View Full Version : Film for Travel
Ponsoldt
02-12-2007, 17:31
I am traveling out of the country and am thinking about taking my mp as opposed to a digital. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions concerning recent experiences with film and the airport/travel.
Al Patterson
02-12-2007, 19:36
I took some Elite Chrome 200 through security last fall when I went to New mexico. No problems. I'd avoid anything faster than 400 though, although I think the TSA claims 800 speed will be fine.
Artorius
02-12-2007, 19:48
That's what I'm doing now, whether in, or out of country. I am paid to do digital, but now, with a resumed passion for film, I can afford to take both, and if anything from the film shots peek my clients interest, I can charge extra for that, also.
If you are just doing it for yourself, I would still take both. You never know when you may get "THAT" shot. Just trim down your gear till you get that comfortable carry kit.
they will hand check your film if you ask for it, just have it in a zip lock bag and hand it to the person at the security check and ask for hand check
that said, my choices would be ilford xp2, fuji velvia 100f
I have traveled all over the world with various 400 speed films and had them scanned multiple times with no problems. Just never, ever put it in your checked baggage. And, for what it's worth I've heard from a NYC lab tech that specializes in b&w hand-processing and works for many int'l photogaphers that the carry-on x-ray machines in FRANCE are notorious for ruining film. But I have not experinced this - never had any film ruined by carry-on x-rays
retrocam
02-12-2007, 20:14
I pack my film in ziploc bags. At the security checkpoint, I'd hand them over for manual inspection. In Japan, there's a sign that indicates that films at iso 400 and below are quite safe to pass through their X-rays for hand-carried luggage.
Perhaps you could try sending your film via Fedex to your hotel ahead of time? That way, you wouldn't have to worry about carrying unexposed film. ;)
wlewisiii
02-12-2007, 20:23
If I were to travel anywhere tomorrow, I'd be packing Plus-X & Reala. In Ziplocks for hand inspection. If I need faster I'll buy & develope locally.
William
Artorius
02-12-2007, 20:32
they will hand check your film if you ask for it, just have it in a zip lock bag and hand it to the person at the security check and ask for hand check
that said, my choices would be ilford xp2, fuji velvia 100f
With the way the Scanners are programed, you will find a GREAT variance between airports as far as actualy screening happens. I have recently returned from Vegas, and before then Jamaica. I was stopped at Vegas, but not when leaving Jamaica. I was "black lensed" in Vegas. Nothing in Jamaica.
Seattle will hand screen, Atlanta won"t. Go figure.
amateriat
02-12-2007, 20:37
Definitely do the zip-lock bag thing (film cassettes only, of course, out of their plastic cans!). Last time (over a year ago) I had to fly out of LaGuardia, they had a machine just for film inspection, which I thought was fascinating; the TSA guy operating the machine was quite helpful as well. Just arrive ahead of time and be well-prepared, and things should work out okay.
(Addendum: one trick is to tuck in a roll or two of ISO 1600/3200 film; in this instance, even the more reluctant inspectors (most of them, anyway) will go along with a hand-inspection request.)
- Barrett
wlewisiii
02-12-2007, 20:53
Question for the more experianced memebers - what about 120? Should you take it out of the foil or is it ok to leave it in it?
William
Question for the more experianced memebers - what about 120? Should you take it out of the foil or is it ok to leave it in it?
William
I'm not the more experienced member, but I have done some serious travelling with the 120.
I left it in the foil, in boxes, and stuffed into a lead bag without any trouble. I'd suggest leaving them packaged, since they are going to see it either way, and if they want to bother you, they will.
and just to be gloomy, I have NEVER met a security person at an airport, tran station, museum, etc., who was willing to hand check my film. Maybe my eyes give me away as an anarchist.
I second the previous vote of support for Ilford XP2. Never let me down.
I get it processed locally -- develop only, maybe scanned, and an A4 size index print made -- and bring, or ship, the negs home.
I second the previous vote of support for Ilford XP2. Never let me down.
I get it processed locally -- develop only, maybe scanned, and an A4 size index print made -- and bring, or ship, the negs home.
XP2 is a good idea if you want only B&W images. That makes it harder for some clumsy lab to blow your pics (since C41 processing is more controlled from what I hear).
But, if you are going to shoot C41, you might as well shoot color and convert to B&W when you want to lose the colors. No reason not to. Not that I can think of, at least. Especially if you are scanning your work yourself.
>you might as well shoot color and convert to B&W
sf --
I hear you but I previsualize in b&w and don't want to be tempted otherwise. This would be a distraction for me since I have very little interest in color images. Seeing something in color anywhere in the post-processing process would not be good.
BTW -- I've read that you're a big-time RF645 guy. I just joined this small (elite?) club last week and would like to keep up with what you are doing with this camera and sponge some know-how off along the way.
