3 Camera or 2 - A hike in Kyrgyzstan

[benji77]

Help meeeee....

I have a 12 day trip to the mountains of Kyrgystan. This will be my first, and while porters have been arranged, I dont want to be overly confident that I can take the weight of 3 film cameras plus film.

The contenders are -

• Fuji GF670 (definite)
• M3 + 50ZM + 25ZM
• Konica Hexar AF
• Film, about to 25 rolls of 35mm, 20 rolls of 120mm

I would think the ideal would be the Hexar, but I am worried about reliability in the conditions (battery, shutter, shutter speed).

Should I trade the Hexar for the M3? Or the M3 + 25 + 50 + GF?

Oh my. What a good dilemma.

 

[thegman]

I'd go GF670 and M3. GF670 needs batteries to work, which is fine, but I'd rather back it up with something that didn't.

That's if you're set on only 2 cameras. If it were me, I'd take all 3 cameras, as I'm a bit paranoid. A Hexar AF isn't that heavy really, and I'd probably take less film than that, but that's your call.

 

[benji77]

I am very inclined to take all 3, with the M3+50 only (minus the 25).
The advantage of the Hexar will be my freedom of having the AF to shoot while I hike.

Then again, the 25mm is not that heavy. To take the whole lot would mean I will have to lug them no matter how tired I am during the session as I cant afford to leave them with the porters.

 

[GaryLH]

When I was shooting film a lot..I really never like mixng 35 and 120 film (but that's just me).

If this is one of those "1 in a lifetime' situations, I can understand wanting to bring the gf670 along w/ the m3.

Given what u have, I agree leave the Konica af at home. Bring both lenses for the m3.

Have a good time
Gary

 

[thegman]

I am very inclined to take all 3, with the M3+50 only (minus the 25).
The advantage of the Hexar will be my freedom of having the AF to shoot while I hike.

Then again, the 25mm is not that heavy. To take the whole lot would mean I will have to lug them no matter how tired I am during the session as I cant afford to leave them with the porters.

Only you can judge your own ability/desire to carry that amount of gear. For me, it seems like a once in a lifetime trip, and I wouldn't want to be without a backup, even two backups, hell, silly people like me would consider a 4th camera, a tiny Rollei 35 or something.

Not sure how the porters thing works, when you say 'can't afford' to leave them, do you suspect theft? If so, then it's really your call.

 

[benji77]

Yeah, its quite a 'once in a lifetime' thing 🙂

I dont wish to leave the gear in the porter's care not cause of theft, but more for damage. I am sure they wont handle the bags gingerly enough. With the weight they carry, I wouldn't blame them at all.

As for the weight, I will be carry all the camera gear, plus jacket, water (3-5L) some medical supplies & snacks (bars,chocolate).

Would experienced hikers advise me on the probability of shooting 1-2 rolls/day during the hike please. Or would I be too tired to even enjoy the shooting?

 

[Peter_S]

Hi Benji,

I use my cameras a lot on hiking and ski mountaineering trips (I have been to Kyrgyzstan too, a fascinating place). I would consider the GF670 and M3 too redundant. What do you need an M3 for when you got the GF670? The GF670 holds up well in cold weather, and batteries alone are not a reason for me to take a heavy 520 gr 135 format body, plus lenses.

Also - RF cameras are somewhat prone to RF alignment, particularly on these kind of journeys. Some more than others. I would not take more than one - the GF670 requires care and is enough to take care of.

Lastly, travelling in Kyrgyzstan can be quite dynamic, and a AF, particulaly in 35mm FOV, camera is good to have.

I use now a Bessa III (GF670) and a Contax T3 (and sold all Ms). The Bessa III when I can afford to take and use it, the T3 when weight really matters, I need AF or wide-angle, and the conditions are rough. No redundancy, no scratching my head which camera to use.

So, without knowing the Hexar but assuming it is a good camera - GF670 + Hexar it would be for me.

Peter

 

[Jubb Jubb]

why not just go one camera? you'll get consistent looking shots rather than chopping and changing.

 

[benji77]

Thank you guys, I'd never thought that the GF would more than suffice.

