3 Camera or 2 - A hike in Kyrgyzstan

[benji77]

Fwah....I am floored. Excellent series Peter!

 

[Peter_S]

Thanks, Benjamin! I hope you can make good decision.
This treat actually motivated me to rescan some of the images from that trip 🙂

 

[Spanik]

Well I'd take 2 reliable bodies that can use the same lenses so I have either 2 types of film, 2 lenses at the ready or a spare body around. But probably only 1 type of film and more than enough of it. And batteries to spare. Maybe a digital p&s as well.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

You don't need AF with 25ZM. 🙂

 

[Vics]

M3 and 50 and 25. Take the L308s. Enjoy that beautiful place! I did a flickr search and was blown away!

 

[benji77]

You don't need AF with 25ZM. 🙂

That's true! Hmmm...this sets me thinking.....

M3 and 50 and 25. Take the L308s. Enjoy that beautiful place! I did a flickr search and was blown away!

Haha..it seems I keep throwing myself at the walls in a hall. One end says M3 + 2 lens, while the other says Hexar. And in the ceiling, it writes in bold TAKE THEM ALL YOU FOOL....on the floor it says....ARE YOU SURE, cant you KISS it?

 

[Peter_S]

It was after Kyrgyzstan I decided to go MF. Big landscape, big negative 😉

 

[BillBingham2]

And now for something completely different.......

Go out an buy a GF670W and leave the rest home. Take lots of film.

Pick up a great Leica LTM, get it CLAed, put the 25 on it and take the GF670 and the LTM/25.

Another option is to leave the Konica home and take the rest. The Konica's strengths are not an issue where you are going.

 

[gudlagoba]

My advice, take one camera and a couple of lenses. I went to Everest Base Camp earlier this year and I carried way too much camera equipment. I had my Horizon S3 Pro, a TLR, and a digital p&s. It was just too much to haul around. After a few days lugging all the cameras in my backpack, I ended up putting the rollei and its assortment of filters into the big bag carried by the porter which made it unavailable when needed.

I am planning to go to Nepal again next year for the Annapurna trek and I will not make the same mistake. I'll either go with one medium format camera or one 35mm but not both.

 

[Paul Jenkin]

As I understand it, Henri Cartier-Bresson shot most of his life with one body and a 50mm lens. It's remarkable what you can do with limited resources. Unless you can take replacement batteries, I wouldn't take the Konika (as sweet a camera as it is). I'd go with the M3 and a couple of lenses. The MF would be an interesting "back up" but I'd use it sparingly for special shots that you just can't get with a 35mm.

 

[Bruno Gracia]

As I understand it, Henri Cartier-Bresson shot most of his life with one body and a 50mm lens. It's remarkable what you can do with limited resources. Unless you can take replacement batteries, I wouldn't take the Konika (as sweet a camera as it is). I'd go with the M3 and a couple of lenses. The MF would be an interesting "back up" but I'd use it sparingly for special shots that you just can't get with a 35mm.

+10000000


35 and 50 pretty much enough what You need.

 

[benji77]

Hi guys, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have another week before departure, and I have decided to go for convenience in selection. I end up with -

GF670 + Hexar AF.

This way, I avoid an external light meter and a slightly lighter set up as compared to an M3 or M2. I hope I don't change my mind at the last minute though. The Hexar fits into a Domke side pouch, and the GF in a Domke 5XB.

I would love a M3 + 25 + 50, but I think for this time round, I have to be more practical in gear selection and enjoy the hike more than shooting.

 

[benji77]

Inspired by ktmrider's sharing on his results from his choice of gear in his trip to Europe, I am sharing my story here as well 🙂

I ended up with the Fuji GF670 & the Konica Hexar AF. Both never skipped a beat, except for the 4th morning where the (40-60) roll (prior the trip)battery in the Hexar AF decided to die.

Some images here 🙂

Hexar AF

Fuji GF670

 

[undercharged]

Stunning shots!

I'd take something less valuable to a place like Kyrgyzstan. Zorki-4 and Moskva-5 maybe.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

You made it!

I would take Moskva-5 to nowhere I'm going to take pictures.

 

[ktmrider]

Never thought I would be an inspiration. Now live by KISS or keep it simple, stupid for travel.
Funny, it is pouring here in Florence but out with umbrella and M9. Did ok but X100 would have been easier.

 

[benji77]

Thanks much for the kind words guys! Yes I am back 😉
I had no regrets with the gear I brought. It was a good balance of load & image quality, which is a key factor for me.

Hexar with Portra 160

 

[jdriffill]

Hi Ben -- sounds a great trip. Great images. All best, John