Film in Beijing?

[monopix]

Anyone with knowledge of buying/processing film (C41 and/or E6) in Beijing or carrying it in and out. Will be going in September and am trying to decide best thing to do other than go and buy a new digital.

 

[kully]

Hallo,

Here is the thread (with what you asked for) from when I was there in September 2006.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27386

You'll be fine bringing in film, although don't expect them to hand inspect it. Having said that, the X-Ray machines are new and didn't do anything bad to the E-6 and B&W film I brought in and back.

 

[ryan26]

I was there in November, and I had no problem getting hand inspections, but know that the x-ray machines are everywhere... to get on the subway, get into the train station, even to enter tourist sites. So it will be a hassle.

I don't know about buying or processing there however.

 

[ZorkiKat]

Was there last month. C41 colour film (Kodak, Fuji, and Luckycolor) can be found easily. BWs, Ilford, Lucky, Shanghai, and Era- last three Chinese made, and quite good. The place to go is to the "Beijing Photo City" mall. Films of almost all types and makes are there, and at good prices. You can even find film developing equipment and BW chemistry.

And if you're looking for cameras, you'd find a lot of Leica, Hasselblad, and even Zeiss there. Some shops even sell only the classic film cameras. You can find very interesting Chinese cameras there too- many you wouldn't find elsewhere, even on eBay.

Beijing Photo City Mall is on Wukesong Street, Haidian District.

As for xRays in airports, your film's going to be safe. I had some ISO 400s with me and they never got nuked. Expect your bags and cameras to be X-rayed in places like the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Otherwise, there's nothing else to worry about.

 

[monopix]

Thanks ZorkiKat and everyone else. I've been before but not for a few years so thought increased security might be a problem with carrying film. I'll probably take what I need and bring it back for processing. That way, I know what I'm getting. Useful to know there's a place to get more film if I need it though.