Mongolia: M cameras, XPAN and 100 rolls of film in September

[Tim Gray]

Leaving the XPAN kit at home would lighten my load significantly - but if I don't actually use my XPAN on this photographc opportunity of a lifetime, what's the point of having it? That point is hard to argue against in my mind.

This is the exact decision you have to make. I asked myself that same question about the XPan and sold it as a result. So take it if it makes the cut and get rid of it if it doesn't.

 

[noisycheese]

I weighed my XPAN kit a couple of weeks ago. The body, three lenses, lens hoods, 30mm hot shoe mount viewfinder, two graduated ND center filters and the Really Right Stuff bracket on the body weigh a total of 3.6 pounds.

Since I almost never use the 90mm f/4 lens, I can leave it at home and get the kit down to just under three pounds.

I am going to take the XPAN and the 45/4 and 30/5.6 lenses and accessories; I love the XPAN format for landscapes. This camera kit is a keeper IMHO. I have talked with two of my photographic peers locally who at one point had an XPAN and sold it off because they didn't use it very often. Both are still kicking themselves.

Buy fast and sell slow helps a photographer avoid heartache; buy slow and sell fast causes a photographer untold anguish (sounds like a photographer's fortune cookie but in my experience it is true).

 

[foggie]

I lived in Mongolia for a few years. I brought three cameras (pair of M2s and an R3a) and a 21 f2.8, 28 skopar, 40 nokton, and an 85 f2.8. I spent most of my time in the city but would go to the countryside to photograph frequently. Nearly every time I went with one body and one or maybe two lenses. Rarely I'd go out with two bodies/two lenses and never more than that.

Be very careful because there are some scary dudes in that city. Street photography isn't appreciated there the same way it is in any North American or European city so use the cautious side of your best judgement.

Always wear your seatbelt even when in the countryside. A drunk motorcyclist hit our car on an empty highway back in 2011. Scary as heck!

If I was in UB I'd offer to meet you but I moved to Canada several months ago. Good luck and enjoy your journey

 

[foggie]

Ah also I want to say that bringing the XPan is an AWESOME idea. I'm going to get an xpan (one day) specifically for shooting in Mongolia.

 

[_goodtimez]

Xpan and 1 M body is what I would take. Leave the tripod, the other M body and the Rollei at home. Consider what you are going to do with all the equipment plus your other stuff when walkng. At the end you may not take pictures at all if you carry too much stuff.

 

[daveywaugh]

Thinking about it, I'd say the most important piece of gear you could take would be an Instax mini. For people out of the cities, it's something they really appreciate. We had to ration the film, but it was nice to leave a family with a print. I'd highly recommend it.

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

I lived in Mongolia for a few years.
...
Be very careful because there are some scary dudes in that city. Street photography isn't appreciated there the same way it is in any North American or European city so use the cautious side of your best judgement.

Hey, your blog is fabulous! Glad you replied here so I got to know it. I travel often alone doing my photo stuff in Russia and am planning Mongolia for next year. Your work is very inspiring indeed. B&W works wonderfully (is that Tri-X?) but by all means post some of the color stuff you have!

I may contact you with some questions about the scary dudes issue.. I thought people there would be generally friendly and almost eager to be photographed, like Afghans in my direct experience, but must be somehow mistaken. Anyway, excellent job.

 

[35mmdelux]

I started out carrying multiple gears crossing the US and into Central America. When I got it down to one camera-two lens I never had so much fun because I was able to cover serious terrain. The camera became an extension, with the strap diagonal across my chest. Inconspicuous, fast and light.

For an epic trip a backup camera in your backpack is not unreasonable. I used to carry a 50 lb backpack in the Army; will NOT do that on a private trip. YMMV

 

[skibeerr]

Thinking about it, I'd say the most important piece of gear you could take would be an Instax mini. For people out of the cities, it's something they really appreciate. We had to ration the film, but it was nice to leave a family with a print. I'd highly recommend it.

Fabulous idea.

Next time I go to Ladakh I am taking one.

Thanks.

 

[Roel]

Great advice here and reading about your trip makes me wish to go travel.

The comment about dust storms made me think about my travels. I used to always bring my weatherproof Canon Prima as-1 with me as extra camera on beaches, sand and snow. Some of the best pics where made with this camera. Because it was always at hand no matter what the conditions.

Maybe a weather/waterproof cam like Nikonos or Canon could be a good backup for if the conditions turn against you.
(I'm evertime positively surprised about the quality of the pics I got out of the Canon even with the little flash inside.)

Anyway. Good luck with the trip and project and please show us some of the pics and let us know how the trip turned out.

 

[foggie]

Hey, your blog is fabulous! Glad you replied here so I got to know it. I travel often alone doing my photo stuff in Russia and am planning Mongolia for next year. Your work is very inspiring indeed. B&W works wonderfully (is that Tri-X?) but by all means post some of the color stuff you have!

I may contact you with some questions about the scary dudes issue.. I thought people there would be generally friendly and almost eager to be photographed, like Afghans in my direct experience, but must be somehow mistaken. Anyway, excellent job.

My photo with the scarred man was actually taken on expired colour film. It's the only (literally) photo that I've shot in colour and converted to black and white. The other ones are 40/40/20 mix of TriX, Neopan 400, and Fomapan 100. Originally I brought TriX and Fomapa 100 because they have a similar style and have the same developing times. Then I ran out of TriX and bought some film from a friend from Okinawa who happened to have the neopan.

In the countryside if you're getting to know someone and then they'll let you take their picture probably. In the way it's kinda of like anywhere. But if you want the caught-on-the-street style you'd be better a faster runner or a tougher guy than your subject. (Tougher than a Mongolian.)

 

[Merlijn53]

The trap in taking so much gear is not the weight, but having too many choises. You'll be busy deciding which camera/lens/film to use, when you should be taking pictures and enjoying your trip.
Leave the tripod and the flash at home. Take one m leica and the x- pan as backup and for landscapes. One film.
We've all been through this, so we know. I travelled a lot in Asia the last 40 years and made the best pictures when I only took a Rolleiflex F. It never broke down. Camera's like that don't.
Less is more!

 

[noisycheese]

Thinking about it, I'd say the most important piece of gear you could take would be an Instax mini. For people out of the cities, it's something they really appreciate. We had to ration the film, but it was nice to leave a family with a print. I'd highly recommend it.

Looked up the Instax mini 8 on the B&H website - what a great idea! I will definitely take one for the benefit of the Nomad famlies I will meet in the steppe wilderness.