Panicing over Rome

hdeyong · Jun 19, 2014

Compromise, Ratty. You know you'll want to shoot some film, so take the Nikon equipment and relax. Those fast lenses with a few rolls of 3200 for the interiors will do you just fine. It's not too heavy, and not too intrusive.
I have taken film through X-rays up to 8 times with no visible effects at all.
It's a fantastic city, don't fret, enjoy yourself.

Nuff · Jun 19, 2014

Personally, I don't know what so scary about Italy. Yes, people steal stuff. They do everywhere, but it's more opportunistic there. So don't be an idiot and leave your stuff everywhere.

Personally, and no offence to majority of people on this site here... I would be more scared to bring and use my cameras in USA for example. I don't feel like having gun pointed at me etc. and I would bring it anyway, because I got my cameras to take photos, not to hide them.

I would bring one medium format and one digital or 35mm Nikon.

Vonder · Jun 19, 2014

Again, it's not really about the gear, it's about what you intend to do with the images. If you want to print in a darkroom, the digital camera is out (mostly) and if you're only happy with medium format output in your darkroom, the 35mm is out. Threats of theft aside, why do something you know won't make you happy?

If you mainly want to share images with friends and family outside of the limited space of APUG, take the Fuji. Those of us who don't hold our nose at digital output will embrace the images. Those who can't, well, won't.

mgb74 · Jun 19, 2014

I think the first issue is how much weight and bulk are you willing to carry as you "hike around the city and take pictures at will.". Personally, I think too much actually reduces photographic opportunity as opposed to increasing it.

If it was me (and it's not), I'd bring a 35mm body, a 28mm, 50mm (fast), and 90mm macro. I might even trade the 28 and 90 for a good zoom. And a good P&S (like your x100). And maybe a monopod. It would all go in a non-photo sling or backpack. But that's me.

I wouldn't obsess on the theft issue, but I wouldn't ignore it. The more you gear you have the more likely it is that some of it will be unattended, even for a moment or two. Especially since Rome is a side trip.

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 19, 2014

I'd bring the Fuji GF670. Add another voice to the chorus for "cameras are meant to be used, not admired on a glass shelf". I brought a pair of Rolleiflex 2.8E's with me to Paris. I was never worried because I used reasonable caution while on public transit and in crowded spaces. My bag does not look like a stereotypical camera bag but more like a generic messenger bag that any student might have.

This was a grab shot, hand-held, at Ste. Chapelle on the Ile de la Cite, using Kodak Portra 800.

Proof that you can get good hand-held shots of church interiors with film. And I highly recommend Portra 800 for a fast color film. If needed, you can push it to 1600, but that's not really necessary.

MattKing · Jun 19, 2014

I once had my pocket picked in Saint Peters square and lost some traveller's cheques, while my (then current) OM-1, 28mm, 50mm and 135mm Zuiko lenses were untouched.

An 85mm lens is very handy. I would take the 24mm, 35mm and 85mm kit I like best.

I would guess that the Fuji digital would garner more attention from most theives than a larger film camera.

Sirius Glass · Jun 19, 2014

Theft in Rome is not a problem as long as you hold on to your equipment and camera bag. If you have to set down your camera bag, place it between your legs, get what you need and then put the bag back on your shoulders. It is the unattended bags that develop legs and walk off.

faustotesta · Jun 19, 2014

"I honestly would be very worried as well in Rome, concerning theft. I suggest maximum alert especially at train stations. If I were you I would bring only cheap gear, for peace of mind" Mauro, I was born in Rome and i know it more than myself.... Theft in ROme is as Dangerous as in most of big towns around the world.... It is not its greatest problem. I would be more concerned about public transportation and humidity....

RattyMouse · Jun 19, 2014

Sadly, it looks like Kodak's legendary supply problems are in Rome too, with no Portra films at the major film store I'm told to use to buy film at.

http://www.ars-imago.com/ars_search_result.php?queryid=1a1&stock=yes

I don't want to carry high speed film through 3 airports so was going to buy in Italy.

skysh4rk · Jun 19, 2014

RattyMouse said:
Sadly, it looks like Kodak's legendary supply problems are in Rome too, with no Portra films at the major film store I'm told to use to buy film at.

http://www.ars-imago.com/ars_search_result.php?queryid=1a1&stock=yes

I don't want to carry high speed film through 3 airports so was going to buy in Italy.

What is high speed in your case? I think you'll be okay through three airports as long as you keep the film in your carry on baggage. I've sent my ISO 400 film through plenty of x-ray scanners and still haven't seen any ill effects. I've even travelled with Portra 800 without incident. If you're concerned about Delta 3200, remember that it's actually an ISO 1000 film.