>you might as well shoot color and convert to B&W
BTW -- I've read that you're a big-time RF645 guy. I just joined this small (elite?) club last week and would like to keep up with what you are doing with this camera and sponge some know-how off along the way.
ask away. I love to talk about it.
maitrestanley
02-12-2007, 22:17
I agree with shooting in colour if you plan to scan in your negs for digital post processing.
As for film speeds, I usually only bring 400 or below. I brought a couple rolls of 3200 and the security guy just ignored my "Can you handcheck it? I have 3200 speed film." and just ran it straight through the scanner - I even handed it to him too!
Good thing this was BEFORE the trip started and not after. I didn't even bother w the film afterwards.
I am traveling out of the country and am thinking about taking my mp as opposed to a digital. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions concerning recent experiences with film and the airport/travel.
I found that France was the most pleasant. London was horrid. USA is horrid. I am glad I didn't even try to bring film in and out of Turkey or Greece (they took me into a small room and made me strip because they found a hand sanitizer in my pocket and I couldn't effectively explain what it was for).
Bring a lead bag. Sometimes they pull it out and scan the film anyway. Sometimes they don't even notice it (or don't care). But it gives you a chance to act nonchalant about the film. I wouldn't bother carrying it in a plastic bag. I did this at LAX and was forced to open 39 rolls of film, wrapper and all, anyway. I use the lead bag in Europe, and they often never even asked me about the dense blob in my bag. I had Delta 3200 in there and it wasn't fazed too much after MANY scans around europe.
I agree with shooting in colour if you plan to scan in your negs for digital post processing.
I brought a couple rolls of 3200 and the security guy just ignored my "Can you handcheck it? I have 3200 speed film." and just ran it straight through the scanner - I even handed it to him too!
they are jerks.
I am traveling out of the country and am thinking about taking my mp as opposed to a digital. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions concerning recent experiences with film and the airport/travel.
Agree with all that's been said - you'll be fine with 400ISO or lower, don't expect a hand inspection of film - many places simply refuse and stuff it thru the scanner (I gave up asking a long time ago)...use a lead bag as suggested - many places won't be interested when your bag is scanned - unless you have something else interesting in there.
Australia is by far the worst place I've been for security checks - point blank ridiculous and obnoxious. Kenya and parts of India often scan your carry on multiple times (3 in Kenya) before you board. (Nairobi can be over zealous in general - my girlfriend was told to open her two tiny contact lens sachets for inspection - disposable lenses, so they had to be binned immediately.) Most of the US I've found more than polite, parts of Africa are a lottery because of calibration of machines - try the lead bag there.
Europe is usually fine - unless there's a major football tournament on...just kidding :) well mostly...
Well, up until not too far ago, in my SLR days, I used to stock up on Sensia 100 as my main travel film - excellent universal slide emulsion (rumors that this is "consumered" Astia) - found it is good as all-around slide film, be it architecture, nature, general views or people. So it took a major workload on trips abroad when I anticipated lots of all-around shooting in daylight.
Now however, I'd be hard pressed to make my choice for all-around film bearing RF as my main tool (putting my 4x5 LF aside) - I'd like to stay with slide for general travel photography, but would also like to keep ready with ASA 400 B&W C41 and a limited amount of high-speed B&W for low-light situations.
The best solution IMHO would be two bodies - one with slide, the second with ASA 100 color slide (say, Sensia 100 for color all-around scenic during daylight), the second loaded with some ASA 400 B&W C41 - mainly for street situations and reasonably lit in-doors. Then, approaching evening (or if a long-term not very well lit in-doors experience) - a B&W ASA 1600 gets loaded.
With single RF body - it's getting tough. Perhaps both scenic and street get on ASA 100 slide (Sensia 100) at daylight, or if there is less then bright daylight conditions (cloudy) - Sensia 100 pushes very well to 200 and even to 320 (tried that myself few years back). For street B&W will have to rely on post-processing after scanning. The fast B&W (1600) gets loaded for particular reasons only.
So right now I would do as follows:
1. A bunch of Sensia 100 or 200 as main media (with the option to be pushed by 1-2 stops).
2. A moderate amount of ASA 1600 B&W (perferably C41 if such exist at such speeds).
All that however if not B&W is considered as solely the case. If only B&W is desirable - ASA 400 B&W C41 makes it up for me long way (and the easiest solution).
Alex
Two years ago Seattle-Honolulu I had 220 size Fuji NPS 160 and NPZ 800 out of the boxes but still in the foil wrapper, asked for hand check, and the two ladies took the time to open every foil wrapper and check the contents while I ground my teeth and calmed down. I thanked them for their dedication.
