tile_86 wrote:
I usually only travel with film cameras, for a few years now. Granted, I'll occasionally throw in a small and old digital point and shoot for funsies. I've normally brought two bodies on trips. I've found for vacations I don't really like to make them entirely about the photography - it's just something I like to do while I'm exploring a new place, so the bodies I bring trend towards automated.
Logistically it adds some steps. I'll buy film online ahead of time and then have it shipped to wherever I'm staying, then ship it back once I'm done. Hotels will sometimes make this easy and they'll ship it out through their mailing room, but whenever that service hasn't been available, I've just run to a local post office or FedEx. Definitely worth an ask. This avoids the TSA issues around scanning entirely, but my experience with that has been pretty easygoing whenever I've done it. Never ran into a situation where they had me run my film through a scanner, and it's only added a few minutes even with them hand checking dozens of rolls.
On my most recent trip I actually changed things up a bit and decided to just buy film once I was on the ground. It was pretty great; I got to see a new photo store and it simplified things. This working so well was dependent on being in a walkable city with a photo store at a walkable distance but given that requirement is met for a surprising number of places I'll probably do it again in the future. That is the advantage of bringing the digital point and shoots - they fill in gaps where I don't have film while taking up very little space, i.e. the time in between me landing and getting to the photo store. As well, it may not even have to be a photo store. If you're talking 35mm then it's not too uncommon to find it at drug stores still.
With a bit of prep work, it can be really enjoyable, and even without the prep work, it still can be really enjoyable.
Absolutely yes. If I'm on a road trip, I take whatever I want. If I'm flying, I have to be somewhat careful. Last time I flew, I was out for ten days and took a Nikon FM2n and five rolls of film. I try to make every frame count. I'm flying out again in a bit and will probably take the FM2n and the Fuji 6x9 and ten rolls of film.
I always take just my film cameras. Not much point having them if I leave them at home!
Travelling with loads of film is a pain but so is long-haul travel! I just suck it up, squeeze it all in my carry-on and am ever so polite to airport security staff. Take as much film as you can carry and shoot it all, life is way too short!
It's worth remembering that all travel photography was shot on film before the 90s, that's not so long ago to an old bastard like me
I find my phone more than fine if I just want immediate share it now sort of photos.
Thanks for sharing the handcheck link - https://www.handcheckfilm.com/ - great idea/resource.
Bon voyage!
random travel film scans
I used to but now only take film cameras if I'm road tripping somewhere. I had no problem carrying 40-50 rolls with me in the past. Now that I have to worry about the new style airport scanners, as such I cannot be bothered with the stress of "will they hand inspect or will I waste a few hundred £ on film". Plus a hand inspection will mean taking time, I may be sitting there for a while and honestly I do not want to spend a single second more than I have to in an aiport.
I could try and find film there or ship it back but too many what-ifs when you're travelling with another 3 people.
I lent my gf my Samsung Zoom AF on her recent Euro trip.
The film came back fogged.
I tested with another roll of film from the same batch to see if it could have been a camera or film issue and it was not. The images on that roll were fine.
Last time I travelled to Europe TSA in the US as always was happy to hand check. Heathrow UK absolutely refused and were rude about it. Zurich also refused but at least were polite.
This was before the new CT scanners but from what I have now seen, I very much doubt I will travel with film.
Desmolicious wrote:
I lent my gf my Samsung Zoom AF on her recent Euro trip.
The film came back fogged.
I tested with another roll of film from the same batch to see if it could have been a camera or film issue and it was not. The images on that roll were fine.
Last time I travelled to Europe TSA in the US as always was happy to hand check. Heathrow UK absolutely refused and were rude about it. Zurich also refused but at least were polite.
This was before the new CT scanners but from what I have now seen, I very much doubt I will travel with film....Show more →
Next time take some expired film and the Holga. Use expired developer and publish an art book.
I took two film cameras with me on a trip to France earlier this year and had no trouble getting hand inspections of my film both ways (going there and coming back). I'm a fairly parsimonious shooter and don't see any need to bring large quantities of film with me on trips.
We were in France for two weeks; I shot 5 rolls of 35mm film (36 exposures each) and 7 rolls of 120 film (12 exposures each). I had a sixth roll of 35mm with me but never used it. That's 259 photos, plus I took some snapshots with my phone.
I just got back from a one-week family reunion where I brought three film cameras and had more time available for photography; I shot four rolls of 35mm and eight rolls of 120, for a total of 240 photos. I was traveling by car for this trip and brought a lot more film with me than I ended up using.
