Going to Bolivia, wich camera ?

[vha]

Going to Bolivia for 2 weeks for slacking, photography and seeing some local friends.
My insurance company would probably hate me for it but I´m taking either the Contax G2 or the Leica M6 with me, both of course with a 28mm lens🙂, and the XA goes automatically in the pocket.

So ?

Last time i was there i carried a Nikon FM with a typical 1 kg zoom lens, but this time I want to carry light, but then again the FM would bee cheaper to get stolen if it happens.

vha.

 

[FrankS]

Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each camera in the situation you're going to be in, and decide that way. G2 is more automated, M6 puts you in greater control. Which do you prefer?

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Take the M6. Less to go wrong. Batteries are tiny (and not really necessary). Will work after being submerged (don't try this at home/abroad) and dried out. Better viewfinder for a 28 (the G2 lenses are great and I love 'em but there is no denying that the VF is squinty when compared to the M6).

 

[Socke]

FrankS inspired me, as allways 🙂

So on the G2 you can autobracket with 4 frames per second, shoot moving objects at 4 fps with continues autofocus and shoot ISO400 in sunlight at f2.8 without an aditional ND filter and you can do fill flash with 1/200th.
If you wan't more controll, you can turn of AF and AE, but not the filmtransport, then you need a M6 :angel:

The M6 works without batteries and you have full controll, but you can't turn on automation.

I'd take both!

 

[FrankS]

Both. Of course! B+W and colour film.

 

[titrisol]

Take the g2, even though a 50mm lens would be nice too.

Film will be available there (mostly color), and I dunno what batteries the G2 takes, but take an extra set or three

 

[vha]

Thanks for the help this far, looks like its going in the direction of taking the M6, of course it would have been fun taking bout, but then i would really be over the limit of my travel insurance, and also I don´t like the idea of carrying cameras worth 1 year of income (in Bolivia) or so.

And I'm also travelling budget friendly, not more than 3 usd a night at the hostels I´m planing to stay at, this is how it goes when your buying leica lenses for your travelling budget 😉

vha

 

[Socke]

Have fun and show us the pictures!

I'm still arguing with myself if I'll stay at home with a new camera or travel to Brazil with the stuff I have 🙂

 

[Doug]

The Contax can "pass" for a cheap point'n'shoot digital, so that might be less tempting to a thief. Bit of tape over the "Contax" name... Also, it's much less costly to replace if necessary, and should deliver equal quality.

Socke, I'd suggest travel... have unforgettable experiences while you're young that you can embellish and relish later when you're old and feeble. 😀 Gear comes and goes...

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Thieves usually care less about cameras than about your money. Carry the M6 with. That's what I'd do, but don't sleep too far away from it!

Now... where in Bolivia are you going? Just curious... It's one of the places I'd like to go. In fact, I'd love to do the trip from Lima to Buenos Aires, as narrated in a Spanish American colonial book "Concolorcorvo."

 

[Stan98103]

Bolivia is a wonderful country, with beautiful scenery, lovely little towns, ornate cathedrals and wonderful people.

What are you planning to photograph?

Most people in Bolivia are extremely camera shy and do not wish to be photographed. This is unfortunate since you are likely to see more interesting faces in five minutes in any town in Bolivia than you would see wandering around all week at home. Always ask before attempting to take a photo of anyone and respect their wishes. If you don't speak Spanish, just look at the person and point to your camera, then wait for a reaction before you consider raising your camera to your eye.

If you are photographing scenery or architecture it is unlikely that there will be anything that you need to photograph at 4 fps with auto focus. The light at high altitude in Bolivia is extremely harsh at midday, and the good light at dawn and dusk doesn’t last very long that close to the equator. You may want to use a faster film at dawn or dusk. If you don’t finish the roll, a camera with faster shutter speeds than the M6 would allow you to continue shooting with 400 speed film at midday without an ND filter.

 

[richard_l]

Last time i was there i carried a Nikon FM with a typical 1 kg zoom lens, but this time I want to carry light, but then again the FM would bee cheaper to get stolen if it happens.

I don't think the FM is any heavier than the M6. You could take the FM with a couple of prime lenses. (I have a Nikkor 50mm/1.8 and a 28mm/3.5 which don't weigh much at all.) Leave the zooms at home.

 

[pvdhaar]

If I were going, I'd take the M6/28 combination. But being fond of the 50mm focal length, I'd look for a cheap collapsible 50 as well to take along.

 

[Frank Granovski]

A poor man's Leica would be best. 😎

 

[vha]

Thanks for the help, sadly i didn´t go to Bolivia .. had to end some projects, and I don´t like to just leave my friends stuck with work. Can´t help my self for it, but having vacation and knowing that they are working 24-7.
The good part is now i have a Elmar 2,8 50mm black waiting for me in Norway.

vha.