I would love to get some comments from the photography enthusiasts in this forum about strategies for obtaining their preferred types of film in Europe. Specifically, I am interested in finding Kodak Professional Ektachrome E100VS and the new Fujichrome Velvia 100 ASA in various parts of France (not just Paris).

I know that the department stores (e.g., FNAC) are the least expensive, but their film stock is often limited to general use films, such as Fuji Sensia and regular Ektachrome. Souvenir shops are the worst, with their high prices and limited selection (typically, they don't even have slide film). I have had the most success with camera stores, but they can be hard to find (especially compared to large department stores).

As thanks, I'll share one of my film-seeking tips. I always keep a few box end flaps of my favorite films in my camera case. When I encounter a salesperson that doesn't speak English (or understand my elementary French), I show them the box flaps and they immediately understand.

Topping for the evening crowd.

I've always brought my own film from USA ... but with increasing hassles and insistence on running film thru xray machines, I can see possible benefits in buying the pro film locally.

All I can suggest to contact Kodak & Fuji directly for info on european distributors ... they are generally more responsive to "pro film" inquiries than to consumer inquiries.

Finding this film outside of Paris is probably going to be difficult. In Paris, I've been to Prophot...http://www.prophot.com/

You might give them a try. They may be able to direct you better. The film may also be called something else in France...ask Kodak and Fuji.

Anyway, Prophot should be able to ship film anywhere you like in France.

Hope this helps.
http://www.jimtardio.com

SMUELLER...
I buy all my film at B&H Photo in NY...
prices are incredible...store is amazing....212-444-6600 or 800-606-6969.....

Serious American professionals don't buy film abroad unless they have no other choice. Many serious professionals refuse to purchase film from B&H. Uncertain storage conditions is one of several reasons. For the films you mentioned, there simply is no warranted, intelligent concern.

The new TSA agents at all U.S. airports will hand-check all film if asked. And, unless your plans include five or more trips through European x-ray machines, any film under 1000 ASA is considered safe and very few American "professionals" are shooting with such high speed film.

But, on the other hand, and coming from the artist-professional side of this thread, buying local film (ie: a brand that you don't recognize, and can't even read since you don't understand the language in which it is written) can offer some surprising rewards. I've had to buy film while traveling because I simply ran out of what I brought. In those cases I would buy what I didn't know and had surprising results--color shifts and grain structure that gave me a different look in my work. This may not be to everyone's taste, but I like surprises in my work. Sometimes new directions in style happen through off chance opprortunities. I also buy a lot through B&H and have had no problems there.

I'd agree that most "serious professionals"...whatever that means...would carry their film with them when coming from the states.

But Europe is also filled with "serious professionals", who purchase their film locally.

Smueller...if you are coming from the USA and want the best price, B&H is far and away your best deal. Rest assured that plenty of pros purchase film from them regularly. Their film storage and handling is second to none, and they will gladly ship to your hotel if you prefer.

Thanks for all the great responses. And, Jim, I've seen some of your outstanding images on the internet.

I should clarify one point. I am seeking alternatives to buying my film in the US. In the past two years, I have witnessed airport security staff go from clueless to mindless when photography equipment and film is involved.

On my last trip, the security screeners at DIA passed my camera bag through the X-ray machine three times. I am fully aware that a few X-rays are not going to ruin my film, especially considering that the fastest I shoot is 400 ASA, but the memory of three X-rays before I have even left Denver has caused increased levels of anxiety.

Although I have never had film ruined (or even noticeably degraded) by airport X-rays, I am uneasy about what may happen next. In the past few years, airport security personnel seem to have become obsessed with camera equipment. Within the past few days, the FBI issued a well-publicized report concluding that there may be an increased number of attempts to smuggle weapons either inside of, or disquised to resemble, tourist accessories, especially cameras. So I suspect that the situation may deteriorate further.

I have tried separating the film from the cameras in my carry-on items, but the security staff also seems extremely suspicious of the dozens of small uniform containers, so I can't seem to win.

The strategy that I have settled on is to bring about a half-dozen "seed rolls" to get started (so I don't have to search for film immediately upon arrival), and purchasing the bulk of my film as I go.

One option on my upcoming trip to France would be to buy all my film in Paris at the outset of my visit, rather than searching for specific types of film throughout Burgundy, Alsace, etc. The drawback, however, is that I have always been wary about acquiring all the film for an important trip in asingle batch, which potentially (albeit rarely) might be defective. I have always felt more comfortable acquiring my film from multiple sources. Of course, this approach increases the chance of a having a few bad rolls, but reduces to near zero the chance of all my film being bad.

I would be curious to know if any other of the photographers in this forum have had increased problems (multiple X-rays, dropped cameras, etc.) with airport security in the past few years.

Here's how I do it:

All of my film is removed from the boxes and the plactic containers. It is placed in a ziploc bag...the kind with the zipper. (the plastic containers go in my checked luggage)

When approaching the xray machine, I seperate the film from the rest of my stuff. I request a hand check, which is normally granted in the USA. Be prepared to wait, as they normally swab every roll.

In foreign airports I do the same thing, but I have my lead bags available if my request for a hand check is denied. Most foreign airports will hand-check if you have film faster than 1000 ISO. I keep 4 rolls of 3200 speed film in my bag just so I can claim I have faster film. Most of the time it works, and I get a hand check.

If it doesn't, like in Paris or Frankfurt, I tell them that I'm placing the film in my lead bag for xray.

Wait until there is nothing else in the machine before you put your film through, so it doesn't get backed up in there.

I never place my cameras on the belt until my film has passed through, or has agreed to be hand checked, which is usually done on the other side of the metal detector. I've never had a problem with damaged equipment.

I ask politely, and I don't argue if I'm refused.

For the record, I'm more concerned about xray machines used to enter government buildings or museums. And cruise ship machines are generally poorly maintained, in my experience. For ships, I pack my film in my checked luggage is almost never xrayed...go figure.

JIM.....YOUR IMAGES ARE TERRiFIC!!!! Just checked out your web-site!!