Antarctica - Input on Camera System / Focal Lengths

[pechelman]

It looks like it might happen for me Dec 2016 to make it to the "7th Continent".

Traveling light and with a very concise kit, is of very high priority for me here. Obviously there are some other requirements with camera gear deep down in the antarctic, e.g. extra batteries, waterproof bag, etc, but I have \ will have a handle on that side of things.

I have a lot of travel experience with my fujis. Generally the x100s 23mm focal length has been supplemented with the XF14mm and either the XF35/1.4 or XF56/1.2. However, I've become smitten with my m240 since getting it and have never been shooting more photos than anytime in my life. My last trip with the fujis really frustrated me with having to deal with 2 sets of spare batteries and chargers and charging basically every night. While a fuji battery will generally get me through 1-2 days of shooting the leica seems to get me through a week.

I will for certain also be bringing a small siriu tripod that has served me excellently everywhere I've taken it. SO, with all that said, what would you recommend I bring to Antarctica? Camera wise and focal lengths?

Right now I feel like I have narrowed to 2 general options;

1. XPro1 & XT1 with lots of batteries that I already have and the following lenses;
   XF14, XF35, XF56 (and maybe the XF18 since it's so small)
   I also have the options of 8mm Samyang, XF27, XF60
2. M240 with 2 extra batteries (would need to buy one more battery)
   21mm ContaxG Biogon, 50-1.5 Nokton-M, 90mm Elmarit-M (and maybe the 35/2.8 Summaron since it's so small)
   I also have the options of CV 28/2 & a Rigid Summicron (heavy!)
   I could also leave the CV50 at home and just bring the Summaron, but I think I'd miss 50mm more than 35mm here.

The astute reader will have already noticed that I'm a spare body short on the leica system, but that could be remedied by selling off the fuji gear or maybe even renting one for a few weeks for the trip.

Certainly the fuji's are more practical, I have everything I need to go right now, theyre lighter in weight, quicker to "grab the shot" (xt1 in particular), but their power efficiency for a place that's generally tough on power consumption is a bit worrisome to me.

Option 1 or 2?
Would you change focal lengths from those selected?
Would you bring the optional "since it's small lens"?

If I go with option 2, would you add\rent another m240 or a 246 or a 262?

 

[sevo]

Don't know about Antarctica, but in my experience Iceland in winter already means long lenses - you probably want even longer ones, as access to animals, mountains and anything prominent will be even harder or plain impossible, and snow/ice/glacier structures mostly look boringly flat when photographed from far with a wide. Not ideal rangefinder territory.

Unless Fuji and Leica have done something magical that sets them apart from Nikon LiIon rechargeables, expect batteries to last less than 1/4 the number of exposures they do at room temperature - even if you can charge, you will need at least twice the batteries you'd need at home, and a extra charger. If you have no access to charging power, two extra batteries won't even last for a extra day!

As far as a spare body is concerned, for the eventuality of no power access a manual film camera might do best as a backup - which in its turn is a argument in favour of the Leica.

 

[pechelman]

Vielen Dank, Sevo!

I'm not much of a telephoto shooter, so 85-100 is about where I stop and I have no desire to add longer lengths to either camera system. I would rather get wildlife in an "environmental portrait" than a super tight closeoup of the animal. Further, I have also been told by other visitors, that getting close to wildlife isnt really an issue since most of those animals have never\will never be hunted. While there is a regulation not permitting you to move to within ~20ft (i think) to disturb wildlife, there is however no limitation placed on the wildlife to approach and disturb you. hah! Regarding landscapes, it seems you can also get relatively close to icebergs in the zodiacs.

Regarding the batteries, I have a lot of experience with cold weather living in Colorado. I've been walking around with the same leica battery in my camera for the past month (and maybe 300 shots?) and still have 50%. I know I'd have gone through at least 1 or 2 fuji batteries in that time. It's never really gotten above 30-40F here.

 

[michaelwj]

I'd use what you want to use, sounds like you leaning toward the M system. If get a second body, as backup but also to keep a second focal length to save changing lenses as much.

While the modern aesthetic seems to be tele compression in Antarctica, a lot of the original photos were taken with normal focal lengths and look fantastic. I have a book on Captain Scott's lost photos, great shots taken with a folder of some sort. They give a really good feel to the landscape. I don't use long lenses either, I just don't like the photos I make with them, so I'd probably take a 21/35/50/90 kit, possibly without the 50.

I'm insanely jealous by the way. Enjoy the trip.

