Film stock for travelling

evarn · Apr 3, 2006

Hi... I'm embarking on a 7 week trip in just over a month and I'll be taking a couple of cameras along and I'm wondering what sort of b&w film I should stock up on before I leave.

Ideally I'd take an ISO 400 film as I will be shooting predominantly on a 6x6 folding camera (Franka Solida III) and if i'm brave maybe my Super Ikonta as well.

What I want to know from people out there is, which film will give me enough lattitude to shoot stopped down around f22 most of the time and enough speed, either normal or pushed so that I can shoot freely. I'll be spending most of my time in Europe so I suppose I could buy film while I'm there, but I'll be bringing it all home to develop.

Thanks for your help

Ivan

Mick Fagan · Apr 3, 2006

Ivan, I regularly travel to Germany and take pictures, whilst my wife attends to family gatherings.

Many times I have been over there for a 4, 6 or 8 week trip. I find that it's best and really easy to develop the film during the evenings. A tank, some chemicals and two solution containers are all you need.

That way you get an understanding of how the camera(s) is/are working. You also don't have any X-ray problems on the way home.

I was in Germany over Christmas and New Year. I spent quite a lot of time near Stuttgart, which is pretty much the film capital of Europe, or was. I found it hard without local knowledge and limited transport to find film to purchase.

Most of the camera stores only seemed to carry 400 ASA colour neg film, everything else they sell is for those electronic capture systems.

I did though see Ilford FP4+ and HP5+ in quite a few places.

I would say a 400 speed film would be the go and the lighting in Germany in summertime is pretty much like Melbourne on a sunny smoggy day. You won't see too much contrast in full sunlight, compared to here that is.

Mick.

evarn · Apr 3, 2006

Mick. Thanks for the input.. my main problem is that i'll be living out of a suitcase for 7 weeks, going from place to place.. specifically 4 nights in mauritius, 4 in london, 5 in paris, then thru to southern france., a week in wales and a few nights in scotland... so carrying a tank and chemicals could be problematic

to avoid the x-rays, would it be easier to mail my negs home instead of putting them thru the airport luggage x-ray machines?

Mick Fagan · Apr 3, 2006

I wouldn't let my film or negs get out of my sight. Posting undeveloped film is a no no from certain countries, espionage and that kind of thing is suspected.

If you are flying between each leg then it could be a bit of a problem, but not that hard.

I would imagine that film is readily available in London, always has been for me whenever I've been there.

From London it shouldn't be that hard to develop film before going to bed. A roll or two of film, hangs beautifully from a wardrobe hanger to another wardrobe hanger. I find that it takes about 20 minutes from go to whoa, with 10 minutes for setting up.

I use Ilfosol for developer as it's handy and quick. A set of plastic metric cooking spoons is perfect for measuring out concentrate:- 1.25ml, 2.5ml, 5ml, 20ml and they all fold into each other. Practice before you leave and keep it dead simple, you'll be amazed.

France has always been a bit hard to get films in the past, I haven't been there for 8 years, it may be different now though.

Mick.

butterflydream · Apr 3, 2006

Luggage inspection uses even stronger x-ray and thus worse than hand carry. I tried film safty bag and watched the inspector while he's looking into my bag through x-ray. He increased the intensity of x-ray until he could see the film canister.

evarn · Apr 3, 2006

butterflydream said:
Luggage inspection uses even stronger x-ray and thus worse than hand carry. I tried film safty bag and watched the inspector while he's looking into my bag through x-ray. He increased the intensity of x-ray until he could see the film canister.

hmm. well.. i'll be on and off about 12 flights during the trip at least.. so i might have to find some other solution.. dare i say it... digital

JBrunner · Apr 3, 2006

Lots of relevant info here:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

roteague · Apr 3, 2006

evarn said:
hmm. well.. i'll be on and off about 12 flights during the trip at least.. so i might have to find some other solution.. dare i say it... digital

evarn, you are stressing too much. You have a number of options available. You could carry some film from home and pick up more in London. I'm sure if you asked, a number of London based APUG members would help you get the film. From London, you could also post some of your film back home via FedEx (they don't xray packages).

The airline xray isn't too much a problem either. Last year I went to New Zealand/Australia, with my film going through the xray machine 8 times, although I was only carrying 50 & 100 speed film.

FWIW, it would be a shame if you only took B&W on a trip like this. Take some Velvia, you don't need a lot, but some is better than none.

