How much film for an overseas trip?

[Ko.Fe.]

Number provided in OP is OK with me .
Have a nice trip!

 

[pukalo]

I suggest replacing the heavy Nikon with a Contax TVS I. Far lighter and more compact than an SLR, with a Zeiss 28-56mm zoom With excellent resolution and awesome saturation in color. I can always spot my slide shots taken on this camera by the super deep saturation.
Also, has a panorama switch so you can mix it up and take some great panoramic shots too. Sometimes landscapes just look better in 3:1aspect ratio. Autofocus, a useful manual focus, self timer, built in flash.Also takes filters and Contax made a great set of custom filters for it. Warming, protection, and L39 for BW film. On our trip to Yellowstone a few years ago, I realized how versatile this camera was and used it for most of the trip.
Oh yes, for color use fuji provisions 100f slide film, ordered from BH photo for great price. Trust me, TVS I +Provisions is a perfect match for a sightseeing vacation. And it scans well for good digital pics too.

 

[pukalo]

Provia

 

[pukalo]

Not provisions

 

[pukalo]

Crazy auto-correct

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Crazy auto-correct

Not really. Provia is a provision so maybe this time auto correct got it right

 

[mooseontheloose]

When I go to Japan, I make sure I have enough for six sheets of film per day. For colour, it's a digital camera now. If I whimp out, I'll bring the RB67. Two rolls per day... and the digital.

Andrew, do you bring the film with you, or buy it once you are n Japan?

BTW, one of my new students is from Omuta. He talked about the coal mines in his presentation about himself, the next time I see him I’ll have to ask if he saw your exhibition there a few years ago.

 

[Les Sarile]

Well if you are going to San Francisco and happen to drive through Santa Cruz - beautiful drive on the coast, the Boardwalk, the Wharf, giant redwoods and the local lab Bay Photo processes color film on the spot. Scanning service if you want. They also have rolls of good kinds of film like Portra and Ektar too.

 

[perkeleellinen]

What if you challenged yourself to one image per day?

Now, there's a challenge!

When we were kids my dad made one roll of 110 film last for a two week holiday and he still had a few frames left for Christmas.

 

[jeffreyg]

Not about how much film to take but if you will be in Carmel, California there are two galleries of photography: Photography West and the Weston Gallery.. There are also a couple of camera stores there which no doubt carry film. If you list your itinerary you will get some good locations to photograph.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Unless film is not readily available at your destination you would be better off buying it there; Not only would you avoid lugging it there but also cut down of x-ray exposure. Be also advised that some countries restrict or tax film brought into the country.

 

[RattyMouse]

Unless film is not readily available at your destination you would be better off buying it there; Not only would you avoid lugging it there but also cut down of x-ray exposure. Be also advised that some countries restrict or tax film brought into the country.

Which countries tax film upon arrival?

 

[pentaxuser]

Now, there's a challenge!

When we were kids my dad made one roll of 110 film last for a two week holiday and he still had a few frames left for Christmas.

Those were the days. Long ago and far away as they say, when parsimony was king. Was it a working holiday that involved a lot of flying over the Weald of Kent and the occasional sortie just beyond the White Cliffs during which there was the equivalent of a frank exchange of views? Nothing quite as serious and hard-edged, of course, as Photrio's Brexit discussion

pentaxuser

 

[Sirius Glass]

I personally prefer to carry identical bodies if possible. For me, that would be a pair of F2 bodies, a pair of F4 bodies, or a pair of Contax G1 bodies.

I have two different bodies, N-75 and F-100, but because one is chrome it is used for color and one is black, it is used for black & white.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Which countries tax film upon arrival?

Quite a few do if the amount seems excessive for personal use, You are then considered an importer and not a visitor; The governments are afraid you might sell some, I was questioned some years ago by Canadian customs; They wanted to know in particular how long I panned to stay to determine whether the amount was reasonable;

 

[dabsond]

Very interesting conversation since I am heading to Germany for 3 weeks next month. I have been stockpiling Velvia and Provia for the past 6 months!

