What film/films for a cycle trip across the US?

[jenik]

Hello everyone,

(Hopefully) I'll be cycling from Connecticut to Washington this summer and find it hard to decide which film/s to use in my M6. I'm very fond of BW aesthetics but at the same time would like to take some colour landscapes. Do you think it is a good idea to mix BW with colour or will that mean I won't use either medium to its fullest potential? Most likely I will go for C41 process (Neopan 400CN and/or Reala?) so that I can get the films processed and scanned on the way. I'd love to hear what the esteemed community thinks about this.

Thanks

Jan

 

[robert blu]

First I congratullate for your planned summer, a cycling trip must be sure for interest (I never did myself but maybe one day...). I think the idea to mix B&W and colour is not bad: it could result in a different way to see the various moment of thr journet. Like colour landscape (personally I would suggest 100 ISO film), B&W ( my suggestion is a 400 iso ) for personal moment like eating, camping or bycicling, or the people you'll meet and interact with during the trip. This is my idea, hope to see some pictures when ready.
robert

 

[venchka]

I have similar plans. Let me know how it works out. I think both. There will be B&W days and Color days. Plus-X and Kodak Ektar. You'll get lots of light. A few rolls of Tri-X and Portra 400 NC for dark days. You could use all C-41 with BW400CN.

 

[Don Parsons]

Have a safe and wonderful trip!

I would do it digital because I could convert, wouldn't have to worry about different asa films, could mount the camera on the bike and shoot video etc but if I wanted to shoot it in film I would use tri-x, reala and porta 400.

If you're going thru St Louis sent me a note and I'll help you out any way I can. There are a lot of summer festivals in the upper midwest.

don

 

[Bob Michaels]

My standard answer: take one film. If you don't, you will always find you have the wrong film loaded in your camera. Weight will be at a premium (I have bike toured) and you simply cannot carry something "just in case"

Now what film you take is a function of the way you see and what films you like. Some things never change.

 

[jenik]

Don, thanks very much for the kind words and suggestions. We'll probably cycle too far north of St. Luis but if the plan changes, I'll definitely let you know.

The reason I won't use digital is not because I hate it but because I like film and LOVE my M6 (with Summicron-C 40 mm). My D70 would be just too bulky and inconvenient. My friend will have a digital P&S so that should take care of casual snapshots.

 

[Zonan]

While not the "perfect" answer for b&w, taking something like Ektar allows you to go b&w later with something like Silver Efex Pro. With two films, I always have the "wrong one" in the camera, with 23 exposures remaining.

 

[venchka]

You do know that you will be going backwards? Against the prevailing winds? I too hope to make a lengthy bike trip some day. I'm thinking in terms of a MF folder for such a trip.

When someone says film, I forget that color film can be converted. Good idea.

 

[FrozenInTime]

Fuji pro400H ( aka NPH ) is my single travel film of choice :
Lot and lots of overexposure latitude, accurate colors and sharp without obvious grain.

The extra touch of speed (rate it at ISO 200) helps at the ends of the day, inside and were extra depth of field is required.

 

[Pablito]

NPH is a good choice, using one film only is an excellent recommendation.

Perhaps what you really want to do is pull a trailer with an 8x10 view camera and a tripod. And a darkroom tent.

 

[mpve]

If I only took one camera I would decide on color film and have that scanned to high quality TIFF's. These can then be converted to B&W whenever deemed necessary.

The film I use for scanning is Reala but during my last holiday it had some purple casting in some of the frames after scanning so I am not sure if Reala is a good film to choose (I am figuring out myself now).

Good luck and have a very nice holiday!

 

[venchka]

That's my plan

That's my plan

NPH is a good choice, using one film only is an excellent recommendation.

Perhaps what you really want to do is pull a trailer with an 8x10 view camera and a tripod. And a darkroom tent.

Almost. When the time comes, I will give serious thought to a trailer for one of my 4x5 cameras, tripod, etc.

 

[Bike Tourist]

Like some, I would take a digital P&S rather than the Leica. If I just had to use film on such a trip, I'd probably choose Ektar and have the option of converting to decent B+W if I wanted to.

