10 Must-Bring Film Photography Items to Bring on A Weekend Trip

Road trip lovers and film enthusiasts unite. Here's your go-to list for packing everything you need for film photography during travel.

10 Must-Bring Film Photography Items to Bring on A Weekend Trip

Here's the scenario: you're going on a weekend trip to a brand new place and planning to document all the coming memories — on film! But before you hit the road, you must ensure you have any necessary analog items packed and ready to go.

Film photography is an art form that requires special equipment, and having the right gear can make all the difference between capturing stunning shots or missing out on once-in-a-lifetime moments.

Do you have enough film rolls to last the trip? Batteries? Did you double check you have your light meter or a bag rugged enough to keep the cargo safe?

While packing your pouch, consider the items below to your checklist to make life a little easier.

Here are our top 10 picks.

1. Extra Batteries

Without power, you're screwed.

If you're planning to shoot lots of film on a trip, pack batteries like you'd pack underwear: more is more. Many older analog cameras take CR2 or CR123 batteries. LR44 and SR44 are also common. Some cameras only use a battery for the light meter, while others need one to power on and fire a shot. Whichever battery your camera requires, stock up ahead of time and bring more than enough to last through your trip.

    Moment kodak 6031678 Professional Portra 400 Film 135 36 Propack 5 Rolls thumbnail

    Kodak

    Professional Portra 400 Color Negative Film 35mm

    Eyeing the go-to choice of pro film shooters? Kodak Portra Film at true ISO 400 delivers spectacular skin tones and color saturation in 35mm format

    Buy for $79.99

    2. Fresh Film

    Choose Everday-Favorite Stocks!

    You can't shoot film without film!

    Bring a couple of new rolls of a staple stock like Portra 400, T-Max 400, or whatever your favorite daylight-balanced stock may be. When you shoot your favorite roll, you can trust that the results will be exactly what you expect - no surprises. Then you can focus on the moments you want to capture.

      Moment kodak 6031678 Professional Portra 400 Film 135 36 Propack 5 Rolls thumbnail

      Kodak

      Professional Portra 400 Color Negative Film 35mm

      Eyeing the go-to choice of pro film shooters? Kodak Portra Film at true ISO 400 delivers spectacular skin tones and color saturation in 35mm format

      Buy for $79.99
      Moment Kodak 8947947 Professional T Max 400 Film TMY135 36 thumbnail

      Kodak

      Professional T-Max 400 Black and White 35mm Film

      You want the sharpest 400-speed B&W film in the world? Kodak Professional T-MAX 400 35mm Film is it, in addition to being the finest-grained!

      Buy for $12.99

      3. Fun Film

      Don't be afraid to experiment!

      If you've never used an expired film, a vacation is a great time to try. The results can be unpredictable depending on how old it is, but that's part of the fun.

      A weekend trip is also perfect for shooting more unconventional 35mm film stocks like Fantome Kino 8, Moonstruck 200, or Wolfman B&W.

        Moment lomography F8 BW35 BW ISO 8 35mm Fantome Kino Film thumbnail

        Lomography

        Fantome Kino 8 Black and White Negative 35mm Film

        If super low ISO is what your film camera craves, look no further! FantĂ´me Kino B&W 35mm Film is perfect for striking portraits, and gritty street scene snaps

        Buy for $8.99
        Moment Kono NKFMOON1 KONO ORIGINAL MOONSTRUCK ISO 200 35 X36 Thumbnail

        KONO Manufaktur ®

        ORIGINAL MOONSTRUCK 200 Color Negative 35mm Film

        Bring some flair into your film photography! Kono's bestseller MOONSTRUCK is a Color Negative Film reanimated with the help of a bag full of moonlight.

        Buy for $16.99

        4. Film Carrier Cases

        Keep your rolls SAFE!

        Film carriers, like this RETO film case, make it easier and quicker to swap out rolls on the go. If you're trying to grab a quick shot, having the film unboxed and ready helps ensure you don't miss the moment.