This past Fall Seattle-Kahului (Maui) I had about 20 rolls of NPZ in 220 out of the foil wrappers and they all fit the regulation quart-size ziplok bag. I kept that clear ziplok inside an opaque zippered bag just the right size, taking the ziplok bag out at the inspection point. I asked for hand inspection, handed over the bag, they looked it over carefully and put it around the other side of the conveyor. Very nice. On the way back out of Kahului things were more hectic for some reason, and I forgot to ask in time, so the film bag went through the machine, but no apparent damage was done the film by this one pass. Everyone at both ends of the flight were polite and professional.
equalizer
02-13-2007, 01:14
I always ask for hand check...
Last year in Rome the security guys were very polite and they did a hand check. I had plenty of 400s and 2 rolls if 3200 tmax.
This year in the Czech Republic, at the airport of Prague they refused to hand check my rolls of film and besides that, they were VERY rude.
Are slide films like Velvia 50, Provia 100 safe to pass through the x-rays? Because I think I've seen a sign on the box of provia saying that x-ray is not safe for this emulsion...
Equalizer, I had rolls of Provia 100F & Provia 400F (and HP5+) go through ten x-ray machines (UK, Spain, Netherlands, China) and kept in quite hot conditions (>30C in my car during the summer for a week and then in China).
They were all fine as far as I can tell, even the Provia 400F rolls I pushed to 1600. But I'm not sure what I should be looking out for - if it is fogging then I didn't see any, if it's grain then I couldn't tell.
Of course, it all depends on the machines, you might get unlucky and have your film go through a recycled microwave.
I just got back from a long trip to Southeast Asia in which I took a lot of short flights and probably went through at least 20 security checks in 6 weeks. I brought mostly kodak portra VC 400, fuji reala 100, tri X 400 for B&W, and fuji NPZ 800 (rated around 600). People told me that the 800 would be fine going through the scanners, but I was a little worried about the cummulative effect of going through so many checks. So I did the plastic bag thing that everyone here recommends and it worked great. I put one decoy roll of 1600 in and made sure it was always vissable. A lot of the time in smaller, more remote airports they would look at me like I was crazy. But if I just kept saying things like, "high speed prefessional grade film," they would eventually do a hand check. The only time that didn't work was going from Cambodia to Bangkok right after the new years bombings. But everything looked fine when I had it processed at home.
They probably could have gone through the scanners several more time before getting fogged, but I figured the best thing to do was to always ask, because you never know how many times your going to have to go through checks. Sometimes you have to go through a few just to get to onto your flight.
On a sort of related note, I brought 2 cameras for the first time and it really helped, especially since I had so many film types. A lot of the time I'd keep the NPZ loaded in my XA for carrying around at night, and then use the rest in my CL.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip.
...(Addendum: one trick is to tuck in a roll or two of ISO 1600/3200 film; in this instance, even the more reluctant inspectors (most of them, anyway) will go along with a hand-inspection request.)
- Barrett
Grinning. Not by plan, but I had a roll of Fuji 1600 color neg. film mixed in with 64, 100 & 400. I asked for hand inspection and that went very well. I didn't know I was being clever!
Plastic canisters in a zip lock bag, 6-8 rolls. Worked fine in Houston & Tampa at Christmas.
And, for what it's worth I've heard from a NYC lab tech that specializes in b&w hand-processing and works for many int'l photogaphers that the carry-on x-ray machines in FRANCE are notorious for ruining film. But I have not experinced this - never had any film ruined by carry-on x-rays
I brought several rolls of ASA 400 film with me to Paris CDG Airport a couple of years ago through the carry-on x-ray machines departing (exposed), and I did not experience any fogging. Maybe the x-rays have gotten stronger since, or maybe they only ruin unexposed film. Anyway, I've never had a problem with the carry-on scanners in any airport, but I have heard that the checked baggage x-rays are much stonger.
I have to go to Sweden, I'll take an empty camera, buy Fuji or Kodak process paid and post in Sw.
Is there a Fuji lab in Sw?
Noel
I don't know for sure if there is a Fuji-lab but I can't imagine there won't be one.
Everytime I travel per airplane I trow in all my film in a leadbag and when it get noticed by the people operating te machine they will hand check it.
In Japan last year I asked the guys to do a hand check, cause I had already exposed the film and wasnt willing to take any chances. And they did so very carefully and polite, and smiled at my Canon gear.
Be very carefull with xray machine's in africa and poor country's though I've heard lots of story's about fogged film from photographers going there, even using a lead bag.
There are many Fuji Foto Center stores in Sweden.
Try this for a list of stores:
http://www3.ibiz.se/fmi/xsl/ffc/butikfmp.xsl?-db=ibizMailer&-sortfield.1=ort&-lay=arrangorerTyper&-max=100&avsandarID=4&-find
Otherwise try the main site http://www.ffc.nu/ and click "Våra butiker".
/Håkan
I have to go to Sweden, I'll take an empty camera, buy Fuji or Kodak process paid and post in Sw.
Is there a Fuji lab in Sw?
Noel
Håkan
Thanks, next task is, learning 2nd word...
Noel
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