New Zealand is amazing

[Krzys]

Ahh I am typing very fast since I am running out of internet time!

I have been traveling and it is now my 4th day in NZ, currently in Queenstown. We went skiing today and the M3 held up fine in -2 to -12 (wind chill at the top...so I was told) and light snowy winds. Film advance gummed up a little when returning after a stroke but returned to normal later. My friend's digital p&s sizzed and stopped working when he used the flash. Now he is using the Olympus Stylus. He took a fall on the slopes and was unconscious for 2 mins and is now out drinking 🙄

I have shot 3 and a half rolls of Tri-x so far 🙂

 

[peter_n]

Yes. Beautiful country! Cool-ish there at the moment? 🙂

 

[Alpacaman]

Queens town is always "cool-ish" 😛

 

[wotalegend]

Just got back Thursday night from 10 days in South Island. Drove from Christchurch down to Invercargill (well Bluff actually, which is 20km south of Invercargill and about as far south as you can go without taking the infrequent and expensive ferry to Stewart Island), then worked our way slowly back. Didn't get to Queenstown this time. A couple of amazing train trips - Taieri Gorge Railway out of Dunedin, and of course the Tranz-Alpine from Christchurch in the east to Greymouth in the west and back again. The biggest surprise was the weather. Yes, it is cold in winter - about 5c less than Melbourne at any given time, but surprisingly little rain. The only really rainy day we had was our last day on Thursday in Christchurch. My wife is in love with Bluff oysters - says they are the best in the world. I am not an oyster eater, so can't comment. Now I have 8 rolls of Legacy Pro 400 to process (myself), and 3 rolls of Ektar 100 to get done (plus several hundred digi-pics).

 

[jmilkins]

Good to hear you are over there finally! Have a great trip and post some shots form the reliable 50+ year old camera when you get a chance.

 

[Krzys]

Its been 8 days and I've only shot 4 rolls! Lots of great shots though..I have total faith in the Leica and my techniques!

Funny that I get asked if I can still get film for the Leica...when it is around my neck as if I wear it as some sort of decoration.

NZ is great and backpacking is too easy. I love the place.

 

[wotalegend]

Its been 8 days and I've only shot 4 rolls! Lots of great shots though..I have total faith in the Leica and my techniques!

Funny that I get asked if I can still get film for the Leica...when it is around my neck as if I wear it as some sort of decoration.

NZ is great and backpacking is too easy. I love the place.

I shot less than I expected to on my trip also. Took 20 rolls of Legacy Pro 400 with me and only shot 8 in 10 days (plus 1/3 of one still in the camera). I've been home over a week and still haven't had time to develop any yet. Did get a few questions along the lines of "why do you still shoot film?" but none so un-informed as "can you still get film for that?". Found a small collection of old cameras on display in an "Irish" bar in Christchurch, including a huge folder which took one of those many long forgotten (by most) roll film sizes - somewhat bigger than 120.

 

[hausen]

Welcome to NZ. Hope you continue to have great time while you are here.

 

[Matus]

I have spent 3 weeks there and would return in a beat of a heart. Breathtaking country, not overpopulated (contrary to where I live now - Germany), very kind people. It is so much different than what I know (central Europe). Just too few high energy physics positions and no nuclear power plants ... 😀

 

[wotalegend]

I have spent 3 weeks there and would return in a beat of a heart. ... 😀

I second that completely. Photographer's paradise. Been there twice in two years and would go back tomorrow. Melbourne to Christchurch on the web today AUD129 one way, and it's only 3 hours 50 minutes - closer than Perth. There is just one problem - time, or lack of. I have used all my leave so will just have to dream for a while.

 

[Matus]

I second that completely. Photographer's paradise. Been there twice in two years and would go back tomorrow. Melbourne to Christchurch on the web today AUD129 one way, and it's only 3 hours 50 minutes - closer than Perth. There is just one problem - time, or lack of. I have used all my leave so will just have to dream for a while.

I fear it will be some years until I will be able to visit NZ again. I live half a world away and now we plan family and I have to change my job soon. For NZ it is god's blessing to be so far away from western world ...