May Spain Trip - Film Nikon Setup

<p>I've got the great opportunity to do a 2 week work, 1 week vacation trip in Spain coming up in a couple weeks and I'm going back and forth on my intended gear... For starters, this is not my first, nor my last trip to Spain though it is very likely the longest trip I anticipate getting to take at least during my working life. I'll be all over the country, starting in the North in Santiago de Compostela and Ferrol, hitting Madrid in the middle and the end, and spending the most time in the southern cities of Cadiz, Sevilla and Cordoba. I'm going to be moving around an awful lot so just moving around will be aided by packing 'light', even when it comes to my photography.</p>

<p>As far as photographic opportunities, out of the 18 days of the trip I am estimating about 3-4 days of mostly on my own photo-safari days and 6-7 days of non-work, vacation days with my wife and some friends (not a photo-safari). I'm sure there will be some late afternoon/evening opportunities on work days but not a whole lot based on past trips.</p>

<p>I've got a very nice D300 with modern lenses that I've taken in the past but so far in 2011 I've been shooting much more with my film camera's and find myself very gratified by the feel and process to using them, especially with some of the new Kodak emulsions (portra 400 and ektar 100!) So as an alternative to taking my digital I'm considering the following kit;</p>

<p>FM2 with MB12 grip<br>

FG<br>

24/2.8 Ai'd<br>

35/1.4 AI-S<br>

50/1.8 or 55/2.8 Micro<br>

105/2.5 or 75-150/3.5</p>

<p>~10x Tri-X 400<br>

~10x Portra 400 and Ektar 100 mix</p>

<p>I would of course carry-on my whole photo kit and request hand checking of my film at security, but as most of my in country travel will be by train I think the max number of security scans I could be subject to is 4 which should be safe for my 400 speed film - though I have heard that if I push any 400 speed up to 1600 or so the x rays could impact me.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonydefilippo/sets/72157625034468103/with/5686154876/">Here is a link</a> to some of my previous Spain pictures in case your interested. On this trip I'm most looking forward to the Cathedral in Santiago, Sevilla and Cordoba - all new destinations for me... un-photographed frontiers!! The '1A' priority for my photography will then be documenting the vacation part with my wife and our friends, we'll also have a digital point and shoot to help out in this department though I've been doing alot more of that stuff on film lately too.</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm interested in the collective wisdom/thoughts on my plan and any useful tips for Spain, or film travel photography these days.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I'm dealing with the same issue- going to Andalusia at the beginning of June and am thinking about taking my F3 instead of my D70. I recently acquired the Nikkor 28-105 AF 3.5-4.5 D and am very pleased with it - on a film camera it would be my basic walk-around lens. For wide angle I use a Tamron 19-35 and for telephoto would take either the Series E 75-150 3.5 (which I presume you have, from your post) or the 70-210, and of course the 50mm 1.8 in case I really need low light performance. For me the 55mm micro has never been a favorite, and the 50 mm is smaller. I used to shoot with primes, but my family gets impatient - hence the 28-105!<br>

If I take my D70 I would take /add my Tokina 12-24 for wide angle in addition to the above (not taking the Series E).<br>

For film, I still have to try the new Portras. I have recently had success with Walgreens 400 film (neutral and very easy to scan on my Minolta ScanDual III - I see grain on the monitor but not on my prints).<br>

You shouldn't worry too much about Xrays and 400 film. Two years ago I accidentally left some film in checked baggage in Italy, which got lost and then shipped home - meaning that it went through a lot of Xrays - with no damage whatsoever.<br>

In any case you will have a fabulous trip! I'll look for someone with a film camera while I'm there - there can't be too many of us!</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Hi Allen, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one! I understand the draw of a zoom... my wife doesn't understand the need for lens changes either especially since I'm already usually the 'last one' in a line as we sight-see.</p>

<p>That's another good point to bring up actually because I do shoot slower with the FM2 out of necessity due to the now Aperture priority metering mode. I've been getting faster lately but its still something to think about.</p>

<p>I'll have to give the Walgreens 400 a try, I'm an easy sell for 'easy - to - scan' which is my least favorite part of shooting film. Thats also comforting personal experience with respect to the xrays and film. Do you think you'll go with only 400 speed film? I'm trying to decide if I should split my color 100 and 400, the new portra is extremely fine grained and with a little adjustment to green levels easyish to scan. Ektar can have some great color but I struggle more with the scanning. Oh and the Portra is $1-2 more per roll.</p>

<p>Thanks for the comment, have a great trip as well and enjoy shooting your F3!</p>

Is the Walgreens film another Fuji rebadge? I've used the CVS version in the past and it's not bad but I'd definitely

prefer the Portra for most situations - it's so fine grained and has so much latitude. In a pinch you can underexpose it,

but seen if you can find a couple of rolls of Fuji 800Z anyway.