 

[Spanik]

Maybe not very kosher to point you to luminous Landscape, but they regulary go there and if I'm not mistaken they did an articla about what to take along and what type of whooting can be expected.

 

[Tijmendal]

Personally I would only take a rugged DSLR to a place like Antarctica. First of all because they're rugged, secondly because longer focal lengths are much easier to use.

If that's not an option, I'd go with the XT-1 and a nice kit of lenses.

 

[ferider]

How long, PM ? And how much hiking will you do ?

In any case, I were you, I would go with option 2 (only 21, 35 and 90), and take a film body as second body.

Sounds like a lot of fun !

Roland.

 

[Oscuro]

Galen Rowell took one (!) F4s with him on a polar trip. I wouldn't have the stones to do that. He laughed. Good guy. Died too young.

I run to the double back-up methodology myself. Went to the Canadian Arctic to do a polar bear piece and took two D3 bodies. Also had a D2 and D70. Never had to use the backups....

 

[pechelman]

How long, PM ? And how much hiking will you do ?
In any case, I were you, I would go with option 2 (only 21, 35 and 90), and take a film body as second body.

Sounds like a lot of fun !

Roland.

Thanks for the input. I hadnt considered film. Not sure I want to go that route just yet as I truly hate digitizing film, but I will give it consideration. Though for the cost of a film M, I may as well just deal with the extra batteries and get a well used M8 or M9 or a Leica-M to Fuji adapter on the XT1.

The trip is about 10 days, 4 of which involve crossing the drake passage. Hiking will be generally limited as permits usually only involve day landings. There is the opportunity (i think) for one overnight camping adventure. Other expeditions are not really available on this trip, and are usually much much (much!) more expensive and time consuming. More akin to going to Everest from what I understand. I'm a little disappointed in that, since I'm a big backcountry skier, but I just dont think it's realistic for me to try to add that to the list of gear to bring.

I'm also hoping for an extra bit of time down in SA to visit Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and\or Buenos Aires. Those are secondary photographic priorities, however. And what works in Antarctica will work in the first 2 and likely be fine for BA.

I'd use what you want to use, sounds like you leaning toward the M system. If get a second body, as backup but also to keep a second focal length to save changing lenses as much.

While the modern aesthetic seems to be tele compression in Antarctica, a lot of the original photos were taken with normal focal lengths and look fantastic. I have a book on Captain Scott's lost photos, great shots taken with a folder of some sort. They give a really good feel to the landscape. I don't use long lenses either, I just don't like the photos I make with them, so I'd probably take a 21/35/50/90 kit, possibly without the 50.

I'm insanely jealous by the way. Enjoy the trip.

The backup body is just as you say, to provide backup, but also reduce my much hated lens changing. Thanks for the input onto the past and present aesthetic, it's about where I am as well.

What's a bit odd is that I anticipate using the 90mm the least, yet it is definitely going in the bag. From there, I think all is up for grabs. I've gone on trips and shot a bunch at 21mm only to come home annoyed with how detached some of the pictures feel, but I cant rightly justify leaving it at home. The biogon-g is fantastic, light, small, and will provide a dramatic view of that penguin I'm hoping comes over to harass me. I generally like 35mm, but sometimes feel I struggle with it. 50's very natural for me but then I get concerned it's too big of a jump from the 21.

Obviously, other PJ's and the like have this issue solved already with a 28/50/90 kit, which is an option for me, just not sure I can give up the 21 for the 28 I have, which I got more of a street\reportage lens rather than something intended to take sharp landscapes (which it does OK imo). While I honestly love 28 FOV, I have a heck of time using the framelines at 28mm.

anyway, lots of time to think this through, but I do appreciate all the insight.


I'll only add that a DSLR is not in the cards at all.

 

[raid]

Galen Rowell took photos in the Antartica, and he recommended then the AF system over manual Nikon cameras. Avoid mechanical cameras. Get external power supply for the cameras. Keep it simple.

 

[tstermitz]

What Sevo said in the first post! I would add, make sure you have extra batteries, voltage converters, and multi-outlets. Euro-style as well as random international, as you never know what the ship will have.

This is not the place for a Leica, much as I appreciate that system for city walkabouts; you will be photographing weather, landscape, wildlife, iceberg details, shooting action from a rocking zodiac.

Seriously, rent a Nikon system with backup body, a couple of favorite primes, a zoom and some kind of a tele. Yes, the penguins are very tolerant, but that doesn't mean you can put yourself where you want to... what with nesting areas, rocky or snowy paths, etc.

