I was wondering if you guys would just bring a film camera on an overseas vacation in 2025 ( and forward ).
Of course, the destination would have to have 35mm film available ( I do not carry film ) with me; I buy it when I am at the vacation country.
Would be interested to know what lens/lenses you would take with you. And your preferred film stock.
I've travelled with only film cameras for a number of years now, I'd definitely recommend taking at least one on vacation with you. If your destination doesn't have widespread 35mm availability, you can always get it shipped to where you're staying - that's what I've done a few times. My main vacation setup uses a 24-85mm f/3.5-f/4.5G ED VR lens, paired with a Nikon N80. If you're open to the later model film bodies, I'd especially recommend one with a VR system or similar, it increases the number of situations you can comfortably shoot handheld in which on vacation can be valuable. My preferred film stock for vacations is Fuji 400, just because it can be found at corner drug stores and in packs of 3.
Thank you for your response. Well worth considering,; however I shoot a rangefinder. So VR( IBIS ) is not available to me on film.
Fuji color is a stock I do like. As a matter of fact, I prefer Fuji to Kodak colors.
I've recently stopped taken film cameras due to airport scanners. If you are ok with sourcing the film on location and sending it to the lab too (think about return journey and airport scanners) then I see no issue.
I've had many cameras over the years, both 35mm and medium format. Since you say you shoot rangefinders, with the M4 my usual kit would be something like a 21/50 or 28/50 or just a 35. Depends what you shoot.
Portra 160/400 and Ilford XP2/FP4/Ortho80 for me. A bit ot TMax 3200 for the night too.
It seems that the Op and Tile_86 might be able to provide tips to the rest of us as to how to successfully fly with film/film cameras. The OP’s solution is to buy film on location.
I’ve recently restarted color film usage and to that end purchased cameras. My intent is to determine if I want to shoot film when traveling overseas. For me, the first issue is resolution. Like 4K TV, I no longer am OK with 35mm images with little detail. That said, I appreciate the look of some films. I just returned from a road trip where I shot with an M3, M-A and M6, Portra 160 @100 and Ektar. Ektar for grain and Portra for resolution. I’ve yet to get these back. I also shot 645 with E100. The 35mm isn’t back from the lab and I just copied the 645 with a very high resolution setup and I’ve come to the conclusion that if E100, I’ll have to go to 6x7. Unfortunately, my 645 cameras are much smaller than my Mamiya 7 & 7ii. So, will next try Portra 160 in 645. I’m not looking for the resolution of my usual travel color camera, the X2D, but I want to see sufficient detail to print to fairly large sizes. I’m not trying B&W film. I was primarily a B&W shooter for many decades and I can say I am happier today shooting the M11 Monochrom than I ever was shooting film.
So, should I find a film/format color film workflow that works for me, I would travel internationally with color film camera(s). Only color..not on a regular basis. I was last in Tokyo a couple of months ago and yes film was available..prices are getting a bit steep, but that isn’t much of a surprise. I have the impression that fast turnaround C-41 film processing (days) was possible, but E6..not so much. I didn’t pay any attention to B&W film & processing.
Really depends on if you want to spend the time sourcing film at your destination(s). I personally would not want to spend my vacation looking for camera stores.
Do your homework before you go and check to make sure you can buy film at your destination and they have it in stock. You could prepay for it and have them hold it for you.
If you find out you cannot get it easily, ship it to your destination - either from a shop that is ‘local’ or one of the big name shops.
Are you going to get it developed before you return to Saudi? Do the research where you can do that. I have heard that customs in Saudi checks all your stuff, electronic devices etc so I’m not sure what they would do w your undeveloped but exposed film.
Take as little gear as possible. It is so freeing and allows you to not faff around changing lenses, carrying extra stuff etc. i’d recommend your rf camera with one small fast lens like a 35 1.4 to give you flexibility when the light gets low. If you find the lens is not wide enough, you can always shoot a triptych/composite of your subject.
Checking out camera stores at your destination is fun! As long as you plan for it and know where they are/their hours etc ahead of time. You don’t want to waste time searching for them unless you have a lot of time on your hands!
I have been fortunate to have seen most of the places that one would want to see. Not all the 195 ( ? ) but more than a 100 countries.
I want a change from digital. My ME has the corroded sensor. It is a paper weight. I will use it as such.
My 2 M8 have not seen daylight for a long time. Maybe I shall bring one out. From D70 to the Z6 II and most Nikons in-between . Been there, done that.
That brings me to film.
I have been locating destinations which sell film and have lab services.
I intend to shoot C-41 film. Both color and bw. Kodak discounted the BW 400 CN, but Ilford still has the XP-2 Super. C-41 development.
I, prefer fuji colors to Kodak. But that is very subjective, and I am ok with either.
Destinations...I am trying to concentrate on Eastern Europe..if things pan out. Shoot 28/50. But might just go with 35mm, this time around. At my age I might forget I have two lenses and leave for home without the other!!!
