How to carry lots of 35mm film during a wedding or other high pressure occasion?

mesh · Jun 2, 2010

I'd think about taking more film too just in case... you ALWAYS shoot more than you think you'll need IMO. Nothing worse than being left short...

olleorama · Jun 2, 2010

Three separate bodies would be my solution.

markbarendt · Jun 2, 2010

Hey Ted,

Three more thoughts.

First - I used one of these Fanny Packs for years to carry my wallet, phone, ... quite handy. There were various separated pockets that could sort the film. In fact I may dig mine out for similar needs.

Second - I'd ignore the nay sayers on your film choices. I'd feel very comfortable shooting a wedding with the number of rolls and types of film you have chosen. Last wedding I shot was done with 9 rolls and two types.

Third - With regard to the "high pressure" you mentioned in the title. Relax, weddings are like track meets, there are a few short sprints that are separated by long stretches of waiting (and schmoozing). If you know what's next and where you need to be it's it's easy, just make sure you have a fresh roll loaded before something important starts.

lxdude · Jun 2, 2010

pentaxuser said:
lxdude said:

Maybe get a fanny pack

Whatever you do, if you are ever in the U.K. and need one of these remember to describe its use rather than use the name

pentaxuser

Click to expand...

Oh yeah, huh! We are indeed two peoples divided by a common language.

Walking into a shop there and saying to a woman that I need a fanny pack could get my face slapped.
Even worse would be if she weighed 20 stone, had a moustache, and tried to take me up on my "offer".

A new name is definitely in order-maybe "small waist pack".

budrichard · Jun 2, 2010

One film, maybe!
I used to use two identical cameras (Nikon F's) with flash units, same film and alternate cameras to insure if one failed I still got results when I did weddings commercially.
Now that I use two Leica M7's, only one has a flash. One has K64 and one K200 of which I have small supply left. The K64 camera and flash are used with a 35mm Lux ASPH and the K200 gets a 21mm ASPH for shots from the back of the church and a 75mm or 90mm ASPH for shots at the alter.
With today's SLR's I would think that one camera with a good zoom and dedicated flash would suffice with one film. Possibly changing to a higher ASA for available light shots.
You must scout the church before hand preferably at the same time as the wedding to note light levels and access paths. I usually leave a bag with film etc in the loft area readily positioned. I always make contact with the server and define the rules for flash/no flash and access beforehand.
Find the rooms where the bride prepares and where the groom prepares.
Have a step by step plan from the arrival of the party to its departure noting when and where you will photograph. Good luck!-Dick

wclark5179 · Jun 2, 2010

When I was film based I used a large cooler (you could fit at least two 24 packs of beverage into it!) divided into compartments where I kept the film. I used B&W, color, 35mm & medium format. I brought with me zip lock bags to hold the exposed film. That's during the days when I would have an assistant just to manage the film process as well as handle lighting and other equipment. I had a bag just for medium format film & polaroid backs.

canuhead · Jun 2, 2010

The film drop bags are good (not keen on the zipper tho) but I find I use climber chalk bags more. Let structured and if you replace the cord with bungee, very secure once film is slipped inside.

Matthew Thompson · Jun 2, 2010

Sounds like a job for a photo student to assist you. I'd shoot one speed as is recommended above in two bodies. Shoot one while your assistant loads and preps the other.

DanielStone · Jun 2, 2010

if you want to shoot b/w and color, carry two bodies. One for each. I have worked with a wedding photographer for close to 2 years, he still shoots film on occasion(if budget allows it). When we/he shoots film, we each carry two bodies(eos-1v for color, a2e's for b/w). He shoots 400NC for color and Tri-x rated @800 for b/w.

we use BELTBAGS by lowepro. Well I use the lowepro, he has a thinktank. They allow little side cases to be attached on loops, so carrying an extra lens or film in those pockets is very handy. I have a small pouch that is on my left side, has a divider running down the middle, color goes on 1 side, b/w on the other. easy peasy. Once you're done with a roll, drop it back in with its un-exposed brethren . Easier(and faster IMO) than having 2 pouches for unexposed/exposed film)

but shoot 1-2 films MAX, and save yourself the headache. BTW I've always found shoulder bags to get in the way, especially if you're kneeling down to take shots of kids(ring-bearer, or flower girls, etc...) like the assistant shooter does, aka: me .

and if you have priced yourself accordingly, it will pay for itself in no-time flat(probably even 1 wedding)

-Dan

stillsilver · Jun 2, 2010

Four things I would do Ted.

One. Get colored stickers to put on the top on the film canisters. Different color for each film. Also write the film speed on the sticker. This gives you two visual clues to the film inside.

Two. Get a vest. A fly fishing vest should work well. Lots of little pockets and some big ones. This way you have everything with you without digging through a bag. Lenses, filters, film, tuna sandwich, etc. Load the vest and take it out on a shoot or 5 and rearrange things as needed. Have unexposed film in one pocket and put exposed film in another.

Three. Get more film. If you don’t shoot it all, then you have some for later. If you run out, you’re in a bind.

Four. Relax, you’ll do great. Don’t panic or get in a rush.

