X-rays, film, India

what kind of film?  bw does better in xray as long as its not 3200.

they 400 speed can generally take 4 or 5 passes before anything happens, depens if your gonna push at all though.

if you really want a hand check, throw a few rolls of 3200 in with the rest of the film.  most airport people recognize this number as too fast to xray and will just check everything with it.

Frank

Your greatest problem probably will not be in India but before you arrive…..Indian authorities are generally very accomodating when it comes to hand searches of film at the X-ray point.

When you arrive at Leh you have no search at the aiport.

I would think that your biggest obstacle would be when you exit from Leh as being in Jammu and Kashmir there is a greater level of security there than other airports but I have found that if you are polite and smile a lot then you can get a hand search they will look at each and every film – so arrive early for the flight- be aware that the first level of security is actually outside the aiport building itself.

I am assuming you are coming on a journalist visa and have some sort of credential? You might like to get a Press Information Bureau Card (PIB) when you arrive which lasts for three months and can be useful when dealing with authorities.

Good luck

Findlay

Hey Fank, Last March I went through Chennai airport with 120 Rolls 100, 400, 3200 tmax and got it through without anyt x-rays. Actually i got it through Sydney, Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka then return without one scan.



I separated them into film types and put them in clear zip lock bags. When i reached the customs desk i was really co-operative and let them look through all the bags. plus i went through customs rather early. 



I think  the trouble starts when if you get all self righteous about you film and not let them go through it.



Good Luck!

how you doin,



the last time i was in delhi and mumbia i walked out of customs / airport with no checks / xrays etc at all,  i dont know wheather this is a good thing or bad, 

but it made it alot easier, this might sound profoundly stupid and strange, i think id been lucky and sometimes i think it comes down to what time of day you land and who’s working.

but i’ve never had problems with indian officals, they don’t like to talk much and look bored out there mind, and can be a bit abrupt, but use the pleasentries and no problems.



Id like to know about Zansker, security and all those things, i’ve heard about a fantastic trek from the minali end, it’s high up on the list for me!!!



safe travels, all the best rich.

Last time I was there i just took the bags with the film out of my backpack and walked out of customs. Seems to be quite common…

Thanks for the all answers so far.

I was indeed thinking about buying the film in Delhi to save one x-ray pass when I go through Amsterdam.

But looking at the prices posted on photosystemsindia.com made me change my mind.

Provia 100 is INR 305 (~$6.8) compared to $4.19 at B&H…

their prices seem a little high..check out vibgyor photos and nikhil enterprises in Bobay (if you are going that way..

http://www.lightstalkers.org/dsp-resources-local.cfm?srid=474