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Also, worth consideration in your case- because you're coming from Australia, where all the film is imported and taxed with a GST type tax at a very high rate, it will be a LOT cheaper to buy it in the states. Even in SF, where the local sales tax is about 10%. I'd second the recommendation to leave the F4 at home and just take the two smaller, lighter bodies. And without knowing your shooting style, I'd plan, if it were me, 4 rolls a day. When I went to Barcelona and shot that trip on 35mm, there were some 2 roll days, and there were a couple of 8 roll days. But that's just me and the way I shoot. I ran out of film part way through and had to go buy more! Luckily there was a good camera store in Barcelona that carried a variety of color negative film and I could restock in the same emulsion I was shooting (Fuji Reala IIRC).

 

[RattyMouse]

Quite a few do if the amount seems excessive for personal use, You are then considered an importer and not a visitor; The governments are afraid you might sell some, I was questioned some years ago by Canadian customs; They wanted to know in particular how long I panned to stay to determine whether the amount was reasonable;

I travel with between 40 and 60 rolls of film (mostly 120). I've been to 15 countries and have never once had anyone even pretend to be interested in my film.

I think advising people that they risk tax upon entry is an extreme measure not worthy of consideration.

 

[RattyMouse]

Very interesting conversation since I am heading to Germany for 3 weeks next month. I have been stockpiling Velvia and Provia for the past 6 months!

I had an entire carry on suitcase full of film when I repatriated back to the US. 60 or more rolls of Neopan 400 (35mm) and 20 rolls of Astia 100F (220 size) and 50-60 rolls of various other 120 sized film. No one cared when I entered the US.

I dont think you'll be carrying anywhere near that much film.

 

[MattKing]

Quite a few do if the amount seems excessive for personal use, You are then considered an importer and not a visitor; The governments are afraid you might sell some, I was questioned some years ago by Canadian customs; They wanted to know in particular how long I panned to stay to determine whether the amount was reasonable;

Gerald:
Most likely their questions were coming from the mindset that if you are bringing a large quantity of film into the country, you are most likely either:
a) planning to sell it while you are here, or
b) working commercially.
For the former you need to comply with the documentary requirements and pay the necessary taxes that accompany a commercial importation.
For the latter, you need either a work permit, or you need to comply with the various protocols that permit Canadians to hire US photographers in certain circumstances.
If you satisfy the Immigration and customs officials that the film is simply for extensive personal use, and that it will be re-exported at the end of your visit, you wouldn't need to comply with the other requirements.
Back when I did that job (many decades ago) it was not unknown that heavy users would be required to post a surety bond to ensure re-exportation.

 

[William Crow]

X-Rays do affect film.

 

[Les Sarile]

When I went to Barcelona and shot that trip on 35mm, there were some 2 roll days, and there were a couple of 8 roll days. But that's just me and the way I shoot. I ran out of film part way through and had to go buy more! Luckily there was a good camera store in Barcelona that carried a variety of color negative film and I could restock in the same emulsion I was shooting (Fuji Reala IIRC).

Funny thing when I went to Barcelona, I had brought with a big bag of premium films which I forgot at security in SFO as we were late and had to run to the gate to make our flight! Instead I had to hunt down whatever locally available film I could get there. Still had a good time!

This one taken at the Port of Cambrils just south of Tarragona below Barcelona.

There were plenty of 1 hour photo developers when I was there so that was great being able to process on the fly.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I think advising people that they risk tax upon entry is an extreme measure not worthy of consideration.

Consider the case in Australia.
From 1st July there are new GST rules coming into effect which will trap visitors bringing in expensive equipment bought overseas, including film.

 

[Sirius Glass]

X-Rays do affect film.

Not for carry on, but a problem for checked luggage.

 

[cliveh]

How about 10 black & white and 5 colour?