raid
Dad Photographer
I don't understand people who have two watches or more.
Clint Troy
Well-known
Raid, you ever met people who wear two watches?
raid
Dad Photographer
No. There are people who collect watches.
I knew someone who would color coordinate his colorful watches with the color of his clothes each evening.
I knew someone who would color coordinate his colorful watches with the color of his clothes each evening.
maddoc
... likes film again.
M2, 15mm CV, 35mm Summicron, and ~ 20 rolls of film. The M2 I would have had checked by a reliable technician (or Leica Solms) if it hadn`t seen service recently. Additionally a table-tripod and some filters. Sounds like a great trip !! 
Dave Jenkins
Loose Canon
I can testify that even this "simplified" equipment list is sufficient to guarantee a miserable trip.
When my wife and I went to Israel and Jordan in April of 2010, I carried a 5D with a 17-35 f2.8L, a 70-200 f4L, a 50mm macro, and a 20D with the 24-85 f3.5-4.5 for backup and for my wife to use.
Trudging up a hill in Petra toward some impressive temples on an oppressively hot afternoon, cursing a camera bag that was growing heavier with every step, I chanced to meet a European who was carrying nothing but an Olympus Pen E-P2 with the 14-42mm kit zoom and the VF-2 electronic viewfinder. We talked for a few minutes, and since I had been reading about the Pen micro 4/3s cameras, I asked if I could look through his camera.
"Wow!" I thought to myself as the weight of the little camera rested comfortably in my hand, "I'll bet this thing and two or three lenses wouldn't weigh any more than a 5D with a 50mm." (Actually, your GF1 with the lenses you presently own would weigh less.)
I got an E-PL1 upon my return to the U.S., and have since added the OM-D. If I were you, I would add another micro 4/3s body, and perhaps a 40-150 and leave everything else at home. Your trip will be more enjoyable in every way. And your photographs will be better too.
Thardy
Veteran
Raid, those are great photos of Petra. Do you remember what film you used?
raid
Dad Photographer
Thank you Thomas. For over ten years, I used Fujichrome 50 as my regular film for 24-80 lenses, while my fast film was Fujichrome 100 for 80-200 lenses. This may have been the ISO 50 slide film. No PS was ever used.
Clint Troy
Well-known
Raid, I don't understand your argument. But it's not important.
raid
Dad Photographer
It is a simple thing; some people cannot understand why some people have two cameras. There are many other situations where people use multiples. There is nothing wrong about it.
Clint Troy
Well-known
And yet you find it's wrong to own two watches.
There's definitely a confusion in your logic. But I'm digressing.
There's definitely a confusion in your logic. But I'm digressing.
raid
Dad Photographer
I was making fun of the issue. There is nothing wrong with having two watches.
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
I find virtually all the points made so far very valid. And hence my "confusion". Speaking of which, I should bring a watch (one of the ::gulp:: three I have); I haven't worn one in a long time, though.
Raid's images illustrate why I really would like to bring film, but then there are the practical issues and constraints. I am beginning to sway towards bringing the GF1 and the M8; perhaps the Bessa R instead of the M8 (with half a dozen rolls of slide film), and bring the M-to-m43 adapter as just-in-case. It would all fit in one bag, and they're all small enough for me to use a "pocket" tripod, should I need to use one.
I will most surely ask around, Raid. I know there will be a high possibility we'll be talking to some "local" people.
Raid's images illustrate why I really would like to bring film, but then there are the practical issues and constraints. I am beginning to sway towards bringing the GF1 and the M8; perhaps the Bessa R instead of the M8 (with half a dozen rolls of slide film), and bring the M-to-m43 adapter as just-in-case. It would all fit in one bag, and they're all small enough for me to use a "pocket" tripod, should I need to use one.
I will most surely ask around, Raid. I know there will be a high possibility we'll be talking to some "local" people.
raid
Dad Photographer
Petra's caves from inside are boring looking. so focus on the rose colored stone outdoors and on people there, Gabriel. The "artifacts" sold there are home made, so do not pay too much.
raid
Dad Photographer
I would not wear clothes like locals unless you also speak the language very well. Else, some may get ideas about you that get you into trouble. The rest of what you have written sounds good to me.
Peter^
Well-known
It is probably no surprise to learn that there is a lot of sun in Jordan. I had a lot of fun there with superslow film: adox cms 20 @ iso 12.
raid
Dad Photographer
In contrast, I was alone there.
Great looking images, by the way.
Great looking images, by the way.
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
As a little supplementary note, I'm hoping that, somehow, I could make some long-exposure photography (i.e. sunrise, sunset, starry sky) which is the main reason I've even considered bringing a dSLR. I have a programmable remote "bulb" shutter release.
For the M8 (and all others), I'd have to use a bulb release and time myself, which may not be practical.
