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[amoz]

Hi all

You might remember my Congo report after a five week stay (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61862). I will be going back in January, for six months this time.

I would like to get your thoughts on gear and such. As of now, I have an MP (with 35/2 and 75/2), a Bessa R2A (which I'd like to use for the 75mm --hence no need for changing lenses), and a Canon SLR that has been gathering dust for some time (but with two excellent lenses; the 50/1.4 and 135/2). People commented on my choice of slide film (I took velvia last time), most agreed on the choice of Tri-X for B&W.

I will definitely bring a rigid tripod this time (already have one), I noticed the need for it in the shadowy forest understory. I am tempted to buy a Mamiya 7ii with the 80/4.

I will be there during the rainy season, sleeping in a tent in the savanna vegetation and spending my days tracking bonobos in the forest. There will be someone from the local crew to help me carry my stuff --as I bring binoculars and some other heavy equipment as well.

If you have got some Central-Africa or other tropical experience, or if you just feel like dropping a comment: shoot! I have already learned a lot from this RFF community, and personally I really want to take things to a higher level with this new travel opportunity... Thought I should better be well prepared!

Thanks alot

 

[35mmdelux]

It really depends on what your willing to drag along. Where it me on such a trip, I would limit myself to what I could comfortably carry -- such as two Leicas and two lenses, forget the porter. Or, a Leica and a manual MF camera. I'd take 160 Porta, and some fast film, a light pod, and a small backpack.

 

[eli griggs]

Is there an adapter to use your Leica lenses on your Canon (FD)? If so, I'd add that, a Canon 50-55 macro and a small AA battery ring light, especially in light of the presence of a tripod.

If you carry a small 'hikers' solar panel for recharging batteries, you'll cut down on the number needed for the flash.

Eli

 

[waileong]

?

?

I live in the tropics, and I wouldn't want to be in the Congo for six months. But anyway...

It sounds like you have way too much equipment. I brought 2 bodies and 4 lenses and a monopod to Cambodia and my shoulder was already aching.

I have a Mamiya 6 with three lenses (50,80,150), and if I were to go to Cambodia again, I would use my Mamiya 6 as the primary camera and my M7 with 35/1.4 as a low light camera.

The Mamiya is handholdable to 1/8-- even better than the 1/15 typical for Leica-- because of its mass.

I would probably also bring my 24/2.8 lens. A wide angle is really useful.

Most importantly, filters to protect against the dust, and also for polarizing, grad ND, etc.

Hi all

You might remember my Congo report after a five week stay (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61862). I will be going back in January, for six months this time.

I would like to get your thoughts on gear and such. As of now, I have an MP (with 35/2 and 75/2), a Bessa R2A (which I'd like to use for the 75mm --hence no need for changing lenses), and a Canon SLR that has been gathering dust for some time (but with two excellent lenses; the 50/1.4 and 135/2). People commented on my choice of slide film (I took velvia last time), most agreed on the choice of Tri-X for B&W.

I will definitely bring a rigid tripod this time (already have one), I noticed the need for it in the shadowy forest understory. I am tempted to buy a Mamiya 7ii with the 80/4.

I will be there during the rainy season, sleeping in a tent in the savanna vegetation and spending my days tracking bonobos in the forest. There will be someone from the local crew to help me carry my stuff --as I bring binoculars and some other heavy equipment as well.

If you have got some Central-Africa or other tropical experience, or if you just feel like dropping a comment: shoot! I have already learned a lot from this RFF community, and personally I really want to take things to a higher level with this new travel opportunity... Thought I should better be well prepared!

Thanks alot

 

[amoz]

It really depends on what your willing to drag along. Where it me on such a trip, I would limit myself to what I could comfortably carry -- such as two Leicas and two lenses, forget the porter. Or, a Leica and a manual MF camera. I'd take 160 Porta, and some fast film, a light pod, and a small backpack.

That's some good advice. I will try the Portra before I leave, but I will want to bring some slide film as well.

Is there an adapter to use your Leica lenses on your Canon (FD)? If so, I'd add that, a Canon 50-55 macro and a small AA battery ring light, especially in light of the presence of a tripod.

If you carry a small 'hikers' solar panel for recharging batteries, you'll cut down on the number needed for the flash.