Mike

Marcus S · Jun 3, 2010

I seldom use 800 ISO film. Instead I use a monopod or tripod if required.
When you work by yourself, carry what you need in a small bag.

clayne · Jun 3, 2010

I don't know if it's just me but a photographers vest seems like goofy attire for a wedding. Granted the photographer is a hired gun but I don't beleive one has to have a vest just to grab a roll every 5-10 minutes.

Ken N · Jun 3, 2010

I can't believe I only have one left, but my slides used to come back from the lab in these white plastic boxes. What I found was after taking the mounted slides out and filing them away, I could put four rolls of film in each box. Unshot rolls were placed spindle up, and exposed rolls were placed spindle down. The outside of the box was labelled with the film type and speed as well as a sequence number.

When it came time to change rolls I'd just pop the cover off, remove the new roll and place the used roll in it top down, replace the cover and put back in my pocket. As these boxes are actually quite small a pair of them are easily carried in the pants pocket. Two boxes, eight rolls of film. It ends up that this is the most space efficient method for 35mm film handling around.

I used to throw away hundreds of these boxes until I got caught out when the labs switched to cardboard boxes. I carefully maintained a few of these boxes for years and now am down to my last box. I should bug some people around this list for some old boxes.

When a box is shot, you just swap it with a new one with four more rolls.

Does anybody know of any supplier for new boxes? I'd like to get a dozen new ones.

David A. Goldfarb · Jun 3, 2010

The "hip attachment" would be the Lowepro Film Drop mentioned in a couple of the earlier posts, at least for used film, and then maybe another pouch with a flap on top for fresh film. I like the simple two pocket system of fresh film in one pocket and used film in another pocket, but for a summer wedding you might not be wearing a jacket with large pockets, and I've never cared for photo vests.

If you like belt systems, you might take a look at Dead Link Removed

df cardwell · Jun 3, 2010

"...how do you fine folks carry large numbers of films around during times when you are under pressure? "

Put your unexposed film in your right hand coat pocket,
shoot it, and put it in your left hand coat pocket.

kraker · Jun 3, 2010

Not that this answers the orignal question, but... I don't think it's been mentioned, so let me state the obvious:

Whatever you do, rewind exposed film *fully*. *Don't* leave out the film leader. Just don't.

Leaving the leader out might work when you're out and about shooting landscapes, but under pressure it will go wrong. You will put the exposed film in the wrong box, pocket, or whatever, and end up exposing it again.

flatulent1 · Jun 3, 2010

I'd like to assemble a Batman-like utility belt studded with pouches for MF backs and inserts, and add a bandolier for spare rolls of film. Might look silly at a wedding... Okay, it'd look silly at a Star Trek convention, but it'd sure bring out my inner dork.

Seriously, keep it simple. As others have said, fresh film in the right pocket, spent film in the left.

Dinesh · Jun 3, 2010

df cardwell said:
"...how do you fine folks carry large numbers of films around during times when you are under pressure? "

Put your unexposed film in your right hand coat pocket,
shoot it, and put it in your left hand coat pocket.

Too high-tech!

And what if, like me, you can't discern left from right?

Steve Smith · Jun 3, 2010

Dinesh said:
And what if, like me, you can't discern left from right?

Don't leave the leaders hanging out of your exposed film.

Steve.

Ken N · Jun 3, 2010

clayne said:
I don't know if it's just me but a photographers vest seems like goofy attire for a wedding. Granted the photographer is a hired gun but I don't beleive one has to have a vest just to grab a roll every 5-10 minutes.

A nice black photo vest is perfectly fine for wedding photography. It isn't just film you carry in the pockets. Lenses, filters, cleaning things, even a flash or two can be pocketed. Oh, and batteries.

They really are hard to beat and you only look dorky if you aren't carrying a camera.

One piece of advice which I will pass on. Make sure that any critical must have shot is done with two cameras. These days I shoot almost entirely hybrid so for me one of the shots is taken with the digital camera and the other with the film camera. But when I shoot only film, I make sure that the money shots are backed up on a second camera and roll of film.

df cardwell · Jun 3, 2010

Dinesh said:
Too high-tech!

And what if, like me, you can't discern left from right?

Yeah, I know. No system is perfect.

Then you need to do the bandolier/vest/utility belt route
and risk looking like a Royal Marine Morris Dancer.

Don't forget the Camo knickers and swim fins.

nyoung · Jun 3, 2010

I wouldn't know what's available in the UK but here in the states the shooting departments of our sporting goods stores stock cheap canvas belts with elastic loops intended for 12 gauge shotgun shells. The loops easily accommodate the plastic 35mm film canisters.

The same stores also stock accessories for the trap and skeet crowd that include some nice belt carried pouches - sort of like a fanny pack - but with a stiff opening that helps the shooter get out live rounds and drop spent ones with out looking or fumbling to open a flopping cloth pouch.

There's really a great deal of commonly useful gadgetry between the firearms shooting world and the photo shooting world.

viridari · Jun 3, 2010

Maybe the Rollypoly line of hip pouches? I have a number of Maxpedition products and they are all military grade, very very tough stuff.

Dead Link Removed

ted_smith · Jun 23, 2010

I've shot the wedding! I am quite happy with the results if anyone is interested, full write up and critique request here: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I used the Pro 800Z, 400H and Acros 100 in the end.

How to carry lots of 35mm film during a wedding or other high pressure occasion?

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