Although the "IQ" of the M8 is far better than, say, the Canon 50D or the Lumix GF1, I'm not sure this would be sensible.
Do any of you have any experience with a Lumix G2 (not to be confused with GF2 or GX2)? Or Lumix Gs in general, but not the G3 (as I hate touchscreens for anything other than a smartphone or tablet)
I wonder if I should just hunt down a G2...or perhaps borrow one?
For the M8 (and all others), I'd have to use a bulb release and time myself, which may not be practical.
Although the "IQ" of the M8 is far better than, say, the Canon 50D or the Lumix GF1, I'm not sure this would be sensible.
Do any of you have any experience with a Lumix G2 (not to be confused with GF2 or GX2)? Or Lumix Gs in general, but not the G3 (as I hate touchscreens for anything other than a smartphone or tablet)
I wonder if I should just hunt down a G2...or perhaps borrow one?
Tom Diaz
Well-known
Gabriel,
Are you actually going to be away from electricity for a solid week, or will there be a chance to recharge batteries.
I have to say, these days I would not want to shoot film on a rare occasion like the one you describe. It's a lot of getting film through one airport after another and then having a lot to develop at the very end, both of which are much bigger problems than they once were. So, on trips like this I leave my film equipment behind. Last exception for me was when I was in southern Africa in 2006, but that finished it for me. The Heathrow terrorist incident that year meant that suddenly, for my return flight home, the airlines were not going to let me carry my dozens of rolls of undeveloped film on board with me--at all!
Fortunately I not only got the word on time but was able to find a service in Cape Town that would do overnight E6 development for me. I ran into some other poor guy who was in the same boat except that he had a couple of dozen sheets of undeveloped 8x10 sheet film representing his work in South Africa that trip. When I left him, he was still wondering what to do.
Yes, that was a stroke of really bad luck, but I think it represents what we all know: the film shooting we love is becoming more taxing even if you are just walking around your own town and developing a roll or two. The problems get a lot bigger when you travel internationally.
So I would definitely take the M8, the GF1 as a backup, and lots of batteries. Too bad... if not for that I'd try to shoot the whole thing on my favorite, Portra 160, or on some other film that would keep the contrast under control.
Tom
Are you actually going to be away from electricity for a solid week, or will there be a chance to recharge batteries.
I have to say, these days I would not want to shoot film on a rare occasion like the one you describe. It's a lot of getting film through one airport after another and then having a lot to develop at the very end, both of which are much bigger problems than they once were. So, on trips like this I leave my film equipment behind. Last exception for me was when I was in southern Africa in 2006, but that finished it for me. The Heathrow terrorist incident that year meant that suddenly, for my return flight home, the airlines were not going to let me carry my dozens of rolls of undeveloped film on board with me--at all!
Fortunately I not only got the word on time but was able to find a service in Cape Town that would do overnight E6 development for me. I ran into some other poor guy who was in the same boat except that he had a couple of dozen sheets of undeveloped 8x10 sheet film representing his work in South Africa that trip. When I left him, he was still wondering what to do.
Yes, that was a stroke of really bad luck, but I think it represents what we all know: the film shooting we love is becoming more taxing even if you are just walking around your own town and developing a roll or two. The problems get a lot bigger when you travel internationally.
So I would definitely take the M8, the GF1 as a backup, and lots of batteries. Too bad... if not for that I'd try to shoot the whole thing on my favorite, Portra 160, or on some other film that would keep the contrast under control.
Tom
Out to Lunch
Ventor
I'd also bring one digital rangefinder + analogue rangefinder and 15, 21, 35, 90 lenses.
bigeye
Well-known
a rose-red city half as old as time
a rose-red city half as old as time
It seems no work of Man's creative hand,
by labour wrought as wavering fancy planned;
But from the rock as if by magic grown,
eternal, silent, beautiful, alone!
Not virgin-white like that old Doric shrine,
where erst Athena held her rites divine;
Not saintly-grey, like many a minster fane,
that crowns the hill and consecrates the plain;
But rose-red as if the blush of dawn,
that first beheld them were not yet withdrawn;
The hues of youth upon a brow of woe,
which Man deemed old two thousand years ago,
match me such marvel save in Eastern clime,
a rose-red city half as old as time.
John Burgon
a rose-red city half as old as time
It seems no work of Man's creative hand,
by labour wrought as wavering fancy planned;
But from the rock as if by magic grown,
eternal, silent, beautiful, alone!
Not virgin-white like that old Doric shrine,
where erst Athena held her rites divine;
Not saintly-grey, like many a minster fane,
that crowns the hill and consecrates the plain;
But rose-red as if the blush of dawn,
that first beheld them were not yet withdrawn;
The hues of youth upon a brow of woe,
which Man deemed old two thousand years ago,
match me such marvel save in Eastern clime,
a rose-red city half as old as time.
John Burgon