorder through security?

I'd like to bring as much as possible as carry-on luggage. Maybe the
stand and cables can be checked in.

I'd rather not have to rent equipment. I will be having a hard enough
time getting around as it is.

I am fairly sure I can get it all to fit inside a carry-on sized bag
along with a little room left over for clothes. I guess the old camera
will have to go through check in.

Thanks for any tips you might have.

Peter

I took a bunch of stuff to Australia with me a few years ago (immediately
post-911). No problem with security, but I did have to pay duty to bring it
into the country. I saved the receipt, so when I brought it back home I
processed the receipt and got a full refund by check in the mail six weeks
later or so.

I was out about $200 for the period, but other than that, no hassle.

I don't know if UK is the same, but since they're both Commonwealth
countries, they probably are.

If you're going to check anything, you might as well check everything. Just
be sure you've got a good case.


Good luck, and let us know how it comes out.

--

"Peter B." wrote in message
om...
Hello,
I'm wondering how much trouble it is to bring recording equipment by
plane to Europe. I'm in the US and would like to record a festival
back in my father's 'old country'. I'd be bringing a two track
recorder, two mics, stereo bar, cables, a stand and other odds and
ends. I think getting it out of the US will be a problem and getting
it back into the US might be a problem. Everywhere else should be OK
(I might not be able to bring batteries through one airport though).

Mics, the stand and the stereo bar can all look like great pipe bombs
to security people. The recorder and cables might look a little odd
too.

What should I know ahead of time?

The stereo bar is a hollow tube and I can pull the end caps off so
they can see right through. I'm going to be buying a compact stand
that hopefully I can do something similar with (any suggestion on what
type?).

How do I go about clearing the mics and recorder through security?

I'd like to bring as much as possible as carry-on luggage. Maybe the
stand and cables can be checked in.

I'd rather not have to rent equipment. I will be having a hard enough
time getting around as it is.

I am fairly sure I can get it all to fit inside a carry-on sized bag
along with a little room left over for clothes. I guess the old camera
will have to go through check in.

Thanks for any tips you might have.

Peter

I'm wondering how much trouble it is to bring recording equipment by
plane to Europe.

It's really not any different than just travelling from the US to Europe, which
is to say, it's a pain in the ass, but not because of carrying equipment.

I'd be bringing a two track
recorder, two mics, stereo bar, cables, a stand and other odds and
ends. I think getting it out of the US will be a problem and getting
it back into the US might be a problem.

Not really. TSA may wish to swab your gear & run it through the explosives
sniffer, but they'll discover real fast that it is what you say it is. The mic
stand might be a problem because they have a certain amount of discretion to
prohibit anything that could be used as a club. I'd pack that.

Everywhere else should be OK
(I might not be able to bring batteries through one airport though).

Yes, although I've never had problems with batteries. Don't worry, though,
because batteries are available in any part of the world you may find yourself
in.

Mics, the stand and the stereo bar can all look like great pipe bombs
to security people. The recorder and cables might look a little odd
too.

I pack or carry mics to & from Europe all the time. No problem. German security
likes to look in the cases.

What should I know ahead of time?

That the TSA is considerably less experienced than any European security
agencies in detecting suspicious items, & their relative inability causes them
to do a lot of irrational timewasting pseudo-security stuff.

The stereo bar is a hollow tube and I can pull the end caps off so
they can see right through. I'm going to be buying a compact stand
that hopefully I can do something similar with (any suggestion on what
type?).

Pack it, don't try to carry it on. You can no longer carry any club-like object
onto an American air carrier. Golf clubs & baseball bats won't get on, & I
wouldn't try a mic stand.

How do I go about clearing the mics and recorder through security?

Put them through the X ray machine like anything else. Don't sweat it, they're
not weapons. TSA, as incompetently overreactive as they are, won't stop mics &
a recorder.

I'd like to bring as much as possible as carry-on luggage. Maybe the
stand and cables can be checked in.

Do that. The violist I travel with had spare strings confiscated from his viola
case. The cables could be seen as a potential garrot.
Scott Fraser

I'm wondering how much trouble it is to bring recording equipment by
plane to Europe.

