How much film to bring for 6 months travel?

[verselines]

Hello,

I'm going on an exchange program in 2 weeks time. 6 months in Sweden/Europe; I originally chucked the idea of bringing film but after some deliberating I couldn't bring myself to. I'll still be bringing a digital camera for snapshots/touristy 'i was here' stuff and when I get lazy, but I'll also bring along my Nikon FM2.

So the issue is: How much film should I bring? Yes, I know it really depends on what kind of photographer I am etc. etc. but I'd like some opinions on how more experienced photographers would approach this situation.

I'll be there for 6 months, with maybe 4 months worth of schooling (will travel over the weekends) and 2 months of pure backpacking after exams.

Film recommendations (esp. for colour negs) also welcome! 🙂 Currently I'm thinking of Portra VC and NC, Ektar and maybe Reala for colour, Tri-X and HP5 for B&W

Cheers.

 

[verselines]

I'm probably going to have to end up buying film in Europe, but it'll be much much much more expensive than back home (Singapore) so I'm hoping to mimimise it with smart packing (hence this thread's existence!)

Edit: I just realised this might be more suited to the travel forum. Apologies and mods please feel free to shift it wherever's more suitable.

 

[jordanstarr]

I would just buy it there. It isn't worth it to chance the x-rays at the airport as they can ruin your film (I've had it happen to 100 speed film).

I would personally bring a roll a day minimum for myself. I have no real rationale for that other than I think that's about what I would shoot -some days I might shoot half, some days 2 rolls. For 6 months though, that's a lot of film. You're also in school, so shooting will be limited, so you'll probably shoot a lot less than that (I'm assuming). Personally I would shoot 80% Tri-x and 20% Plus-x. The Tri-x will likely be the most versatile B&W film so unless I was absolutely sure it was sunny all day and that stuff, I would just load Tri-x in there.

 

[antiquark]

Six months is a long time to go with a single stash of film without replenishing. You'll have to ration yourself to a certain number of shots per day. Say you limit yourself to 5 shots per day, that will work out to 6 * 30 * 5 / 36 = 25 rolls of film.

As for film, there was another thread around here (see link) about Portra 400. It has amazing underexposure and overexposure capabilities, so it could almost act as your "multi-purpose" film:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=99102

 

[robbeiflex]

If you buy it online then film is not all that expensive here. Check macodirect.de, speedgraphic.co.uk, and firstcall-photographic.co.uk. I usually buy from Germany, but sometimes I'm lucky with the exchange rate just when I need film and buy from the UK instead. There are others that RFF'ers might suggest, and finding something closer to where you study might help. That said, at the risk of being a smart-@$$, I suggest you take your average shooting per week and multiply by 26. 😉

BTW: You've named a number of excellent film types, no comment there. In the winter you'll shoot more ISO 400 or higher because the days are so short and you'll be inside a lot, and in the summer ISO 100 or lower will be good until very late in the evening.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[venchka]

My favorite photos from a year in Germany were made with ASA 100 Agfa & Plus-X B&W and ASA 50 Agfachrome....

...so, I would pack lots of Plus-X and of course Tri-X. I know a little more now than I did then. In today's market, Efke & Foma and Ilford might be cheaper in Europe than Kodak. Have fun!

 

[verselines]

jordanstarr, antiquark, venchka
thank you for all the replies.

robbeiflex:
thanks for the URLs; will definitely check them out!

shane:
if i gave the impression that my digital shooting was doing to be slipshod and unmotivated, i apologise. that's not the case (other than snapping photos of my camera shy friends just to annoy them; heh) then there are shots that i myself recognise will be 'boring' and 'not art' but will want to shoot anyway as documentation.

i do, in fact, plan on carrying both bodies whenever i travel; probably not during 'daily life' such as going for class, going to the supermarket etc. It is a financial concern as much as anything; I will not be able to afford the developing fee if i shoot solely on film.

i have considered the option of using the film body for bnw and digital for colour, but i am too in love with the film colour 'look' to throw colour film away completely. I've done the two bodies thing before so I totally agree that having too much gear impedes shooting.

thanks for your well thought out reply.

