Nikon FM3a tackles Denali, AK

[Riverman]

I recently spent 10 days hiking the Denali backcountry. Carried an FM3a with 2 Voigtlander lenses - the 20mm and 40mm. Lens choice worked out well as in the area of the park where I was, there was little wildlife (saw one bear at long distance) but some really impressive glacial landscapes.

The hiking was hard with a heavy pack and occasionally the weather was less than good. At times when changing film and lenses I found myself thinking how handy a digital SLR and zoom lens would be on such a trip. Nevertheless, I'm glad I stuck with film. I shot 5 rolls of Velvia and 10 rolls of Portra 400.

I rigged the smallest think tank SLR case to my front so the camera was always in reach rather than stowed in my backpack. The FM3a is a truly tough little beast and it performed really well on this trip. The Voigtlander lenses are impressive. I'd already been wowed by the 40mm f2. This was the first time really using the 20mm but it was perfect. I'd love to get my hands on the 58mm.

So far I've uploaded a few Velvia shots to my flickr. I have much more Portra to scan. I'm glad I had Portra with me as it's such a flexible film in terms of the light I could shoot in. Also, I didn't carry a tripod so was really glad of the speed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbk21/sets/72157627548714817/with/6148249327/

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[raytoei@gmail.com]

wow...thanks for sharing. excellent pictures.

 

[Vobluda]

So calm pictures.

 

[agricola]

Stunning. What scanner?

 

[craygc]

Really makes feel like not wanting to go to the office in the morning... :bang:

 

[Riverman]

Thanks for the positive feedback. These Velvia shots I scanned on a Nikon LS5000 at 2400 dpi.

I got some really interesting shots on Portra as well, including from the float plane as we flew out across the glacier at the end of the trip. I haven't printed the new Portra 400 in the darkroom yet but I'm looking forward to in the next few weeks.

When making some of the Velvia shots my gloved hands were quite cold and I was really worried about camera shake so it was good to have the faster film on hand as well!

The landscape in this corner of the park was truly breathtaking. It was a true privilege to see it.

 

[kxl]

I was there a few years ago, and I would love to go back.

 

[Riverman]

Wow! Keith - that's a great shot of the mountain. I was some distance away near the south eastern corner of the park. On one hike I caught a fleeting glimpse of the summit in the distance.

 

[kshapero]

Yes that FM3A does it all in the film world.