Film photography is an exciting hobby. If you are really enthusiastic about film cameras, you would want to take them with you wherever you go. In the digital age, they aren’t the most portable gear for travel and are also a less convenient means to capture memories. Sometimes, the more casual film photographers would leave film cameras at home. Or perhaps they bring it but rarely use it during the trip in favor of iPhones and digital cameras.

Read: The Struggles of Using a Film Camera in the Digital Age

Here are few things we suggest you do so you will have a worry-free trip with your film camera!

Plan ahead of schedule

Taking a film camera with you on a trip will require a bit of planning. There is a lot to consider when you decide to travel with a film camera. If you are serious about using your film camera on your trip, better be prepared.

First things first – are you going on a flight? If yes, keep reading, the things you would need to know about flying with film cameras are down below. If not, then you will have less prep work for your trip but you still need to prepare nonetheless!

Next, plan the number of film rolls that you will use. Check your stock ahead of time so you would know if you have enough films. When I traveled to Australia, I forgot to check my film stash because I assumed that I still had enough. It wasn’t until a few days before that I realized I didn’t have enough! Luckily, I was able to order a few on Amazon. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime‘s 2 day shipping!

Plan how many films (or film packs, for Instax) you intend to use in a day. Yes, it may vary but make an assumption that you will use the film camera as much as you can.

Bring the right gear

What are you going to do on your trip any way? Are you going on an action-packed adventure? Are you going to the beach? Maybe just a bit of sightseeing? Take these things into consideration so that you can prepare what films, camera/s, and accessories you need for your trip. Only bring the essentials. You wouldn’t want to bring too much photography gear when you travel, would you?

Also, what are the weather conditions during your travel period? Check the weather of your destination ahead of time as well. This helps because you would know which films you should bring along – 100-200 ISO for sunny, 400 for overcast, and 800+ for lowlight.

Be organized!

It won’t hurt to keep all of your films in one plastic bag or a small pouch. Keeping them in one bag will help you find the films right away. A plastic ziploc bag can also protect them from other elements that could harm your film negatives (like water).

Label your films and your camera. It is good practice to label your exposed and unexposed film rolls so that you can easily tell them apart. You can label your films beforehand but expect changes in circumstance. One thing that I had started doing in 2019 was to bring a small sample of washi tape (or masking tape) and a cheap marker when I travel with a film camera. I use these so that I can label the film and the camera with the film stock that is loaded in it. This will help you keep track of the film rolls that you have used and will also make it easier for you when you have your films processed.

Finally – and this is completely optional – bring a small notebook and a pen with you. You might need it if you are the type of person who wants to keep track of the camera settings you used per frame.

Bring your camera all the time

If you intend on using your film camera during your trip, make sure you have it with you at all times. Of course, don’t bring it if you absolutely do not need it (e.g. film is 200 ISO and it’s nighttime). It’s tough to balance digital and analog photography when you travel – especially for those who are active on social media. It’s not easy but it is possible. I have been traveling with a film camera, a digital camera, and an iPhone that I use for social media and I have been able to manage it well.

Be patient when taking photos

Whether you are using a disposable camera or a film SLR, take your time when you are taking a photo. Don’t just point and shoot; try to make each frame count. You wouldn’t want to receive your film scans and feel disappointed, would you?

Flying with film?

If you are planning to take your film camera on a plane, you might need to consider a few more things before you travel.

Do not put your unprocessed films in your checked luggage!

Keep your films in your carry-on preferably in a ziplock bag. Film is sensitive but can handle mild x-ray exposure. The x-ray machines used in airport security (TSA and the like) is less powerful and will not usually cause damage to films from 100 to 400 ISO*.

You should never check your film with your luggage. X-rays used for checked baggage are more powerful than those used for carry-on inspection. With current security regulations your film will most likely be damaged if checked with luggage.

Source: Kodak

Also keep in mind that when your films are kept in your checked baggage, security can potentially open your unprocessed films. Most of them are familiar with film rolls but are extra suspicious or some just aren’t familiar with film rolls at all!

*If you have instant films or film rolls ISO 800 and above, request airport security to inspect your films by hand

I personally don’t bring film that is higher than 400 ISO because I do not want to go through the hassle. If I really need an ISO 800 film (or higher), I will check if there are stores that still sell them within the area I’m traveling. However, if you insist on bringing your own film (800+ ISO), do not attempt to keep them in a film guard bag – security will probably check your bag again. Another thing to keep in mind is that Fujifilm Instax films and Polaroid Instant films are also susceptible to damage from x-ray.

It would be better to politely request airport security to inspect it by hand. Extra precaution is to take out your film from the canister and keep them all in one ziploc bag. TSA will most likely agree to a hand inspection since it is stated in their website. For other airports, contact the airport to confirm their process when it comes to film because not all of them do hand checks.

But then again, if you do not want to go through this, just leave the 800 ISO film or Polaroid film at home.

Don’t go through airport security with film already loaded

There will always be a chance that the airport security personnel will ask you to open your camera’s film back. I have not experienced this first-hand but it makes sense why they would ask you to do that – they want to make sure that there is nothing hidden in the camera. I have traveled with film already loaded and have been lucky that I was not requested to open my camera. If this happens to you, do not open it immediately – wind your film first so you can still save your roll.

Expect to spend more time at airport security

It doesn’t happen frequently because it will vary with different airports. Keep this in mind. Come to the airport earlier in anticipation of the time that it would take for them to finish going through your bag.