Helsinki in Feb

Beemermark

Beemermark

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I'm in Helsinki a few days towards the end of this month (Feb) and trying to decide which camera to bring. I prefer my Leica M8.2 but it is limited to about ISO 640. I have a Nikon D700 outfit which is very heavy but goes to a much higher ISO.

I hate to lug the Nikon around but given the limited daylight which one should I bring. Will ISO 640 cut it?
 
Beemermark said:
I'm in Helsinki a few days towards the end of this month (Feb) and trying to decide which camera to bring. I prefer my Leica M8.2 but it is limited to about ISO 640. I have a Nikon D700 outfit which is very heavy but goes to a much higher ISO.

I hate to lug the Nikon around but given the limited daylight which one should I bring. Will ISO 640 cut it?
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This far north the days rapidly get longer so near the end of February you'll have around ten hours of daylight - check here: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=101&month=2&year=2013&obj=sun&afl=-11&day=1
 
Take the Leica. If the Nikon is too heavy and awkward to carry around, you'll end up not carrying it around. Even with its limited sensitivity, taking the Leica will ensure you have your camera with you.
 
I have lived there many years, and it can really be very dark not only due to northern altitude but also more to the cloudy weather. Helsinki at end of Feb can still be quite wet and cold, so make sure you have good weather sealing for the camera you bring. I would say take the D700 if you can.
 
z.bruce.li said:
I have lived there many years, and it can really be very dark not only due to northern altitude but also more to the cloudy weather. Helsinki at end of Feb can still be quite wet and cold, so make sure you have good weather sealing for the camera you bring. I would say take the D700 if you can.
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I sort of knew that but I was hoping someone would tell me different. I've lived in the Northern US, and the calender might say 10 hours of daylight but you never see the sun due to the overcast. Plus the sun usually stays pretty low in the horizon.

Good point about weather sealing, the D700 is really moisture proof, much more than the Leica. I get in early Sat. afternoon and have all day Sunday to wander around.
 
Indeed the overcast kills most of the sunshine during winter in Helsinki, which is quite up north but warmed up by ocean stream that results in a lot of moisture. During one of my first years there, I could hardly get 10 hours of direct sunshine in the whole month of November! But I wish you a much better weather during your visit. 🙂

There are plenty of tour guides and list of attractions online, but if you have particular questions regarding photo op feel free to ask. Helsinki downtown is quite small, so Sunday should be enough to cover.
 
I have both of these cameras myself. One thing I will mention is that the M8.2, at least by my standards, does well at 1250. Sure there might be a little noise in the shadows, but nothing I would consider a problem. So I would say the M8.2 is not completely out of the running. And the fast lenses partly make up for the ISO issue.

Now here's a reason to bring the D700. First, no high-ISO worries. And then, you can put a zoom on it. That will eliminate having to change lenses (and risk dropping them) with frozen hands. Of course, by that time of day, when High-ISO is needed, Sue and I are more interested in food, and can be found in that great Russian restaurant a few blocks from the Holiday Inn.

Personally, I would leave the D700 home, and take my chances with the M8.2. I would also bring my Fuji X10, which has great Hi-ISO performance, and is smaller and lighter than either of the others!

You know, Tom A's wife, Tulikki, knows loads about Helsinki. Maybe you could PM Tom for some suggestions!

Enjoy your trip!
 
I appreciate all the information. I started to sort out a Nikon outfit last night and I'm leaning to the Leica. My zooms (a Tamron 28-80/2.8 and Nikon 80-200/2.8) are huge. I'd end up taking one or two fast single focal lengths. Then I realize I'll need another bag to carry it all.

I'm going to Helsinki for a 1/2 day meeting. I travel 17 hours and go thru 4 airports each way. Even without the site seeing that's a lot of weight (on top of my suitcase and computer bag) to haul around. I'm just no that young anymore -🙁.

The Leica and 4 lenses weight less than the Nikon & zoom. Plus the lenses are small enough they can squeeze in the computer case.

Decisions, decisions, decissions...........
 
This photo is dated in Helsinki on the 26th of Feb, 2012. It was a nice, sunny day and I was out with my Holga. I'd take the Leica and hope for some nice weather.

6785843106_9df73d31bf.jpg
 
Lss said:
😀

An absolute non-issue unless you go diving in the slush. In that case, consider underwater housing.
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I'll say this for the D700, it's water proof. It's embarrising to admit but i left the D700 and lens out on the picnic table for the weekend last summer. Humidity here is like rain, it leaves puddles from the dew in the morning. After 3 days of this there were no issues (whew!).
 
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