Long trips without a darkroom

[Chris Partti]

Readyloads are great for traveling (although more expensive), and if I shot 4x5, I'd use them. When shooting 8x10 B&W on a long trip, rather than using multiple film boxes or dividers, as I unload exposed film from holders and place in a film box, I clip off the tips of the corners of each film sheet in a pattern that tells me how to develop (no clip=N, right upper corner=N+1, right lower corner=N+2, left upper corner=N-1, etc.). When I get home, I can then sort the film in the dark by feeling the corners and develop appropriately.

[Frank Petronio]

Back in the day of film holders, my friend had a rig that allowed him to use the compressed air in his spare tire as a giant can of compressed air. No oil, no freon, no frozen splotches. It was a nice trick - he assembled it with a hose and fittings from an auto parts store.

But Readyloads really are so much easier and cleaner...

[Philip_4175]

I prefer to travel with regular holders and boxes of film. Quickloads and Readyloads are bulkier than boxes of regular sheet film. I prefer a changing tent; however, if space is tight a changing bag works just fine. If you are carrying boxes of sheet film make sure to have a spare to show the security guys at the airport what they look like inside. To date I have only once had to xray my film. Luckily it didn't show any ill effects that I could see.

Organizing your film is definately a time to be anal. Instead of 25 sheet boxes I prefer the 100 sheet boxes from ilford. Perhaps this is because I shoot alot of film? I take notes and unload my holders in order. After shooting I label each holder with a little sticker that say E6, N, N-1, or N+1. I usually try to match the developing of each holder on both sides.

For my trip next week to yellowstone and glacier I am taking over 1000 sheets. Fedex mailers are ready to go to send the chromes to photocraft. The B&W sheets go in 100 sheet boxes labeled for the proper development. This trip will keep me in negatives for my winter printing sessions.

[Darin Cozine]

one thing to add... if there is a lab nearby that processes 4x5 film, they probably have a bunch of extra film boxes thay will give you.

On a recent trip I had 2 extra boxes with me and a changing bag. I labeled one box for B&W and the other for chrome. As I used up a box of fresh film, it would become the new storage for next box.

If you are using zone adjustments, I guess you could use a box for each adjuctment... just make sure to label each box.

Heres a big help: If you cant afford or find a changing tent, make sure you get the largest size changing bag you can find. The tents are very nice, but I dont think they are necasary (sp?).

Another hint: Double-check your exposure settings when switching from film to film. I have a numbe rof shots that are over/under exposed by 2 stops because I was swithing back-and forth between 400-speed BW and 100-speed Slide. I am just going to have to use all 100 speed from now on.

[David A. Goldfarb]

Readyloads and Quickloads have their attractions, but choice of film is not one of them, unless you shoot color 4x5" exclusively.

[Darin Cozine]

One more peice of advice... don't answer forum posts at 1:22 AM.