Extreme Environments - Body & 21mm lens(es)

[mgilbuena]

Hostile environments are quickly becoming my preferred venue for photography. They represent the most extreme environments that very few venture; for me, they also present a natural beauty and appreciation for the destructive forces of nature.

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Last year, I attended Burning Man: a week-long event in the Nevadan desert. Corrosive, alkaline dust coats everything. In fact, the use of sunblock is not necessary as the dust coats one's skin! My equipment consisted of the following:

Holga, Plastic lens​

2 stop red filter​

Tri-X 400​

Holga, Plastic lens​

2 stop ND filter​

E100VS cross-processed​

Sony Nex-3​

Voigtlander Super-wide Heliar 15mm f/4.5 M​

For this year, and for my other escapades, I would like to build a 21mm kit that is small, able to withstand extreme temperatures, and is resilient to dust. While the Nex-3 and Heliar performed spectacularly, dust impacted the sensor through gaps in my helicoid M/nex adapter and was a clone tool nightmare in post.

I have a preference for using film. The Nex-3 requires corner fix when used with the super-wide Heliar. I also would like to avoid this.

I own a Leica M6TTL, M8, a IIF and the Nex-3. I also own a Nikon FM2 and the N80. I don't want to cover my camera in plastic. It needs to be accessible and useable. Many on this forum praise the cleanliness (or inversely, the worn paint) of their Leicas. However, I would love to hear from those who have pushed their Leicas within extreme working conditions.

For lenses, the CV 21 f/4 and f/1.8s appeal to me. I also like the Leica 21 f/3.4 or f/2.8. I do not own Zeiss lenses, but my impressions are that they are high contrast lenses and may not work well in high-contrast, desert (or snow) situations. Am I wrong? Lastly, the current asking price for the Summilux 21mm would have me keep the lens in a treasure box..

As for bodies, if none of the bodies above could survive (I rather my Leica viewfinders not become terrariums for dust), what are the impressions of the Voigtlander L/T or Zeiss Ikon for rough handling? Another option? As the locations to which I will travel may be remote, I would prefer to decrease weight by having a built-in meter or by utilizing the meter on my iPhone.

I am a photographer first and appreciate the beauty of the cameras second; I have no plans to sell my kit.

I eagerly await your replies...and hopefully, see some photos of very dirty Leicas!! 🙂

 

[FrankS]

Whatever 21mm outfit you settle on, be sure to include a Nikonos (V) camera with 35mm lens to fall back on while you are in one of those extreme environment situations.

 

[cosmonaut]

Maybe you should try this.
http://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-Wate...1722&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+nex+waterproof+case

 

[kokoshawnuff]

I thnk your M6 might be ok; I know the M3/M2/M4 have sealed viewfinders (i dont know about the other cameras before M7/MP) and sand won't get in there (probably). Though I wouldn't for a second hesitate taking my M7 to burning man, which doesn't have a sealed VF

 

[sepiareverb]

G2 & 21? The G2 is quite rugged, tho with desert dust I'm not sure how the 21 will do. No hood to collect it at least- and it is hard to make flare. I've used the G2 in all kinds of situations, including grain elevator dust, but not desert dust. The G21 viewfinder is accurate, well sealed and rugged. The G2 will give you plenty of leeway for exposure- which the M6 will not- the 1/1000 limit WILL bite you in the desert.

The G21 is among the best wides EVER computed for 35mm.

 

[Lax Jought]

Last year, I attended Burning Man: a week-long event in the Nevadan desert. Corrosive, alkaline dust coats everything. In fact, the use of sunblock is not necessary as the dust coats one's skin!

Great photos there. In a situation like that I would just keep a single lens on the camera and not remove it through the whole time I'm there.

On the lens I'd probably have a protective UV/IR filter or something along those lines and never remove that either. If I needed to attach an ND filter, I'd attach it over the UV/IR filter.

 

[Archlich]

You already have the very robust FM2, for which you can get many decent 20mm lenses.

 

[mgilbuena]

Great ideas and thoughts here; thanks for sharing. The FM2 definitely has crossed my mind!

I'd love to hear more from those who subjected their cameras to abuse and the resulting photos that were found in the back.

 

[Dazey]

Interested to see the answers to this as am thinking of heading to the Europe version (Nowhere festival) this year. I do have the 21mm 1.8 and a zeiss Ikon, the lens is heavy for an RF lens but otherwise its been good. Expecting to take my D3 as well though, but taking the Ikon and the Nex could be an option.

 

[haempe]

My festival kit is:
Bessa L with 25/4 snapshot skopar +
Bessa R with 50/1.5 Jupiter 3

This works very well for me (4th year now) and would be a bearable loss if somethings happend.

 

[pvdhaar]

As for bodies, if none of the bodies above could survive (I rather my Leica viewfinders not become terrariums for dust), what are the impressions of the Voigtlander L/T or Zeiss Ikon for rough handling? Another option?

I've used a Voigtlander Bessa-T in the snow while skiiing. The camera itself held up nicely, no problems in the cold and snow, no problems with being knocked around. Downside though was that I almost immediately lost an external finder, it just slid out of the accessory shoe. That's the first thing to take care of; wedge a bunch of gaffa-tape under the finder so that it really sticks in the shoe.

Then when it comes to fine dust.. not sure how the T would handle that.. but I have my doubts. The rewind crank, shutter dial and shutter button (open cable release socket), they seem like weak spots to me. Unfortunately it's not practical to tape them over.