- VR is essential if you are on a zodiac.
- Cold weather eats batteries.
- Wind puts dust spots on your sensor.

Personally, I'd take a Nikon 7200 with 70-200mm, and another body with 16-80mm. Some filters for weather/clouds.

 

[BillBingham2]

I'd go with the Leica and stick the XT with the 18 in the bag just in case. I'd think about the new 15 CV, that would give you 15, 28 and a 50. I might get a telezoom for the XT and an M adapter.

Just a thought.

B2 (;->

 

[RF-Addict]

I've been to Antarctica on a 2 week excursion a couple of years ago. I am sure you don;t want to hear this, but your gear is not made for that kind of environment. You need a DSLR and you do need a long lens - like it or not. The other consideration is the smell. Yep, penguin poop stinks to high heaven and the smell will stick to everything you bring to Antarctica, including your camera gear for a very long time.
My binoculars that I brought with me on that trip still have that foul smell.

Rent a DSLR with a couple of lenses (zoom lenses work best for versatility) and be done with it.

 

[ironhorse]

This interview with Martin Hartley is certainly worth a look.
https://youpic.com/learn/video/7/interview-with-martin-hartley
Sound like a fabulous trip.
Good luck!

 

[pechelman]

Well it finally happened.
My original departure of Dec 2016 was cancelled due to a problem with the boat and we were rebooked for Dec 2017. I wasn't sure it was really going to happen being we got caught up in the recent snow storm in Atlanta with a couple of cancelled flights, but we did make it, and had an AMAZING time. To say it "exceeded expectations" would be accurate but it was also such a surreal experience I'm not exactly sure how to describe it. I need more time to process it.

However, I thought I would come back to this thread to close the loop and report back on what I did, what worked for me, and maybe what I'd do different. And to share a few photos.

For gear, I traveled pretty light;
M240, M246, 28 summicron asph, 50 summilux asph, 90 elmarit-m, 2 spare batteries, a few filters, a regular billingham style camera bag, and a filson dry messenger back that I could fit my camera bag into for the zodiac crossings. It also allowed me to carry a spare layer when needed or to shed one on a warmer day.

I am not a wildlife photographer and really have no aspirations of being one or getting those photos, so I was fine only having 90mm. My goal was to capture a bit more "environmental portraiture" of the animals, document the trip / tell a story, and also just to have fun. Overall, I think what I brought did the trick for me. I wasnt anticipating using the 90mm as much as I did, but found it very useful. My shots ended up being about 40% / 40% / 30% between the 28 / 50 / 90, respectively. I also found I took a few more pictures than I was expecting, mostly because I was chasing shots of birds on the Drake or whales or something, but still came in around 2k pictures for the entire trip of ~2 weeks. (some of which was in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia)

For those people who told me I that I would absolutely want a much longer lens and a Nikon DSLR, well, I sort of did, but honestly, when the reality of that set it, I really am happy with what I had. If I were to be so fortunate enough as to return tot he continent, I'm not sure I'd change much in terms of gear. I might only take 2 lenses and bring a medium format film camera for giggles. I might pickup a aps-c mirrorless with a telephoto zoom. I might only bring a dslr with a 300mm prime. But really, I can't complain too much. I know I "missed" a few shots, but I had planned missing them so I could lower the camera and just enjoy what I was witnessing. Antarctica is an amazing place and photos dont really do it justice. I have had trouble capturing similar big landscapes in the US West before, but this is on another, and borderline, Unearthly scale. It is immense and humbling.

With all that said, I hope everyone has had a happy Christmas and would like to share a few photos. If anyone has any questions on my trip or is planning something similar please feel free to PM or email me (my rff username AT gmail). I may not see a reply to this thread.


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[Mackinaw]

Glad your trip finally came off. Stunning pics!

Jim B.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Yeow! Great! Who hasn't seen millions of pictures of penguins? I most like the second picture, just amazing.
Thanks.

 

[Doug]

Thanks for the update with all the interesting photos. Looks like a great experience!

 

[michaelwj]

Fantastic!

Thanks for the update (and pictures!), very much appreciated.

 

[pechelman]

Many thanks for the kind words everyone.

I thought of one more suggestion to anyone considering a similar trip with similar gear\photo goals. Consider forgoing bringing a long lens and instead take along a pair of binoculars (~7-10 power). I was able to use some on the bridge of the ship and on land and really enjoyed my time with them. Has me wanting to buy a pair now to have.