It's really not any different than just travelling from the US to Europe, which
is to say, it's a pain in the ass, but not because of carrying equipment.

I'd be bringing a two track
recorder, two mics, stereo bar, cables, a stand and other odds and
ends. I think getting it out of the US will be a problem and getting
it back into the US might be a problem.

Not really. TSA may wish to swab your gear & run it through the explosives
sniffer, but they'll discover real fast that it is what you say it is. The mic
stand might be a problem because they have a certain amount of discretion to
prohibit anything that could be used as a club. I'd pack that.

Everywhere else should be OK
(I might not be able to bring batteries through one airport though).

Yes, although I've never had problems with batteries. Don't worry, though,
because batteries are available in any part of the world you may find yourself
in.

Mics, the stand and the stereo bar can all look like great pipe bombs
to security people. The recorder and cables might look a little odd
too.

I pack or carry mics to & from Europe all the time. No problem. German security
likes to look in the cases.

What should I know ahead of time?

That the TSA is considerably less experienced than any European security
agencies in detecting suspicious items, & their relative inability causes them
to do a lot of irrational timewasting pseudo-security stuff.

The stereo bar is a hollow tube and I can pull the end caps off so
they can see right through. I'm going to be buying a compact stand
that hopefully I can do something similar with (any suggestion on what
type?).

Pack it, don't try to carry it on. You can no longer carry any club-like object
onto an American air carrier. Golf clubs & baseball bats won't get on, & I
wouldn't try a mic stand.

How do I go about clearing the mics and recorder through security?

Put them through the X ray machine like anything else. Don't sweat it, they're
not weapons. TSA, as incompetently overreactive as they are, won't stop mics &
a recorder.

I'd like to bring as much as possible as carry-on luggage. Maybe the
stand and cables can be checked in.

Do that. The violist I travel with had spare strings confiscated from his viola
case. The cables could be seen as a potential garrot.
Scott Fraser

most gear goes just fine, but friends of mine carried during
expo2000 couple of XLR plugs (spare plugs) attached to each other
and went thru investigationport. of course custom guys did not understand
what the heck those plugs were and did not really understand my friends
description about spare plugs, audio connectors etc.

They did not give him a permission to deattach those plugs to show how
usual looking they are (familiar from microphones). Gladly they finally
understood what it was all about.

usually I have gone thru just fine with my recorder but have placed almost
all in suitcase and havent carried them with hand luggage

..jukka

"Peter B." wrote in message
om...
Hello,
I'm wondering how much trouble it is to bring recording equipment by
plane to Europe. I'm in the US and would like to record a festival
back in my father's 'old country'. I'd be bringing a two track
recorder, two mics, stereo bar, cables, a stand and other odds and
ends. I think getting it out of the US will be a problem and getting
it back into the US might be a problem. Everywhere else should be OK
(I might not be able to bring batteries through one airport though).

Mics, the stand and the stereo bar can all look like great pipe bombs
to security people. The recorder and cables might look a little odd
too.

What should I know ahead of time?

The stereo bar is a hollow tube and I can pull the end caps off so
they can see right through. I'm going to be buying a compact stand
that hopefully I can do something similar with (any suggestion on what
type?).

How do I go about clearing the mics and recorder through security?

I'd like to bring as much as possible as carry-on luggage. Maybe the
stand and cables can be checked in.

I'd rather not have to rent equipment. I will be having a hard enough
time getting around as it is.

I am fairly sure I can get it all to fit inside a carry-on sized bag
along with a little room left over for clothes. I guess the old camera
will have to go through check in.

Thanks for any tips you might have.

Peter

most gear goes just fine, but friends of mine carried during
expo2000 couple of XLR plugs (spare plugs) attached to each other
and went thru investigationport. of course custom guys did not understand
what the heck those plugs were and did not really understand my friends
description about spare plugs, audio connectors etc.

