Help!!! Trapped On An Island For 4 Months- What Camera!?!

[spysmart]

Remember, that if you are flying, the camera around your neck, and the lenses in your coat pocket don't add to your allowance. 🙂

As your main camera, take what you have already, and know, the Xpan, 30,45 and 90.

For fun, friends and swimming consider swapping the A1 for a small e.g. canon, digital compact and waterproof housing . This will also give you a set of photos to look at on your laptop, and e-mail back home.

 

[ch1]

Anyone else notice that there are two threads here with identical title! 😕

 

[doubs43]

ANY camera will work...... as long as a beautiful young nymph is attached to it! 😀

Walker (Now officially a dirty old man!)

 

[HamSW]

The discontinued Canon s70 powershot has a dedicated Canon u/watercase and seems to be pretty well discounted in light of the s80. It is a pretty useful camera. I d def take a quality digi so i could get some feedback on what I was shooting.

Never mind the camera - dont forget any combo of cards, backgammon, chess, dice, curry powder, cook book, tabasco, marmite/vegemite, yeast, shakespeare, tolstoy, Graves (I, Claudius etc.). I guess given the destination you have to have some Darwin. A book about homebrew as well!

Good Luck!!

P.s. - take a pen and an exercise book - looking back at a handwritten journal in years to come will amaze you in a way that e-blog diaries never can.

 

[jan normandale]

Fuji / Kodak one use disposables and sunblock. KISS principal.

 

[drmatthes]

Being trapped on an island, I'd prefer something really simple. I would suggest a 1950 Taxona or a 1938 Tenax (24x24 mm on 35 mm film) with pure guesstimation of distance and exposure, plus a lot of 35 mm film, let's say Classic 100 Pan by fotoimpex, that can be developed in black tea or something. A large format cam from 1845 with wet collodium technology would do the better, with the equipment and a light-tight tent on your shoulders, like the pioneers would have done 150 years ago. This will work under any cirumstances even today, but takes you the way Fox Talbot went, being a chemist, an artisan, a linguist, a general genius. Well, we are, aren't we...?

Jesko

 

[drmatthes]

... conventional photography is fruitcake. Let's go fruitcake...

 

[pbjbike]

A Bessa L and 21mm V/C lens would also be a great tool to have along. At $75 for the body, who cares if it gets fouled up in the elements 😉.

 

[jano]

Anyone else notice that there are two threads here with identical title! 😕

I was wondering what happened to my post...

 

[pbjbike]

There're is more than one thread with this header...

 

[xpandebt@9%]

Remember, that if you are flying, the camera around your neck, and the lenses in your coat pocket don't add to your allowance. 🙂

As your main camera, take what you have already, and know, the Xpan, 30,45 and 90.

Crafty solution, which would work on commercial flights. However, I was already asked how much I weigh, and I told her without embellishment. Then she told me about the 40lb limit for non-body-weight "stuff." I said something smart like, "I should have told you I weighed more," and her retort was that she's going to weigh everything (including me) on a scale before I get on the plane because every pound is accounted for on this twin-engine four-seater. I might plea with her that she should have pity on me for my photography addiction. Call it a "photographer's handicap." (Handicapped people need accomodation, right?)

I am liking yours and others' advice to take my XPan because it's what I have, and what I like. There have not been any really great reasons (other than weight) for ditching this camera. I'm worried about the weight of the camera, batteries, lenses, and loads of film.

I may end up with the above, plus my laptop for the new digital underwater p&s (plus lots of ebooks, music, hmm... what else should I bring on it?) comprising half of my 40lbs limit. I am really liking that idea because of the variety of functionality. I can also use the digital p&s with manual focusing and other selections to approximate the scene. This will help me determine specific measurements for my "real" XPan image (I'm still an amateur). I can see how that strategy would help me cut down on the need for bracketing or other film-intense practices, and would help me to make very specific photographs. Call it a swiss-army-camera that provides secondary metering capability. Theoretically I could cut my film weight down by, what, 1/4? 1/3? 1/2? Of course, I would need to test out how the digital p&s meter and capabilities compare to the XPan before I go so I don't get back with all under or over exposed images.