Peter, with the Hexar, the drawback is the slow shutter of 1/250. Up at that height and amount of light, will this be an issue (I only have a yellow filter).

Thanks for the sharing guys!

 

[FrozenInTime]

Redundancy protects against failure and accidental damage : so I would go with the GF670 and M3 with 25,50 ; that also gets you a wide angle into the mix.

 

[Spicy]

GF670 for static shots, Hexar AF for dynamic stuff.

M3s and lenses are rather heavy to be using as a backup for the Hexar AF, though having a mechanical backup is ideal if your primary is battery dependent. My personal option would be a Rollei 35S or 35SE (or even two XAs) as backup for the 670, but that would completely rework your setup (and I hate it when someone asks a question about X kit and everyone suggests "Buy Y/Z.")

 

[benji77]

I also have the Olympus 35RC in my arsenal to add if I want the Hexar AF + GF combo...

 

[Addy101]

Guess I'm with Peter S. Batteries are cheap and light, just take some spares and you're okay.
If you bring all, you either use your M3 or your Hexar, they're too close in capabilities (know that, been there). So, do you want to do AF or RF? The RF might be kicked off by rough handling with the M3, but it wouldn't worry me too much, but others will disagree. The advantage of the M3 to me would be the option of a wide next to a normal, but I think the convenience of AF is paramount and I would go with the Hexar. Just my €0,02 😉

 

[Addy101]

Thank you guys, I'd never thought that the GF would more than suffice.

Peter, with the Hexar, the drawback is the slow shutter of 1/250. Up at that height and amount of light, will this be an issue (I only have a yellow filter).

Thanks for the sharing guys!

Get a ND filter? They're easy to get, weighs nothing....

 

[benji77]

It seems that the Hexar gets more 'ticks' the more I contemplate. I would skip on the external lightmeter (Sekonic 308) as well, simplifying the things I have to think/do while hiking.

Peter, will a 25mm come in hand in the towns, though I only have 1-2 days there for the whole trip.

 

[Peter_S]

where are you going....Karakol? I used a 21mm there (I had a Contax G2 setup) with some success. I cannot work well with more than 2 focal lengths on a trip, but surely that is subjective.
The 1/250 limitation I had not thought of, true....but as suggested, a ND filter might work.

I recently had to do make
the same choice...took the GF670, a G1 + 21mm plus the Leica X2. Well, the result were inconsistent, no focal length I used to its fullest. The problem is behind the camera, but two cameras would have helped to focus.

The GF670 demands a backup, it is not the sturdiest camera, so only that camera is tempting, but something I would do. The Hexar seems like a compliment and backup at the same time. You could take the M3 and the 25mm....but before you know it, the second lens goes back into the bag.


KISS...keep it simple,...

(I shot some projects entirely with the T3 or X2 after Ms stopping to work. The limitations I faced all of a sudden required rethinking and some of my best images are from these projects).

 

[benji77]

Yup, Karakol. I heard they have some sort of huge bazaar, and I am thinking that should present a wonderful opportunity with a 25mm, as well as portraits.

I hear you about the KISS, and I think I should take it seriously as it will really help me focus on enjoying, rather than worrying about what to use.

Maybe I should push it -

GF + M3+25 + Hexar. I will be walking only 7-9hr a day, dont be a wuss benji! Haha

 

[Peter_S]

It has a bazaar....huge is a bit exaggerated, but nevertheless it is nice!
If a 25mm is needed for that, is up to you to decide. I used the 21mm there, but really, a 35mm would have been just as good, wide angle images quickly become really busy on bazaars. you could use the M3 in Karakol, and head to the mountains (west Tien Shan?) with the GF670 and Hexar?

Personally, for the Tien Shan 35mm are ideal..21/25mm can make the mountains look small and far away, and often they do not fit onto 50mm FOV.

I would try to focus on the GF670' given the absurd image quality, and take a compliment and backup. Why not take three more rolls of 120 and hit the bazaar with the GF670?

 

[benji77]

Wow these are great tips Peter, thank you so much.

 

[Peter_S]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ps_photo/sets/72157626113350708/ maybe this helps a bit to decide?