Film question for backpackers

[Brad Rippe]

I've probably got about 60 sheets of Fuji Acros in quickload left, and when this is gone, it will be gone. I'm wondering what all of you who backpack with a 4 by 5 are going to use?
Quikloads really made backpacking with a view camera practical, or I should say a "little bit" more practical.
I really hate loading film in a tent, too much dust and extra weight.
Has anyone tried to reload film into the quick load sleeves with any success?

Thanks,
-Brad

[Drew Wiley]

I don't think there's any realistic way to reload those things. A film tent isn't hard to use with a tiny bit of practice. I have a Harrison "Pup" tent for 4x5, and a bigger model
for 8X10 use. Weight gain shouldn't be significant if you use these things with a bit of
forethought, unless one happens to be a machine-gunner type who shoots at just
anything all day long. Maybe only two pounds more if you take half a dozen conventional filmholders, the tent, and some change-out boxes. For shorter trips, I just
take loaded filmholders only, and only take shots good enough to actually print (at least that's the game plan). You could also try to acquire some lighter weight Mido
compact holders, but I've found them to be a bit unpredictable for light leaks. I too will miss the Readyload/Quickload convenience option, especially since I'm nearly retirement age and hope to still do plenty of LF backpacking in the coming years. It
has made me review the balance of my equipment and in some cases purchase newer
lighter camping gear in general, at least for those outings where extreme weather isn't
anticipated.

[Drew Wiley]

PS - There are some older threads where I've described how to work with a film tent
in the field completely dust free.

[Kirk Gittings]

I'm afraid between my decrepit knees and running out of readyloads soon, I will be very limited in the near future.

[Peter York]

For me, its 2-3 grafmatics, a changing bag and a couple of trash bags. The trash bag goes inside the changing bag to protect the film from dust and is replaced every so often.

[Eric Leppanen]

It may be possible to obtain additional Acros Quickloads if you don't mind paying a 3.5x premium versus conventional sheets:

http://www.japanexposures.com/shop/p...products_id=65

[Rayt]

There were times when the scene is not ideal but I take the shot anyway because I have travelled a long way to get there. I can't do that anymore if I only have 5 holders with me.

[Frank Petronio]

Use color neg and get good enough to only need to shoot one sheet of each scene....

Roll film backs, especially the 6x12 format one, may be another option.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Up the work outs!

[Bill Burk]

I also go with Grafmatics. They weigh a pound each so I really only plan for one. For all the trouble I go to to reduce my pack weight it kills me to add a pound, but at the last minute I usually throw the 2nd one in the pack. 6 extra septums (2 oz) and a changing bag (9 1/2 oz). At the end of the day I unload both, sorting the exposed shots into boxes by N-number (2 1/2 oz each box).