Spleenrippa
Yes, Right There
Some of you may recall my previous thread about gear choices and my upcoming posting... Well, my two week trek across NA is coming up fast- I start on 17 Sept!
I've driven across on the Trans-Canada, and through the northern states. This time, I plan on heading down (from Vancouver) to Denver, then driving across and back up the east coast- ultimate destination is Halifax, Nova Scotia. Should be pretty crazy
Just thought I would write out what I have planned. If anyone has any suggestions, please do voice them... I've never gone solo before and the last couple times across I wasn't into photography. I'm heading into uncharted territory!
I will have with me:
Walkabout bag:
Bessa R3A with 15 Heliar
M3 with 50 Summitar
Ricoh GRD II with 21/28 adapter
In the trunk:
Bronica ETRS with 75/2.8
For film choices, I have a bunch of Efke 100, Neopan 400 and some just-arrived Plus-x. My MF film is Arista Edu 100... Foma?
I was planning to use the digi Ricoh for my daily 'web update' camera, but now I'm wondering if maybe some BW400CN might be nice? Walmarts (and their scanners!) are everywhere... Hmm...
If I can find some in town, I might pick up a roll or three of Ektar 100. Not much of a colour guy, though... Worth it for the landscapes?
I've driven across on the Trans-Canada, and through the northern states. This time, I plan on heading down (from Vancouver) to Denver, then driving across and back up the east coast- ultimate destination is Halifax, Nova Scotia. Should be pretty crazy
Just thought I would write out what I have planned. If anyone has any suggestions, please do voice them... I've never gone solo before and the last couple times across I wasn't into photography. I'm heading into uncharted territory!
I will have with me:
Walkabout bag:
Bessa R3A with 15 Heliar
M3 with 50 Summitar
Ricoh GRD II with 21/28 adapter
In the trunk:
Bronica ETRS with 75/2.8
For film choices, I have a bunch of Efke 100, Neopan 400 and some just-arrived Plus-x. My MF film is Arista Edu 100... Foma?
I was planning to use the digi Ricoh for my daily 'web update' camera, but now I'm wondering if maybe some BW400CN might be nice? Walmarts (and their scanners!) are everywhere... Hmm...
If I can find some in town, I might pick up a roll or three of Ektar 100. Not much of a colour guy, though... Worth it for the landscapes?
gavinlg
Veteran
Sounds epic, I love road trips.
I would say ektar would be the perfect c41 color film for landscapes - it's probably my favorite all-round film. Just make sure to keep your exposures tight.
I would say ektar would be the perfect c41 color film for landscapes - it's probably my favorite all-round film. Just make sure to keep your exposures tight.
Spleenrippa
Yes, Right There
Figures... Just came back from town, and no one here sells said film. One store sells Elitechrome, but they want ~$15 a roll. Gah
kzphoto
Well-known
I've used Ektar a bunch and I ditched it in favor of Fuji 160 S. Are you shooting the Ektar in 120 or 35mm format? When I used Ektar in my Rollei it seemed to be great! As soon as I was shooting it 35mm, I hated it. Odd colors and weird contrast. I haven't tried it again though, maybe I should.
Ektar in 120:
Ashley & Heather by kzamani, on Flickr
Ektar in 35:
Set of 135 can be viewed here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xbleh/sets/72157623822016050/with/4506419289/
Both are from lab scans. Top photo was retouched a bit for eyes / color, bottom photo not a lick.
Ektar in 120:
Ashley & Heather by kzamani, on Flickr
Ektar in 35:
Set of 135 can be viewed here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xbleh/sets/72157623822016050/with/4506419289/
Both are from lab scans. Top photo was retouched a bit for eyes / color, bottom photo not a lick.
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benlees
Well-known
I wish you a good trip! I used to go on a lot of road trips. I wish I had been into photography back then. One trip was 8000km in 9 days, from Edmonton to El Paso and back. Good times!
Don Parsons
Well-known
If you go thru utah, you have to stop at the national parks down south. I recommend Arches, the scenery will blow your mind.
jan normandale
Film is the other way
I just did a round trip from Toronto to Calgary which is about 6500 km in 12 days. You're going to be doing some serious driving on a daily basis when you add in photography, eating, gas, rests and sleep. I'd pick spots and drive to them, keep the plan and don't go off plan or you will really be pushed in the last half of your drive.
Take batteries, and film plus any other back up photographically because once you're out of a major town you are pretty limited in film and batteries as a starting point. If you have to drive into a city you will blow half a day.
Oh yeah ... be sure to keep the tank filled especially around 5.00 pm because you may not find gas stations open after that unless on an interstate.
