Cuba, been there? I have questions

I have heard that folks are only allowed to bring 6 rolls of film into Cuba. I have also heard this rule is enforced somewhat arbitrarily.
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I expect there is a lot of arbitrariness, but on my first trip there, 5 years ago, I had at least 10 rolls of 35mm and 10 of 220, without any customs problems. On my second trip, I was shooting only digital.
http://www.pbase.com/zuiko40/cuba
 
Out of curiosity, what group are you going with? I've been looking into going with either a humanitarian group or doing an ecotourism thing... Or just catching a plane from the Bahamas or something.
 
It's easy as pie for Canadians to go there - many do for a week of vacation. In fact, it's cheaper to get a package deal for a resort than to book a regular flight to Havana...I know a few photogs who have booked a 4 or 5 star resort for a week, dumped their clothes etc. and then just gone out to the countryside -- coming back to shower, etc. only.

Anyway, the old vintage cars are indeed plentiful but newer cars are seen more and more. Not American ones, obviously. People keep the cars running any way they can - I'm sure there are many mechanics and shops, but many people do it themselves, out of necessity.

I took a DSLR as well as a 4x5 wood field camera plus tripod and film there, in Feb 2008. No hassles whatsoever with my film or gear. In fact, one of the best things about Cuba is the people - and that's saying something considering how beautiful the land is.

Bringing items like basic medical stuff or toiletries is a good idea. We did that, and also bought a suitcase of stuff for kids like notebooks, paper, pens, markers etc.
 
Mephiloco said:
Out of curiosity, what group are you going with? I've been looking into going with either a humanitarian group or doing an ecotourism thing... Or just catching a plane from the Bahamas or something.
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this is the trip I am going on. http://www.billbachmann.com/cuba2009.html
It did fill up quickly. Possibly he will organize another next year.

I paid dearly for the privilege of going there legally with a visa. The only reason is that our company does a lot a secret military work and it would be very bad if I were one of the few to get busted by the Feds.
 
Bob Michaels said:
I am going to Cuba on a "humanitarian" two week mission in late October / early November. This is considered a legitimate trip by US Government.

Autos: the trip info says we will photograph old cars. Everyone does that, so no interest to me. I want to photograph the mechanics in the garages that maintain those cars. I am thinking of carrying a tune up kit (plugs, points, condenser) for a early model US auto. Questions: which are more prevalent? Ford / Chevrolet / Chrysler Corp? V-8 or straight 6?

Medical: as a "humanitarian" trip, we are supposed to bring medicine. Everyone brings aspirin, great stuff but a bit lame. I have access to any pharmaceuticals or medical supplies. I am thinking penicillin, suture needles, real anesthesia, things like that. I would like to photograph inside hospitals. Does this sound possible?

Film: I will be the only one on the trip shooting film. And it will be b&w. I carry enough film so I never have to worry about running out. So I should have leftover when I depart. Any ideas on finding a worthy Cuban photographer to leave my extra film with?

b&w chemistry: If I bring some chemistry down there, would it be appreciated by some Cuban photographer?

Weight is a real premium as I can only bring 44 pounds / 20 kilos on the charter flight. So weight is at least as important as purchase price in the US. Any suggestions what to bring that would be appreciated by the locals?
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Bob, enjoy your trip! I look forward to seeing your pictures here.

I have been three times (1997, 1998, and 2001). I was permitted to go once a year until the Bush administration tightened the screws in 2004. I hope President Obama follows through with his plan to lift restrictions on those (like me) who have relatives there. For that matter I would like to see our embargo end completely.

But anyway, I think tuneup kits for any of those models will be appreciated. Auto parts cost a fortune there.

Cuba does have a good medical care system and makes a lot of its own life-saving pharmaceuticals. What people do not have (and cannot afford) are the many over-the-counter things we have here. That probably explains why aspirin is so popular. I made a hit with my relatives by bringing them mosquito repellent.

I had a premonition that Cuba would be a black-and-white kind of place, and I shot mostly Tmax 400 there and was very happy. I got a few E6 pictures I liked, but the monochromatic stuff pleased me more. I did not have any problem taking about 50 rolls of film in and out, although there may be new restrictions. Dividing it among members of the party seems like a way to do it.

