Camera for Afghanistan

[gavinlg]

Bring a couple of Olympus Mju's.

Sharp lens, AF-everything and theres even a 28-80 zoom version. Size of a pack of smokes and nobody will take you serious until you show the first prints.

I second this. The 35mm lens is excellent too.

 

[jonasv]

jeez Ray! let's see more

What he said!

 

[Turtle]

I'd take the M and 35mm wthout a shadow of a doubt. You'll find little it cannot do and much less annoying than a Ricoh GR1 with its autofocus, noises and quirks.

Should be fine in your pack. You could always wrap it in neoprene and wrap some clothes around it in a location it wont move or be near the surface.

Dust wont be an issue. My MP (unsealed finder) got some dust inside, but its no issue in use. The other selaed VFs are fine.

 

[boomguy57]

I like the idea of a Holga...I also have an XA2 which is great for throwing in my ruck or cargo pocket on the ABU's. It's small and unobtrusive.

Fast film is a definite, it will be bright as hell with the sand and sun.

I might be tempted to grab a cheap Bessa R3a/m and a lens. That way if the body gets destroyed you aren't out a ton of money or your favorite camera. Just a thought, but most everything comes back from the desert totally wrecked.

 

[MartinP]

I think you can forget the Olympus Mju. It defaults to flash-on and needs two fingernail pushes to turn that off. This is not do-able in gloves.

Apart from a "disposable" old SLR the Nikonos (IVa or V)** would do the job. Use the 35mm amphibious lens and don't forget the special grease, as dry o-rings are more likely to get broken.

** See post 19, above

 

[Turtle]

Zip loc bags defeat desert conditions every time.

I've shot my M in dust storms and not had any issue apart from some dust in the VF. not saying it cannot be a problem with a M, but a CLA can clean out dust if you do have a major influx. Most of the time just shielding the camera a little will ensure the dust just wipes off. If in extremely fine dust, i.e. like powder paint, only fully sealed cameras will keep the dust out.

Holgas are great, but perhaps not the best choice if you want to get reliable results every time in a short space of time.

 

[Don Parsons]

I wouldn't take any bessa, they're notorious for alignment issues.

I'd take a Nikon, probably a FM or FM2 and a MJU II.

That being said, I wouldn't even bother with film. I took a small Sony PnS when I went (flying) around the world and it did 95% of what I needed a camera to do. Of course, I had access to electriciy to charge the battery but never had to worry about the heat, dust or banging it up.

YMMV.....

 

[boomguy57]

Maybe a user M6 or something then? Or even a meterless...sunny 16 should work fine.

 

[boomguy57]

Then again, if you're there for a long time, it might not be worth carting film. Depends on how much you can carry. How much film are you planning to bring?

 

[KoNickon]

Man, that offer of a Nikonos IV-A and 35mm is perfect. Ideal camera for dusty conditions like Afghanistan. The less complications the better. The camera works without batteries as well at 1/90.

 

[Vincent.G]

I will take the Nikon and leave the Leica at home.

 

[Turtle]

I've been shooting Leicas in Afghanistan for six years. Unless you are intent on playing in the dust, or want to shoot endless pictures beneath hovering helicopters, there is no need to get worried. Just bring the camera you want to bring and take some simple precautions in transit and placky bags in case there is severe dust or sandstorms.

 

[emraphoto]

Zip loc bags defeat desert conditions every time.

I've shot my M in dust storms and not had any issue apart from some dust in the VF. not saying it cannot be a problem with a M, but a CLA can clean out dust if you do have a major influx. Most of the time just shielding the camera a little will ensure the dust just wipes off. If in extremely fine dust, i.e. like powder paint, only fully sealed cameras will keep the dust out.

Holgas are great, but perhaps not the best choice if you want to get reliable results every time in a short space of time.

the weather sealing bit can often be a bit of 'over sell'. i have put consumer grade digital cameras through serious punishment, from extended periods of 100% humidity in a jungle to war zones in desert climate and have never had one totally bight the dust on me. i seriously doubt i would ever buy a multi-thousand dollar camera ever again.

ziplocs are an absolute must in my bag.

please don't turn this statement in to a rule. just sharing experience.

 

[emraphoto]

I've been shooting Leicas in Afghanistan for six years. Unless you are intent on playing in the dust, or want to shoot endless pictures beneath hovering helicopters, there is no need to get worried. Just bring the camera you want to bring and take some simple precautions in transit and placky bags in case there is severe dust or sandstorms.

more experience folks. dig it

 

[fotomeow]

Man, that offer of a Nikonos IV-A and 35mm is perfect. Ideal camera for dusty conditions like Afghanistan. The less complications the better. The camera works without batteries as well at 1/90.

true, but the Nikonos are heavy cameras!

 

[Rogier]

true, but the Nikonos are heavy cameras!

Great for self defense 😎

Cary it over a vital organ, it will stop a bullet... 😱

 

[KoNickon]

Folks, he's in the service -- taking special precautions about a camera may be pretty low on the priority list. (And a Nikonos might well stop a bullet where others won't.)

 

[emraphoto]

I assure a Nikonos won't stop a round from a Kalishnikov.

 

[emraphoto]

Redirect maybe

 

[Overkill-F1]

A Nikonos III would be my suggestion, smaller than the IV or V, totally manual camera with no batteries. Tough as nails!
...Terry