What do you guys (gals? are there even any here?) think?

 

[ChrisN]

Interesting approach!

How does the widest-angle capture with the P&S compare with the wide view of the xpan? (As a tool for planning xpan photos.)

 

[xpandebt@9%]

Interesting approach!

How does the widest-angle capture with the P&S compare with the wide view of the xpan? (As a tool for planning xpan photos.)

Well, I don't have it yet, but I was tipped off by another member in the direction of Pentax's W10. I gravitated towards the XPan from years of longing for pan images that I "saw," but was unable to fulfill with a standard format 35mm, so I guess I am confident about composition, but I am still inexperienced/learning about the finer technicalities in "making" an image. I am thinking more of the technical side of planning for f/stop, exposure, and dof to use the p&s as an initial guide, since I won't be able to bring a ton of film, and I won't have any feedback from developed film for the 4 month stay. The W10 p&s is at the top of my list, based on suggestions so far, and what I have read about the camera- it does have some manual functions that would help me, I think. (An important aside I just thought of: anybody know about image/lens quality of a Pentax?) I guess my biggest worry is repeating the same mistake without the developed film/digital feedback to fix the problem inevitably due to my lack of experience.

I'm just trying to think of ways to make my equipment multifunction so I can bring the weight down. Otherwise, I would bring more film (to experiment with), equipment like a light meter, etc. As it is, I'm thinking my usual experimentation and learning habits will be quashed if based on one camera alone. I guess my more recent images have given me more confidence in taking fewer pictures if necessary, but I still have the urge to take additional frames to experiment.

😕 I've been wondering another thing... how many rolls of velvia 100f 36exp do all of you think I should bring? I would like to use one type of film to buy in bulk cheap(er). Keep in mind that the XPan gives ~ 20-21 pans on 36exp.

I have thought of a project I once read about where a guy went on a month-long hike and only made one image per day! Should I be considering this, since that would get me ~ 120 images? Or am I crazy for even entertaining the idea? It would certainly make me (force me) to analize EVERY shot! Plus, I would still take plenty of digital p&s'.

...hmph... after reading it again, considering the possibilities, "once-in-a-lifetime-experience" comment made earlier... it just sounds like a stupid idea. I need to pack as much velvia as possible. They say there's no bad idea when brainstorming, but...

 

[Pherdinand]

4 months on an artifficial island in the middle of the pacific...
Bring a girl!!!
Of course, that might be difficult with the 40 pounds weight limit (how much is that, 20 kg?)

 

[xpandebt@9%]

By the way, keep up the "other" equipment suggestions if you so choose in the poll. Even though I am leaning towards my XPan with a digital underwater p&s, I still pay close attention to those others- you may convince me otherwise! I still have roughly 17 days to make final decisions!

Grayhoundman- I would bring spare batteries for the XPan, but probably only two sets more (4x CR2). If I get and bring the Pentax W10, it comes with a charger, but I don't know how much that weighs, and a replacement/additional battery costs $50.

doubs43- I have a one-in-eleven chance to discover a "beautiful young nymph" on Tern Island. But if there so happens to be, I will try to post a shot or two in the thread so you can get your newfound "syndrome" fix.

HamSW- I checked Canon's site, and they don't have any dedicated underwater cameras that I saw, but they have a huge selection of u/w housings for their collection of cameras. I don't think I can afford to buy them separately right now (I checked eBay's completed listings and they're about $300 or more without the housing), but I like the idea of a full dSLR with underwater housing for the "someday" list. Thanks for the tip. I like the books/journal ideas. This could be another way my laptop will multifunction, since I have a whole list of ebooks (including Darwin and other classics) that I just don't get around to reading. Don't worry, I'm not into the whole blogging thing, but I could keep journal entries on my laptop. I will assume they have plenty of games to pass the time already there, but I am naturally comfortable with solitude.

jan- I don't exactly know the KISS principle, but the disposables sure would add-up fast in the weight category! They assured me not to bring sunblock- they have plenty. You and my mom think alike in both areas!

pbj- Thanks for the "cheap" idea, I really like it. I need to keep my cameras to two or less, and I really like the idea of pan/std capabilities enough to chance a malfunction to the XPan. BUT! I may look further into your suggestion before leaving.