 

In the past I've had success in not getting the film x-rayed by telling them I'd be push processing it, and that the TSA

web page on film recommends hand checks for film that will be push processed (all of which is true).

<p>Tony,</p>

<p>Sounds like a good trip. As to lenses they sem fine buy I would leave the 50 & 105 and take an 85mm for a 24, 35, 85 lens kit. You will use the 24 & 35 the most.</p>

<p>I'd DOUBLE the film to 20 rolls each of the B&W and colour. Best to bring back unshot film than to run out on a Sunday afternoon with no way to get more. </p>

<p>Have fun!</p>

<p>Thanks Andy and Anthony. I saw the TSA guidance mention the push processed film and was thinking about using that reason for hand check. I also may throw in a roll or two of P3200 for good measure!</p>

<p>@ Anthony - I do have a non-ai 85 but its actually heavier and larger than my 105 which I'm more accustomed to shooting. I am seriously considering skipping the 50/55 altogether and going with the 24-35-105, times like this make me wonder if 28 and 105 alone would be satisfactory...</p>

<p>I completely agree on the film, not sure I'll be able to quite double it but my plan is to buy the 20 rolls for the trip then throw in whatever I have lying around my house as backup...</p>

<p>Tony,<br>

I'm jealous -- I visited Andalucia a few years ago and would love another trip back to Spain. The architecture down south is stunning and you'll definitely want your wide angles. I normally travel with a 28/50/105 set up, with two cameras as well (FE and F100) -- you're planned equipment looks similar and if you don't have any problems with space or weight then I say go with it.<br>

As for film, definitely bring more. There's nothing worse than running out of film on your travels and having no way of getting the film you want quickly. And don't worry about your 400 speed film. I've travelled with 1600 speed film throughout Asia and Europe (including my Spain trip) that went through multiple scans (up to 12) -- they all turned out fine. If you can get hand checks, great, but if not, don't worry, even for the films you want to push. That being said, keep whatever film you've shot, or are not using, at the hotel, to avoid surprise scans that you haven't anticipated (like at museums or other famous sites).</p>

<p>Rachelle - thanks for the info especially the positive experience getting film scanned when unavoidable! Great tip on leaving exposed film behind when on daily excursions! I will remember that one for sure. </p>

<p>Your FE/F100 combo sounds pretty sweet, out of curiosity on the trio of lenses are you using AF or MF or a combo?</p>

<p>Andy:<br>

Walgreens and CVS are the same, I believe, since they both say 400N on the negs.<br>

Tony: I will probably bring some Portra 100 (or is it 160?) when it becomes available here - amazingly our local Samy's doesn't have any yet - they say there is a backlog on the order. I tried one roll of Ektar but had a terrible time scanning it , and found the colors over the top for me.<br>

As for the primes, 24, 35, 50, 85 sounds good, but I would like something longer as well. I loved the Series E 100 mm 2.8 when I had one on an extended loan. I don't often shoot at 50 mm myself but I take it along because it's the fastest lens I have and doesn't take up much space.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Yer' all in luck! I just came back from a trip across all of Andalucia (I was photographing the Semana Santa and a couple of other things) and I can tell you this:</p>

<p>1. I travelled with 1 D3 and a D3s, with my 16mm f/2.8 fisheye, the 14-24 f/2.8, the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 70-200 f/2.8.</p>

<p>2. I shot in ALL the aforementioned cathedrals, both during daytime and at, well, let's say, "less-than-well-lit" conditions, with and without tripod (while many places will indeed say they have no problem with a tripod, there are SOME areas within, say, the Mezquita in Cordoba, where a tripod will not be allowed, so be prepared). The main lesson is: ISO 400 simply WONT cut it! I was shooting at ISO 2000 most of the time, except the sunniest of days (say in the Malaga cathedral) where ISO of 800 was easily possible. And remember, I was not even shooting at f/16 or something!</p>

<p>3. In almost ALL cathedrals, despite their height, you need WIDE lenses. My 14-24 and even my 16 fisheye got ALOT more use than I thought they would! There are amazing things to see anc photograph in almost ALL cathedrals (especially in Sevilla's Giralda and the Mezquita), but to truly do justice to the place, you need to capture exactly that: their grandeur, not details!</p>