I had full gear last month for my 4 days Great Smokey Mountain and Atlanta trip.
Other than my Z7II with 24-70mm & 180-600mm.
I also brought Samsung Slim AF Zoom and Mamiya 6. The Mamiya was in my backpack for the whole trip. Less than 15 photos took by the Slim AF.
I may had high expectation before the trip because of the firefly and wild life I read/heard.
Compare to the state parks I visited Great Smokey just not as good as the others.
I really have to think about to limit the gears for the future trips/vacations
My next trip is in Sep to Portugal, I may just bring the M10R and P&S film.
Interesting.. Of the thousands of members on these forums, only a handful travel with film cameras and even those photographers seem less than 100% comfortable. A few decades ago we didn’t give these concerns much of a voice. My film went in a lead bag and hand inspecting was a regular activity, but now that so few people travel with film, it feels like I’m asking to sit my standard poodle in the seat next to me.. just a really odd and rare request.
It was suggested that living in the U.S. we are pretty much bound to travel by air. Many people that I know travel the world, but spend little time traveling in the U.S. I’m just reminding myself that it’s ok to schedule a domestic photo vacation…and travel by car. I think this attitude has to do with the large expanse of flatland that surrounds me just North of Dallas. Those that live on the coasts seem to travel more along the coasts.
I just spent a couple of weeks with my youngest son and his family in Reno/Tahoe. Had my 5Dsr and EOS 1n with me, and 6 rolls of Wolfen NP 100 shipped directly to his home (DirtCheapFilm). When I finished, I sent the exposed film (5 rolls) back to CT via USPS, and kept one exposed roll with me (in the EOS 1n) that went through Reno TSA Pre-Check (it got scanned). I see zero effects on the two "test" (capped and a blue sky shot) exposures, and nothing on the rest of that film roll indicating any sort of problems. There was a sign at the JetBlue counter indicating that films rated for ISO 400 and under would not be affected by the scanners. I was not so lucky going through Frankfurt last year when they refused to do a hand-inspection and 5 rolls of 120 shot in Baden/Schwartzwald were ruined by their scanner(s), showing random linear patterns (lines) across the negatives, and areas of fogging.
roboticspro wrote:
I just spent a couple of weeks with my youngest son and his family in Reno/Tahoe. Had my 5Dsr and EOS 1n with me, and 6 rolls of Wolfen NP 100 shipped directly to his home (DirtCheapFilm). When I finished, I sent the exposed film (5 rolls) back to CT via USPS, and kept one exposed roll with me (in the EOS 1n) that went through Reno TSA Pre-Check (it got scanned). I see zero effects on the two "test" (capped and a blue sky shot) exposures, and nothing on the rest of that film roll indicating any sort of problems. There was a sign at the JetBlue counter indicating that films rated for ISO 400 and under would not be affected by the scanners. I was not so lucky going through Frankfurt last year when they refused to do a hand-inspection and 5 rolls of 120 shot in Baden/Schwartzwald were ruined by their scanner(s), showing random linear patterns (lines) across the negatives, and areas of fogging. ...Show more →
There are various scanners at different airports…some much more harmful to film than others.
I travel quite a bit for jobs and never have issues. In the US, it’s never an issue. Ask for hand check or buy a lead bag like Domke.
If international I typically leave everything in the lead bags, let it get flagged for searching and describe then. Be nice, don’t be a smart ass or know it all. Let them do their job and it works out. These days I have more issues with all the digital batteries I carry for jobs.
I keep my film in a clear bag inside the lead bag so they can simply pull it out and see it.
So, regarding the Domke lead bags. The idea is to leave the film in the bag. They turn scanner to maximum power and does the bag still protect the film? They then leave the bag under the scanner for an extended period of time trying to see the contents. Does the bag continue to protect? Is the idea that the lead 100% protects and security is forced to hand inspect, or are there newer scanners that can irradiate film through the lead?
bwcolor wrote:
So, regarding the Domke lead bags. The idea is to leave the film in the bag. They turn scanner to maximum power and does the bag still protect the film? They then leave the bag under the scanner for an extended period of time trying to see the contents. Does the bag continue to protect? Is the idea that the lead 100% protects and security is forced to hand inspect, or are there newer scanners that can irradiate film through the lead?
It helps but doesn't 100% protect (see the youtube link to the test that was posted before, or the corresponding article).
I guess the scanner will penetrate the bag (whether or not they have to increase intensity for that), but that is still less radiation on the film than unprotected. It's not like they would run it at super low intensity if your film isn't in a lead bag - they have to see through other stuff as well. And that's where the bag likely helps a bit.
