Leaving on Vacation Tomorrow

bmattock

bmattock

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All:

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I'm outta here for a week or so. Might be able to check in from the road, but doubtful.

My wife and I are driving from Wilson, NC to Baltimore, MD to pick up a Marine Corps buddy of mine and his wife, and then the four of us are driving up to Lancaster, PA. We'll stay there over the weekend, and then we have a B&B reseved in Gettysburg, PA, where we'll stay for the rest of the week. I'm *really* looking forward to it!

Some of you may recall - this trip was originally scheduled for New Orleans, but of course that's off now - very sorry that happened. We pondered some other locations, and everyone here gave me some great ideas. Not sure where we came up with Gettysburg, but everyone in our group agreed that it sounded great, and it turns out not to be too expensive either (well, except for the high price of gasoline, sigh). Should be fun.

We've got a lot planned, visiting through the Amish Country and Hershey (for the ladies), and then down to the site of the battle that claimed more American lives than any other in history. None of us have been there, although we all have some ties to the region. My buddy is a fan of General Chamberlain of the 20th Maine, and his protege, Charles Porter Mattocks of the 17th Maine, is a Congressional Medal of Honor winner who fought at Gettysburg as well.

I'm taking a DSLR, Bessa R, Bessflex TM, and an Olympus RD. B&W, E-6, and C-41 film. Filters as required. Flash. Tripod, remote releases, and batteries/chargers up the wazoo. Laptop PC and USB card reader for the DSLR.

I think I'm good to go. Whew!

Hope it doesn't rain all week, which it is curently doing! Well, if it does, the B&W will get a workout, along with an orange or red filter!

Anyone have any last-minute advice?

I'll try to check in when I can!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
Enjoy the trip. Remember... when you're the tourist, people let you get away with a lot 🙂
 
ADVICE: you know what they say about everybody and their advice 😉

I always use less than I take, but that's me. I'd take an SLR (my F1) with 50 1.4 (incredibly good lens), 24 2.8, 100 2.8, and Canon doubler (wouldn't take my 200) ...AND I'd take a Canon P with 25f4 and 35 f2. Gossen Digisix meter for the rfdr. Tripod in the car, which I probably wouldn't use.

I don't know Gettysburg light, but it's probably very flat...so I'd bring 100 and 400 E6 , no color neg, and I'd bring my usual Neopan 400, rating it at 800.

I usually trust color neg (eg NPZ 800 or Superia 200) over E6 in outdoor photography, here in the ultra-contrasty SW, but there's nowhere east of Texas, in the US (if you count TX as US 😉 ) that's anywhere near as contrasty...so I'd go for E6 elsewhere.
 
djon said:
ADVICE: you know what they say about everybody and their advice 😉

I always use less than I take, but that's me. I'd take an SLR (my F1) with 50 1.4 (incredibly good lens), 24 2.8, 100 2.8, and Canon doubler (wouldn't take my 200) ...AND I'd take a Canon P with 25f4 and 35 f2. Gossen Digisix meter for the rfdr. Tripod in the car, which I probably wouldn't use.

I don't know Gettysburg light, but it's probably very flat...so I'd bring 100 and 400 E6 , no color neg, and I'd bring my usual Neopan 400, rating it at 800.

I usually trust color neg (eg NPZ 800 or Superia 200) over E6 in outdoor photography, here in the ultra-contrasty SW, but there's nowhere east of Texas, in the US (if you count TX as US 😉 ) that's anywhere near as contrasty...so I'd go for E6 elsewhere.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice! If I were flying, I'd cut back on what I'm taking. But since we're driving, I think I can bring a tad more. If the film goes unused, no harm done, I just bring it home again. No security x-rays to go through...

I don't really have much in the way of ultra-wide lenses - 28mm is about it. I was thinking about taking my Canon FTbN and my 50mm SSC 1.4 (I agree, great lens), but if I take the Bessaflex TM, I can use the SMC 50mm f1.4 on either DSLR or Bessaflex, which seems like a better deal for this situation. However, I *could* toss my Canon T60 and chrome-nose 50mm 1.4 in a bag with a roll of Delta 100...hmmm.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
rover said:
Enjoy Bill, I look forward to seeing some photos from Little Round Top.
Click to expand...

I hear it is just a bunch of rocks (grin)! Seriously, I think I may be challenged to make the shots interesting. The battlefield, as I understand it, is a huge expanse of green grass, trees, and some rocks. Monuments all over the place. Some vintage cannon tossed in. They have re-enactments there, but not while we're going to be there.

I was thinking that early morning shots in B&W might do the trick - low angles and ominous overtones - heavy red filtration. And the weather is acting like it might rain all week - very cooperative, if not fun to stand in.

I mean, check out Google Images for 'Gettysburg' - not much to see! I'll do the very best I can, though.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
Devil's Den and Oak Ridge, don't miss the monument to "Sallie" the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment mascot. Say a silent Howdy to Cpl Fletcher of the 11th, One of my great, great uncles who was there. Later captured and died at Andersonville.
 
If you're in the area, Harper's Ferry is a nice stop. Another place is the Cozy Inn in Thurmont, MD. Nice buffet lunch there. Fall colors should be nice this time of year.
 
captainslack said:
Have fun, Bill!!! We're headed to Florida tomorrow ourselves! Have to compare notes when we get back. 😀
Click to expand...

They're predicting a lot of rain for Gettysburg! Well, beats a hurricane!

Take care, have fun!

Ann-Marie suggests that we go to the State Fair when we all get back and get settled. You up for that?

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
bmattock said:
Ann-Marie suggests that we go to the State Fair when we all get back and get settled. You up for that?
Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan! Kathryn submitted a carving for the Arts & Crafts judging, so we're definitely going.
 
bmattock said:
All: None of us have been there, although we all have some ties to the region. My buddy is a fan of General Chamberlain of the 20th Maine, and his protege, Charles Porter Mattocks of the 17th Maine, is a Congressional Medal of Honor winner who fought at Gettysburg as well.



Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
Click to expand...
Charles Porter Mattocks; an ancestor perhaps? Enjoy the trip and good weather we all hope.
Kurt M.
 
Seems like a nice time to make the trip. I too wish I could take off... but I'm bound by midterms to grade.

I'm not looking forward to seein your images as much as to reading your stories, Bill. You're a talented teller! 🙂
 
Climb the rocks to see what a Whitworth could do. Don't forget, Vicksburg fell on same date. These two sealed fate of the CSA. BTW, Semper Fi.
Johne
1145780/O54956
 
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