They did not give him a permission to deattach those plugs to show how
usual looking they are (familiar from microphones). Gladly they finally
understood what it was all about.

usually I have gone thru just fine with my recorder but have placed almost
all in suitcase and havent carried them with hand luggage

..jukka

"Peter B." wrote in message
om...
Hello,
I'm wondering how much trouble it is to bring recording equipment by
plane to Europe. I'm in the US and would like to record a festival
back in my father's 'old country'. I'd be bringing a two track
recorder, two mics, stereo bar, cables, a stand and other odds and
ends. I think getting it out of the US will be a problem and getting
it back into the US might be a problem. Everywhere else should be OK
(I might not be able to bring batteries through one airport though).

Mics, the stand and the stereo bar can all look like great pipe bombs
to security people. The recorder and cables might look a little odd
too.

What should I know ahead of time?

The stereo bar is a hollow tube and I can pull the end caps off so
they can see right through. I'm going to be buying a compact stand
that hopefully I can do something similar with (any suggestion on what
type?).

How do I go about clearing the mics and recorder through security?

I'd like to bring as much as possible as carry-on luggage. Maybe the
stand and cables can be checked in.

I'd rather not have to rent equipment. I will be having a hard enough
time getting around as it is.

I am fairly sure I can get it all to fit inside a carry-on sized bag
along with a little room left over for clothes. I guess the old camera
will have to go through check in.

Thanks for any tips you might have.

Peter

Peter B. wrote:
Hello,
I'm wondering how much trouble it is to bring recording equipment by
plane to Europe. I'm in the US and would like to record a festival
back in my father's 'old country'. I'd be bringing a two track
recorder, two mics, stereo bar, cables, a stand and other odds and
ends. I think getting it out of the US will be a problem and getting
it back into the US might be a problem. Everywhere else should be OK
(I might not be able to bring batteries through one airport though).

Some batteries can be a problem, but I think small ones are ok. However,
you may also have trouble getting electronic gear cleared unless you can
turn it on. That requires batteries.


Mics, the stand and the stereo bar can all look like great pipe bombs
to security people. The recorder and cables might look a little odd
too.

Anything that could be mistaken for a bomb (in an X-ray) should be hand
carried. That way, a hand inspection can clear them. The potential for
problems with checked items is illustrated in

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/...tm?POE=TRVISVA


What should I know ahead of time?

The stereo bar is a hollow tube and I can pull the end caps off so
they can see right through. I'm going to be buying a compact stand
that hopefully I can do something similar with (any suggestion on what
type?).

If it were me, I'd carry the hollow tube (see above) and check the
club-like items. [Clearing security is a mine field. But never say that
at check-in ;-]


How do I go about clearing the mics and recorder through security?

I'd like to bring as much as possible as carry-on luggage. Maybe the
stand and cables can be checked in.

I'd rather not have to rent equipment. I will be having a hard enough
time getting around as it is.

I am fairly sure I can get it all to fit inside a carry-on sized bag
along with a little room left over for clothes. I guess the old camera
will have to go through check in.

But never check film. The powerful X-rays used on checked baggage will
ruin it.


Thanks for any tips you might have.

Peter

Peter B. wrote:
Hello,
I'm wondering how much trouble it is to bring recording equipment by
plane to Europe. I'm in the US and would like to record a festival
back in my father's 'old country'. I'd be bringing a two track
recorder, two mics, stereo bar, cables, a stand and other odds and
ends. I think getting it out of the US will be a problem and getting
it back into the US might be a problem. Everywhere else should be OK
(I might not be able to bring batteries through one airport though).

Some batteries can be a problem, but I think small ones are ok. However,
you may also have trouble getting electronic gear cleared unless you can
turn it on. That requires batteries.


Mics, the stand and the stereo bar can all look like great pipe bombs
to security people. The recorder and cables might look a little odd
too.

Anything that could be mistaken for a bomb (in an X-ray) should be hand
carried. That way, a hand inspection can clear them. The potential for
problems with checked items is illustrated in

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/...tm?POE=TRVISVA


What should I know ahead of time?

The stereo bar is a hollow tube and I can pull the end caps off so
they can see right through. I'm going to be buying a compact stand
that hopefully I can do something similar with (any suggestion on what
type?).

