nonuniform
Established
Every year I get to the last day before Burning Man, thinking about what camera to bring. I've brought 4x5's, various medium format cameras, and always my Nikon DSLR. I carry my Nikon in my camelbak at all times, mainly because I want to meet people, and be part of the event and somehow, carrying that big black lump around seems to give me a different experience. So, I never use it.
I will say that I don't worry about dust. These are tools, and when I'm done, I clean them. The 4x5 press cameras, however, seem to hold up best.
This year I thought carefully about why I bring the Nikon every year, and it always comes down to the fact that it is the most capable camera I own. It can pretty much capture anything. Yet, I never actually use it. Seems so counter-intuitive, and the reason is that while it's a very good image capture device, it's just not a very good camera for me at that event.
When I shoot with the Nikon I am disconnected, strictly observing. The sheer size and weight of the body and lens present a barrier. A barrier between myself and the world, and it works in both directions. I get more interaction when I use my 4x5 press camera, in fact, if I just want to make friends with people I wander around with the Graflex. People stop, chat, and I take some relaxed photos.
The Leica is like a sketchpad. A very fast pencil and paper. Unobtrusive, available, and intuitive. So this year, it will just be the Leica M4 and M6, one with the 35/2 and the other the 50/2. I'm going to shoot Portra 400 film, in one camera I'll have exposure set to 400 ISO, and in the other, I'm going to expose for 3200ISO. It could be good, it could be bad. Either way, I'm far more likely to use a small camera that can fit on my belt than a big clunky DSLR that has to live in my backpack most of the time.
If you're curious, I get a media pass every year, even though really, I'm just covering my own experiences at the event. I don't find the Burning Man photo usage policies particularly onerous as an artist.
I will say that I don't worry about dust. These are tools, and when I'm done, I clean them. The 4x5 press cameras, however, seem to hold up best.
This year I thought carefully about why I bring the Nikon every year, and it always comes down to the fact that it is the most capable camera I own. It can pretty much capture anything. Yet, I never actually use it. Seems so counter-intuitive, and the reason is that while it's a very good image capture device, it's just not a very good camera for me at that event.
When I shoot with the Nikon I am disconnected, strictly observing. The sheer size and weight of the body and lens present a barrier. A barrier between myself and the world, and it works in both directions. I get more interaction when I use my 4x5 press camera, in fact, if I just want to make friends with people I wander around with the Graflex. People stop, chat, and I take some relaxed photos.
The Leica is like a sketchpad. A very fast pencil and paper. Unobtrusive, available, and intuitive. So this year, it will just be the Leica M4 and M6, one with the 35/2 and the other the 50/2. I'm going to shoot Portra 400 film, in one camera I'll have exposure set to 400 ISO, and in the other, I'm going to expose for 3200ISO. It could be good, it could be bad. Either way, I'm far more likely to use a small camera that can fit on my belt than a big clunky DSLR that has to live in my backpack most of the time.
If you're curious, I get a media pass every year, even though really, I'm just covering my own experiences at the event. I don't find the Burning Man photo usage policies particularly onerous as an artist.
keytarjunkie
no longer addicted
have fun. that's something that I have always wanted to do, maybe one day I will.
whenever I walk around with my 4x5 rangefinder I seem to make a lot of new friends !
whenever I walk around with my 4x5 rangefinder I seem to make a lot of new friends !
nonuniform
Established
Yes, the 4x5 rangefinder is just fun all around. The Crown Graphic is one of my favorite cameras.
I highly recommend the Burning Man experience. It is an experiment that changes every year.
I highly recommend the Burning Man experience. It is an experiment that changes every year.
paulfish4570
Veteran
i am old old dude, but the event intrigues me. maybe some year ...
ben
Member
I'll be there too. M6 and R3a in hand. What camp will you be at?
FrankS
Registered User
i am old old dude, but the event intrigues me. maybe some year ...
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Fish4570 (Paul)
Yeah, same here.
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Fish4570 (Paul)
Yeah, same here.
zauhar
Veteran
Chuck Albertson
Well-known
ISO 400/3200 in the middle of the freaking salt flats?
bobby_novatron
Photon Collector
Another old dude with a hankering to go some year. 
I'm very jealous! Have a great time, and make sure to post some pics for us when you get back!
.
I'm very jealous! Have a great time, and make sure to post some pics for us when you get back!
.
back alley
IMAGES
why don't we old dudes plan a rangefinder meet at this thing?
only rf gear and we print a book at the end!
only rf gear and we print a book at the end!
smiling gecko
pure dumb luck, my friend
burningman-geezerpalooza 2012???
burningman-geezerpalooza 2012???
burning man-geezerpalooza 2012???
i'd like to take my "old" sunfried/sundried self out there...the wife rolls her eyes at the mention of this notion.
still, it is something i plan on doing someday. mebbe a gaggle or herd or murder or flock of us "older" rff types meeting up there would be just the thing for this annual gathering.
just thinkin'...
breathe, relax and enjoy.
sg, aka smiling gecko, aka kenneth
burningman-geezerpalooza 2012???
burning man-geezerpalooza 2012???
i'd like to take my "old" sunfried/sundried self out there...the wife rolls
her eyes at the mention of this notion. still, it is something i plan on doing someday. mebbe a gaggle or herd or murder or flock of us "older" rff types meeting up there would be just the thing for this annual gathering.
just thinkin'...
breathe, relax and enjoy.
sg, aka smiling gecko, aka kenneth
skipjack
Established
It's one of the things on my "bucket list". This thread has reignited the idea. If I could survive the 70's and 80's - I can do burning man standing on my head.
zauhar
Veteran
I'M IN !!!
kokoshawnuff
Alex
Portra at 3200 should interesting. Please post when you return. I'd suggest a ND filter too for some of the daytime shooting. Have fun.
collum
Established
i'm there for the first time this year (arriving Monday). M9, M6, 4x5 ,Xpan.
I'd love to get together for a rangefinder meet.
jim
paulfish4570
Veteran
my bride would be up for it, too ...
nonuniform
Established
This is great! I'm not the youngest guy on the planet either, having lived my (de)formative years in London in the late 70's. I would love to meetup with anyone going this year, and in future years too!
It's a great event, and everyone has their own, unique experience. You definitely get out of it what you put into it.
A little bit about camera gear - yeah, during the day, it's bright bright bright! I might take along some Ektar 100. I tend to like shooting late in the afternoon, into the evening, it's sort of a peaceful moment before the noise camps startup.
It's a great event, and everyone has their own, unique experience. You definitely get out of it what you put into it.
A little bit about camera gear - yeah, during the day, it's bright bright bright! I might take along some Ektar 100. I tend to like shooting late in the afternoon, into the evening, it's sort of a peaceful moment before the noise camps startup.
Bingley
Veteran
Seen lots of photos of the event, but never been. I'm a certified Old Dude as well, and would like to go...;-).
Good luck keeping the dust out of the camera...
Good luck keeping the dust out of the camera...
robert blu
quiet photographer
I'm feeling young (today) but the date on my ID means something ! Anyway too far from here, and with the actual economy...hmmm please take some nice photos and show...
robert
robert
charjohncarter
Veteran
Good point.