Paris: buy/process slide film plus travel advice?

[parasko]

Salut!

Not sure if this should be a travel or film thread.

I'm going to Paris for the first time in May for 12 days. Questions:
1. Is Provia 400x (35mm) available in Paris? If so, where to buy and estimate cost per roll please.
2. Where can I process 35mm slide film in Paris?
3. Is it worth buying ISO 100 instead of 400 during May?
4. Recommended area to stay? I'm travelling alone and going purely to take photos (and visit all those museums of course!). I was thinking Montmartre or St Germain-des-Pres.

Merci.

 

[angeloks]

I can answer 1. and 2. : I use to go to Negatif Plus (http://negatifplus.com/) near la gare du Nord. They had Provia 400x, but I don't remember the exact price, should be 10 euros a roll or something. They do process E6.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

1. Not sure where you come from but film tends to be quit expensive in Europe. If I visit new york I always buy as much film as I can becasue it's way cheaper.
3. All depends on what you're shooting and how fast your lenses are.
4. Any place within the BP (Boulevard Perifirique) is good. Try to find a place close to a subway and you're set to go.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[jpa66]

I think that 100 iso film should be fine in May, although you'll miss out on night shots ( but you would most likely with 400 as well ).

As for where to stay, I'd recommend someplace central, where you can walk to everything. You could try the Marais ( 4th Arron. ) or the Latin Quarter ( 5th ) which would put you in the heart of things on the Left Bank. Montmartre is a bit out of the way, IMO, but a great neighborhood to visit.

I've stayed in the 7th ( near the Eiffel Tower ), the 5th ( off Rue Mouffetard ) and in the Marais. My favorite place to stay is in the 7th, as it's less hectic, and I love the Tower and the area. However, it is out of the way just a bit if you're inclined to walk everywhere. I'm going to be there in May, also, and I'll be staying right near the Louvre ( while I prefer the Left Bank, my wife prefers the Right ). Wherever you do end up staying, I highly recommend renting an apartment. It's much cheaper, and you get the opportunity to shop at all the local markets and experience Paris as a local.

JP

 

[robbeiflex]

1. I live in Europe but recently find it much cheaper to buy my film online from the UK. Paris is BIG and there are always deals available, take what you need to get started and then check out the places listed on http://www.dmin-dmax.fr/photo8.htm#conso
2. No idea
3. In May the weather is already nice and the days are long. Sunrise ~6 and sunset ~9 or later. ISO 100 will do fine unless you are a real night-owl.
4. As with the answer to many good questions, it depends! My parents really enjoyed staying near the Jardin de Luxembourg and there are hotels covering a whole range of budgets there, including apartments. Anything near a Metro station is good, but its nice to avoid the metro and be able to walk from your hotel to cafés in the morning and back from restaurants in the evening.

Feel free to PM me if you have a specific question.

Have Fun!
Rob