If it were me, I'd carry the hollow tube (see above) and check the
club-like items. [Clearing security is a mine field. But never say that
at check-in ;-]


How do I go about clearing the mics and recorder through security?

I'd like to bring as much as possible as carry-on luggage. Maybe the
stand and cables can be checked in.

I'd rather not have to rent equipment. I will be having a hard enough
time getting around as it is.

I am fairly sure I can get it all to fit inside a carry-on sized bag
along with a little room left over for clothes. I guess the old camera
will have to go through check in.

But never check film. The powerful X-rays used on checked baggage will
ruin it.


Thanks for any tips you might have.

Peter

I speak with experience that's several years old, so it may be outdated,
but...

If you're using any equipment that's not made in the USA (say, Neumann
microphones), go to a U.S. Customs office a few days before you go, bring
the equipment and get a piece of paper that says you showed it to them here
in the USA. When you come back, showing that paper can save you loads of
hassle with the customs people.

Peace,
Paul

I speak with experience that's several years old, so it may be outdated,
but...

If you're using any equipment that's not made in the USA (say, Neumann
microphones), go to a U.S. Customs office a few days before you go, bring
the equipment and get a piece of paper that says you showed it to them here
in the USA. When you come back, showing that paper can save you loads of
hassle with the customs people.

Peace,
Paul

A friend of mine has some kind of dual seimic detector/GPS device (I'm
not 100% sure about the GPS). It's a fairly well know system and it
comes with labels for your racks/cases. That way if someone drop your
gear, you know who to sue and of couse the labels are supposed to
encourage caution.

I wish I could remember the name, but it might be something to look
into renting or buying on eBay.

A friend of mine has some kind of dual seimic detector/GPS device (I'm
not 100% sure about the GPS). It's a fairly well know system and it
comes with labels for your racks/cases. That way if someone drop your
gear, you know who to sue and of couse the labels are supposed to
encourage caution.

I wish I could remember the name, but it might be something to look
into renting or buying on eBay.

"Peter B." wrote in...
I'm wondering how much trouble it is to bring recording
equipment by plane to Europe.

There have been several comprehensive discussions of this
recently over on news:rec.arts.movies.production.sound
Recommend using groups.google.com to research them.

"Peter B." wrote in...
I'm wondering how much trouble it is to bring recording
equipment by plane to Europe.

There have been several comprehensive discussions of this
recently over on news:rec.arts.movies.production.sound
Recommend using groups.google.com to research them.

"Richard Crowley" wrote in message ...
"Peter B." wrote in...
I'm wondering how much trouble it is to bring recording
equipment by plane to Europe.

There have been several comprehensive discussions of this
recently over on news:rec.arts.movies.production.sound
Recommend using groups.google.com to research them.

Thanks for the heads up on what is going on in this other group.

Peter

"Richard Crowley" wrote in message ...
"Peter B." wrote in...
I'm wondering how much trouble it is to bring recording
equipment by plane to Europe.

There have been several comprehensive discussions of this
recently over on news:rec.arts.movies.production.sound
Recommend using groups.google.com to research them.

Thanks for the heads up on what is going on in this other group.

Peter

"Paul Stamler" wrote in message ...
I speak with experience that's several years old, so it may be outdated,
but...

If you're using any equipment that's not made in the USA (say, Neumann
microphones), go to a U.S. Customs office a few days before you go, bring
the equipment and get a piece of paper that says you showed it to them here
in the USA. When you come back, showing that paper can save you loads of
hassle with the customs people.

Peace,
Paul


That's a great idea. Few things seem to be stamped 'made in the US' anymore.

Thanks,
Peter

"Paul Stamler" wrote in message ...
I speak with experience that's several years old, so it may be outdated,
but...

If you're using any equipment that's not made in the USA (say, Neumann
microphones), go to a U.S. Customs office a few days before you go, bring
the equipment and get a piece of paper that says you showed it to them here
in the USA. When you come back, showing that paper can save you loads of
hassle with the customs people.

Peace,
Paul


That's a great idea. Few things seem to be stamped 'made in the US' anymore.

Thanks,
Peter

Ed Anson wrote in message ...


