Traveling with LF

[Kav]

With my time in Africa coming to a close I'm starting to plan my next adventure. As it stands right now I'm looking to go to the Pacific Rim for 2-4 weeks (Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia area). It looks like I'm going to spend much of my time on the move. I am taking a DSLR and lenses (odds are a fisheye, 50mm and 70-300mm), and one of my Film cameras. I have a Hasselblad 500ELX with a F2.8 80mm lens and a Graflex Speed Graphic with a F4.7 127mm lens. I also have two 12 shot magazine and 5 film holders for it. So assuming I take the Speed Graphic I have a few (loaded) questions.

1: If you were to pick 2 kinds of film to take (one color, and one B&W) what would you pick and why? I'm thinking about something with a ISO of 400 to help with lower light shots. I'm going to be shooting what ever catches my eye. Be it landscapes, street, wildlife, whatever I feel like.

2: Should I develop my own film there? Ship film back to the US to get developed? Or?

3: What is a realistic amount of film to take?

4: What would you recommend for a camera bag/backpack? Being somewhat portable is key.

5: Any other things to think about?

Thanks for any input you're willing to share.

[Matus Kalisky]

Surely you will get answers from more experienced travelers, but here is my experience. Couple of years me and my wife visited New Zealand for 3 weeks (it was great). We had a camper van for the whole period. I had following cameras: Tachihara 4x5 with 4 lenses, Rolleiflex T and Olympus XA. I did use all of them, but often the 4x5 was just too large of time consumer and while I did get a few OK shots with it (my wife showed lot of patience - I know why I married her ), next time I would think twice whether to take it or not. One just simply needs too much stuff (lenses, film holders, changing tent, decent tripod, film, all the small stuff ..). And it takes time to get the shot. Surely - If I would go JUST for the photography - I would do that, but otherwise I would strongly consider something like Fuji GW690 (or the GSW690) and maybe some 645 SLR (I am hooked on film, otherwise 5DII would be surely great). and P&S for snaps (S100, GRDIII or such - really pocket small)

Thin about what type of photography you want to do - how much time will you have, who will you go with. Do you plan to move a lot around without car? Are you familiar with the local social behavior? What about the safety (depends probably were you go)? Keep in mind that you will probably need to put most of cameras to carry-on - the weight limits may become a problem.

[Peejay]

My wife and I just spent 2 weeks in Sri Lanka (we'd originally booked a tour of Thailand and Cambodia but had to change at last minute due to the floods). Anyway, my suggestions / comments are:

1. Kodak Tri-X 400 and Portra 400 (NC, VC or the new stuff - all great films). Alternatively Fuji Neopan 400CN and 400H (again, superb films and this time both are C41 processable)
2. Can't really comment but how would you store the negs whilst travelling round? Personally, I'd save the canisters or ship them home.
3. Are you a sniper or a machine gunner? Do you shoot mostly colour, mostly mono or about the same? Only you can answer this question but my guess is that an average of 1 roll of each per day might not be a bad place to start.
4. Backpacks have a certain convenience as they are easy to carry and leave your arms free but I prefer a good shoulder bag. I have a Billingham Hadley and a Billingham 225. The 225 came with me to Sri Lanka. I carried a Leica R3, 3 lenses (28, 50 and 90mm) + Ricoh GR1s + film, filters, etc.
5. Personally, I wouldn't use take the 5x4 unless you're supremely gifted at using it as a point and shoot or you will have time to use a tripod, etc. For me, SE Asia is about hustle and bustle and a 35mm (SLR or Rangefinder) and/or a 6x6, 6x7 Mamiya (or similar) are ideal. I just think a 5x4 is too big and cumbersome to get the best out of it as people will be in your face all day, every day in the bigger towns and cities. It all depends on your stress thresholds and whether you can ignore all that's going on round you to work the 5x4. In all honesty, my Ricoh GR1s probably saw most action.

Hope you have a great time.

