Thanks, Blueface. That’s good to know that the camera stores in Bali won’t have ISO 1600. I guess plan A should be to carry a roll with me and hope that security doesn’t insist on x-raying it. I’ll have to go through security at BOI, SFO, maybe NRT, and at TPE. The “film safe” x-rays might not destroy it in one pass, but more than that would probably be too much for ISO 1600.
One backup plan MIGHT be to buy a fresh roll the morning before I fly TPE-DPS if there is a good camera store near CKS Airport. That question could be a good separate subject.
I checked with the owner of Bali Fotography today. He said 1600 wasn’t imported anymore but he MIGHT be able to order some 800 from Surabaya. How many rolls would you be wanting and what brand? He’ll check on availability and let me know.
Thanks for going to all that trouble, Blueface. Rather than special order 800 film, I’ll probably try carrying what I might use in my pocket. Actually it might be a good idea if I do some more local experiments to see how well ISO 400 performs. The assumption that faster film is better for picking up the faint details might not be strictly true. I have noticed that fast film may expose the highlights correctly at shutter speed and aperture appropriate for that speed, but shadows go very dark. As Andromeda Galaxy is returning to morning sky in Idaho, that could be a good rehearsal for Magellanic Clouds in Bali. My SLR is a Promaster 2000PK with 50mm f1.9 lens. I have a Slik Compact XL tripod, which is a nice compromise of adequate performance with low weight and bulk. I want to keep exposures to less than 15 seconds to avoid obvious star trailing.
By the way, if anyone out there ever tries to use a Promaster or Zenit with B for long exposures, here’s a tip: Remove the battery. Otherwise the LED’s will stay on, giving you the useless information that your meter says you’re underexposed. With the Promaster a small amount of light will leak around your mirror. With the Zenit a lot of light will leak around your mirror.