Finally, driving in the US.... set your cruise control and don't speed unless you carry about $500 US cash for bail. Seriously. They will not process credit cards nor debit cards. You have to have cash.
Finally have your local garage check your vehicle before you leave. You don't want a mechanical surprise. I know.
Good luck
Take batteries, and film plus any other back up photographically because once you're out of a major town you are pretty limited in film and batteries as a starting point. If you have to drive into a city you will blow half a day.
Oh yeah ... be sure to keep the tank filled especially around 5.00 pm because you may not find gas stations open after that unless on an interstate.
Finally, driving in the US.... set your cruise control and don't speed unless you carry about $500 US cash for bail. Seriously. They will not process credit cards nor debit cards. You have to have cash.
Finally have your local garage check your vehicle before you leave. You don't want a mechanical surprise. I know.
Good luck
Spleenrippa
Yes, Right There
Thanks for the replies all
I hope to shoot some Ektar in 35, but if I can find 120 I will do that!
I've been warned about the cops down south... Probably better that I slow down anyway, because the little Miata has a voracious appetite past 120 km/hr.
Speaking of the Miata (2007), she's in good shape so I'm not worried about the mechanical side of things... Just hope I don't blow a tire in the middle of Kansas, because the car has no provision for carrying a spare.
I will have to keep the tank topped up, for sure... It's a tiny (37 liter) affair so I only get ~400 km to a fill... Does anyone know what brand of gas in the States carries 94 octane gas? The car requires (as a minimum) 91/92 and I prefer to fill with the 94...
Edit: Here's a picture of my travelling companion
I hope to shoot some Ektar in 35, but if I can find 120 I will do that!
I've been warned about the cops down south... Probably better that I slow down anyway, because the little Miata has a voracious appetite past 120 km/hr.
Speaking of the Miata (2007), she's in good shape so I'm not worried about the mechanical side of things... Just hope I don't blow a tire in the middle of Kansas, because the car has no provision for carrying a spare.
I will have to keep the tank topped up, for sure... It's a tiny (37 liter) affair so I only get ~400 km to a fill... Does anyone know what brand of gas in the States carries 94 octane gas? The car requires (as a minimum) 91/92 and I prefer to fill with the 94...
Edit: Here's a picture of my travelling companion
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Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Check with Glazier's in Seattle for film. They usually have a good stock. Nice stop too on the way to Denver. Have a great trip.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Over the decades I've made lots of trips: across the USA several times, 5000 km around South India on a motorcycle, last year 7700 km France-Italy-Sovenia-Croatia-Serbia-Macedonia-Greece-Bulgaria-Romania-Hungary-Austria-Germany-Switzerland-France, last week from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic along the passes of the Pyrenees, etc. Generally I get the best pictures (and meet the most interesting people, and enjoy myself most) when I'm not trying to cover as much ground as possible, as fast as possible. Doing 7000 km in 13 days is over 500 km/300 miles a day, and while I've often driven more than that in a single day, I aso prefer days when I don't go anywhere.
I don't think this is merely the result of old age, but of hard-earned experience. For example, I really liked being able to spend 2-3 days in Pszczyna (Piz-chee-na, more or less) on part of a motorcycle tour through France, Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and back. But then, I'm mainly travelling to take pictures for www.rogerandfrances.com and to do research for www.motorcycletouringineurope.com and www.semiadventuroustraveller.com. What do you want out of this trip?
Cheers,
Roger
I don't think this is merely the result of old age, but of hard-earned experience. For example, I really liked being able to spend 2-3 days in Pszczyna (Piz-chee-na, more or less) on part of a motorcycle tour through France, Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and back. But then, I'm mainly travelling to take pictures for www.rogerandfrances.com and to do research for www.motorcycletouringineurope.com and www.semiadventuroustraveller.com. What do you want out of this trip?
Cheers,
Roger
Spleenrippa
Yes, Right There
Replies from Tom A and Roger. I feel important
I'd love to spend a day or two lazing about and shooting but the sad reality is that I have to get to (or be in) Halifax on 29 Sept, one way or the other- I take possession of my house the next day.
I spent a good while looking over my route again last night and it might be too much of a haul to allow for much pleasure time.
Here is the link where you can check my route on Google
Keep in mind that I've only 'programmed' in eight stops and I have thirteen days to make drive.
Mayhap I should just stick with a straight line across the northern US.. Oh, so many things to consider...
SimonSawSunlight
Simon Fabel
we just made ~4200km in 8 days or so. road trips are great, but costly!
but our 'companion' was an old Volkswagen LT31, 90km/h travel speed
but our 'companion' was an old Volkswagen LT31, 90km/h travel speed
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venchka
Veteran
I hate to say it......but that never stops me.
Your route seems designed to miss all of the good parts of the U.S.
