[LargeFormat] OT: Ireland, Dublin in April, what can one expect?

[Tom Micklin]

Hi,
I was in Ireland this past May. I brought a medium format camera and a 
4x5. Carried all the film in a shoulder bag (80 rolls 120; about 200 
sheets 4x5). We flew from Vancouver, BC to Toronto to Dublin.
The film was hand inspected and never damaged. No problem except for the 
weight of the bag on my shoulder.
The weather (May 15 to June 1) was pretty rainy; lots of storms. I shot 
mainly the 120 because it was a hassle setting up the 4x5 in the storms 
and my traveling partner got restless sitting in the car while we waited 
them out. We were told that April was beautiful.
We rented a car and drove 2,000 miles in those two weeks  - so we 
covered a large part of the country.
I'm going back next September and will shoot 4x5 almost exclusively. The 
shots I got with it were well worth the hassle. Personally,  I think 
carrying as much photo gear as possible is worth it.
We spent almost no time in urban areas, so I can't speak for that, but I 
never felt my equipment was in danger of theft at any time. Reasonable 
precautions, to be sure, but no feeling of concern - except maybe for 
some areas of Northern Ireland. We felt everything was a little more 
tense up there - even outside the cities.
Hope this helps,
Tom Micklin
www.tmicklin.com/ireland_1.html


Vincent Dobson wrote:
> I'm watching for this reply also.  It's my dream to go there in the Spring.
> 
> Are you flying??  If so, how? re: film in x-ray scanning and thievery of
> your camera gear.  I always thought I would have to carry everything I took
> gear and film wise due to lower dose x-ray on the carry-on and risk of
> thieves in checked luggage.
> 
> I was resigned to pull out my old 35mm stuff for my trip but would love the
> thought of having my beloved Tachihara's in 4x5 and 8x10 with their common
> and unique lens to give me coverage from 65mm to 800mm.  But I've thought -
> why - when I could get the same range with three zoom lens on my 35.  I'm
> not preaching 35mm here and I've not even taken a single shot with my 35
> since I started large format work in 1999, but given the problems and
> logistics I was considering reverting to it for my trip.
> 
> Vince Dobson
> Visions In Nature
> www.VisionsInNature.com
> 
> :>-----Original Message-----
> :>From: largeformat-admin@f32.net [mailto:largeformat-admin@f32.net]On
> :>Behalf Of Michael Sullivan
> :>Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 5:52 PM
> :>To: largeformat@f32.net
> :>Subject: [LargeFormat] OT: Ireland, Dublin in April, what can one
> :>expect?
> :>
> :>
> :>Yet another OT question:
> :>
> :>As I'm starting to pack my bags for a Dublin trip to Ireland in April of
> :>2004, it would be useful to know what to expect, weather-wise, from those
> :>of you who have travelled there. Any thoughts or advise at all will be
> :>greatly appreciated. (note: I've been several times to Western Ireland in
> :>the summer, so I know what to expect there pretty well)
> :>
> :>What I am bringing (lugging) so far:
> :>- Linhof Kardan Color Bi w/ 18" rail
> :>- normal and bag bellows
> :>- Various Schneider and Rodenstock lenses from 75mm to 360mm
> :>- Betterlight 6k-2
> :>- 3hr battery for above
> :>- Apple Powerbook G4
> :>- rolling hard case
> :>- backpack
> :>- Gitzo carbon-fibre tripod w/ Arca Swiss ballhead
> :>- umbrella ;)
> :>
> :>anything else?
> :>
> :>J Michael Sullivan
> :>http://www.haywood-sullivan.com/photography
> :>
> :>
> :>
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> 
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