Pherdinand- I wish. And Google says: 40 pounds = 18.1436948 kilograms. Not quite, huh?

 

[ruben]

It's worse than you imagine.
What if your ship sinks and you get really trapped into an unknown island, with all those strange animals and vegetation ?
Therefore avoid the suffering and cancel the trip.
Any way keep us posted, otherwise we may form a Rescue RFF Team.

Cheers,
Ruben

PS: Don't forget to take a lot of matches, carefully packaged within a waterproof sealed plastic bag. It may take us some time (polls, threads, sponsor funding, etc).

 

[xpandebt@9%]

cbass & dostacos- Thanks for the underwater suggestions! I don't know, dostacos, your setup looks H E A V Y ! I definitely am following up on the Pentax idea- I found they have a newish 6 megapixel 3x optical zoom (std) for $270 with rebate new. I LOVE the Panasonic's 12x zoom capability, and the huge screen, but if I get the digital for this trip, then I think I should get underwater capability on the cheap. Do you know of a cheapish (price ~$250-300, not cheap quality) dedicated underwater digital with higher optical zoom capabilities?

I will definitely enjoy the trip, that's why I'm doing all the freaking out and obsessing now. Once I get there I live in the moment with what I have. I won't have any regrets about what I bring along. That said, I'm a researcher/planner. My philosophy: foresight is 20/20.

 

[xpandebt@9%]

Oh, one more thing for now...

I discovered the "perfect" sub-2lbs (actual weight: 0.86kg/1.9lbs) fully-functional, semi-eye-level tripod. This would be the Velbon MAX-i 343E. http://www.velbon-tripod.com/maxi.htm

It's also ~$70 (cheapish) here: http://www.minitripods.com/Velbon_MAXi_343E.html

Has anybody used this one? If so, what's your personal review? Do any of you recommend a better/lighter/more dependable travel tripod? I think I would like the stability for the slow speed lenses and my shaky hands in possibly windy conditions on the island. I like the idea of carbon fiber tripods, but they're waaaay too expensive unless you know of one that can beat the above price.

 

[xpandebt@9%]

It's worse than you imagine.
What if your ship sinks and you get really trapped into an unknown island, with all those strange animals and vegetation ?
Therefore avoid the suffering and cancel the trip.
Any way keep us posted, otherwise we may form a Rescue RFF Team.

Cheers,
Ruben

PS: Don't forget to take a lot of matches, carefully packaged within a waterproof sealed plastic bag. It may take us some time.

😀 Hilarious! But I wouldn't have too much faith in a "Rescue RFF Team." That would be like hearding cats! Who has ever heard of a team of cats? You're all too cool to be bothered with getting your paws wet. I'm doomed if my plane crashes and I somehow survive the crash.

😕 Speaking of unpleasant conditions, have any of you had experience with using a rain/weatherproofing cover on an XPan? I just found the Op/Tech neoprene hood hats and pouches, and the Kata covers, but haven't used anything like them. http://www.newprouk.co.uk/ and www.kata-bags.com They seem to be fairly inexpensive and super lightweight. Is it worth the bother? Is there a brand of weatherproofing cover that works with a rangefinder without blocking/covering the RF prism? I can't find one online, but the kata ones use a lot of clear plastic in the design. Maybe it would work?

P.S. I vaguely recall something about an around the world rangefinder camera... how does that work? I think we can receive/send mail once per month on the island.

 

[ruben]

😀 ...P.S. I vaguely recall something about an around the world rangefinder camera... how does that work? I think we can receive/send mail once per month on the island.

I think it was the first out of factory Leica Dr Barnack sent it around the world lifted from an air balloon, still roaming around.


PS: Never underestimate people like us, brother, capable to wear outdoors such junky film cameras. After all, from all your acquintances, it was here where the idea of a rescue mission was rised. And in case our sponsors fail, we still have members absolutely happy with their new ZI's, M-7s' and Epsons (the later have additional potential for the Emergency Sattelite Telecommunication stuff). Have you noticed it ?