We went to Paris last autumn, I took a Retina IIa and used my phone for general vacation pictures. I didn't take any film with me, choosing to buy some when we arrived. I was able to find a camera shop about a half mile from our hotel, had a nice walk and a cup of coffee. At the shop the clerk insisted they we out of black and white 35mm film. I asked him about the eight rolls of TMax 100 that was sitting on the shelf. He knew they were very fine grain, I bought all eight. Loading the camera in a small plaza near the camera store, I had a pleasant conversation with another film user. He had a Konica Big Mini. Throughout the trip, people would ask me about my camera. Unfortunately, when we got to Amsterdam, the camera started breaking film and my wife broke her fibula. It did help with getting the film hand checked.
I have been fortunate to have seen most of the places that one would want to see. Not all the 195 ( ? ) but more than a 100 countries.
I want a change from digital. My ME has the corroded sensor. It is a paper weight. I will use it as such.
My 2 M8 have not seen daylight for a long time. Maybe I shall bring one out. From D70 to the Z6 II and most Nikons in-between . Been there, done that.
That brings me to film.
I have been locating destinations which sell film and have lab services.
I intend to shoot C-41 film. Both color and bw. Kodak discounted the BW 400 CN, but Ilford still has the XP-2 Super. C-41 development.
I, prefer fuji colors to Kodak. But that is very subjective, and I am ok with either.
Destinations...I am trying to concentrate on Eastern Europe..if things pan out. Shoot 28/50. But might just go with 35mm, this time around. At my age I might forget I have two lenses and leave for home without the other!!!
I did this bringing my Leica M6 with my on oversea vacations in Europe until about 3 years ago. The onset of stronger airport security scanners and less availability of 35 mm film in stores in Europe made me re-evaluating my approach. Since I always used B&W film on my trips, I decided to buy a dedicated monochrome M camera, the Leica M 246. This camera has since replaced my film camera on international trips - I do it all digital now. I am very happy with the digital B&W DNG files I am getting which look very much film-like (not exactly the same of course but still very close).
I am only using my film cameras on domestic trips not involving air travel. Love shooting and processing film, but the reality of circumstances and also increased price of film made me using digital more again than film these days (I shot more film than digital until I made the change to the M 246).
Has anyone had their film ruined by airport scanners? I know the latest are supposed to be bad. I travelled to the Cook Islands last year, so went through a few scans and my film seemed Ok. But curious about other people's experience?
I can't recall if I used a film x-ray protection bag, which I bought around the same time.
I lent Dr G a p&s for a trip to France last year. The film was fogged - she flew through Paris. I checked the camera w a fresh roll of the same film and it came out fine, so it was not a camera issue.
@madNbad however also recently flew from Paris and did not have issues. He used b&w film while DrG used kolor. If that could have made any difference.
Maybe the x ray machines were different depending on where you go through security? Dunno..
Desmolicious wrote:
I lent Dr G a p&s for a trip to France last year. The film was fogged - she flew through Paris. I checked the camera w a fresh roll of the same film and it came out fine, so it was not a camera issue.
@madNbad@ however also recently flew from Paris and did not have issues. He used b&w film while DrG used kolor. If that could have made any difference.
Maybe the x ray machines were different depending on where you go through security? Dunno..
I bought the film in Paris, I didn't take any with me. I was able to get a hand check at Schiphol in Amsterdam and SeaTac in Washington. Hand checks are an iffy process, depending on what type of day the person at the scanner is having. If you just witnessed them arguing with the person you're standing behind, the chances are probably slim. I had my 35mm in a clear plastic bag but we had assistance through both airports because my wife had her leg in a cast and needed a wheelchair. With that, TSA at SeaTac scanned and swabbed her cast a couple of times. She said it was payback for hand checking my film.
Back when Huss was in college, we spent five weeks traveling around Europe by train. I brought an Olympus Stylus Zoom and that time there were one hour photo places everywhere. The only time it fouled me up was in Paris. I dropped off a couple of rolls of Portra 160 and since my French is non-existent, I missed the part it would be ready about a week after we left. My wife was able to use her language skills to get the film back. Then we found a one hour place.
I brought a Leica film camera and a Holga with me on a trip to Brittany earlier this year; I was lucky enough to get hand-checks both ways (from Montréal to Nantes and from Nantes to Montréal). I also used my phone for snapshots and in rainy conditions.
I've used my film cameras on several domestic vacations, including one right now where I have a pinhole camera, Holga, and a Minolta SLR with me.
For anybody going to London, I highly recommend getting your film processed at Bayeux (near the Tottenham Court Road tube stop on the Elizabeth line). It took one day, it's easy to get to, and they did a fantastic job. Heathrow's security personnel will not reliably hand check your film.
Just brought Mamiya 6 and M10R to my Portugal trip.
I always bring films with me unless I know the price at destination is cheaper. Portra 400 & 800 are always my first choice.
Don't think I would. On a road trip, I can imagine taking a film camera alongside a digital camera, but that's about it.
I like film for the experience of shooting with film cameras, but I feel I have more freedom when shooting with digital to play around with angles etc. Long gone are the days that I shot with film with abandon, even though I was poorer then. It just feels like such a waste.
