morocco - advise needed

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paapoopa

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Hi
I am planning to spend 3 weeks in Morocco

currently planning to bring my m6 with 1 50mm lens and 1 35mm lens..... yet to decide which..
But after some reading up, I think I need a wider lens to shoot in the narrow lanes of the medina (old town) was thinking either a 21mm or a 25mm..... anyone have any experience shooting in the medina? am not sure which will be wide enough as i am always 80% a 50mm shooter.
 
I went a year ago with a D1x and an 18-55mm (yeah I know...) - I stayed on the wide end of the lens most of the time in Marrakech (which would equate to roughly 27mm I think??)

Al best,

S
 
You won't go wrong with either 21 or 25 but you definitely need a wide angle.

If it is not already on your itinerary, go to Essaouira!
 
I was in Morocco last year and had a great time. I rented a ZM 25mm for the trip and used it quite a bit (I've since bought one). 25mm worked quite well in the medina.

I also found that a fast lens (35mm f/1.2 Nokton, in my case) was great with film at ISO 1600 at night. So many photographic opportunities in Morocco after the sun goes down.

Be careful and respectful, as many Moroccans don't like having their picture taken.

Second the suggestion for Essouira. Also, my favorite place was Chefchauen...absolutely an incredible place for photography since the entire town is painted a beautiful blue.

You can see some of my shots from Morocco on my site.
 
thanks guys, for the advice..

JHenry -
saw your shots with the zm 25mm, really nice....
although the zm 25mm is a nice lens, its a little tight for my budget... am also thinking about the 21mm or 25mm color skopar with metal voigtlander viewfinder....
any other wide angle lens you would highly recommend?



btw, Henry and Meven, yes both Essaouira and Chefchaueon is in my list of places to visit,
 
another question, i am actually planning to bring my rolleiflex along as well, will be doing a stay in the sahara desert....
is there anyway to protect my gear from the super fine sand particles in the desert?
i dont feel really safe even having my gear in my domke bag, as the domke bag doesnt has any zip or velcro to keep the sand particles from entering.

am i getting overly paranoid?
 
I used only my Rolleiflex 3.5F in Marrakech last year. It was very capable in and outside the medina, I wouldn't take it to the dessert though. I have had enough trouble with camera gear on beaches in the past, sand just gets everywhere. If you're not actively using it during the Saharan part, I would seal it inside a clear plastic bag.
 
paapoopa,

Sorry to say that my wide angle experience is limited to the ZM 25mm and the VC 15mm, both of which are great.

However, I wouldn't worry about the speed of the Skopar lenses. If I was doing the same trip today, I wouldn't take Provia 100 (which was my primary color film in Morocco). Instead, I'd take about 75% new Portra 400 and a ND filter, and the remainder as Portra 160--both of these new films are amazing. So, the f/4 of the VC lenses you are considering wouldn't be a problem. As for the quality of those lenses, I can't speak to that.

Any other questions, feel free to shoot me a PM.

Cheers,

Jeff
 
i did 99% of my shooting with a 28mm on an M8 whilst i was there. I find it just right for pre-focussed street shooting as the streets are all equally narrow and after a while its quite easy to gauge the distance. I'd try and get a 15mm or wider for the interiors though. I think u're only allowed in ben yousof if u're not muslim. Also consider a 90mm for the gorgeous sunsets when u're out on the edge of marrakesh.
 
paapoopa said:
another question, i am actually planning to bring my rolleiflex along as well, will be doing a stay in the sahara desert....
is there anyway to protect my gear from the super fine sand particles in the desert?
i dont feel really safe even having my gear in my domke bag, as the domke bag doesnt has any zip or velcro to keep the sand particles from entering.

am i getting overly paranoid?
Click to expand...

Put your cameras/lenses/film inside ziplock bags inside your Domke bag when you go to the desert (I assume it would be east of Ouarzazate?). I ruined a camera there during a sand storm... The sand went everywhere inside our bags (we were staying inside a Touaereg tent).

Also +1 on being careful and respectful when taking photos of Moroccans, they see so many tourists and some are getting fed up of being constantly photographed (which is definitely understandable).

