Leigh Youdale
Well-known
Matus,
I agree that taking an untried second hand camera on a major trip is unwise. Could lead to major disappointment.
Your wife's selection of lenses with her 35mm SLR sounds very suitable.
I don't think operating a 4x5 out of a campervan in NZ will be a very convenient process.
4x5 and 120 film isn't that readily available except from specialist suppliers in the major cities. You might need to bring your own. Also check if your preferred 35mm film is freely available. Kodak and Fuji probably are but maybe everywhere you'll go.
I'd suggest getting a second SLR body as back up - one that takes your wife's lenses, and the TLR. Any choice is going to involve compromise - what can and can't you live with in that regard?
When I go I leave my Nikon SLR kit at home (weight) and take my Bessa R3A with 25mm, 40mm and 75mm lenses plus a Leica IIIf with 50mm as back up. The 25 & 75 CV lenses will fit the Leica and I can have B&W in one and colour in the other.
Two Bessas might be better but I don't need another camera unless I start selling a bunch! My wife prefers a compact P&S with either APS colour film or digital as she's not an avid photographer and she can happily snap away at whatever interests her.
I agree that taking an untried second hand camera on a major trip is unwise. Could lead to major disappointment.
Your wife's selection of lenses with her 35mm SLR sounds very suitable.
I don't think operating a 4x5 out of a campervan in NZ will be a very convenient process.
4x5 and 120 film isn't that readily available except from specialist suppliers in the major cities. You might need to bring your own. Also check if your preferred 35mm film is freely available. Kodak and Fuji probably are but maybe everywhere you'll go.
I'd suggest getting a second SLR body as back up - one that takes your wife's lenses, and the TLR. Any choice is going to involve compromise - what can and can't you live with in that regard?
When I go I leave my Nikon SLR kit at home (weight) and take my Bessa R3A with 25mm, 40mm and 75mm lenses plus a Leica IIIf with 50mm as back up. The 25 & 75 CV lenses will fit the Leica and I can have B&W in one and colour in the other.
Two Bessas might be better but I don't need another camera unless I start selling a bunch! My wife prefers a compact P&S with either APS colour film or digital as she's not an avid photographer and she can happily snap away at whatever interests her.
