Route 66 in October

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Paul Jenkin

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Despite all our initial plans and investigations being directed towards a trip to Cuba, we've signed up for a drive along the length of Route 66 westbound from Chicago to Santa Monica / Los Angeles.

We'll be travelling in a convertible and we're aiming for a very relaxing time - lots of stopovers and I'll be shooting anything / everything of interest as I intend to produce my own photobook of the roadtrip.

Now then, having seen and much admired books on R66 by the likes of Shannon Richardson, I'm debating whether to go medium format (Hasselblad 500c/m + 50/80/120mm or Mamiya 7 +43/65/150mm or to go with 35mm (Nikon F6 + D3 + 20/35/50/85mm).

The other option is to take the Mamiya 7 (+ lenses) and my D3 (+ lenses) but I'd rather not take so much gear.

Anyone done this trip? I'll also be taking a tripod and Lee filters for sunrise / sunset shots. What would you take - bearing in mind my preference is for pictorial / landscape rather than street / reportage??
 
i made a very similar trip a few years ago. i took my 5d plus lenses (zeiss and 'L'), a 35mm cam and a medium format (mamiya universal press). i can say unequivocally my favorite most precious results came from the medium format/slide film combo. within that i had 6x9 and 6x7 backs. the 6x7 road pictures were outstanding in perspective terms, just as was the 6x9 for surrounding landscapes. among your choices id take the M7+43+150, or just the 65 if you want to travel light.
tony
 
I've done that trip, but only back when it was still the only way to go. Sounds like a fun trip. I think I'd go for the Nikons, but that's probably because that's what I'm shooting lately. If you have one, perhaps a 105mm might be a better choice than the 85. Have fun!
 
I've recently done the Pacific Coastal Highway, and only took a digicam and one lens as I wanted to pack light. While the shots were fine, I would really liked to have taken my Bronica and a tripod.

Would also liked some more time. We thought we would have plenty of time to get in done in, but we ended up being rushed. Add extra time to your trip, then add some more!
 
I once did a trip through several of the western states. I took a Mamiya Press along with my Fuji ST 901 and a bevy of lenses. All had their place. If I had had to make a choice, I would have gone with the Fuji only for the variety of lenses. But the MF did make for some nice photos I couldn't have enjoyed otherwise. Maybe being in a Volkswagon Camper helped; lots of room in those.
 
I would probably take all that (Or at least be tempted to)! The Mamiya, F6, and D3 seem quicker and easier to shoot with than the hasselblad, but you do have a gap between your 65 and 150. A normal lens can be very useful.

What will you be shooting in the MF gear, color, or B&W? I personally would shoot B&W in those, and take the digital Nikon for all color--unless shooting 35mm slides as well.

Of course, if go with the Hasselblad, you will have a useful and well-spaced set of lenses, and the 120 is a great lens; then if you have more than one film back, maybe you can shoot faster with it than with the mamiya, as there will be less time spent reloading. 6x6 is probably big enough for a book-sized print, and if you print square, it might fit the pages well. The Mamiya is better to shoot with handheld (do you use a prism on the Hassie), and it does have a great light meter.

If take the Nikon film & digital bodies, you get double duty out of your lenses, since you can use them on both bodies. And I'm sure you will want some digital color shots.

If you have a couple of fast lenses for the F6, it might be important to have it for some low-light grab shots.

So those are a few random thoughts on the use I think I would get out of this camera selection on such a trip.
 
Thanks for the advice. As far as timing is concerned, we have 17 days. That should be enough to get from one end to the other and at least give us a taster - just in case we want to re-visit sections at a later date.

Having a car allows us to not have to shoulder heavy kit around all day. I'm increasingly tempted to take the Hasselblad because of (a) the option of multi backs and (b) more evenly spaced lenses - though I tend to use the 65mm lens on my Mamiya 7 for "environmental portaits".

If I do take the 'Blad, I might also take my F6 + 20mm f2.8 AiS, 50mm f1.2 Ai and either my 85mm f1.8 AF-D or 105mm f2.5 Ai. The AF feature and slightly faster aperture might force my hand on this one. If I have to choose one, I'll probably take the 'Blad and pack my little Panasonic Lumix LX7 / digital viewfinder as a digital back up.

As far as colour film goes, I'm thinking about Provia 100 (in 120 roll) as it's beautifully neutral and scans really well. I can also convert to mono and have almost no visible grain. I'd also take some of the 400 ISO variety for lower light, hand-held shots - and Ilford XP2 Super for B&W.

Thanks again - I'm starting to get a better idea of what's likely to work best on this trip - particularly as I want to make the best possible photos for inclusion in the book....
 
I would certainly NOT leave the mamiya 7 behind. It's light and film loading is relatively quick. Get some 220 film and use it like a 35mm camera. Hassy is great, but not very thing warrants a square format.
 
My guess is most of the photos will be landscapes and interesting sights in the towns you will pass through. Small towns have some their old buildings standing, so there is historic architecture to shoot. If it were me, I'd take the camera and lenses you like most for those types of photos. Then I'd consider what you like for people photography and interior shots of places you visit along the way. For it would come down to what I'd expect to shoot and the equipment I like that suits the situation.
 
My feelings are that the more gear you take the more time you need to allow for side trips. Particularly around the southwest. The south rim for example is 60 miles north of Williams. Unless it is purely a 66 route you're taking the time will be swallowed up with shooting in high quality compositions.
Take less would be my suggestion and enjoy the trip.
 
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I did the California to eastern New Mexico section of Route 66 last year. Seriously there weren't many subjects to shoot and when I did come across something interesting I was there at the wrong time. That is the chance you take with mixing photography and road trips - to arrive at the right place when the light is good. I would take a 4x5 because when subject matter is scarce make every shot count.
 
Katie said:
I would certainly NOT leave the mamiya 7 behind. It's light and film loading is relatively quick. Get some 220 film and use it like a 35mm camera. Hassy is great, but not very thing warrants a square format.
Click to expand...

You've hit the nail on the head, there, Katie. If there's one thing I'd change about the 'Blad, it would be the uber-fiddly loading. :bang: Multi-backs (and I have a couple of 220s) would be great, but it takes my fists of ham and fingers of butter an age to get the film loaded properly. Goodness knows how many I've loaded back to front - an almost impossibility with the mamiya 7.

Sourcing 220 film in the UK is a pain in the bum (especially if you want something other than Portra) but I can live happily with 120 as I've got the widget-thingy that sits between the camera baseplate and tripod to avoid having to demount the camera from the tripod evey time I want to change film....!! 😎

Rangefinders don't lend themselves easily to ND grads or polarisers but I'm sure there's an answer.

Incidentally, just had a look at your website. Some beautiful mono work on there.....
 
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