Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Frank: I thought of this also. My post was premised on what life posted about how to deal with film on such a long trip, especially given that he will be doing mostly b&w.FrankS said:
I think the prospect of finding good commercial processing for b&w, camera clubs not withstanding, is very optimistic. And we don know how many times film will be x-rayed in airports. Given the uncertainty of even first-line commercial couriers in some countries, I think process-as-you-go is the best (albeit not optimum) solution.
That said, such a long trip is a good recommendation for the virtues of digital. Alas, the M8 will not be available in time for life's departure, and it will be brand new and untested by actual paying consumers as well.
Photographers for years before digital have dealt with these issues, and we have some great, great photos as a result.
If I were fortunate enough to make such a journey, I'd certainly want to optimise my photo efforts along the way. The years of memories created will be beyond value.
FrankS
Registered User
I suppose the developing tank could double as a coffee cup and wine glass! 
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Good point. A very good wash with extremely hot water first, of course!
Plus, the tank could be stuff with other items when travelling, perahs doing double duty to protect fragile items.
Plus, the tank could be stuff with other items when travelling, perahs doing double duty to protect fragile items.
lifevicarious
Established
I have used a Leica M before. Chances are, assuming I go with a Leica, I will take a MP, a 35 Cron and perhaps a less expensive 75. I will shoot mostly BW, Tri-x and Ilford.
I do have a place to send film back home, but not a great developer. If I were to send them home, I would be fine wiating till I returned to have things developed.
Trius - as you said, digital does have it's virtues, especially with long term travel. I will be bringing a 5D and a Mac for that exact reason. But I love street photography, and while not very good at it, it is what I would like to spend most of my time on. There are obvious advantages to RF photography over SLR when it comes to street.
I do have a place to send film back home, but not a great developer. If I were to send them home, I would be fine wiating till I returned to have things developed.
Trius - as you said, digital does have it's virtues, especially with long term travel. I will be bringing a 5D and a Mac for that exact reason. But I love street photography, and while not very good at it, it is what I would like to spend most of my time on. There are obvious advantages to RF photography over SLR when it comes to street.
Owen W.
Owen W
There are a lot of wild-card variables here. The nature and type of your travel, perhaps more accurately called the “class” of your travel, is quite important. If you’re backpacking as a WT (world traveler), the experience and access to services is decidedly different than if you’re are a credit-card tourist staying at 3-star and above hotels.
Basically, the variations in quality of processing are huge, and the time and logistics required to hunt down photo clubs, etc., can be prohibitive. If photography and the exploration of local photo-club-culture are the central goals of your journey, then doing so might add some very interesting experiences. But, if that is the case, you should be doing MAJOR homework on the Net and exchanging e-mails with said clubs in preparation long before you depart.
Otherwise, I second the suggestion that you carry good film in solid, double ziplocks. Mark exposed canisters. Take good notes. Ship only occasionally from major cities, sending the film home for later processing under better conditions. As you don’t have to ship each film as it comes out of your camera, you can wait until you are confident in the postal service or shipping method you choose. Plus, it’s more economical to ship in batches.
Shoot a little C-41 from time to time and develop in the larger cities of the countries that clearly have decent mini-labs. Here, too, quality varies enormously. My experiences include some countries that have processing far superior to anything but the top custom labs in the US, and at 1/3 the cost. Others will butcher your film and charge you Western prices. B&W processing is becoming very difficult to find and, again, the quality varies widely. Better to batch ship your exposed film back home for you to do later. Do not be impatient to develop the film. As a traveler, tho, I find that it is pretty easy to put the exposed film in a bag and move on to the next site, sights and adventures. As was also suggested, the delayed gratification from doing the darkroom work later is a major pleasure unto itself.
I also found that a backup P&S -- I like the Olympus Muj fixed lens, as it’s water resistant and the sliding cover makes it pretty durable -- is the camera for C-41 party shots. You can also hand that camera more readily to others for shots that include you. Feed it with film you pick up (and process) along the way. This provides a good balance in the need for occasional gratification and silly tourist/traveler gang shots -- and your desire to do a bit more considered photography along the way.
Finally, do homework on the regional distribution networks of your favorite film(s). Find where their major offices are located. This will also help you restock on film along the way, as you may be unpleasantly surprised with the lack of decent film stock in many, many places. Again, B&W film can be particularly hard to find. Alternatively, figure out how and where family or friends can get parcels (Care packages) to you along the way. The local cyber cafes make communications so much easier than in days of yore, but you still may be surprised by your specific needs and desires for “stuff” you’ll want sent out.
