Semi-OT: anyone from Australia?

[Kat]

Umm, so this will be one of those going-on-a-trip-what-will-I-take kind of post.

I'll be off to Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast next week. I've never experienced a winter in my life, so I just wanted to ask what kind of lighting I might encounter outdoors so I can bring more of the "right" ISO film.

I'm thinking perhaps it would be a good time to try out Reala but if I'm not mistaken, that's only ISO100. At least that's all we have where I'm at. Any ideas? 100 or stick more with 400? I'll probably be taking a P&S digital and one or two film cameras, depending on what will fit my bag when I pack. I'm not inclined to carry my Fuica SLR around, so that leaves my Olympus RC, XA3 and a newly "fixed" Minolta HiMatic 9.

 

[Tim]

well........
from a Sydney-ites perspective.......
it's fairly chilly here at the moment, at least by Aus standards, like about 14-17 deg c max during the day (and yeh, I know that from you guys in Canada New York and Norway that's not cold.....) but frankly the light's still good.
Except for indoors or evenings, I haven't used anything but 100ASA for ages. But that's just me. (and a f2 lens and ability to (just) handhold at 1/15 or 1/8)
The good thing is, the light's not too bright and harsh at the moment, even at midday, so 400ASA will prolly do you for everything providing your particular camera can go to 1/1000.......
That said, personally, I'd stick with 100.

What was it in Tolkien? "It is said, go not to the Elves for council, for they will say both Yes and No"

😀

Anyway, when are you here?

 

[simonankor]

Coming from a guy in Adelaide who often shoots in Melbourne... 400! But then, I *always* shoot 400, so I'm a tad biased there, as always. How bout a bit of both?

I think you could get away with 100 outside during daylight hours all year round.

 

[thedilettante]

400 has been OK for me lately although you will need 1/1000 sometimes. As Tim mentioned the light is a bit lower & softer at the moment which is nice.
I'd say bring both but if you want to carry only one make it 400.
Ben

 

[Kat]

Thanks, guys. I'll bring half of each, then, hopefully I will have room to take both RFs so I can load one each and just give up B&W. Do you ever have problems with the cold and digital cameras? I assume the mechanical RFs will be fine whatever the temperature.😀

PS. OT to the OT: how are the outlets there (for my chargers)? Do you use 110 or 220v? What kind of plug would I need?

 

[wotalegend]

Now I know I am probably inviting a few wisecracks from my compatriots from further North where you are going, but I have to advise you that it doesn't get that cold in Winter in Australia, not even in sunny Melbourne. Unless you are going to the snowfields your cameras will not have any problems. With regard to power, we have 240 volts and the outlets are a three-pin type which I think is only used in Australia, NZ, and some Pacific island countries. You should be able to pick up an adapter at the airport. I hope you have a great time, even though you are missing the best part of Australia 😛

 

[ChrisN]

Jeez, you Sydney and Melbourne folks have it soft! Here in Canberra we had a couple of minus 7s last month - froze the water pipes from the water heater!

But it sounds like you'll be ok, Kat, you are heading for the warmer parts of the country. Have fun!

 

[Kat]

LOL! For someone from a purely tropical country, any place below 25 degrees is cold! Last I was somewhere else cold was fall in Japan, where I was all bundled up in layers of clothing while the natives were walking around in miniskirts.😱

Tim, I'll be there on the 26, will be staying probably just a couple of days or so before heading for Brisbane. We'll probably be with a tour, so might not have opportunity to wander on my own, but if I do get a chance, any place to go that's photography/RF-related? Perhaps even an RF shopping place? (well, one can dream😀)

As for missing the best parts of the country, it's a company/firm trip so I don't have much choice on the itinerary, hehe. Maybe later on I will go back, in warmer weather!:angel:

Thanks, I'm sure I'll enjoy this trip.🙂

 

[Tim]

Ahhh, yeh, after the Phillipines a Sydney winter is going to be a tad bitter.....
By next Wednesday with any luck it will have stopped raining, basically it's forecast to rain for about a week, we don't mind, we desperately need it - but not too good if you're a tourist wanting to have a look around!

On a tour you'll probably get taken down to the Rocks district, but if you can, get down there first thing in the morning - around 6:30am. It'll be cold, but on a nice morning the sun rising and shining down on the Opera house and Bridge is well worth it.
From a street photography point of view, there's some great places for people watching - Queen Victoria Building, Pitt St Mall, The Rocks, Darling Harbour.

From a RF shopping point of view, 2 main places:
In the city, Foto Riesel in Kent Street. Leica and Voigtlander stockist, good selection of 2nd hand gear of all shapes and sizes, but not necessarily the cheapest around. Also the best place in the city to stock up on film: Velvia, FP4, Acros, etc etc etc.
In Crows Nest, about a 15 minute taxi ride from the city, Mainline Photographics in Alexander St.. Voigtlander; B&W filters agent in Aus, plus a good selection of 2nd hand gear, especially Voigtlander & Leica. Tends to only stock the upper end of the spectrum in quality, good to drool. At the moment has in stock Bessa R2a R3A R2M & Zeiss Ikon, in case you want to compare them........ 🙂
website at www.mainlinephoto.com.au

Have fun!

(edit: correct bloody awful spelling and punctuation)

 

[Kat]

Hi, I just got back from Australia. Thanks to everyone who gave tips and suggestions. I wasn't able to drop by specialty photography/camera shops, but the country was beautiful. Sydney has lots of character and charm, and the Gold Coast was fun. I'd love to go back some day...:angel:

 

[ChrisN]

Hi - glad you enjoyed the visit. Do post some pics - it's always interesting to see familiar places through fresh eyes.

 

[Kat]

I haven't developed my film yet, so only got digital pics, but here goes...🙂

 

[Kat]

A few more...