SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
+ 1 regarding wide angle lenses in Spanish America. However, a 35mm and a 50 will do wonders. Just don't leave anything unattended.
jpa66
Jan as in "Jan and Dean"
Thanks, gentlemen.
I've read through that thread on Peru, Michalm, and it gave me a lot of good info. I'm not too worried about theft (I'm from the big, bad city and always try to be alert).
Good tip on the film - I was hoping that there'd be enough light for 100 speed.
I think I'm going to leave the rangefinder (Bessa) at home (it's an R4), and just go with my Fm3a and a 50 for low light and a zoom (heretical, I know). Also, I'll defnitely have my Rollieflex - I almost never travel without it.
I've read through that thread on Peru, Michalm, and it gave me a lot of good info. I'm not too worried about theft (I'm from the big, bad city and always try to be alert).
Good tip on the film - I was hoping that there'd be enough light for 100 speed.
I think I'm going to leave the rangefinder (Bessa) at home (it's an R4), and just go with my Fm3a and a 50 for low light and a zoom (heretical, I know). Also, I'll defnitely have my Rollieflex - I almost never travel without it.
ktmrider
Well-known
Really Enjoyed It
Really Enjoyed It
Well, we were there last July and loved Cuzco and Machu Picchu. Honestly, the X100 would have been fine. I shot black and white with the M6 and should have taken a medium format for film.
Be sure to allow a couple easy days for the altitude. Cuzco is 1000 ft higher then Machu Picchu. I did not get sick but I live at 4100 msl but my daughter who lives at sea level did. Thought Lake Titicaca a waste of time.
Am in the Scottish Highlands as I write this and have yet to remove the 35 from the M9.
And the alpaca sweaters and vests make great, practical souvenirs.
Really Enjoyed It
Well, we were there last July and loved Cuzco and Machu Picchu. Honestly, the X100 would have been fine. I shot black and white with the M6 and should have taken a medium format for film.
Be sure to allow a couple easy days for the altitude. Cuzco is 1000 ft higher then Machu Picchu. I did not get sick but I live at 4100 msl but my daughter who lives at sea level did. Thought Lake Titicaca a waste of time.
Am in the Scottish Highlands as I write this and have yet to remove the 35 from the M9.
And the alpaca sweaters and vests make great, practical souvenirs.
jpa66
Jan as in "Jan and Dean"
Glad you had a good time! I'm looking forward to the trip. Medium format is my go-to film (love that Rollei!).
As I live in Chicago, it's not very high, elevation-wise. My wife and I will be in Cusco at least a day taking it (relatively) easy. We both like to think that we're in good shape, but we're still going to be a little cautious about the thin air.
As I live in Chicago, it's not very high, elevation-wise. My wife and I will be in Cusco at least a day taking it (relatively) easy. We both like to think that we're in good shape, but we're still going to be a little cautious about the thin air.
Dan
Let's Sway
Coming late to this thread but since I was there this past May I thought I'd chime in. Most everything pointed out already is great advice but I would add the necessity to stay hydrated all the time in order to lessen the effects of the high altitude. We felt extremely safe everywhere we went but we're from bad-ass Baltimore so we're careful and mindful of our environment.
Took my X-E1, three batteries, an 18mm and 35mm lens, a medium size bag (for water bottle, moleskin, etc) and it was perfect. Totally capable plus lightweight and compact.
Be willing to adjust your schedule and expectations depending on how you adjust to and operate at high altitude. It's a remarkably beautiful country that rewards all the physical exertion you'll put in to exploring the landscape!
Took my X-E1, three batteries, an 18mm and 35mm lens, a medium size bag (for water bottle, moleskin, etc) and it was perfect. Totally capable plus lightweight and compact.
Be willing to adjust your schedule and expectations depending on how you adjust to and operate at high altitude. It's a remarkably beautiful country that rewards all the physical exertion you'll put in to exploring the landscape!
ktmrider
Well-known
Altitude Sickness
Altitude Sickness
There is a drug which can be prescribed for altitude sickness. Climbers in the Himalaya use it. It is not very exotic so you may want to check with your doctor. Can not remember the name and in Scotland right now so cannot check records, it is supposed to prevent most symptoms.
