Photography in India

[Matt5791]

Wondering if anyone can give me any pointers on travelling to India with equipment and film.

I have heard rhumours about being restricted to taking three rolls into the country and having to declare if you have any kind of decent camera gear.

Has anyone else heard this? (or anything else for that matter)

Many thanks

Matt.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Matt,

Not any more. You used to have to fill in a TBRE (Tourist Baggage Re-Export) form but I've not been asked to do one of those in 15 years or more. The kit was entered in the back of your passport and ticked off when you left. A minor hassle, even when it existed, which it doesn't any more.

I've never had trouble with film in 25+ years. Admittedly I've never carried much over 50-100 rolls (I forget, now that I use mainly 35mm).

What else do you need to know?

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Mark Mombarg]

Took a Mamiya 645 there + 3 lenses + 20 roll films; no problem at all. Quite funny; a couple of years before children over there were just happy to be photographed. Now they still are, but after pushing the button they immediately run to the back of the camera to -in my case- get very disappointed...

 

[Matt5791]

Thanks very much for the advice - Roger - I can now show my wife your post to confirm that taking 100 rolls will be normal - thanks!

Matt

 

[Roger Hicks]

Thanks very much for the advice - Roger - I can now show my wife your post to confirm that taking 100 rolls will be normal - thanks!

Matt

Dear Matt,

Our biggest equipment load: one or two Leicas, one or two Nikons, a Linhof Technika 70 and a Mamiya 645. Admittedly that was between the pair of us...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Robert Hall]

I had no trouble what so ever.

 

[benjiboy]

Whatever equipment you eventually decide to take Matt don't drink the water, have drinks with ice in them, and take plenty of Diacalm with you.

 

[unhinged]

Whatever equipment you eventually decide to take Matt don't drink the water, have drinks with ice in them, and take plenty of Diacalm with you.

And make sure that the bottles of water you buy still have the seal intact. I've heard it's not uncommon to refill and resell the empty bottles with tap/well water.

 

[Guillaume Zuili]

My usual load was 2 rolleiflex and a 4x5 Linhoff + a gitzo.
50 packs of 5. 120 and 10 to 20 4x5 boxes.
Never declared anything, never had any problem.
Enjoy India !

 

[Guillaume Zuili]

A friend of mine had issues with some polaroid 55. They were all bad. He had to order some and recieved them by Fedex in India. Then, custom fees killed him !