More importantly, enjoy your trip.. Morocco is a fascinating country with beautiful and friendly people, breathtaking scenery and delicious cuisine!
 
thanks meven..that really helps.. i think ziplock bags will be the way to go...the last thing i want is to have my gears or films ruined.

i have heard a lot about Moroccans not liking being shoot at. i can certainly imagine the amount of cameras pointing at them everyday, especially those staying in the touristy area. guess i will need to be a lot more tactful when shooting over there.

I am sure i will enjoy, I am already start thinking of what films and lens combination I want to bring.
 
anyone has any recommendation on the places to stay base on my itierary? I like to stay in inexpensive guesthouse and able to meet fellow backpackers if possible...

casablanca > rabat > meknes > chefcaueon > fez > over the middle atlas to Merzouga > dades valley > Quazzratte > Marrackech > Essaouira

will be spending around 22 days in morocco, so any advise will be very much appreciated.
 
paapoopa said:
anyone has any recommendation on the places to stay base on my itierary? I like to stay in inexpensive guesthouse and able to meet fellow backpackers if possible...

casablanca > rabat > meknes > chefcaueon > fez > over the middle atlas to Merzouga > dades valley > Quazzratte > Marrackech > Essaouira

will be spending around 22 days in morocco, so any advise will be very much appreciated.
Click to expand...

This trip obviously takes you across the country.

Casa..I would stay there a max of 1 day.
Rabat..The Palace. Maybe another day.
Meknes..A day trip from Fez should do it.
Chaueon..Lovely Lovely place. Stay away from people peddling drugs.It is
illegal. Safest place of a very safe country. Hike/trek to the spring. Roam in the streets. beautiful place for photography. Rif mountains are very scenic.
Fez..I, personally , love Fez. The cuisine, the culture, the medina and it being the religious center of Morocco.
The Desert/Atlas mountains..Stay in villages. Berber tribes. Super photo opportunities. Quazzarate..protect your cams from sand.
Marrakech..Just loose yourself in this the most beautiful of Moroccan cities.
Essaouira..Lay back. Go into the cedars/pines. Enjoy the beach.

You can find all types of places to stay..cheap to ' sky is the limit '.
Remember the Moroccan style houses are called ' Riads ' or ' Dars '.

' Riyadh ' is a city in Saudi Arabia.

Have a nice, safe and lovely trip. Share your photographs.
 
Hi Faris thank you so much for your advise.
I am leaving in another week time, have bassically thrown out casa and rabat from my itierary, will spend those time doing trekking in the rif mountains area in chefchaouen and spending more time in the desert in erg chebbi.

I am still trying to find a good place to stay in erg chebbi, have read that touts there are quite wild, so I am hoping to find a place to stay before heading down to the desert....
do you have any to recommend? i would love to stay right in the desert in those nomad tents... I dont fancy big hotels with nice rooms and swimming pools.

Am sure will share the pictures I took there when I got back..
 
paapoopa said:
Hi Faris thank you so much for your advise.
I am leaving in another week time, have bassically thrown out casa and rabat from my itierary, will spend those time doing trekking in the rif mountains area in chefchaouen and spending more time in the desert in erg chebbi.

I am still trying to find a good place to stay in erg chebbi, have read that touts there are quite wild, so I am hoping to find a place to stay before heading down to the desert....
do you have any to recommend? i would love to stay right in the desert in those nomad tents... I dont fancy big hotels with nice rooms and swimming pools.

Am sure will share the pictures I took there when I got back..
Click to expand...

Sorry, can't help you there. We always pitched our own tents in the desert.

There are village folk that are nowadays prepared to take in guests for a short stay. More than this I cannot say.

It can get very chilly at night in the desert around this time. Be prepared.
A light sweater, a thin plastic for rain, GOOD hiking shoes that can stand mud and slush; warm socks.

I generally travel very light and would just buy a dishdasha or jalabia there ( warm and summer )..cheap and shall keep you comfortable.

Markkech there are laundries/coffee shops if you get stuck.

Chouen, water is safe to drink. Elsewhere, always bottled water without exception. Get a mosquito repellent in any of the big cities esp. for the desert/Atlas mountain nights.

Do not get hitched up with hotel touts. They work on a commission and not for you. Do not go with strangers in Chaouen to savor the smokes..could end up in deep trouble.

Relax, enjoy..lovely place. We, too shall be stopping to see some friends, but in Agadir.

Best.
 
thanks everyone for the advice
heres some photos that I brought back

a%3E









 
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