Choosing a Leica to take to China.

[mutikonka]

After several weeks of procrastinating, I have decided to take my Leica IIIa to China as my main camera for a trekking trip around Kham. I expect to be using it mostly with an Elmar 35/3.5, which I find is the most useful focal length for my mix of landscapes and people pics (and I love the retro look images it produces). I will also be taking a 50/2.8 Elmar for portraits and a Canon 28/2.8 for landscape work. The reason I settled on the Leica IIIa over my Leica R7 was size - the whole kit fits easily in my jacket pockets, carried in snap lock plastic bags. My Leica R7 is technically way ahead, of course, but there's no way I could carry the body and three lenses around and have them 'handy' when those sudden picture opportunities arise.
I also thought about bringing my Leica IIIg but decided I didn't want to risk it in the mountains or in the guesthouses there ... if I lose the IIIa it's not TOO painful to replace. And maybe it's just my model, but the IIIa feels just a bit more solid than the IIIg.
The other advantage of using the IIIa is that I won't need to worry about batteries for it. The disadvantage is that the flash options are very limited - so I must admit I am bringing a Leica Minilux as a backup. I will be posting the results in January at my photoblog, In the Footsteps of Joseph Rock.

 

[dufffader]

Good you're settling on a III series. I now work in China and when I travel around the countryside, I MUST bring my M Leicas along with me. Old lens with low contrasts will fit in nicely.

In the countryside, its as though the whole place is 30-40 years behind the urban areas, so a gritty film like Tri-X in Rodinal will do very very well as well. I've tried films that are more finer grain and smoother, but the look is just not really there.

 

[Avotius]

At this time of year I would use a medium contrast lens (or a digital camera) this is not the most ideal time to be visiting these areas but you will be fine with a little grit. Since you will be more towards the Sichuan Aba/tibetan areas I suggest heavy duty shoes, most transportation through that area right now is spotty at best. Also in the countryside areas expect really bright sun, ie, be EXTREMELY careful of holes in your shutter! My friend burned a hole in his jacket from light going through his FM2 in the Aba area. Also if you have a tele lens, bring it, some of the landscape is so expansive that you have to have a tele of some sort, also some of the ethnic groups there (especially the nomads that raise horses) can be very weary of pictures. http://www.flickr.com/photos/avotius/sets/72157594502945008/ here are some pictures from one of my trips to that area (in September). Good luck and looking forward to seeing something.