Eli

Thanks Eli. I have thought about macro opportunities, but I think I will go the rangefinder way. My Canon is an EOS 30, no FD mount.

I live in the tropics, and I wouldn't want to be in the Congo for six months. But anyway...

That made me laugh! I think I understand it, though. Things are shaken up politically (again), and a fierce conflict might be ahead in Kivu; physically as well it is going to be very hard. What can I say...

It sounds like you have way too much equipment. I brought 2 bodies and 4 lenses and a monopod to Cambodia and my shoulder was already aching.

I have a Mamiya 6 with three lenses (50,80,150), and if I were to go to Cambodia again, I would use my Mamiya 6 as the primary camera and my M7 with 35/1.4 as a low light camera.

The Mamiya is handholdable to 1/8-- even better than the 1/15 typical for Leica-- because of its mass.

Hey, I have only got the MP and the R2A really, plus to each its lens. 😎 As I am going to spend a lot of time there, I was thinking about a MF/Mamiya, but am undecided as of now. Thanks for your helpful comments. (The Canon will probably keep at what its been doing for the last two years: sitting in my closet. If only I'd have a real tele, I could aim for the apes!)

I would probably also bring my 24/2.8 lens. A wide angle is really useful.

Most importantly, filters to protect against the dust, and also for polarizing, grad ND, etc.

Hmmm... more stuff to add. I'll note it down. Have got some time left.

 

[waileong]

Hey, I have only got the MP and the R2A really, plus to each its lens.

You also wanted to bring a Canon FD + 2 lenses, which will be much heavier than Leica's.

I would not bring a 50/1.4, but if I needed the 50 focal length, would rather have a small 50 on my MP than a large 50 on my Canon. If I was bringing an SLR, I would rather bring a zoom since my MP would cover the primes. Maybe even a long zoom, say 100-300.

As for a wide angle, for travelling I would suggest small lenses. Say a 21/4 Voigtlander.

I would be much more concerned about humidity. A dry box with silica gel to keep all my precious lenses in at the end of each day would be important to me.

 

[maddoc]

I remember you mentioned about the risk of changing lenses over there (dust, humidity) so I would bring two bodies (MP + Bessa) and the two lenses. If you limit your film choices to two films, e.g. Tri-X and some color film, you can have your cameras always loaded with film and don't need to worry about changing lenses and films to much. Also, bringing two M bodies gives you some back up just in case .... (6 month is a long time).

Depending on how much films you plan to carry and the weight of the other equipment, I would think about some MF camera, like a cheaper Yashicamat 124 or better a MF folder. A MF folder should be very good for scenics (especially with a tripod).

Cheers,

Gabor

 

[Rogier]

You might consider taking a Nikonos V with you.
They are even waterproof down to 50 meters (170 ft) this will keep moisture and dust out. Might be handy if it gets really rough and wet...

 

[eli griggs]

amoz, if you want to use rangefinders only, I'll suggest you take only the MP and add a Leica IIIc,f,or g with a collapsable 50, small VC wide-angle and 135 of your choice, all with LTM to M adapters so all can be used on the larger M body as needed. I also strongly suggest you add a Leica M 50 DR Summicron with goggles for close-up work. These items will all complement your M system 100% and are small, reliable and very capable.

Although moisture can be a problem for the cell, I also suggest a battery free Weston Master IV or V, kept in a plastic container or baggie with some silicon. A back-up meter is important and battery free is battery independence.

For the future, I suggest you should think about a Canon F1n. It is very rugged and will allow you to access excellent glass from Canon FL-FD and other makers by-way-of adapters. I used one on Enewetak Atoll for six months, in the constance heat, moisture and salt spray of the reefs and it never once failed me. Being a Medic in the helo Dustoff unit, that camera was subject to many hours of aircraft vibration and violent sands blown-up by rotors as we landed and took off from those tiny islands, perhaps hundreds of times.

That same camera and another like it also spent considerable time in the Pacific NW rain forests and deserts of Yakima and Mohave as well as on the glacier of Mount Rainier. Other than carrying the battery inside my jacket against the cold, it was again flawless. I never had a case for this camera and I never felt I needed one.

Though I have had Canon F1N AEs for years and hold them dear, I do think the older F1n is a better choice for the work you're doing.

Cheers, Eli