[lbenac]

I think that what Matus says carries a lot of weight. I would consider a full 4x5 only if you will be staying for some time at a place i.e. rent a farm in the South of France or stay at a resort at the beach.
This is to say that you are not running around between a train and a taxi or a bus with your wife waiting but you can take a couple of hours to make a special photography outing while she is enjoying a glass of wine on the terasse

Otherwise MF makes a lot of sense. I traveled lately with a Pentax 67 and a 75mm Shift. Did I regretted not to have the 4x5 on many shots - you bet - did I still regretted it when my wife was telling all our friends how patient she has been while I had been taking this and that shot - not so much

Cheers,

Luc

[jp]

1. I'd take only B&W film and use the DSLR for color. I'd take tmy2 but if you're more familar with trix or hp5+, those would be fine too. For LF I'd bring two boxes of 50 and a changing bag or hope for a dark bathroom. Two boxes would allow you to have a new and used box as you start reloading holders. If you use a MF only for film, I'd bring 20-30 rolls, but that's me.

2. If you're not in a rush, I'd take the film home carryon or mail it home. I have no idea what the situation is in those places for developing. Perhaps a couple different methods so all your eggs are not in one basket.

LF or MF is personal preference. If you're taking time to make photos, either would be fine. If you're on a hectic schedule, probably MF would be a little more convenient. You've got a DSLR for documentary style use, and can use the film cameras for a subset of things you think would be best done that way. tmy2 would be fine enough grain that you could get away without LF unless you are planning to make massive enlargements.

for storage/transport, I like pelican cases. A 1450 is ideal for a medium format camera, light meter, and a bunch of film and filters. A 1510 with padded dividers will hold a speed graphic, a couple holders, and some DSLR gear.

[ConnorR]

If it were me, and I had to choose, I'd take the Hasselblad. I'd take HP5+ and Portra VC. Develop back home, then you can do it at your leisure. I'd bring at least 10 rolls of each and try to shoot them all.

[Frank Petronio]

While medium format is most practical, if you want to commit then take the 5x4 Graphic, which can be handheld, and only bring Portra 400, which can be printed B&W and has tremendous latitude and versatility. Only shoot 5x4 with 5x4 film, not 120, otherwise you might as well bring the medium format camera.

Do some test runs first to make sure you know the camera and workflow perfectly.

Just toss the Graphic into any consumer backpack, they are tough. Grafmatic film holders are a lot more compact and convenient for travel. And consider leaving the DSLR at home and just bringing a quality compact (a Fuji X100!) for street shots and also as a light meter. Or just bring the DSLR with one prime lens.... put it in Neoprene Zing type case and toss it in with the Graphic. I use a cheap Nikon D60 with the 35/1.8 normal lens for such duties, rugged, easy to carry, not very expensive.

[Matus Kalisky]

I would say what Frank says sounds like a very good idea, but just to mess with you a bit, have a look at the Saber 4x5 rangefinder from Chamonix. It must be the lightest 4x5 rangefinder camera (850g with Symmar 120 ). it will only work with one lens (120 - 150), but this a 1 or 2 grafmatic holders (which it is optimized for) could be a great yet light kit. It gives you no movements though if you would intend to put it on tripod and make some more involved focusing for landscape. The is the Graphic much better choice.

[lbenac]

I would say what Frank says sounds like a very good idea, but just to mess with you a bit, have a look at the Saber 4x5 rangefinder from Chamonix. It must be the lightest 4x5 rangefinder camera (850g with Symmar 120 ). it will only work with one lens (120 - 150), but this a 1 or 2 grafmatic holders (which it is optimized for) could be a great yet light kit. It gives you no movements though if you would intend to put it on tripod and make some more involved focusing for landscape. The is the Graphic much better choice.

I just got one and I put a picture of it loaded in a small Domke bag with four Grafmatic I can vouch that it is very light specially if you are used to a Pentax 67...

[Kimberly Anderson]

I took a Canham 5x7, several lenses, 3 boxes of film and 10 holders to Sweden two summers ago. Tripod, darkcloth, etc... I relied on finding bathrooms, etc. for changing. I had all of my film hand-inspected at each point.

I also took 2 Hasselblads and 30 rolls of film. Shot all of the 5x7 and the 120. I was there for three weeks and had a van and was mobile most of the time.

Yes it was a pain. Yes it was worth it.