Intern at Padang, Indonesia

[zupstermix]

Good day, RFF! Less than two weeks from now, I'll be traveling to Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. I'll be working as a student intern at the MediaXi newspaper. This was possible through the international AIESEC student organization.

Anyway, I'll be bringing along with me the following:
• M2 with Russian Jupiter 12
• 20 rolls of Tri-X 400
• 10 rolls of Lucky Super 200 Colored Negative (a film locally available here in the Philippines)
• D200 and Vivitar 19-35

I would just like to inquire if anyone has stayed there for more than 2 weeks? I'll be there for at the least 6 weeks. And I am thinking of bringing my developing equipment (changing bag, tank, reels and chemicals). Is it advisable to do so? Or do we have a local camera club there? Any other sight-seeing tips and local community approaches would also be highly appreciated.

Thanks, Mike

 

[shadowfox]

Mike,

Bringing chemicals into a flight is problematic these days. Have you consider that?

Call ahead, make sure you can still buy developer, fixer, etc. Padang is a big city, but it's not Jakarta.

If I were you, I'd bring only film (without the development equipment), then develop your films when you're back home.

 

[setyotomo]

Hi there,

I don't know if in Padang have a photo community who still use films, but my advice is bring your developing equiptment, but carefull with the chemical. Maube Ilford LC29 is a good solution (small package)

you might want to look for local photography references in fotografer.net or pd-jkt.com

enjoy your stay, Padang is a very lovely city (and food)

 

[setyotomo]

Mike,

Bringing chemicals into a flight is problematic these days. Have you consider that?

Call ahead, make sure you can still buy developer, fixer, etc. Padang is a big city, but it's not Jakarta.

If I were you, I'd bring only film (without the development equipment), then develop your films when you're back home.

on 2nd thought, leave your chemicals to avoid problems in airports. just take a lot of pictures and develop back home

 

[richardvanle]

I haven't been to Padang, but I've spent time working in other parts of Indonesia. I would develop the film when you get home. You're probably not going to be able to bring any chemicals with you on the plane, and it's probably more hassle than it's worth to find chemicals in that area. If you're going to be there at least six weeks, do you have enough memory cards for the D200? Are you going to be offloading images somewhere? This seems like the bigger issue to deal with.

The last two times I was working in Jakarta, I shot digital and brought a laptop with multiple hard drives. I also shot some film, but I waited until I got home to develop it.

 

[zupstermix]

@Shadowfox, I have also considered that. I think, yes, bring the chemicals would give me more hassles that it already has.

@Setyotomo, I am currently still looking for a photography community in Jakarta or hopefully in Padang too.

@Richardvanle, I will be bringing my laptop and a half-full 1TB, alongside my 3-4 memory cards. On that note, do the airports at Indonesia still check the contents of the laptop and hard drive? I heard some airport do that.

Thanks!

 

[richardvanle]

I was last in Jakarta two years ago and they did not check my computer or hard drives (I was coming from the US via Tokyo).

 

[zupstermix]

I was last in Jakarta two years ago and they did not check my computer or hard drives (I was coming from the US via Tokyo).

Whew. That is good to know.

Do you think 30 rolls is too much for a 6 weeks trip? Considering I'll be bringing my D200. But, as a student, I don't get to Padang, Indonesia every now and then. Like what my father say, "Don't think twice, you'll possibly not get there twice too."

 

[shadowfox]

Mike,
I don't know if you speak Indonesian or not, but it may be worth checking with these folks in the forum. There has to be some photographers from Padang there.

http://www.fotografer.net/

Although, most Indonesian nowadays speak fluent English. Especially the ones hanging out on internet forums.

 

[richardvanle]

Do you think 30 rolls is too much for a 6 weeks trip? Considering I'll be bringing my D200. But, as a student, I don't get to Padang, Indonesia every now and then. Like what my father say, "Don't think twice, you'll possibly not get there twice too."

Only you can answer that. Bringing 30 rolls means you can shoot less than a roll a day. Too much? Too little? Personally, I'd bring more. But I tend to shoot a lot of film.

 

[ramosa]

I would recommend more film.

 

[zupstermix]

Only you can answer that. Bringing 30 rolls means you can shoot less than a roll a day. Too much? Too little? Personally, I'd bring more. But I tend to shoot a lot of film.

Okay, I will now bring around 40 rolls maybe. Also, I just have to put it inside a zip-lock plastic bag and present it at the airport, right? No need to go through the x-ray.

 

[mgd711]

Mike,

As others have said leave the developing kit at home but take the changing bag just incase you get a roll stuck in the M2 🙂

My film is X-Rayed everytime at Manila, twice... Once as you go in the door of the airport and again after immigration, and on the way home it is often X-Rayed twice in Tokyo (once as standard and a second time more often than not because the contents off my bag look suspicious to the operator.) I’ve never seen any issues with my film and some roll’s end up on multiple trips in and out off the country as they never got used.

 

[zupstermix]

Mike,

As others have said leave the developing kit at home but take the changing bag just incase you get a roll stuck in the M2 🙂

My film is X-Rayed everytime at Manila, twice... Once as you go in the door of the airport and again after immigration, and on the way home it is often X-Rayed twice in Tokyo (once as standard and a second time more often than not because the contents off my bag look suspicious to the operator.) I’ve never seen any issues with my film and some roll’s end up on multiple trips in and out off the country as they never got used.

Hello, Mike!
So what do you suggest do I just place all my films inside the zip-lock bag and have it personally checked? Or maybe I could have it checked-in with my luggage? Or just leave it inside my hand-carry bag?

The highest ISO I will bring will only be Tri-X's 400. I guess that would not be a problem.

 

[zupstermix]

I'll be leaving tomorrow morning and I am still getting ready. Here I come, Padang!

 

[mgd711]

Do not check the film's in or they will be fogged. Carry the films in your hand carry bag.

Enjoy!

 

[Damaso]

Bringing powered chemicals isn't a problem (at least it hasn't been for me) that said I would leave all that stuff at home if you are only there for six weeks. Concentrate on shooting, visit Borabodur and Bali and enjoy yourself, Indonesia is amazing!

 

[zupstermix]

I ran my film package through the hand-carry x-ray machine. Are my films fogged already?

 

[mgd711]

Nope, they will be fine.

Some off my film goes through the scanners 6 or 7 times.

 

[35mmdelux]

Enjoy and post some pix when you return home. How big is that town?