It's summer time, so we are probably traveling. Whether it be in a car, or plane, we need to becareful with our film and cameras.

Heat is the number one enemy of film so keep it cool. The side of your film box reccomends you store it below 75 degrees.

The worst place to keep your film is in a hot car. Interior temperatures in cars can get incredibly high and it won't take long in a hot car before your film will show the effects.

Film should be treated as the perishable that it is. It is vulnerable both before and after you take the pictures. You can store unexposed film in the refrigerator. However, condensation can be a problem if you store your film in a very cool environment and then heat it up quickly. Film manufacturers suggest you allow your film some time to warm up slowly before putting it into your camera.

When traveling by plane never put your film in your checked baggage. This is the Protocal for flying with film.

PROTOCOL FOR TRAVELERS CARRYING FEWER THAN 20 ROLLS OF FILM:

Do not pack unprotected film into checked baggage.

For hand luggage, leave film and loaded cameras in carry-on bags for screening by a low-dosage carry-on scanner. Or. if desired, place film/loaded camera(s) into see-through or plastic bags and request a hand-inspection of carry-on items. Be prepared to wait for a hand-inspection if lines are long at the security checkpoint. Film and loaded camera(s) also may be placed into a protective pouch of appropriate strength and sent through the airport security equipment in a carry-on bag; or

For checked baggage, film and cameras may be placed in protective pouches designed for high dosage x-ray scanners and packed into luggage. The protected film will remain safe even when subjected to multiple passes through the high-dosage security scanner.

Film may be purchased and developed at the point of destination. Scanners have absolutely no effect on processed prints or slides.

Plastic Film Canisters

The film companies take care when packaging the film to seal it in the plastic canisters under ideal circumstances. The humidity is just right, there is no dust, and inside the canister is the ideal environment for film which can be quite perishable. In the worst case scenario, your film leader (the little part that sticks out) can get sticky from humidity and damage your camera's inner workings as it runs through. Dust, dirt, and pocket lint can also be introduced to the inside of your camera by film that has been kept outside of the plastic canister. Humidity and heat are forces that can damage film quickly both before and after it has been exposed.

Film manufacturers suggest that you shouldn't put the film back into the plastic canister after it has been shot! This can trap humidity inside the canister which also traps it into your film. So how to you store your rolls afterwards? A ziplock baggie that is not sealed all the way. This will help keep dirt and dust from getting into your film and also help with humidity.

While traveling by car you should pack a separate cooler for your film. Use a refreezable ice pack, keep your film in their canisters and seal them in a baggie.

The Best and Simplest advice is.......
1. Buy your film where you are, instead of traveling with it
2. Develop your film where you are, heat, xray machines, humidity have a less chance of damaging your pictures, than they do your film.