Film stock for travelling

[Petzi]

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

If I went on a trip like that, the film I brought would certainly not fit into my pocket.

 

[Jon King]

I just got back from a trip like your.. shorter. .but with about 70 rolls of 120 film. Carried it all.. and processed at home.. actually processing some now.... 12 to go!

I took them all out of the boxes. into plastic bags. about a dozen per.. then those bags in large gallon size bags. The guy hand checking them in Boston was none too happy.. but he and security in other places said they preferred the plastic bags. The gallon bags make it easy to pull out of your luggage for a hand check.

 

[markbb]

try http://www.metroimaging.co.uk/prices/E6_prices.asp in London for 120 film and processing. They are open 24 hrs a day, but prices get very expensive for night work.

 

[firecracker]

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.

I hope you don't mind me asking: Where did you find a place to dispose your used chemicals? Was there such a place you found to hand them to so easily in your trip in Germany? Or did you end up dumping everything into the toliet or the sink of where you're staying?

I like your idea since I have done a couple of short backpacking trips (in that part of Europe, also). It would be nice to be able to do all that all by myself for the next trip that I'm thinking of, but still, chemical disposal would be a big problem especially when I have many rolls to process.

 

[evarn]

Hi Ladies and Gents,

Just thought I'd let u know that I am back from my trip and have been developing my films. So far I have had very little trouble with any of them. Most of the stock I used was Fuji Neopan 400 and none have been fogged by the numerous x-rays they had to endure.

I took all my film in my carry-on luggage and had it hand examined whenever I could, but they still went thru at least a dozen x-rays and so far it appears to have had no affect whatsoever...

Cheers,

Ivan