          Moment Kodak RETORK0007 Kodak RETO film cases red lid yellow body thumbnail

          Kodak

          RETO Film Case

          Keep organized and your film safe! The RETO Film case will hold your 35mm or 120 rolls nice and snug with the body made of aluminum and the cap made of steel.

          Buy for $24.99

          5. Camera Bag

          Choose a bag that's right for you.

          The type of bag you carry will depend on the size of your camera and how much extra gear you bring. For a weekend trip, most people like to pack light.

          A small carrier or pouch will keep compact 35mm cameras protected and your accessories organized.

          Choose a camera backpack or tote if you're traveling with a larger medium-format camera.

            Moment Long Weekend 213 023 Camera Pouch Creme Multi thumbnail

            Long Weekend

            Point and Shoot Camera Pouch

            Protect your Camera! Putting your Camera in a Camera Pouch is the best thing you can do for it to avoid scratches and even dampen the occasional fall.

            Buy for $24.99

            6. Camera Straps

            Show the camera off, baby.

            They say the best camera is the one you have with you, and what better way to ensure you always have a camera handy than to hang it around your neck? Grab a new camera strap that's light and comfortable enough to wear when you're out and about.

              Moment Clever Supply Traditional Camera Strap Chestnut thumbnail

              Clever Supply

              Traditional Camera Strap (Split Ring)

              A great camera strap option for those that prefer the neck strap with split-ring connections. Each strap comes with two removable split-ring bumpers.

              ...

              Buy for $119.00

              7. Light Meter

              For indoor use and low-light conditions.

              If your camera is fully manual, an external light meter can help make sure you always nail the exposure. The reliability of built-in light meters can fade as camera bodies age.

              A pocket-sized unit like the Sekonic L-308X-U Flashmate is small and lightweight enough to throw in a weekend bag.

              Moment Sekonic 401 305 L 308 X U Flashmate Light Meter thumbnail

              Sekonic

              L-308X-U Flashmate Light Meter

              Those bulky light meters are so yesterday! The pocket-sized Sekonic L-308X-U FLASHMATE is a small and light digital light meter with a full suite of functions

              Buy for $229.00

              8. Tripod

              Keep it steady, stupid.

              A tripod is a must, whether taking group photos with your traveling companions or shooting dreamy landscapes in low light.

              This Manfrotto aluminum version is compact and flexible so you can take it anywhere.

                Moment Manfrotto MKCOMPACTLT BK Compact Light aluminium tripod with ball head black thumbnail

                Manfrotto

                Compact Light Aluminium Tripod With Ball Head

                Manfrotto quality at this price!? It's a no-brainer! Get this fully functional light tripod if your gear is under 1.5kg. It will be your favorite travel tripod

                Buy for $79.99

                9. Lens Filters

                Small item, big impact.

                Neutral Density (ND) filters help control how much light enters the camera. These are essential if you're trying to shoot wider apertures for a more shallow depth of field in bright sunlight. Also, consider adding a diffusion filter to your lens for a softer, cinematic effect.

                  Moment cinebloom 49mm 10per thumbnail

                  Moment

                  CineBloom Diffusion Filters

                  You wanna capture dreamy, film-like footage on your camera or smartphone? The Moment CineBloom Diffusion Filters are the secret sauce! Available in 5%, 10%, 20%

                  Buy for $59.99

                  10. Disposable Camera

                  Easy, fun, and super simple.

                  For those moments when you don't want to over-analyze the shot and capture the action, a disposable camera is pocketable and perfect. Don't think; shoot!

                    Kodak RK0103 EKTAR H35 Half Frame Film Camera Sage thumbnail

                    Kodak

                    EKTAR H35 Half Frame Film Camera

                    Wanna maximize your film roll? The EKTAR H35 Half Frame Film Camera doubles your images per roll using half of each frame per shot. Reduce cost, shoot more!

                    Buy for $49.99