Altitude Sickness
There is a drug which can be prescribed for altitude sickness. Climbers in the Himalaya use it. It is not very exotic so you may want to check with your doctor. Can not remember the name and in Scotland right now so cannot check records, it is supposed to prevent most symptoms.
__--
Well-known
The one I know is a diuretic, Diamox. It works well, although you still feel somewhat uncomfortable. One effect is that carbonated drinks, including beer, taste sour.
In my experience the effect of altitude sickness, called "sorroche" in Bolivia and Peru, is unpredictable and does not seem to correlate to physical condition: some years ago I went on a business trip to La Paz — as I recall the airport is at 4,200 metres and the city is at 3,800. As soon as I stepped off the plane and took five steps carrying a 20 lb carry-on bag, I was out of breath and wanted to sit down. I was with a friend who was in much better shape: he ran 3 miles a day and was not overweight. When we arrived in the hotel (in the morning) he had to lie down and wanted to book a return flight to Miami for that evening. The hotels can deliver small oxygen tanks to one's room and he used one, and I managed to get him to a meeting that evening, but he insisted on leaving the following day.
—Mitch
Do You Know What is Really Real?
Download link for PDF file of 15-shot portfolio
In my experience the effect of altitude sickness, called "sorroche" in Bolivia and Peru, is unpredictable and does not seem to correlate to physical condition: some years ago I went on a business trip to La Paz — as I recall the airport is at 4,200 metres and the city is at 3,800. As soon as I stepped off the plane and took five steps carrying a 20 lb carry-on bag, I was out of breath and wanted to sit down. I was with a friend who was in much better shape: he ran 3 miles a day and was not overweight. When we arrived in the hotel (in the morning) he had to lie down and wanted to book a return flight to Miami for that evening. The hotels can deliver small oxygen tanks to one's room and he used one, and I managed to get him to a meeting that evening, but he insisted on leaving the following day.
—Mitch
Do You Know What is Really Real?
Download link for PDF file of 15-shot portfolio
jpa66
Jan as in "Jan and Dean"
One last question:
I usually take my Rollei with me when I travel. Is it a good idea to take it to Peru with me? I'm thinking about it's safety (i.e. chances of getting stolen). I'm always quite aware of my surroundings when I'm away, and never really worry too much about anything happening to my gear, but I'd hate like hell for anything to happen to my Rollei.
I usually take my Rollei with me when I travel. Is it a good idea to take it to Peru with me? I'm thinking about it's safety (i.e. chances of getting stolen). I'm always quite aware of my surroundings when I'm away, and never really worry too much about anything happening to my gear, but I'd hate like hell for anything to happen to my Rollei.
ktmrider
Well-known
Take it and perhaps insure it. You will miss it if you do not. Machu Picchu would look great on medium format.
Know what you mean about traveling with expensive gear. I am on the last week of 90 days of travel with my daughter in Europe and traveling with M9. I find myself keeping the camera with me for security more then if it did not cost so much but I also have taken a few photos I might have missed.
Just do not pull a trick I did early in my trip. We were hiking the West Highland Way and had done 19 miles to King's House and I was pretty exhausted. Well a couple pints with dinner and I headed up to the room for bed. Next morning I could not find the M9. Panic!!! I had left it in the bar. It was turned in and I got it back. Believe me, you do something stupid like that with your Rollie and you will never repeat it. Needless to say, my M9 and I have grown very close indeed.
Know what you mean about traveling with expensive gear. I am on the last week of 90 days of travel with my daughter in Europe and traveling with M9. I find myself keeping the camera with me for security more then if it did not cost so much but I also have taken a few photos I might have missed.
Just do not pull a trick I did early in my trip. We were hiking the West Highland Way and had done 19 miles to King's House and I was pretty exhausted. Well a couple pints with dinner and I headed up to the room for bed. Next morning I could not find the M9. Panic!!! I had left it in the bar. It was turned in and I got it back. Believe me, you do something stupid like that with your Rollie and you will never repeat it. Needless to say, my M9 and I have grown very close indeed.
jpa66
Jan as in "Jan and Dean"
Thanks for the info. I'm going to bring it - I'd really miss it otherwise.