It could be, however, that my views are “old fashioned”. I’ve just noticed your last response that you’ll be carrying laptop and a 5D. Hmm. I suppose that rules you out as a backpacking adventure traveler and suggests you will be one restricting yourself to hotel-based “outings”. The further down the feeding chain of services you go, the higher your security risks for things you are not keeping with you. I’d be far more worried about having that laptop stolen than I would be about losing film in a courier service shipment!
Anyway, just food for thought.
Have fun.
Owen
Basically, the variations in quality of processing are huge, and the time and logistics required to hunt down photo clubs, etc., can be prohibitive. If photography and the exploration of local photo-club-culture are the central goals of your journey, then doing so might add some very interesting experiences. But, if that is the case, you should be doing MAJOR homework on the Net and exchanging e-mails with said clubs in preparation long before you depart.
Otherwise, I second the suggestion that you carry good film in solid, double ziplocks. Mark exposed canisters. Take good notes. Ship only occasionally from major cities, sending the film home for later processing under better conditions. As you don’t have to ship each film as it comes out of your camera, you can wait until you are confident in the postal service or shipping method you choose. Plus, it’s more economical to ship in batches.
Shoot a little C-41 from time to time and develop in the larger cities of the countries that clearly have decent mini-labs. Here, too, quality varies enormously. My experiences include some countries that have processing far superior to anything but the top custom labs in the US, and at 1/3 the cost. Others will butcher your film and charge you Western prices. B&W processing is becoming very difficult to find and, again, the quality varies widely. Better to batch ship your exposed film back home for you to do later. Do not be impatient to develop the film. As a traveler, tho, I find that it is pretty easy to put the exposed film in a bag and move on to the next site, sights and adventures. As was also suggested, the delayed gratification from doing the darkroom work later is a major pleasure unto itself.
I also found that a backup P&S -- I like the Olympus Muj fixed lens, as it’s water resistant and the sliding cover makes it pretty durable -- is the camera for C-41 party shots. You can also hand that camera more readily to others for shots that include you. Feed it with film you pick up (and process) along the way. This provides a good balance in the need for occasional gratification and silly tourist/traveler gang shots -- and your desire to do a bit more considered photography along the way.
Finally, do homework on the regional distribution networks of your favorite film(s). Find where their major offices are located. This will also help you restock on film along the way, as you may be unpleasantly surprised with the lack of decent film stock in many, many places. Again, B&W film can be particularly hard to find. Alternatively, figure out how and where family or friends can get parcels (Care packages) to you along the way. The local cyber cafes make communications so much easier than in days of yore, but you still may be surprised by your specific needs and desires for “stuff” you’ll want sent out.
It could be, however, that my views are “old fashioned”. I’ve just noticed your last response that you’ll be carrying laptop and a 5D. Hmm. I suppose that rules you out as a backpacking adventure traveler and suggests you will be one restricting yourself to hotel-based “outings”. The further down the feeding chain of services you go, the higher your security risks for things you are not keeping with you. I’d be far more worried about having that laptop stolen than I would be about losing film in a courier service shipment!
Anyway, just food for thought.
Have fun.
Owen
Terence T
Where'd my Bessa go?
Some of the countries you might visit will have a couple of reputable labs you can send your rolls to. Pays to do a bit of research ahead of time so you'll know where you can safely develop negs, pickup film etc... Best to send off your negs back home once you've accumulated enough. If you're ever in Singapore, here are a couple of reputable labs with good turnaround times and decent pricing on film, the variety available might differ from time to time...
www.fotohub.com
103 Beach Rd, #01-01 Premier Center Singapore 189704
Tel : 6334 6146
Ruby Photo
3 Coleman Street, #01-01 / 01-02, Peninsula Hotel Shopping Complex, Singapore 179804
Ph : 6338 0236
www.fotohub.com
103 Beach Rd, #01-01 Premier Center Singapore 189704
Tel : 6334 6146
Ruby Photo
3 Coleman Street, #01-01 / 01-02, Peninsula Hotel Shopping Complex, Singapore 179804
Ph : 6338 0236
Harry Lime
Practitioner
Periodically ship batches of exposed film home with FedEx.
Mark 'Exposed Film - Do NOT X-Ray - Please Hand Inspect only'
on the outside.
It's not a guarantee that the warning will be heeded, but it's better than nothing.
HL
Mark 'Exposed Film - Do NOT X-Ray - Please Hand Inspect only'
on the outside.
It's not a guarantee that the warning will be heeded, but it's better than nothing.
HL
Andrew Sowerby
Well-known
FrankS said:
I agree. Doesn't sound like much fun to me.
lifevicarious
Established
Thanks everyone for all the great advice. I will probably end up shooting a lot of digital, shoot with a RF when the digital is packed away or not appropriate. That way I will have the best of both worlds. I will have instant gratification, but then will have the opportuntiy to live the rip over as I will wait to develop most rolls when I get home after 15 months!!