One camera, one lens, and one week in the Philippines

[Creagerj]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but google wasn't turning up many answers.

I am currently planning to go to the Philippines in November for a friends wedding, and of course, I will need a camera. The plan is to pack light, very light. Everything I plan to take will go in one backpack. So I only plan to take one camera and one lens, and perhaps a backup point and shoot.

The lens is easy, I plan to use a 35mm as that is the most versatile.

I don't want to take my M2 as I'm afraid to have something happen to it, and I'm not sure I can trust my CL. I've got a Nikon F with an FTn finder, but its pretty heavy, so I'm not sure about taking that either, though I'm sure it would stand up to the humidity.

Any suggestions for something that is compact, durable, reliable and relatively light weight?

Neither film or digital a requirement, and honestly I don't know which would be best.

 

[Keith]

A second hand X100 would be ideal for this trip IMO. Light as light can be be with a 35mm lens and very good IQ.

You could buy it a month before leaving to familiarise yourself with it and if you don't need/want it when you return you could sell it and probably only be out of pocket a hundred or so dollars at the most.

 

[Creagerj]

I've been considering that since it has a VF, and the price of a new model is now just $1000. I liked them to begin with, but I've heard mixed reviews. But then again every camera has it's flaws.

 

[zupstermix]

I am from the Philippines. Nothing to worry about, you could bring your M2 here. I have my own. For any other concerns, send me a PM. I'll be glad to help!

 

[gilpen123]

Joe, there are a couple of RFF members here in the Philippines. If you need something just drop us a PM. Losing a camera can happen anywhere, our country is relatively safe just have to know what places to avoid.

If this is a Catholic wedding, you may have problems going near the couple during church ceremonies, very ideal will be an OMD/Pen with a 45 1.8 and a 14 2.5 or better yet 12 2.0.. If you really want a one lens one camera, then OMD and 12-35 2.8 will be all you need. Otherwise, stick with the X100 as most are suggesting, then a Sony RX100 as back-up. Good luck and hope you enjoy the trip.

 

[Creagerj]

I'm not concerned about taking photos at the wedding, and yes it will be a Catholic ceremony. I mainly just want to take photos because, well, I've never been to there before. I'm less worried about losing my camera as I am about it getting damaged in the airport, or something else. Although I suppose that if there are RFFer's from the the Philippines then that is reassuring.

I'm not worried about theft though. That could happen here just as easily as anywhere.

I'm also worried about being able to develop film and procure film while I am down there. I'll be in Dumaguete, so I'm not sure what kinds of services are available there. If either of you could shed light on that, that would be a help.

 

[gilpen123]

Maybe nothing in Dumaguete if it's B&W, for both color and B&W processing is available in Manila. You can also get some Tri-X, Deltas and Neopans here.

 

[umcelinho]

+1 here for the X100. lower price, extremely versatile.

 

[Creagerj]

Well, thanks you guys. I think I'm leaning toward the X100. I've wanted one since they came out but now that the X200 is on the horizon, they are much more affordable. Now I have a good reason to pick one up.

I'm starting to see that digital is a better option. Film is just one more thing to carry around.

 

[JChrome]

You are right that film is less convenient... but ironically I find that a plus 😛.

Anyway, I would vote for a Rollei 35SE. Or an M6 with a 35mm lens on it. I have a nikon FM with a 35 1.4 and I could shoot for days with that combo.

 

[Creagerj]

You are right that film is less convenient... but ironically I find that a plus 😛.

Anyway, I would vote for a Rollei 35SE. Or an M6 with a 35mm lens on it. I have a nikon FM with a 35 1.4 and I could shoot for days with that combo.

Don't get me wrong, I love film. I'm just thinking it might not be the best choice. I'd have to take it all with me from the sates, and it would be run through xray scanners more than a few times. It doesn't seem like it's worth the risk.

 

[clayne]

There's very little risk. I've passed film through 15+ carry-on scanners with no issues. I've also lugged an F3 and M4 around the streets of Jakarta multiple times and never felt significant issues with weight. Want boring stuff you'll throw in some folder on your computer and never look at again? Bring a tiny digicam, preferably with hello kitty stickers on it. Want something that produces photography worth looking at and requires equal effort put in to produce those results? Bring the M2, F, or both.

Put some effort into it.

 

[sparrow6224]

If you are worried about the CL holding up, I assume that means electronically -- the meter essentially. Mechanically they are in my experience very sound. If you shoot with an M2 then you don't need an in-camera meter. I'd take the CL. Another amazing easy travelilng 35mm film camera is the Olympus XA. VF isn't within a mile of the CL's however.