But never check film. The powerful X-rays used on checked baggage will
ruin it.





I keep film in my carry on bag. going out of the US they just do a
hand inspection. Coming into the US from Frankfurt they refused such a
service. I ended up having to send it through the machine. The
pictures came out fine. I was upset though because they gave me no
confirmation that it would be ok despite my questioning. Other
airports let me know that it would be safe up to xxxx speed. Well...
maybe they just didn't know how to let me know this in English.

Thanks,
Peter

Ed Anson wrote in message ...


But never check film. The powerful X-rays used on checked baggage will
ruin it.





I keep film in my carry on bag. going out of the US they just do a
hand inspection. Coming into the US from Frankfurt they refused such a
service. I ended up having to send it through the machine. The
pictures came out fine. I was upset though because they gave me no
confirmation that it would be ok despite my questioning. Other
airports let me know that it would be safe up to xxxx speed. Well...
maybe they just didn't know how to let me know this in English.

Thanks,
Peter

Ed Anson wrote:

But never check film. The powerful X-rays used on checked baggage will
ruin it.

My son lost a roll of photos that were important to his family memory
banks when the airport "safety" personnel insisted it go throught the
machine and that it would not hurt the film. Maybe it didn't hurt the
film, but it destroyed the images. In the future he will remove the film
and send it via post.

--
ha

Ed Anson wrote:

But never check film. The powerful X-rays used on checked baggage will
ruin it.

My son lost a roll of photos that were important to his family memory
banks when the airport "safety" personnel insisted it go throught the
machine and that it would not hurt the film. Maybe it didn't hurt the
film, but it destroyed the images. In the future he will remove the film
and send it via post.

--
ha

"hank alrich" wrote in message
. ..
Ed Anson wrote:

But never check film. The powerful X-rays used on checked baggage will
ruin it.

My son lost a roll of photos that were important to his family memory
banks when the airport "safety" personnel insisted it go throught the
machine and that it would not hurt the film. Maybe it didn't hurt the
film, but it destroyed the images. In the future he will remove the film
and send it via post.

They're x-raying that too, or sending electron beams through it. My advice
is to have it processed where he shoots it. My next trip abroad, I'll shoot
only XP2, since it's processable in a C41 line.

Peace,
Paul

"hank alrich" wrote in message
. ..
Ed Anson wrote:

But never check film. The powerful X-rays used on checked baggage will
ruin it.

My son lost a roll of photos that were important to his family memory
banks when the airport "safety" personnel insisted it go throught the
machine and that it would not hurt the film. Maybe it didn't hurt the
film, but it destroyed the images. In the future he will remove the film
and send it via post.

They're x-raying that too, or sending electron beams through it. My advice
is to have it processed where he shoots it. My next trip abroad, I'll shoot
only XP2, since it's processable in a C41 line.

Peace,
Paul

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 03:44:38 GMT, "Paul Stamler"
wrote:

They're x-raying that too, or sending electron beams through it. My advice
is to have it processed where he shoots it. My next trip abroad, I'll shoot
only XP2, since it's processable in a C41 line.

Isn't that the IR sensitive neg film? Beautiful, beautiful stuff for
night shots. About 100 speed, so Security won't consider your request
for hand screening significant. Totally a personal call; haircut, etc.

I'm recently back from PDX and photo shoot at McKenzie River and the
Three Sisters Wilderness area. A&I in Hollywood no longer processes
Kodachrome. ! Cue Paul Simon.

"The terrorists are winning" is all I've got to say about things...

Chris Hornbeck

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 03:44:38 GMT, "Paul Stamler"
wrote:

They're x-raying that too, or sending electron beams through it. My advice
is to have it processed where he shoots it. My next trip abroad, I'll shoot
only XP2, since it's processable in a C41 line.

Isn't that the IR sensitive neg film? Beautiful, beautiful stuff for
night shots. About 100 speed, so Security won't consider your request
for hand screening significant. Totally a personal call; haircut, etc.

I'm recently back from PDX and photo shoot at McKenzie River and the
Three Sisters Wilderness area. A&I in Hollywood no longer processes
Kodachrome. ! Cue Paul Simon.

