How much film to bring for 6 months travel?

[verselines]

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of film -- some Tri-X, some Fuji Reala, Superia 400, a few rolls of Velvia that want using up, and some HP5, also well out of date.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!

I get my film from Triple D Mini Lab at Burlington Square (mostly Fuji) and Ruby Photo (Kodak and Ilford) at Peninsula Plaza. Just an indication of price, a roll of Portra 400 VC costs 8.50SGD

You can use www.gothere.sg to locate the places and also the directions to get there via car or public transport. Enjoy Singapore!

 

[jdriffill]

I get my film from Triple D Mini Lab at Burlington Square (mostly Fuji) and Ruby Photo at Peninsula Plaza.

You can use www.gothere.sg to locate the places and also the directions to get there via car or public transport. Enjoy Singapore!

Many thanks for this, Verselines!

 

[jonmanjiro]

I normally shoot 2-3 rolls a day when travelling, so take 3 rolls x no. of days travelling.

I agree with mister e's comment about keeping film types to a minimum as well. on my trip to singapore/malaysia next week, i'll be taking astia 100 and neopan 400 only.

 

[jan normandale]

Hello, ... the issue is: How much film should I bring? ...

Cheers.

As much as you'll need.

 

[verselines]

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!

The price of Portra is still slightly higher than what I can get here, but sounds reasonable enough! Thanks for the information!

And sadly I'm not going to Stockholm; I'll be at Jonkoping, which I assume would be much more devoid of gear options. Weekend trips to Stockholm are definitely on the cards though!

And I just might take you up on that offer, heh! Though you'd have to guide me along, truth be told I've never developed my own bnw.

 

[hexiplex]

Ah, Jönköping, you won't have to worry about not being able to buy film locally. The largest chain of "high end" camera stores in Scandinavia have their head office and central warehouse like 30 minutes from the central station.

Jönköping is also quite a nice town, if a bit small, but that will be the case everywhere you go in Sweden. But it's in a prime location for rail access to Denmark and the rest of the continent, Copenhagen is four hours and fifty dollars away by train and from there you can catch the night train to Berlin for about 90 USD.

Gothenburg and Malmö are also close, so there is a lot to see with three major cities mere hours away... Even Oslo is relatively close by, eight hours by train and another 50 USD will get you there from Jönköping.

Hope you enjoy your stay in Europe, and don't be afraid to send that PM if you end up in Stockholm.

 

[Roger Hicks]

For me it's eldom UNDER 5 rolls a day, which is 900 rolls for 6 months. But then, I don't go away for 6 months at a time.

To estimate your own usage, try this. How many rolls do you shoot in a month at home? Multiply this by at least 2 and at most about 5, to allow for extra inspiration.

Buy it in Europe. It'll be a lot easier, and unless you shoot a hell of a lot of film, not much more expensive.

 

[rog]

bulkload it

bulkload it

if you develop your films there yourself, you might consider bulk-loading. it's cheaper, takes less space in your bags and you can have it send by mail very easily if you end up not having enough. Just bring 25-30 preloaded rolls and maybe 4 or 5 packages of 100ft (30mtr) bulk-load, that will give you another 80 to 100 films to shoot and re-order later from freestyle and have it send to you if you need more.

 

[verselines]

Ah, Jönköping, you won't have to worry about not being able to buy film locally. The largest chain of "high end" camera stores in Scandinavia have their head office and central warehouse like 30 minutes from the central station.

Hope you enjoy your stay in Europe, and don't be afraid to send that PM if you end up in Stockholm.

That is great to know. Will it be cheaper to buy direct from the warehouse (if they allow such practices)?

 

[hexiplex]

They have a store in the same location as their central warehouse... Not cheaper than buying online or in any of their other stores, you just have access to all of their inventory on the spot.