Why Denver? Unless you're collecting a big Lottery check, skip it.
I see two variations to get you from B.C. to the plains:
1. East & south through Glacier/Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Parks. While not as spectacular as the Canadian Rockies, they are grand. East across Wyoming & Nebraska.
2. South to the Utah Great Parks. Arches & Canyonlands as a minimum. East through Durango/Santa Fe/Amarillo.
As you approach the east coast....
1. Swing a bit south to North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains N.P., Blue Ridge Parkway, north through the mountains of Virginia.
2. Avoid the coast as long as possible. Big cities from Boston south to Washington D.C. are a pain. Stay more inland through Pennsylvania, through the Delaware Water Gap N.R.A. to the Fishkill Bridge across the Huson River well north of NYC to Hartford & your current route.
3. Slow down. Follow the coast of Maine as much as possible. Rockland-Camden-Belfast.
Your route is based on the Interest Highway system. Bummer. You will be bored out of your skull.
The U.S. isn't nearly as scary as Jan would have us believe. Or I obey the law. Watch your speed. You'll be fine. Petrol is readily available after 5pm. At least until 9pm or 10pm even in little places. Grinning.
Have fun.
Your route seems designed to miss all of the good parts of the U.S.
Why Denver? Unless you're collecting a big Lottery check, skip it.
I see two variations to get you from B.C. to the plains:
1. East & south through Glacier/Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Parks. While not as spectacular as the Canadian Rockies, they are grand. East across Wyoming & Nebraska.
2. South to the Utah Great Parks. Arches & Canyonlands as a minimum. East through Durango/Santa Fe/Amarillo.
As you approach the east coast....
1. Swing a bit south to North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains N.P., Blue Ridge Parkway, north through the mountains of Virginia.
2. Avoid the coast as long as possible. Big cities from Boston south to Washington D.C. are a pain. Stay more inland through Pennsylvania, through the Delaware Water Gap N.R.A. to the Fishkill Bridge across the Huson River well north of NYC to Hartford & your current route.
3. Slow down. Follow the coast of Maine as much as possible. Rockland-Camden-Belfast.
Your route is based on the Interest Highway system. Bummer. You will be bored out of your skull.
The U.S. isn't nearly as scary as Jan would have us believe. Or I obey the law. Watch your speed. You'll be fine. Petrol is readily available after 5pm. At least until 9pm or 10pm even in little places. Grinning.
Have fun.
ampguy
Veteran
Some Sunoco stations, especially if near a track have 100, so you may need to mix your own. If you get on a track mailing list or forum, you can often get state by state directories for your fuel needs. Have a great trip.
venchka
Veteran
ps: Don't count on Walmart for film processing. Many/most of the Walmarts have dumped their film machines.
CVS/Walgreens drug stores still have film machines. However, these may not be running in 1 hour mode after 5pm or 6pm or before 8am or 9am.
CVS/Walgreens drug stores still have film machines. However, these may not be running in 1 hour mode after 5pm or 6pm or before 8am or 9am.
ampguy
Veteran
inverter
inverter
I'd get a 12VDC to AC inverter for your batteries. I use 300W ones, but I think a ~100 to 150 should be fine for charging up camera and computer notebook, cell batteries, they will just take your wall adapters.
Are you going on 90 (north), or 84 through UT?
Either way, I see long stretches of nothingness, but both also have some nice scenery on the way.
inverter
I'd get a 12VDC to AC inverter for your batteries. I use 300W ones, but I think a ~100 to 150 should be fine for charging up camera and computer notebook, cell batteries, they will just take your wall adapters.
Are you going on 90 (north), or 84 through UT?
Either way, I see long stretches of nothingness, but both also have some nice scenery on the way.
venchka
Veteran
pps: Does it make sense (economic and time sense) to take the ferry from Portland, ME to Yarmouth, NS?
ampguy
Veteran
yikes
yikes
OK, I saw your map. That's a tough drive, given your timeframe, I'd make a bee-line and shorten the driving times. Unless there is something or someone you have to see in those specific cities.
yikes
OK, I saw your map. That's a tough drive, given your timeframe, I'd make a bee-line and shorten the driving times. Unless there is something or someone you have to see in those specific cities.
Replies from Tom A and Roger. I feel important
I'd love to spend a day or two lazing about and shooting but the sad reality is that I have to get to (or be in) Halifax on 29 Sept, one way or the other- I take possession of my house the next day.
I spent a good while looking over my route again last night and it might be too much of a haul to allow for much pleasure time.
Here is the link where you can check my route on Google
Keep in mind that I've only 'programmed' in eight stops and I have thirteen days to make drive.
Mayhap I should just stick with a straight line across the northern US.. Oh, so many things to consider...