When I've been worried about high speed film and airports, one trick that I've employed is to put a roll or two in my pocket for when I go through the metal detectors so that it avoids the x-ray scan. I don't really do that anymore though as I haven't seen any ill effects from x-rays to warrant the effort.

pentaxuser · Jun 19, 2014

skysh4rk said:
When I've been worried about high speed film and airports, one trick that I've employed is to put a roll or two in my pocket for when I go through the metal detectors so that it avoids the x-ray scan. .

I take it that the metal 135 cassettes do not set off the detectors when in your pocket which surprises me. My worry would be that finding such cassettes in your pocket if they did set off the detector might really cause you real difficulties with the airport staff.

Thinking about it there shouldn't be a problem with 120 as the spools are plastic and the rest is either film or backing paper.

pentaxuser

skysh4rk · Jun 19, 2014

pentaxuser said:
I take it that the metal 135 cassettes do not set off the detectors when in your pocket which surprises me. My worry would be that finding such cassettes in your pocket if they did set off the detector might really cause you real difficulties with the airport staff.

Thinking about it there shouldn't be a problem with 120 as the spools are plastic and the rest is either film or backing paper.

pentaxuser

Oops, sorry, I should have specified film format. I can confirm that this technique definitely works with 120/220, but I can't comment on its viability with 135, as I only use medium format cameras.

Nuff · Jun 19, 2014

I think you are getting too paranoid about travel and xrays etc... When I went to Nepal through Sydney I had Portra 400 and 800 go through at least 10 xrays... 2 x in Sydney, 2 x in Singapore and 6 times in Nepal! And in Nepal it was a ancient and huge looking xray, I though that my film was ruined. And it was fine, I also had loads of Instax film and that is ISO 800 too and it was fine as well.

To put things into perspective, I found travelling in Shanghai (4 years ago) a lot more scary than anywhere else in the world. I will not be going there anytime soon because of some personal experiences. So don't freak out about Rome.

RattyMouse · Jun 19, 2014

What in the world happened to you in Shanghai? I can't imagine what would worry you here. The ONLY problems I ever hear about are expats getting drunk and then into fights. Other than that, nothing.

I guess the traffic here is crazy and you can get run over by a car easy..is that it?

Thanks for the X-ray tips. Good to know.

Ghostman · Jun 20, 2014

If you need any film supplies or you need a lab, there are these great guys in Rome, Ars-Imago - http://www.ars-imago.com/

Google Maps

baachitraka · Jun 20, 2014

Forget about x-rays, you may need to find the way to beat the heat of Rome. ;-)

Xmas · Jun 20, 2014

skysh4rk said:
What is high speed in your case? I think you'll be okay through three airports as long as you keep the film in your carry on baggage. I've sent my ISO 400 film through plenty of x-ray scanners and still haven't seen any ill effects. I've even travelled with Portra 800 without incident. If you're concerned about Delta 3200, remember that it's actually an ISO 1000 film.

When I've been worried about high speed film and airports, one trick that I've employed is to put a roll or two in my pocket for when I go through the metal detectors so that it avoids the x-ray scan. I don't really do that anymore though as I haven't seen any ill effects from x-rays to warrant the effort.

I need to remove my shoes and have them xrayed as they are safety shoes for haz handling with steel toecaps.
Ditto wrist watch a small self wind Omega tic tock
Ditto belt for metal clasp

To get through metal detectors and they still trip occasionally maybe on my metal specs...

the staff don't mind frisking people, the metal detector only lets through a % of clean individuals, if you have a steel implant...

RattyMouse · Jun 20, 2014

baachitraka said:
Forget about x-rays, you may need to find the way to beat the heat of Rome. ;-)

I've hiked through some of the worst heat in Bangkok. Rome should be OK.

Hatchetman · Jun 20, 2014

I imagine Bangkok is overrun with those noisy scooters too. I can still hear them buzzing in my head 25 years after visiting Rome.

baachitraka · Jun 20, 2014

Now they have more cars with no traffic rules ;-)

RattyMouse · Jun 20, 2014

I'm going to bring one medium format camera.....28mm or 44mm (eq.) lens? What would you do?

skysh4rk · Jun 20, 2014

RattyMouse said:
I'm going to bring one medium format camera.....28mm or 44mm (eq.) lens? What would you do?

I suppose this is really a pretty personal question. I would personally be taking the GF670 rather than the wide option, but I'm admittedly not much of a wide angle guy. Isn't the GF670 just slightly more compact as well, as the lens folds completely into the body?

RattyMouse · Jun 20, 2014

skysh4rk said:
I suppose this is really a pretty personal question. I would personally be taking the GF670 rather than the wide option, but I'm admittedly not much of a wide angle guy. Isn't the GF670 just slightly more compact as well, as the lens folds completely into the body?

It's a lot more compact. I just don't know how much I'll miss wide angle in Rome. I am leaning towards bringing the folder.

Sirius Glass · Jun 20, 2014

I would bring my Hasselblad 903 SWC for a very wide angle. I would use the 50mm lens for wide angle otherwise.

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