"The terrorists are winning" is all I've got to say about things...

Chris Hornbeck

Ed Anson wrote:

Some batteries can be a problem, but I think small ones are ok. However,
you may also have trouble getting electronic gear cleared unless you can
turn it on. That requires batteries.

We've just been through this here - if the battery has a capacity of
less than 100 watt hours then you're fine. If it has a higher capacity
then you need to jump through a few hoops and possibly send it as air
freight.

Taking unusual gear on a plane is a bit of a lottery - customs seem to
want to follow a different proceedure every trip - even if you've got
all the right forms in your posession already.

Cheers.

James.

Ed Anson wrote:

Some batteries can be a problem, but I think small ones are ok. However,
you may also have trouble getting electronic gear cleared unless you can
turn it on. That requires batteries.

We've just been through this here - if the battery has a capacity of
less than 100 watt hours then you're fine. If it has a higher capacity
then you need to jump through a few hoops and possibly send it as air
freight.

Taking unusual gear on a plane is a bit of a lottery - customs seem to
want to follow a different proceedure every trip - even if you've got
all the right forms in your posession already.

Cheers.

James.

Paul Stamler wrote:
"hank alrich" wrote in message
...
Ed Anson wrote:

But never check film. The powerful X-rays used on checked baggage will
ruin it.

My son lost a roll of photos that were important to his family memory
banks when the airport "safety" personnel insisted it go throught the
machine and that it would not hurt the film. Maybe it didn't hurt the
film, but it destroyed the images. In the future he will remove the film
and send it via post.

They're x-raying that too, or sending electron beams through it. My advice
is to have it processed where he shoots it. My next trip abroad, I'll shoot
only XP2, since it's processable in a C41 line.

Yes, but now you are limited to dealing with local C41 processing, which
can be doubtful, especially in the third world. It's a dye image too, so
it's going to fade faster than normal B&W and if the chemistry is substandard
and they have skimped on the stabilizing agent, it can fade really fast.
Like within a couple weeks for one lab in Bangkok that I unfortunately used.

Plus you're stuck with the crushed highlights that are the hallmark of
color negative. (Or maybe the wonderful compensating effect, if you want
to think about it that way).

Not that I have a better solution, other than FedEx (which is expensive
internationally), or carrying around a tank and some Diafine. Diafine is
great for hotel room processing since it retains the same curves regardless
of time or temperature. But it also tends to be more compensating than I
like.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Paul Stamler wrote:
"hank alrich" wrote in message
...
Ed Anson wrote:

But never check film. The powerful X-rays used on checked baggage will
ruin it.

My son lost a roll of photos that were important to his family memory
banks when the airport "safety" personnel insisted it go throught the
machine and that it would not hurt the film. Maybe it didn't hurt the
film, but it destroyed the images. In the future he will remove the film
and send it via post.

They're x-raying that too, or sending electron beams through it. My advice
is to have it processed where he shoots it. My next trip abroad, I'll shoot
only XP2, since it's processable in a C41 line.

Yes, but now you are limited to dealing with local C41 processing, which
can be doubtful, especially in the third world. It's a dye image too, so
it's going to fade faster than normal B&W and if the chemistry is substandard
and they have skimped on the stabilizing agent, it can fade really fast.
Like within a couple weeks for one lab in Bangkok that I unfortunately used.

Plus you're stuck with the crushed highlights that are the hallmark of
color negative. (Or maybe the wonderful compensating effect, if you want
to think about it that way).

Not that I have a better solution, other than FedEx (which is expensive
internationally), or carrying around a tank and some Diafine. Diafine is
great for hotel room processing since it retains the same curves regardless
of time or temperature. But it also tends to be more compensating than I
like.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

"Chris Hornbeck" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 03:44:38 GMT, "Paul Stamler"
wrote:

They're x-raying that too, or sending electron beams through it. My
advice
is to have it processed where he shoots it. My next trip abroad, I'll
shoot
only XP2, since it's processable in a C41 line.