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Unrelated:
Some have posted here about shooting so many images that having to bring film would be inconvenient.
I just came back from Tuscany and I shot exactly 4 rolls of film there, could have easily limited myself to 3 with a bit more shot discipline and less bracketing (also took many images twice on B&W and color)..
Even with digital I find I take fewer pictures now than in the past (not counting iPhone pics). Around 15 shots/day on average would totally work for me. I think that's a manageable amount of film to bring on any trip.
And no need to bring a charger or spare SD cards / storage for the film cameras
fjablo wrote:
It helps but doesn't 100% protect (see the youtube link to the test that was posted before, or the corresponding article).
I guess the scanner will penetrate the bag (whether or not they have to increase intensity for that), but that is still less radiation on the film than unprotected. It's not like they would run it at super low intensity if your film isn't in a lead bag - they have to see through other stuff as well. And that's where the bag likely helps a bit.
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Unrelated:
Some have posted here about shooting so many images that having to bring film would be inconvenient.
I just came back from Tuscany and I shot exactly 4 rolls of film there, could have easily limited myself to 3 with a bit more shot discipline and less bracketing (also took many images twice on B&W and color)..
Even with digital I find I take fewer pictures now than in the past (not counting iPhone pics). Around 15 shots/day on average would totally work for me. I think that's a manageable amount of film to bring on any trip.
And no need to bring a charger or spare SD cards / storage for the film cameras ...Show more →
Why 15 and not 10? Why even limit oneself? If you see something worth recording / documenting…why not do it without counting how many photos you took?
15 photos a day would equate to one per hour for me. I know damn well I see more than 1 photo opportunity every hour.
Taking less photos does NOT imply taking better photos.
Yes, I bring a film camera sometimes, mainly for that “slow photography” vibe and to get unique textures and grain. It’s a good way to slow down and think more about composition.
The cons: You can’t rely on immediate feedback, so you might miss important shots. Also, carrying extra rolls and dealing with development can be a hassle. But if you’re prepared for that, it’s a great creative backup.
chez wrote:
If you see something worth recording / documenting…why not do it without counting how many photos you took?
Not everyone is a documentarian-style photographer. Some of us just want to create images that are emotionally compelling or artistic, and those opportunities don't come up all the time. When I'm around home and in my city with a 35mm film camera it can take me weeks to get through a roll of 36 exposures. My five-year-old Sony digital camera only has about 45,000 shutter actuations, which works out to an average of 25 photos per day, and it would be less than a third of that amount if I weren't taking photos at 30-40 concerts and dances each year. When I travel with my Sony I don't shoot any more than I do with film unless I'm taking photos at an event.
chez wrote:
Why 15 and not 10? Why even limit oneself? If you see something worth recording / documenting…why not do it without counting how many photos you took?
15 photos a day would equate to one per hour for me. I know damn well I see more than 1 photo opportunity every hour.
Taking less photos does NOT imply taking better photos.
Didn't want to imply that taking less photos is taking better ones, it's just the number that happens to work for me based on experience. So I'm not really limiting myself with that number (on average btw, some days will be more, some will be fewer photos).
I don't take pictures purely to document, at least not with "proper" cameras. I will rather take pictures like that on my phone.
Mostly I will now only take a picture if I think the scene has the potential to end up as a print or in a photo book. Of course even with only 15 images / day, most of the pictures will end up failing that criterium in the end. And I find that just taking more pictures doesn't increase my number of keepers much. So maybe what I'm saying is that taking *more* photos does NOT imply taking better photos
(I do see how taking more photos is helpful in some genres where you have an inherently low hit rate though - sports, wildlife, even people if they're moving a lot)
Last Friday morning, I got up to visit one of the famous photo spots in Val D'Orcia at sunrise. Another couple showed up, both of them carrying 2 cameras. They probably took around 50 pictures, at least. I think I took 3 or 4 on the F2 and I'm pretty sure we'll have a similar number of keepers from that morning (which might be 0 as the conditions were just okay).
It was at this spot here. Picture taken 2 years ago in slightly better conditions: Tuscany B&W pano II by Felix, auf Flickr
I have been for the past few years. I've haven't had a problem with TSA or European security hand inspecting if I bring film on board. Often I buy it at my destination just to avoid hassle. I also develop at night, I have chemicals shipped to my hotel and carry my tank, etc. I'm not shooting a million pictures a day, though. Two rolls at most.
I always envision bringing film on a trip and never end up putting it in the bag - I know hand check isn’t the biggest challenge these days but the thought of getting held up is enough to scare me away (for now).
