darkroom surfing?

[HLing]

Having just completed the cycle from photographing to printing all by hand last month I had to be away for 5 weeks in Hong Kong (at the moment). Naturally, I made sure to have my camera and film here. The thought of bring the shot rolls of film back to the US (x-ray machines)worries me, and had me thinking, wouldn't it be nice to have some sort of darkroom exchange program in different cities so that photographers who also develop their own can have a place away from home to check out what they've shot so far?

Maybe a film producer can sponsor something like this? I mean, the one thing that stop people from picking up a film camera is the thought of 1)cost and inconvenience of developing 2)machine quality of developing.

When I was lucky enough to have a darkroom for use, I was instantly out there with an old leica III something that sat in the closet (not mine) for over 15 years, and a Minolta SRT 201 that was gifted me over 7 years ago that I hadn't used.

Any thoughts?

 

[rxmd]

Nice idea.

(You don't have to be afraid of the X-ray machines though, certainly as long as you put things into your hand baggage)

 

[gliderbee]

It would indeed be a nice idea to compile a list of darkrooms of which the owner is willing (within reason, of course) to let it be used by others of the list when travelling.

That could be arranged then by the traveller mailing beforehand to check whether it would be possible to have access and exchange phone numbers to make arrangements on the spot.

My darkroom is available under those conditions.

I for one am going to France the first week of July and it would be nice to have access to a darkroom there to check what I will have done at a certain moment.

Stefan.

 

[sanmich]

unless you are using very high ISO or passing a large number of X ray machines, the common knowledge is that it won't harm the films.
You can use a Lead pocket for peace of mind.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=x-ray+bag&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

 

[HLing]

It would indeed be a nice idea to compile a list of darkrooms of which the owner is willing (within reason, of course) to let it be used by others of the list when travelling.

That could be arranged then by the traveller mailing beforehand to check whether it would be possible to have access and exchange phone numbers to make arrangements on the spot.

My darkroom is available under those conditions.

I for one am going to France the first week of July and it would be nice to have access to a darkroom there to check what I will have done at a certain moment.

Stefan.

Thanks Stefan! Let's hope the idea grows into something tangible.

sanmich and rxmd, I did get a lead bag, and had nice security when leaving NYC who hand checked them instead of running them through. (to the best of my knowledge, though, I will not see the film developed until I get back). It was told to me, that there had been cases where if they spot something they can't see through they will up the x-ray until they can, or until it's destroyed. This I guess is if the item is in the checked-in luggage. I've also heard stories about ignorant or careless operators who have the x-ray level way over the safety limit. Plus, I was foolish enough to bring my cameras both mid-roll to the 4-hour long expedited passport renewal, and of course, the security guard would not hand check the cameras. They both went through the x-ray. ( I know, I will not have film left in my camera ever again!)