When I went, it was legal for Cubans to a) possess US dollars and b) spend them in the special 'dollar stores' that took only dollars. In those stores one could buy just about any of the basic necessities. So, at that time the thing to take was dollars. Lots of dollars. In one-dollar bills. I suggest finding out from your tour leader what's the scoop these days. I heard Fidel had tightened those screws, but maybe Raul loosened them again. You want to give people useful things, but it is hard to know in advance what an individual needs, so dollars were a good thing.

Finally, people are totally starved for things to read. Avoid anything political, but you will find that you can take popular books and magazines in, as your property, and leave them with people and they will be very grateful. Take along some recent issues of Aperture and other photography journals.

It's not a comfy tourist destination (be prepared for mediocre food, for instance), but it is a fine place with warm people. You'll have a fine time.

Tom Diaz
 
I was in Santiago de Cuba this summer (end of June). You may find a few my shots there

http://picasaweb.google.com/ed.kromskoy/CubaInBlackAndWhite#
http://picasaweb.google.com/ed.kromskoy/Cubanas02#

Don't bring too heavy medicine and photo chemistry as you may get in trouble at custom. Bring simple medicine that may be useful for person, not for hospital and give it to people. I think they have enough supply from China these days, the problem is normally you don't go to hospital if you have headache or small wound you may take care by yourself. Bring clothes like t-shirts, sandals etc. that you may give away, and be alert. Country side is much safer than big cities. They know you have money. Convertible peso (the only currency for tourists) is more expensive than US$; however you must know that local peso is 20-25 times smaller than convertible. 15-20 convertibles is a good monthly salary for an average worker. Also, there is some fee when you exchange US dollars, so it's less trouble to bring euro or canadian dollars there.

As for cars, at that south part of island where I was there were many old soviet cars, some old fords and chevroletes, all of them modified and altered to keep them running.

Cheers,
Ed
 
I forgot to mention.
No US dollars - this is a recent restriction. In private they accept US or canadian dollars if you want to thank musicians, buy art on the street, etc. Even at airport some officer asked privately tourists if some has some convertible pesos left so can exchange to US or Canadian dollars from him.
I learned here about film restrictions and don't know if it is true - there was no problem for me with 10 or more rolls of Tri-X in 120 size. And they looked my cabin luggage very well by hands because they found two tomatoes and a peach in my bag... Those vegetables and fruits are prohibited but when they stopped me and asked what I have in my bag and I started to list all my photo gear they had little to none interest in it. Unfortunately, I shot only one roll and my Fuji GS645 broke, so rest of time I used digital Fuji F30.
 
ed1k said:
I forgot to mention.
No US dollars - this is a recent restriction. In private they accept US or canadian dollars if you want to thank musicians, buy art on the street, etc. Even at airport some officer asked privately tourists if some has some convertible pesos left so can exchange to US or Canadian dollars from him.
I learned here about film restrictions and don't know if it is true - there was no problem for me with 10 or more rolls of Tri-X in 120 size. And they looked my cabin luggage very well by hands because they found two tomatoes and a peach in my bag... Those vegetables and fruits are prohibited but when they stopped me and asked what I have in my bag and I started to list all my photo gear they had little to none interest in it. Unfortunately, I shot only one roll and my Fuji GS645 broke, so rest of time I used digital Fuji F30.
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I'm sorry to hear that the dollar restriction exists. The Cuban government adds its own problems to the problems we create with the embargo!

Sorry about your GS645, too. What a let-down to not be able to shoot with it there.

I have a tendency to drop things, I'm afraid, and in Cuba I dropped my OM4 on a tile floor. The next day (fortunately before too much time had elapsed) I noticed it was giving me meter readings that could not possibly be right. Luckily I had a second body--an OM3--with me. This is one of many stories I have about how I, the butterfingered photo-artist, never travel without two bodies.

Just two weeks ago, I managed to LOSE the battery cover off the front of my M6TTL while shooting in LA, rendering it usable but not worth the pain. Luckily I had another rangefinder--a ZI--with me. I rest my case.

Basically I always need to budget for two of whatever is the main camera platform I use (M mount film, micro-4/3, etc.). I'm helping keep the demand up for these machines.

Consumer stores and services in Cuba are rare to nonexistent, so I would plan on taking along my own spares again next time I go--which I hope is soon!

Tom
 
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