Huub S · Apr 3, 2006

evarn said:
What I want to know from people out there is, which film will give me enough lattitude to shoot stopped down around f22 most of the time and enough speed, either normal or pushed so that I can shoot freely. I'll be spending most of my time in Europe so I suppose I could buy film while I'm there, but I'll be bringing it all home to develop.

Take the film you normally use and dont worry about the xrays. I would stock some 3200 iso film as well to be able tot cope with bad weather. Store the films in your hand luggage, like your cameras and you will be alright. I have been traveling to Nepal just after 9/11 and had my Tri-X and Delta3200 xrayed at least a dozen times before being able to develop them. No problem.
And there are plenty of places left in Europe where you can buy 120 b&w film.

Huub

evarn · Apr 4, 2006

Just out of curiosity, is the chemical composition of the different films significant in knowing if they will fog or not?

By that, I mean, film done in c41 or E6 chemicals might use dye technology which are less susceptible to xrays than b&w silver films.

Any thoughts?

Hlop · Apr 5, 2006

Hi,

I travelled a lot with iso400 and iso800 color films and never had x-ray problems. At least, you always can get your films off the bag and ask for a hand inspection. altough it doesn't work everywhere but always worth to ask

Maine-iac · Apr 5, 2006

Mick Fagan said:
France has always been a bit hard to get films in the past, I haven't been there for 8 years, it may be different now though.

Mick.

It's not at all hard to get film in France. Any of the thousands of Photo Stations carry Ilford and Fuji B&W, and the large FNAC chain always has a very complete selection of films, as well as quick and professional developing services. While I always developed my own B&W in my own darkroom (I lived there for ten years), I got all my color negs done at my local photo station and all my color transparencies done at the nearest FNAC. Film prices are about the same there as in the US.

Larry

butterflydream · Apr 15, 2006

Here's the result of x-ray damage, happened to one of my friend. Kodak TMY.
He put the film in checked-in luggage, flying from China to Incheon aiport Korea.

Curt · Apr 15, 2006

Mick, do you buy your chemicals in Germany or can you take them with you? I agree that it's not that hard to develop roll film using a changing bag and good water.

Curt

Mick Fagan · Apr 15, 2006

Curt, you can do both. In the past on lengthy trips I have purchased locally, one has enough time to source chemicals and other stuff.

When on a short trip of about 2 weeks I have taken my own chemicals in powder form. Usually D76 this is the easiest way in 1 litre kits and used 1+3 to wring out the most films.

For fixer I have used Agfa Acidofix which is a powder in 1 litre packets, this is usually enough for 1 trip.

I use either water or vinegar, for stop bath.

For the last 16 years I have mixed D76 from raw chemicals for almost all of my B&W films.

On my last trip 14 weeks ago to Germany I pre-mixed D76 into plastic ziplock bags and put them into an old ID11 cardboard box. It gets only a cursory glance when packed alongside a Jobo 1520 tank and two reels.

I have thought of changing to Ilfosol for convenience but old habits die hard.

One of the problems a visitor to a country encounters is trying to find that elusive shop carrying the film and chemicals you are used to working with before you move on to the next destination. To this end I carry my own film and developers and find it a breeze to develop after the evening meal. Most of the time, especially with window shutters that are prevelant in Europe, I don't need to use a changing bag. If the weather is warm meaning sweaty hands in a changing bag, I just wait till after sunset and I'm off.

You really would be amazed at just how little you need to have. A wire coat hanger (which you carry) can be hung on a wardrobe door and after it has been bent away from the door, is a perfect hanger for film drying.

Last but not least, take enough film filing pages for the film you take with you, plus some more in case you purchase more on the road. These days it's pretty hard to source this product easily.

Mick.

Curt · Apr 15, 2006

Thanks Mick, I will try this on my next flight, which is comming up soon. Dry chemicals, do you put them in your suit case or carryon. Sounds like it might be carryon.

Thanks, Curt

Mick Fagan · Apr 15, 2006

Curt, I have a medium camera bag with a shoulder and waist strap. In it I carry one F3 body, three lenses and light meter.

Instead of my 180 2.8 lens, I have my 1520 Jobo tank and two reels in it's place.

In a corner of the bag I have the chemicals as mentioned, inside an Ilford ID11 box made up and packed in zip locked plastic bags. I make the chemicals up for 500ml of developer at 1+3.