 

[Creagerj]

There's very little risk. I've passed film through 15+ carry-on scanners with no issues. I've also lugged an F3 and M4 around the streets of Jakarta multiple times and never felt significant issues with weight. Want boring stuff you'll throw in some folder on your computer and never look at again? Bring a tiny digicam, preferably with hello kitty stickers on it. Want something that produces photography worth looking at and requires equal effort put in to produce those results? Bring the M2, F, or both.

Put some effort into it.

There is no need sarcastic. I'm simply asking for advice. I really can't imagine a scenario in which I would place hello kitty stickers on my camera.

If you are worried about the CL holding up, I assume that means electronically -- the meter essentially. Mechanically they are in my experience very sound. If you shoot with an M2 then you don't need an in-camera meter. I'd take the CL. Another amazing easy travelilng 35mm film camera is the Olympus XA. VF isn't within a mile of the CL's however.

That is good to know. The meter doesn't work anyhow, and at this point, I rarely use one. I was worried about the mechanical reliability of the CL in humidity more than anything.

 

[clayne]

Sorry, you're right, I was a bit sarcastic earlier. Honestly, none of your cameras or lenses are going to have an issue with 1 week of tropical humidity. Humidity is a problem when things aren't actively being used.

Bring the M2, 30 rolls of Tri-X, and I recommend worrying less.

 

[Spicy]

I brought my M4-P and a CV 21/4 with me on a 2 week backpacking trip through Thailand and Cambodia, which I imagine being just as threatening a climate to camera well-being as the Philipines... It was in March, and both places were around 100*F+. Worked out just fine, except for the black paint on the film door that came off because my hand was so sweaty (I did a bad job with cheap quality paint on an M3 door swap).

Just take normal precautions, and bring some film with you. I brought 15 rolls and used 12. I was a little anxious at the beginning, but after a while I forgot about it and it was great. Just make sure you pack the film in your carry-ons, not in your checked luggage. As long as it's not high-speed film, it'll be fine.

These cameras are made for those kinds of adventures.

Alternatively, an F or F2 with a 50/1.8 series E (the pancake lense) would be a more "rugged" setup that's only marginally heavier/bigger, and might be better suited in some situations, though I use a prism finder, rather than my brick of an FTn.

 

[Cagliostro73]

Maybe I'm too late but I'd suggest to bring your CL.
As for nikon bodies, have you ever considered an Fm2n?
Lightweight, compact and solid as a tank.

 

[Johann Espiritu]

I'm another RFF'er from the Philippines!

One thing you'll notice if you want to do street photography here is that people in general LOVE to get their photos taken. The hard part is getting them not to pose for you once they realize you've got a camera - I'm not kidding! It's generally safe to walk around with a camera (of course, stay smart).

How about switching it around - using a digital as a main camera, and a film P&S as backup? You can try the X100, an X1/X2 or a M4/3 camera with the Oly 17/2.8 as your main camera, then a nice P&S as backup, such as a Ricoh GR1, Minolta TC1 or an Olympus XA. Color film should be easy to have developed C-41 in the provinces (such as Dumaguete), but the chemicals in the hour hour places might be old. You can probably score some Kodak Max 400 or some Lucky colored film from the local photography places there too. There are more film processing places in the provinces than in Metro Manila.

If you do take a trip to Metro Manila, there are a few places in Makati that can process B/W. Sometimes digital gear is cheaper here too, especially if you take a trip to Chinatown (Quiapo), where on Hidalgo street you can score some older film cameras or cheap new digital ones (I think the Philippines is one of the cheapest places to buy Olympus gear). I just took a trip there over the weekend and saw a MINT- to EXC+ Leitz-Minolta CL with the 40mm 'Cron! (Some photos form that trip on my Flickr now).

November should bring cooler weather so humidity will be less of a problem (but it will still be tropical weather).

Anyway, good luck and have fun!

 

[lcpr]

I recently got back from a trip in PH, brought my Hexar AF, M4, and Rolleiflex, had no problems. I did pack a GRDIII for snapshots though.

 

[Creagerj]

All of these responses have been great. I feel better about bringing my CL/M2 now, so I might just do that. I've got a 40mm 'Cron and a 50mm Elmar, both are very compact and light weight.

I guess I should worry less. It was always so much easier to drag my beat up F3 around places because I didn't care if it got damaged (should have kept that one). My M2 is beautiful so I'm always cautious.

Maybe I should think about a user M body like an M4-2 or M4-P to take with me. The CL is a user, so I'm not worried about it, but it certainly doesn't have the feel that a real M has.

The X100 is tempting though, so its high on my list of considerations.

I really appreciate everyone who has been to the Philippines or happens to live there now offering advice. As always, you guys have been a big help. Thanks everyone.