6 Weeks in Europe

Hey all,

Im going for a solo trip to Europe in March (England, France, Italy, maybe Germany and Switzerland)

Ill be traveling by train and most likely staying in hostels...

any tips for a photographer for a trip of this nature and duration in regards to traveling with film and equipment?

I've been to Europe several times, but this was before I started taking photography seriously - some of my concerns are traveling with film, and whether or not it'll make sense to ship the film back home as I go or keep it with me....

Im trying to plan this out as best I can so any experinces anyone can share or tips would be great to hear.

...dont know if this matters but im a medium format shooter so my hassy is coming with me, along with my trusty nikon f100

thanks,
Mike

michaelsalomon said:

I've been to Europe several times, but this was before I started taking photography seriously - some of my concerns are traveling with film, and whether or not it'll make sense to ship the film back home as I go or keep it with me....

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You shouldn't have any problems with your film. If you don't want to have your film developed while on your trip, then just send it home; FedEx is all over Europe.

michaelsalomon said:

Hey all,

Im going for a solo trip to Europe in March (England, France, Italy, maybe Germany and Switzerland)

Ill be traveling by train and most likely staying in hostels...

any tips for a photographer for a trip of this nature and duration in regards to traveling with film and equipment?

I've been to Europe several times, but this was before I started taking photography seriously - some of my concerns are traveling with film, and whether or not it'll make sense to ship the film back home as I go or keep it with me....

Im trying to plan this out as best I can so any experinces anyone can share or tips would be great to hear.

...dont know if this matters but im a medium format shooter so my hassy is coming with me, along with my trusty nikon f100

thanks,
Mike

Click to expand...

most contryes in europe knows or remembers what film is /was.....

you can visit me and stay for free, if you like.
i have a big darkroom with 12-14 enlargers...
and you can develop as much as you please..

it is in Denmark, mind you.. the very top of the continent..
close to the end of the world.

best regards
emil

gandolfi said:

it is in Denmark, mind you.. the very top of the continent..
close to the end of the world.

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.. or you could continue north, and visit me at the end of the world?

Ole said:

.. or you could continue north, and visit me at the end of the world?

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Ole, how do you know when the world is going to end? Have I missed something on CNN?

Bring enough film when you travel because some parts Europe, it's hard to get your favorite kind(s) of film when you need it.

England in March the weather tends to be fairly dull so unless you are bringing a tripod (which can be quite a nuisance to haul around) I'd recommend having ISO 400 films with you.

If you are in the UK over April 21-23rd come on up to Yorkshire for the (there was a url link here which no longer exists). I'm sure we can arrange transportation...

In the UK, MF film can be a bit difficult to obtain in the high street outside of the cities.

You probably already know about them, but joining your local Youth Hostel organization gets you access to the UK's network of hostels (www.yha.org.uk & www.syha.org.uk)

Have fun, Bob.

Can I hide in your suitcase?

Don't forget Austria and the Netherlands, they're going to be in your way and there are interesting things to see there.

Denmark is too flat and Norway too dark (in March). I wouldn't recommend them...

PS. Yes, Emil, the Netherlands is as flat as Denmark but it's more fun.

Actually, North Norway in March has some of the most magical light on the planet.

Michael,
Whether you were going to Europe or anywhere else, I strongly advise you to get film developed as you go. That way, if there were any problems you have an opportunity to re-shoot whilst on location. There's nothing worse than coming back from a trip only to discover there's been a cock-up and you've lost images.

I'm sure people here will advise you of decent labs in the different countries. The same goes for sources of film, Europe is not quite the desert some people may believe, in fact you can probably getting a wider range of films than you are used to.

Struan Gray said:

Actually, North Norway in March has some of the most magical light on the planet.

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Yes it is true! It it so transparent and clean! I was suprised reading the previous post about dark and flat. Frankly I thought it was a joke...

Struan Gray said:

Actually, North Norway in March has some of the most magical light on the planet.

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Of course it was. I like to tease every guy who is a Viking descendant.

I actually want to visit North North norway sometime in the future, do you think that I should choose March as the best time to do it ?

I spent two weeks at the end of March and the beginning of April in Lofoten a few years ago. That was in my climbing days, so I was only photographing with handheld 35 mm, but the views and the light were breathtaking. I have also been there in the summertime, and aesthetically there is no comparison. Were I to go back I would pick that time.

We had about 12 hours each day when we could climb or hike without headtorches. Golden hour lasted all day. The snow line was down at sea level - even the skerries had snow on them - but you had to climb up a ways to get really deep snow banks. Lots of frozen waterfalls and natural ice sculptures. Daytime temperatures varied a lot, depending on the weather fronts, between +5 and -20 °C. Most of the time the weather was bad for climbing (and I'm used to Scottish winters), but hiking to photograph would be fine and car-based photography easy.

If you go earlier, the days are shorter but the killer/Orca whales are around if you want to photograph them. If you're interested in the yearly fishing bonanza in the Vestfjörd it peaks is a little earlier too, although there was still plenty of landing and hanging up of fish when we were there.

South of Lofoten the snow melts earlier, but the days are longer earlier too. Further North it stays cold and dark for longer, but then you get entire mountains plastered white in foot-thick snow and rimfrost turning pink at sunset. I once did some ski-touring up round Tromsö in late February and that too was spectacular, although I'd take Lofoten as my first love.

Michael: sorry to hijack your thread.