<p>4. All places (and the Mezquita most of all) are jam-packed with tourists from the moment they open (I went there 1hr before opening time on TWO consecutive days to be the first one in and get some people-free shots, but by opening time there were over 100 people behind me and, trust me, the moment they go in, they scatter! So chances of getting shots without people are very slim indeed!) Even using a tripod and LOOOOONG exposure, there will ALWAYS be someone who will be standing in the same spot for 10 secs! And with film you simply won't be able to shoot the same scene 5 times just to avoid the elderly couple who decided to stand right in the middle of your frame to consult their guide!</p>

<p>5. I would imagine that you may want to catch some flamenco when in Sevilla (highly recommended). For that you need FAST film. 1600 and maybe even pushing that too - I don't know if you've ever seen flamenco, but let me tell you, they move fast! I found myself shooting at ISO 4000 sometimes to capture the shots I did...!</p>

<p>You can check my images from this latest trip on <a href="http://www.mariosforsos.com/Europe/Spain/16894575_mMjC2F#1276329521_LCMTp6p">http://www.mariosforsos.com/Europe/Spain/16894575_mMjC2F#1276329521_LCMTp6p</a></p>

<p>Personally I would reconsider the film option... but that's just me. Had I gone with my F6 and film I wouldn't have been able to take more than 2/3 of the shots I did... final decision is yours.</p>

<p>@ Allen - I've heard great things about the 100/2.8 Series E, I also have the 75-150/3.5 Series E which I took to Spain last year and was happy with it. I've picked up a 105/2.5 in the mean time which I'm considering instead for this trip.</p>

<p>@ Marios - Wow! Spectacular kit you've got. You make excellent points about the flexibility and quality of high ISO's on the new FX bodies, even my D300 has excellent IQ at 1600 or so and is usable higher. Also your images in Spain are spectacular, some of these places should update their postcards and travel pamphlets with your shots, very high quality and clean looking files!</p>

<p>I'm going to revisit your thoughts on some of the specific places and more of your shots after work too. While I may end up bringing my D300 in addition to film I am thinking I will work primarily with film and its limitations. You do have me re-thinking leaving my 11-16/2.8 for the digital now... we'll see!</p>

The availability of film is quite good in continental Europe, at least compared to the US cities I've visited lately. Maybe

some pnetter can confirm this regarding Spain. Might consider buying most of the film when you get there.

<p>Good point Pasi, I hadn't really looked out for that in my past trips but I will this time. I think the exchange rate will hurt me there though but it is a good back up for if I run out!</p>

<p>If you're looking for something along the lines of a 100/2.8, the Series E is an excellent value. Not as good as the more expensive Nikkors, of course, but I got mine for something like $40 including an EM (which I ended up using the mount ring from on an FE2 with a bent mount) and it's a nice, sharp lens and quite compact. A lot of people didn't like Series E lenses because there's visible plastic in the construction, but it's more metal and less plastic than a lot of the current lenses (more plastic than a 50/1.8 AIS, but less plastic than a 50/1.8 AF-D, for example).</p>

<p>Marios: Absolutely WONDERFUL gallery! I hope I can get a fraction of your great shots. BTW where did you go for Flamenco?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Other who travel more than I do may be better informed, but my experience traveling in Europe is that the airports simply do not hand check film. Period. It's not like here in the states. There are plenty of arguments back and forth here on whether x-rays harm film, but multiple passes certainly add up, especially at higher ISOs. Are European train stations doing X-ray now? Some public buildings do, even here in the states. When you consider that, and add in the issues of having higher ISOs available on digital bodies, I would not even think of taking film on a trip like this. And in terms of traveling light, you're talking a briefcase full of film to cover what a handful of memory cards would cover.</p>

<p>Last year went through Heathrow, Milan and Rome twice each (and Logan, but it's easy in the US) and didn't have my film x-rayed at all. They were fine with doing hand checks.</p>

<p>I will confirm that most European airports will not hand-check film as they claim (and it is printed on most x-ray machines) they are film-safe.</p>

<p>As for availability of film in Spain, sure, you can find the basics pretty much everywhere (and by basics I do mean "basics" - ISO 100 and 400 films, mostly Fuji and Kodak and not always from "current" batches). But as for rarer films (as the ones the OP mentioned), you'd have to hunt down specialist camera stores and, let me tell you, I was not able to find one in either Granada or Cordoba (however, I must say I went there over holida season and quite a few places were closed anyway, so maybe situation is different at other times).</p>

I appreciate all the great responses and information, as im sitting here at the airport waiing to actually hold out i figured

i would post with my final kit. I ended upncomprimosong with digital for alot of reasons but i'm excited with the kit I've

chosen;

 

FM2

35/1.4 ai-s

105/2.5 ai-s

-16 rolls of film, portra 400 and trix 400

 

D300

18-200 VRI

11-16/2.8

 

I'll check in once i get back and post some of the results!