 

[hexiplex]

fotoimpex is a good option for film buying in Germany - They have a physical store in Berlin and Ektar goes for 4,99€ / roll if you buy ten, slightly more if you buy under, and Portra 400 goes for €4,58 / roll on a ten purchase. They offer inexpensive yet swift shipping. For local purchases there is also a store in Stockholm (I assume that is where you are going to study?) that carries a great range of film for (by Swedish standards) great prices, a five pack of Portra 400VC sells for 55 dollars.

If you intend on shooting B&W and need a darkroom in Stockholm, just shoot me a PM!

 

[GSNfan]

For color shoot digital, save the film and processing money for beer. Take 50 rolls of your favorite b&w with you, take them out of their little boxes and fit them nicely in your carry on.

 

[Deniz Merdan]

for a 28 day project, i have 70 rolls with me.

 

[Mister E]

This should be in the travel forum. I normally shoot about 70 rolls in a month when I'm on the road, depending on how much time I have to shoot. I'd bring 400-500 rolls of film with me. I'd bring only one slow color film (RVP50), one fast color film (RXP) and Neopan 400. You won't want to have a million different looks from your trip. I'd buy one kind of slow C-41 if that's what you want to shoot and keep shooting with it. Either Ektar 100, Portra, or Reala, not all 3, not a mix of all 3, etc.

 

[GSNfan]

This should be in the travel forum. I normally shoot about 70 rolls in a month when I'm on the road, depending on how much time I have to shoot. I'd bring 400-500 rolls of film with me. I'd bring only one slow color film (RVP50), one fast color film (RXP) and Neopan 400. You won't want to have a million different looks from your trip. I'd buy one kind of slow C-41 if that's what you want to shoot and keep shooting with it. Either Ektar 100, Portra, or Reala, not all 3, not a mix of all 3, etc.

500 rolls of film would be a whole suitcase. Do you have an assistant for developing and scanning?

 

[Mister E]

500 rolls of film would be a whole suitcase. Do you have an assistant for developing and scanning?

Yes, it would be a whole suitcase. I would pack a carry-on full of nothing but film. Film is not damaged by carry-on xray machines. I've brought heaps of 3200 and 1600 speed film with me on all of my recent trips (SE and Central Asia) with not a single issue after more than 25 separate xrays of my exposed and unexposed film.

I do have an assistant who scans and develops all of my film, they're called NCPS.

 

[GSNfan]

Yes, it would be a whole suitcase. I would pack a carry-on full of nothing but film. Film is not damaged by carry-on xray machines. I've brought heaps of 3200 and 1600 speed film with me on all of my recent trips (SE and Central Asia) with not a single issue after more than 25 separate xrays of my exposed and unexposed film.

I do have an assistant who scans and develops all of my film, they're called NCPS.

I assume you're a professional travel photographer. In your case its necessary. But for a student on an exchange program it could be overkill.

In any case i stick with my recommendation and hopefully others chime in.

 

[Pablito]

When I am shooting film on assignment I can shoot easily 60 rolls per week but I don't see why that or anyone else's film consumption rate should apply to you.

 

[Mister E]

I assume you're a professional travel photographer. In your case its necessary. But for a student on an exchange program it could be overkill.

In any case i stick with my recommendation and hopefully others chime in.

I wish I did this for a living, but no, I'm a professional computer engineer that shoots when he has time.

 

[jdriffill]

I've just set off from Britain on a four month trip to Japan and Singapore with about 12 rolls of film -- some Tri-X, some Fuji Reala, Superia 400, a few rolls of Velvia that want using up, and some HP5, also well out of date. I'm a less serious photographer than some here! But I do it secure in the knowledge that in Japan at least film is very cheap and available easily.

I'd be very interested in any info on Singapore, however. I don't know the place at all. Good places for buying fim, getting it processed, buying cameras etc. Any recommendations gratefully received!

 

[E.M]

What's a carry-on , first time I hear this ... sorry and thanks !

http://www.etiennemichiels.com

 

[Mister E]

What's a carry-on , first time I hear this ... sorry and thanks !

http://www.etiennemichiels.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_luggage

 

[Colin Corneau]

Always pack more than you think you'll shoot. Make a rough estimate of rolls/day and double it.

If you're wrong, no real problems. But nothing is worse than needing film and not having it. Topping up while over there is a good idea, that way you can adjust as needed once you get your bearings over there.