First road trip w/ 4x5 and film storage suggestions

[gphoto120]

I'm taking an extended 3 week trip and will be bringing my newly aquired Wista. (I'm also new to 4x5 as well) Any suggestions on storage of film ....should I try to keep it in a cooler and let acclimate to ambient temps? Or just try to keep it at ambient? I'll be in New Mexico and Colorado.
Thanks for any tips etc
GP

[BenZucker]

Have Fun shooting. Keep the film in a cooler if you want. I would just avoid leaving it in the hot car if your not in it. Otherwise you should be fine. 3 weeks isn't that long, your film won't get ruined.

[RPippin]

Remember to bring empty film boxes with the black plastic bags to store film you've shot with the info on them for development. Also I've found the Harrison changing tent to be invaluable for unloading and loading film. I picked up one of those cooler/heater things you plug into a power outlet in your car to be helpful when I've got film in my truck for long periods of time. The inside of a vehicle can get right hot during the day. Bring more film than you think you will need. You can always bring home the unexposed film, but finding more on the road won't be easy. Shoot lots of film and have fun.

[Martin Aislabie]

Avoid leaving film in a hot car if at all possible - "cooking" never does film any good but 3 weeks isn't going to ruin in either - just do what you have always done in preserving your film stock under such conditions.

If you can, leave the film in your Motel/Hotel room where ever possible.

Changing film at the end of each day on a field trip takes longer than you think - I clean my Darkslides carefully before unloading and again re-loading with film.

I also wet dust my Changing Tent before and after reloading - to cut down on the accumulating dust and fine grit that seems to get everywhere

It might also be necessary to occasionally clean your camera - both inside and out - depending on how windy and dusty it is.

If you are shooting B&W you may want to bring spare empty film boxes with you and use them to segregate film for N, N+ & N- conditions.

RPippins advice about extra film is good - you might come across once in a lifetime scene & lighting.

Have a great time & post some images of your adventures

Martin

[djhopscotch]

I use 50 cal belt ammo cases, you can get them at army surplus stores. They are environmentally sealed and they can hold 4x5 holders as wells as the film boxes.

[olleorama]

I use 50 cal belt ammo cases, you can get them at army surplus stores. They are environmentally sealed and they can hold 4x5 holders as wells as the film boxes.

Last time I handled .50 belt boxes they were stacked inside a sisu, and I remember them as really heavy, even when they were empty. Unless the US forces have adopted plastic cases I would go for an ordinary hard case cooler bag, or a pelican case or something. Everything lighter than heavy gauge steel cases really.

[djhopscotch]

Last time I handled .50 belt boxes they were stacked inside a sisu, and I remember them as really heavy, even when they were empty. Unless the US forces have adopted plastic cases I would go for an ordinary hard case cooler bag, or a pelican case or something. Everything lighter than heavy gauge steel cases really.

I use them to store film in the car, i don't find them to be too heavy or bulky. They do a good job keeping film safe during car trips.

[gphoto120]

Thanks for your suggestions and advice !
Gary P

[Vaughn]

I use an ice chest (but no ice). I am usually camping and I open the chest up at night to cool it down and keep it closed as much as possible during the day.

[trudee yama]

If you are flying and if possible, order 4x5 film and have it shipped to your destination a couple of days prior to your arrival date. Saves you from potential airport nightmares.