Travel with a 4x5 Camera

[simon_kogan]

Alright, I have a few questions about travelling options/hassles and am seeking advice.

 

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I plan to take a trip to Europe in the very near future and I wish to bring along my 4x5 Large Format View Camera.

 

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What I would like to know is the latest, up to date experiances from other professionals.

 

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Do I take sheet film or polaroids? Is film cheaper here or there? How to carry? etc.

 

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Thanks ahead of time for your input and advice.

 

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-Simon

[per_volquartz1]

Bring everything.

 

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If you have any equipment that is made in a country other than the US,

make sure to get a US Customs certificate at the airport, before you

leave. List everything that you bring on that form. The US Custom's

officer will usually look at all the equipment so don't pack it at the

bottom of your suitcase.

 

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If you can, do bring film in unopened boxes and try to get it hand

inspected (may not work anymore)...

 

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Film is most likely less expensive here as you will have to pay VAT

(sales tax) in many countries in Europe. This sales tax can amount to

24%.

 

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Carry your equipment in an old ragged looking bag if you have one. A

new gleaming Haliburton case attracts the wrong kind of attention...

 

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Carry your equipment in that bag - or in a backpack - and carry your

tripod in a separate canvas over-the-shoulder bag...

 

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If you plan to visit Northern Europe bring rain gear!!!

[simon_kogan]

Thank you very much. Keep the advice coming :)

 

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A question however, what exactly is a US Customs certificate and

where in the airport could I obtain one?

 

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Also, how long is the customs checking procedure on average?

 

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Thanks again :)

 

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-Simon

[per_volquartz1]

Every International airport in the US has a US Customs office (or

should have one...). It is usually located right inside the terminal -

before you check your luggage.

 

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Call your departure airport for info.

 

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The certificate is free. It is just a small 4X5 (roughly) document

where you write the list of equipment incl. serial numbers. After you

have filled out the form, the official guy = the one with the super

clean white shirt and the gleaming badge will stamp it for you. Keep

the certificate with your passport. When you re-enter the US you need

to show it to a customs officer examining your goods. Having the

certificate will be your proof that you did not purchase the equipment

overseas, and therefore do not need to pay duty...

 

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To get the certificate should take no more than ten minutes, unless

there is a line of large format addicts in front of you...

[thilo_schmid]

Simon,

 

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film prices do vary significantly throughout Europe. Prices are e.g.

cheap in Germany (usually cheaper than in the US, esp. if you take

into account the current currency conversion rate US$-Euro) and more

expensive in the UK. The same applies to processing. Do not expose

your film to any risks than the light you wish ;-)

 

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Regards,

[sandy_sorlien]

Simon,

I mentioned this deep into another recent thread but it doesn't hurt

to repeat here:

 

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It helps (at US airports anyway) in getting them to agree to hand-

check your film if you tell them that some of the film has already

been through x-ray a couple of times on other trips. Otherwise they

use the argument "It doesn't harm film slower than 1000 ISO" and

proceed to send it through the machine. But some of the inspectors

realize that x-rays can be cumulative on film (or you can explain this

or show them an article that states this), and if you whine a little

and say you are worried about the cumulative effect causing fog, AND

if they have time (you must be patient also), they often will hand-

check for you.

 

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Cheers,

Sandy

[david_goldfarb]

When I travel with the 8x10" camera, I find I'm often asked to open my

bag anyway, because of all those things in there that look like time

bombs, so you might just ask for a hand inspection up front on the

grounds that they'll want to do it anyway (but don't mention the words

"time bomb"!).

 

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If they have the machine for checking for explosive residue, I've

found it not too difficult to ask security not to open an unopened box

of film, but I have a friend who was unable to prevent an inspector

from opening and ruining a box of 5x7" film, fortunately at least

before it was shot, so do be careful.

 

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Also, I usually check my tripod in a Tenba TTP case (they come in 3

sizes). I usually leave the head attached and the handles loose, and

it's never been damaged.

[pierre_kervella3]

Hi Simon,

 

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I would also advise you to take everything with you, including

sheet film, except maybe if you want to expose 1000 sheets, in

this case you can locate a dealer in the coutry you visit and pick it

there (weight, bulk, one less 'X-raying',...). Polaroid or sheet it

more related to the kind of photos you wayt to make.

 

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There are good dealers of 4x5" film in every capital city of

Western Europe, in case of emergency. The point is you don't

want to waste your time hunting for film while you are on a trip.

Regarding price, I am paying my regular 10 sheets of Velvia ~22

Euros in Germany (with tax) and ~30 Euros in France (also with

tax) compared to $20 = 22 Euros at B&H (without tax).

 

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Problems with pickpockets are the same in every big city, maybe

with a little higher rate in Southern Europe countries. When you

are shooting in Rome, take the same precautions as in NYC or

LA, and there will be no problem.

 

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Avoid flashy bags (but this is a good advice for everywhere) and

consider your environment before shooting. You may not want to

attract too much attention in railway stations for example.

 

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Good luck and good light :-)

 

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Pierre

[doremus_scudder1]

As one who travels regularly between the US and Europe with 4x5

camera, possibly my experiences would be helpful to you.

 

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I have found that, while getting a hand inspection in the US is a

possibility, having the security people hand inspect in Europe

(especially England) is next to impossible. I have carried film in

boxes and loaded holders, both unexposed and exposed and in carry-on

and checked luggage and have never had a fogging problem,(that said,

all that was pre-9/11). However, you should be aware, that in all

likelihood, your film will get X-rayed. I'm not sure if the European

airports are using the new, more powerful scanners for checked

luggage, but, if you do carry film with you, I would advise bringing

it in your hand luggage. You can request a hand-inspection, but don't

expect it to help. Just smile and let them run it through the machine.

 

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Some years ago I decided it was easier (particularly in the light of

reports of new, more powerful X-ray scanners for checked luggage) to

simply buy film at my destination. You don't mention which films you

use, but I imagine you can get them in Europe. If you have an address

there, you can even order in advance and have them shipped. Of

course, you will need to be able to load holders somewhere, but that

is usually not an insurmountable obstacle. I would also advise that

you develop the film there if at all possible and then bring it back

in your carry-on.

 

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Perhaps some of the European contributors to this forum would be able

to help with the above if you give particulars.

 

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Hope this helps, ;^D)

[george_nedleman]

I was just in Greece with my 6x7 Horseman in a back back with film,

holders lenses etc. It was opened at every ck point.The tripod went

through with the chkd luggage. The only hassle was leaving Athens

where an overzealous podium person refused to give my pack a

boarding tag because it was too heavy! I took it anyway and had no

problems at the gate. In one of the Islands there were over 100

members of the Royal Photographic society. Cameras all over the

place! Locals and others were facinated with the view camera esp. if

I gave them a look at the GG.

 

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George Nedleman

[diego_rigatti1]

I did not find the films' prices in US and Europe too much different

(consider that, even if VAT is up to 24%, you can claim it back by

simply filling a form at your departure from UE countries), therefore

I try to buy them where I go in advance, making the parcels shipped

to the first hotel or picking them up in person, if possible. Last

year I succeded in obtaining hand inspections on both ways to and

from US (with some more difficulties in San Francisco than in Milan,

but maybe because I was a foreigner there), but this year could be

harder: few days ago I flew to Washington and the sensibility of the

gates have been set so high that even my wedding ring made

them "bipping". In Italy (and I found the same all over Europe), LF

is less known and used than in US, so you can find film in 4x5 format

only in the pro shop, that usually are not the ones you find downtown.

If you need for more detailed and specific information regarding

Italy, feel free to e-mail me directly.

 

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Best regards,

 

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Diego