Moving to New Zealand for a year

[Dunn]

On August 1st I will be moving to New Zealand for one year to live and work. I will be traveling around a lot working on different farms and vineyards.

One concern I have is film. I primarily use film cameras, mainly an M6. What do you guys think is the best way to go about traveling such a long time with film? Should I just buy up all I think I will use before I leave? I'd like to document the trip thoroughly.

I only have one dslr which is a Nikon D50. I want to travel light though so I don't even really want to take that. I would like to just carry my M6 for most of my shooting and maybe a digital point-and-shoot for candids and snapshots.

 

[bgb]

prices for film are silly tending towards painful, bring lots or go digital.

processing only really available in the main centers and it's expensive too

or you could send the film home maybe

 

[ZeissFan]

Do you have a job lined up? When I lived in that part of the world, it was my understanding that you had to have a job before you could move to New Zealand. The idea was to prevent a lot of people from showing up, suitcase in hand, with no ambition to do anything but have a good time. I don't know if that was rubbish.

 

[bgb]

you need a work permit to work in NZ some travelers don't have them but if you get caught big trouble

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/

 

[Dunn]

prices for film are silly tending towards painful, bring lots or go digital.

processing only really available in the main centers and it's expensive too

or you could send the film home maybe

Okay, I'll try to bring a lot. I don't really like using my dslr for personal stuff.

Do you have a job lined up? When I lived in that part of the world, it was my understanding that you had to have a job before you could move to New Zealand. The idea was to prevent a lot of people from showing up, suitcase in hand, with no ambition to do anything but have a good time. I don't know if that was rubbish.

I have a one year work visa and have been in contact with a couple different vineyards. I plan on just doing field work for them and moving around to different ones around the country. I actually am interested in the work so that's why I am doing that. If I go to a larger city I may try to get a job at a restaurant, which I have experience in.

 

[segedi]

I'd also recommend buying in the US and maybe even bringing some powdered chems, reels, tank, changing bag and doing B&W wherever you end up. And have a great trip, NZ is fantastic! If you get close to Christchurch, check out http://www.stonecircleorganics.co.nz - great lil organic farm and really good people.

 

[tlitody]

Couldn't you get someone you know in photography to mail some film to you from time to time or just order online from anywhere you like. I think they have the internet in NZ you know.

 

[bgb]

if you have film mailed to you watch the postage costs ... my only experience is checking the cost of getting film from Freestlye and the postage is LOTS

Guess it all depends on how much film you will shoot in a year 🙂

 

[hausen]

Buying film in NZ is no problem in the main centres. If you are in the Wine areas which are a little more rural it might be a bit harder. I get most of mine from Adorama and it is a 3-4 day service to NZ using UPS. So if you are stationery for a week anywhere you won't have a problem. There are a few of us RFF'ers scattered around these Islands so if you get caught short let us know. Is a great place to travel around with an M6 and shoot, you will love it.

 

[zoz63]

Going to live in NZ for a year...BAD LUCK.
Zoz63
from Australia

 

[ZeissFan]

It sounds like it could be a great opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

If that were me, I'd probably take a film RF and one of the Micro FourThirds digicams with an adapter so that it could share lenses.

Perhaps, you could bring 25 or 50 rolls, which shouldn't take up too much weight or space. Or you could roll your own, but then ideally you would want a changing bag. Bring a bulk loader and two 100-foot spools.

Either way, enjoy the trip!

 

[Argenticien]

Have a look at Photo.net, specifically the Classic Manual Cameras forum, where Rick Drawbridge frequently posts. He is in NZ, I believe somewhere near Wairarapa area (where you might end up for part of the time if you're looking for wine country). If you can contact Rick through Photo.net, he might let you know what film, supplies, and services he can find and where. BTW, he posts in that forum the best damn camera pr0n anywhere. Don't get sucked in for too long.

--Dave

 

[t.s.k.]

Sorry, no advice from me.
I'm just here searching for that envy emoticon !

OK, one pearl of wisdom.

Don't sweat the small stuff....
You'll be in frickin' New Zealand !

 

[Dunn]

It sounds like it could be a great opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

If that were me, I'd probably take a film RF and one of the Micro FourThirds digicams with an adapter so that it could share lenses.

Perhaps, you could bring 25 or 50 rolls, which shouldn't take up too much weight or space. Or you could roll your own, but then ideally you would want a changing bag. Bring a bulk loader and two 100-foot spools.

Either way, enjoy the trip!

I thought about getting an Olympus EP-1 or a Panasonic GF1. I'm just not sure how I would like it. Are they pretty comparable to an RF? I wish I could get every camera with just a manual shutter and aperture dial.

Have a look at Photo.net, specifically the Classic Manual Cameras forum, where Rick Drawbridge frequently posts. He is in NZ, I believe somewhere near Wairarapa area (where you might end up for part of the time if you're looking for wine country). If you can contact Rick through Photo.net, he might let you know what film, supplies, and services he can find and where. BTW, he posts in that forum the best damn camera pr0n anywhere. Don't get sucked in for too long.

--Dave

Thanks. I'll definitely contact him. I probably will get around there. I think I was looking at one place that was in the area.