Isn't that the IR sensitive neg film? Beautiful, beautiful stuff for
night shots. About 100 speed, so Security won't consider your request
for hand screening significant. Totally a personal call; haircut, etc.

No, XP2 is a chromogenic black-and-white film, official EI 400 but I shoot
it at 250. Very fine grain, very smooth tones, stuff I shoot in 35mm looks
very much like good 6x6. I don't think Ilford makes a dedicated processing
kit for it anymore, but it runs in a standard color-negative C41 processor.

Peace,
Paul

"Chris Hornbeck" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 03:44:38 GMT, "Paul Stamler"
wrote:

They're x-raying that too, or sending electron beams through it. My
advice
is to have it processed where he shoots it. My next trip abroad, I'll
shoot
only XP2, since it's processable in a C41 line.

Isn't that the IR sensitive neg film? Beautiful, beautiful stuff for
night shots. About 100 speed, so Security won't consider your request
for hand screening significant. Totally a personal call; haircut, etc.

No, XP2 is a chromogenic black-and-white film, official EI 400 but I shoot
it at 250. Very fine grain, very smooth tones, stuff I shoot in 35mm looks
very much like good 6x6. I don't think Ilford makes a dedicated processing
kit for it anymore, but it runs in a standard color-negative C41 processor.

Peace,
Paul

"Scott Dorsey" wrote in message
...

They're x-raying that too, or sending electron beams through it. My
advice
is to have it processed where he shoots it. My next trip abroad, I'll
shoot
only XP2, since it's processable in a C41 line.

Yes, but now you are limited to dealing with local C41 processing, which
can be doubtful, especially in the third world. It's a dye image too, so
it's going to fade faster than normal B&W and if the chemistry is
substandard
and they have skimped on the stabilizing agent, it can fade really fast.
Like within a couple weeks for one lab in Bangkok that I unfortunately
used.

Luckily, I don't spend much time in the third world; my travel tends to be
to Italy and the UK. The latter, at least, has good labs.

Plus you're stuck with the crushed highlights that are the hallmark of
color negative. (Or maybe the wonderful compensating effect, if you want
to think about it that way).

I do; there's a creaminess in the tone of XP2 that I find quite enticing.
It's not really crushed, just mildly compressed, maybe a 1.5:1 ratio.

Not that I have a better solution, other than FedEx (which is expensive
internationally), or carrying around a tank and some Diafine. Diafine is
great for hotel room processing since it retains the same curves
regardless
of time or temperature. But it also tends to be more compensating than I
like.

And the grain structure is really gnarly and uneven, which tends toward ugly
tonality. I'd thought about hauling along some Diafine, but thinking about
passing through Italian customs with a couple cans of white powder...

Peace,
Paul

"Scott Dorsey" wrote in message
...

They're x-raying that too, or sending electron beams through it. My
advice
is to have it processed where he shoots it. My next trip abroad, I'll
shoot
only XP2, since it's processable in a C41 line.

Yes, but now you are limited to dealing with local C41 processing, which
can be doubtful, especially in the third world. It's a dye image too, so
it's going to fade faster than normal B&W and if the chemistry is
substandard
and they have skimped on the stabilizing agent, it can fade really fast.
Like within a couple weeks for one lab in Bangkok that I unfortunately
used.

Luckily, I don't spend much time in the third world; my travel tends to be
to Italy and the UK. The latter, at least, has good labs.

Plus you're stuck with the crushed highlights that are the hallmark of
color negative. (Or maybe the wonderful compensating effect, if you want
to think about it that way).

I do; there's a creaminess in the tone of XP2 that I find quite enticing.
It's not really crushed, just mildly compressed, maybe a 1.5:1 ratio.

Not that I have a better solution, other than FedEx (which is expensive
internationally), or carrying around a tank and some Diafine. Diafine is
great for hotel room processing since it retains the same curves
regardless
of time or temperature. But it also tends to be more compensating than I
like.

And the grain structure is really gnarly and uneven, which tends toward ugly
tonality. I'd thought about hauling along some Diafine, but thinking about
passing through Italian customs with a couple cans of white powder...

Peace,
Paul