shipping films/rolls
 

Hello!

I'm planning to go in west africa for a while, not really know how long for, and still wonder about my photo gear. I own an old Rolleiflex using medium format films (120) thaht I'll take with me, plus a load of rolls... but, my main problem is to know how to ship films from France to west africa , as I don't know along I go and will maybee need more films. I've been asking to private carrier like DHL, UPS, FEDEX, and even "La Poste", but they all reply that they can't control what happen with the custom, maybe no X-ray, maybe STRONG X-ray, which could cause injuries to the films. I've heard about X-ray proof lead bag but, a bit costly compared to how much films you can put inside, and increase the shipping price as well!!!

Does anyone has an idea for my problem? How do kodak or other films compagny?

Thanks
vince

I forgot to say that I shoot black and white Tri-X .... maybe it makes a difference with x-ray...?

Vince,

Tri-X will hold quite well. It's a robust film. If you're going for few months and have quite fresh Tri-Xes in means of expiration dates then i'd not send them home meanwhile. Just take some folium (reflective) paper with you. If you complete the film and take it out of camera then pack the roll back to they original reflective paper (open it as neatly as possible for the first time) and then pack each roll into additional folium with few layers and compress a bit too to make them roll-shaped around the rolls - they'll take less room then. Do search for coolest places in your luggage (somewhere between the stuff) for the films and don't let the direct heat do them any harm (i.e. leaving the films on direct sun), that's all the trick to do.

If you take some slidefilm then perhaps more than month of African heat will fog the exposed pictures a bit on the roll. But negative films, especially B&Ws are quite robust and resistant for travelling on hot areas.

Margus

And BTW - the twin lens Rolleiflex medium format is an excellent camera. My respect to You taking it with you on travelling (not much people travel with MF nowadays, sadly...). I'm fully medium format fanatic too on travelling.

[This message has been edited by Margus (edited 15 December 2004).]

No, all the films are X-Ray sensitive and this must be avoided on all costs!

Margus