Look at me giving advice — I still haven't made my X-country and I'm 73. If I were able to schedule a trip I only have my big ol' D700 right now. Whatever you choose, you will have a great adventure!

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I too favor the one-type-film approach: take only ISO 400 film. Load up on fast Fuji or Kodak (ISO 400) for color, and some BW400CN for B&W. And pack your camera well, with the lens, to avoid small RF misalignments.

 

[jenik]

I haven't used Ektar, thanks for the tip. How does it compare to Reala?

The prevailing opinion seems to be for colour only. My original reason to include BW was that most of the trip will be through visually not that exciting parts of the country and in these cases colour photos look often boring.

Venchka, yes I know it is against the wind but it just feels more exciting going west than going east.

 

[jke]

I think if you are crossing the United States, you are supposed to use Kodachrome 64, right? Isn't there a rule that says this? That all Great American Excursions must be memorialized on Kodachrome 64?

Venchka - here is my outfit for hauling a 4x5 pinhole camera or Bronica C and a hefty Manfrotto. Similar to the BOB you pictured, but it is not as nice. But it was a lot cheaper! $100 at Nashbar on sale. I would actually recommend one of the Burley cargo trailers though. With these mono-wheel trailers, when you go over or the bike goes over, the trailer goes over. With the Burley design and its universal linkage, the bike & you can crash and burn but the trailer will stay upright.

 

[Boonkia]

There are lots of suggestions but no one seems to have provided reasons for their choice. I'm new to using a rangefinder - got an M7 about half a dozen rolls ago. The problem I have may be a problem jenik will have in choosing his film. With only 1/1000 s fastest shutter speed on M6s and M7s, it going to be difficult getting shallow depth of field when you want it. asa 400 film means nothing lower than f5.6 or f8 in sunlight. Use asa 100 or 50 film means its useless indoors or after sundown. asa 400 with ND or polarising filter? Its a hassle taking the filters on and off, and I wonder if sticking a dark piece of glass in front nullifies the benefits of the excellences of the lenses.
Would appreciate it if anyone has any thoughts on this.

 

[Bob Michaels]

There are lots of suggestions but no one seems to have provided reasons for their choice. I'm new to using a rangefinder - got an M7 about half a dozen rolls ago. The problem I have may be a problem jenik will have in choosing his film. With only 1/1000 s fastest shutter speed on M6s and M7s, it going to be difficult getting shallow depth of field when you want it. asa 400 film means nothing lower than f5.6 or f8 in sunlight. Use asa 100 or 50 film means its useless indoors or after sundown. asa 400 with ND or polarising filter? Its a hassle taking the filters on and off, and I wonder if sticking a dark piece of glass in front nullifies the benefits of the excellences of the lenses.
Would appreciate it if anyone has any thoughts on this.

Yes, I have a thought: All photography is a series of compromises. Do not worry about what might be better equipment / film as it is all good enough. Concentrate on getting your eye, heart and brain working well in sync with each other as you become accustomed to using one piece of equipment and one film in every situation.

Otherwise you will quickly convince yourself that the "wrong film", "wrong lens", "bad light" will always keep your from taking good photos.

 

[mrb]

Hi Jan;

I did a similar cross-country cycling trip in 1974: kodachrome and my father's Contax IIa. I relied on the meter in my riding partner's Nikon. My bike was a Peugeot PX-10. Kodachrome was a good choice because the best pictures, and the ones I look at 35 years later, were of the people we met. The landscapes, shots of the road, etc. turned out to be secondary. Use mailers and a stack of processed slides will be wainting for you upon your return. Have a great trip!

 

[bean_counter]

I took a 2-week bike tour in my youth; took a crap P&S, wish I had taken a Leica. A large stock of film will be more odd shaped, shifting bulk of little boxes/canisters than weight; prints will be easier to pack flat, but get heavy with any quantity. Prints are also easily damaged - think RAIN.

I would limit what I carry, and mail small packets of film ahead to known lodging places. For developing, I prefer to use mailers, or mail packets of film to Dwayne's. Considering that you are riding days and will do a lot of landscapes, chromes would be nice.