Sounds like you had a great time in Europe. And I did once lose my Rollei lens cap in a restaurant (somewhere in Portugal, I think), but I went back inside to the table that my wife and had eaten at, and it was on the floor! Since then, I've been like you with your M9!
Sounds like you had a great time in Europe. And I did once lose my Rollei lens cap in a restaurant (somewhere in Portugal, I think), but I went back inside to the table that my wife and had eaten at, and it was on the floor! Since then, I've been like you with your M9!
jmilkins
Digited User
I spent 5 months in 1996 backpacking through South America, including your destinations OP. Totally wonderful experience.
Took too much camera gear - about 12 Kgs (though that included 90 rolls of slide film which I carried much of the way through, then got developed in Chile.
The South American Handbook was fantastic. Sure, I got a machete held to my throat which relived me of my 9xi. Whose fault? - my own for not putting it away after use.
Got out the spare 9xi I had bought 2 days before, rather strangely from the front window of a chemist store. Willing to bet that that stolen camera went straight back there ;-)
The embarrassed guards at the temple de la luna (who'd said it was safe to walk through the fields to the river) put us in the back of a ute and chased peasants through the fields. They cornered 2 of the 3 thieves, and pointed their automatic weapons at them , asking if they were the ones.
"No...no certainly not" I said. Let's face it, the next day I would be on my way only one camera lighter, and there was no way I was going to confirm the identity of those young men in front of the very aggressive, possibly trigger happy guards.
I have a story, they made a few measly bucks, and no one is dead.
Have a great trip (and if it happens on a Kwaka - even better)!
Took too much camera gear - about 12 Kgs (though that included 90 rolls of slide film which I carried much of the way through, then got developed in Chile.
The South American Handbook was fantastic. Sure, I got a machete held to my throat which relived me of my 9xi. Whose fault? - my own for not putting it away after use.
Got out the spare 9xi I had bought 2 days before, rather strangely from the front window of a chemist store. Willing to bet that that stolen camera went straight back there ;-)
The embarrassed guards at the temple de la luna (who'd said it was safe to walk through the fields to the river) put us in the back of a ute and chased peasants through the fields. They cornered 2 of the 3 thieves, and pointed their automatic weapons at them , asking if they were the ones.
"No...no certainly not" I said. Let's face it, the next day I would be on my way only one camera lighter, and there was no way I was going to confirm the identity of those young men in front of the very aggressive, possibly trigger happy guards.
I have a story, they made a few measly bucks, and no one is dead.
Have a great trip (and if it happens on a Kwaka - even better)!
charjohncarter
Veteran
The people are shy about having their photos taken but a little cash will help.
jpa66
Jan as in "Jan and Dean"
Hey - had a good time in Peru. The weather could have been better (lots of rain) but it was good enough not to spoil the trip. No altitude sickness - just a bit of a slight headache the first day (I did manage to catch something from my wife, though, who was sick before we went on the trip).
I decided to just bring my FM3a and my beater Yashica A instead of my Rollei. I'm glad that I didn't take the Rollie, as I would not have brought it out much at all due to the weather. Using the Yashica though, makes me appreciate the Rollei even more!
And no pics yet - I'm backed up on my development, but will post a few when I get to them (hopefully soon).
Thanks for all the information, people. Beautiful country. I always felt reasonably safe, just wish that I had the intestinal fortitude to get food from the markets, as it all looked so good
I decided to just bring my FM3a and my beater Yashica A instead of my Rollei. I'm glad that I didn't take the Rollie, as I would not have brought it out much at all due to the weather. Using the Yashica though, makes me appreciate the Rollei even more!
And no pics yet - I'm backed up on my development, but will post a few when I get to them (hopefully soon).
Thanks for all the information, people. Beautiful country. I always felt reasonably safe, just wish that I had the intestinal fortitude to get food from the markets, as it all looked so good
jpa66
Jan as in "Jan and Dean"
Well, I've finally developed my Peru pics. No shots from the Yashica, as they're all pretty much standard shots of the Sacred Valley and Machhu Picchu.
Attached a couple of street shots. The first is in Aguas Calientes, and the last two are in Cusco.
Attached a couple of street shots. The first is in Aguas Calientes, and the last two are in Cusco.