The first thing I do when arriving, is to purchase 3 x 500ml clear plastic kitchen jugs, this only costs a few dollars and I consider it to be one of the holiday costs.

I also carry a small Ilford thermometer in the bag as well.

Not always, but if I think I'm going to need it, I carry my Baby Benbo (with extending legs) completely pulled apart in my backpack, which goes into checked luggage.

The Benbo can be pulled apart into three legs, ball head and bent bolt part with shims. This way it's extremely packable. I've done this since 1985 when I picked it up in Germany and had to figure a way to get it home.

Mick.

Curt · Apr 15, 2006

Thanks Mick, I put my tripod in my checked luggage and haven't had a problem and I have a Nikon F3hp also but I'm taking my 645 and three lenses. I am now going to take a tank and chemicals etc. with me. I have some small film clips that I hope not to forget and some sleeves. It sounds good I've taken the same when traveling by car anyway. I work very good in changing bags so If there isn't a darkened room I will work out of a bag. Thanks for all of the great advice.

Curt

gr82bart · Apr 16, 2006

evarn said:
I'll be spending most of my time in Europe so I suppose I could buy film while I'm there, but I'll be bringing it all home to develop.

Ivan,

Since you are going to Europe, I would do some research on the net first. Personally, I would buy and develop most of my film over there.

evarn said:
specifically 4 nights in mauritius, 4 in london, 5 in paris, then thru to southern france., a week in wales and a few nights in scotland...

In London and Paris I have bought and developed film here:
In London: http://www.metroimaging.co.uk/
In Paris: Dead Link Removed <--they have a lab in Lille too

Regards, Art.

markbb · Apr 17, 2006

With a bit of forward planning, you could arrange to get your film developed by labs as you travel around. Certainly in London there are plenty of places to get rolls of 120 film developed, and if you have the money there are 24 hour places available.

I'd be worried about carrying liqued chemicals in my hold luggage, with the changes in pressure and tempurature you could get a leak.

Tom Stanworth · Apr 17, 2006

Take TriX..or HP5 plus or Delta 400 (I would go for TriX) and allow your film to be Xrayed as carry on and it will be fine. You can never be sure what will happen to valuable exposed film in the mail and caary on Xrays will not harm it. This is well known and is not an issue anymore. The check in baggage is Xrayed in far higher doses and will fog your film so only carry it on.

TriX is punchy which will help if you you get overcast weather. I changed using HP5 to TriX for this reason.

Tom

evarn · May 9, 2006

Hi Guys and Gals,

Thanks for all the good advice... I've pretty much got it sorted now.. Picto will do for my film needs in Paris, as they have a shop in Bastille near my hotel... But in London I'm staying in Acton and am trying to work out somewhere there that can dev and/or supply 120 rollfilm for me.

Only a week till I leave now.. pretty excited

Cheers,

Ivan

Petzi · May 9, 2006

Here is what I would suggest: Buy enough film at home, and keep it in your carry-on luggage.

Never mind x-rays. If you are worried, ask for manual inspection. Most of the time they will agree to that. The few times they won't do not matter.

Do not bother with developing film in the evening. You don't go to Paris or London to develop film in the evening. Do not waste your time (and photo opportunities) locating stores that sell your film. Bring about twice as much film as you think you need, and if that runs out, you can still go shopping.

Develop your films at home, where you use the same soup for all films. If you have your films developed in various places, they will end up looking different and it is going to be more difficult to print your work.

bob100684 · May 9, 2006

evarn said:
Hi... I'm embarking on a 7 week trip in just over a month and I'll be taking a couple of cameras along and I'm wondering what sort of b&w film I should stock up on before I leave.

Ideally I'd take an ISO 400 film as I will be shooting predominantly on a 6x6 folding camera (Franka Solida III) and if i'm brave maybe my Super Ikonta as well.

What I want to know from people out there is, which film will give me enough lattitude to shoot stopped down around f22 most of the time and enough speed, either normal or pushed so that I can shoot freely. I'll be spending most of my time in Europe so I suppose I could buy film while I'm there, but I'll be bringing it all home to develop.

Thanks for your help

Ivan

If you're shooting 120/220 xrays shouldnt be a problem, put all the film in your pocket...no metal to set off the detectors

MMfoto · May 9, 2006

Petzi said:
Develop your films at home, where you use the same soup for all films. If you have your films developed in various places, they will end up looking different and it is going to be more difficult to print your work.

I think that is probably the best bit of advice going.

Film stock for travelling

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