Travel Gear for Myanmar and Arrival in Yangon

[Nick De Marco]

Travel gear for Myanmar by nickdemarco, on Flickr

Posting from Myanmar for a final photographic tour before working on my book of photos from the amazing country. I visited twice in 2009, and decided now was a good time to re-visit.

My 'travel light' camera gear includes a digital Leica M9, film Leica M6, various lenses (Zeiss 18, Leica Summicron 28, 35 and 90, and Zeiss Sonar 50mm f1.5), Plaubel Makina 67 medium format camera, film and stuff, and the Fuji X100 which took this photo before packing my bag. Click on the notes to see more.


Nighttime Street Vendor in Yangon by nickdemarco, on Flickr

Nighttime Street Vendor in Yangon
Leica M9, Zeiss 50mm Sonnar f1.5 lens @ f1.5, 1600 iso

Arrival in Yangon International Airport is probably one of the safest, smoothest and quickest arrivals of any international airport I have been to. You are off the plane, through security, pick up baggage and through customs in about 10 minutes.

I had a huge rucksack full of my cameras and tons of film. I said to the customs police I did not want to put it though the X-ray in case it was one that damaged film. He asked how much film I had. I said too much and showed him. He looked a little surprised at seeing probably 40+ rolls of different format film and he asked me why I had so much. I said I like taking film photographers. He asked if I was a photographer, and I replied more as a passion. He then waved me though without having to x-ray my bag. I asked if he wanted to check the main part of the bag (full of cameras) and he said no don't worry. Much easier than travelling in the West!

Nick

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

very nice! and thanks for sharing the contents...can i ask what is the rational of the bodies and lens selection ? the digital m is probably a backup or low light ? The m6 is the main shooting and the 6x7 for landscape ?

thanks
( i was thinking about my up coming trip in a somewhat dangerous country, and i thought about using a main 35mm and a backup p&s, and lots and lots of film)

 

[David_Manning]

I'd be interested to know if you found good use for the X100, Nick, as a pro tool instead of a P&S.

 

[Nick De Marco]

Been without internet for some days in Myanmar

As for usage - I'm not really a landscape person, prefer people, things and archticture. That was one of the reasons for getting the Plaubel actually - I figured the f2.8 lens and the fact I could use it handheld meant I could use it as I used most of my cameras...

However, the M9 got most use, as you would expect. The M6 got some very good use, always with a 35mm lens on it, always tri-x film. Both used for general/street/people photography, and some temples etc.

I was usually more thoughtful before getting out the Plaubel - only 10 shots a roll. I used both colour and black and white film. A lot in Bagan, often with tripod, but some handheld stuff and portraits too.

The X100 was very much a back up, and something to use when all cameras are packed away in my bag, travelling from airport etc. I did not take it out with me for daytime shoots, but usually carried all the other 3.

Anyway, here is another photo taken in Yangon on the M9 (not back yet to develop the film)


Mong-La, with the portrait I took of him in 2009 by nickdemarco, on Flickr

Mong-La, with the portrait I took of him in 2009

Mong-La is a street postcard seller, hanging around Bogyoke market in Yangon.

I met him in 2009, and he showed me around the market and one or two other parts of nearby Yangon. I took his portrait and when I returned this year (2012) I found him treading the same streets, and gave him a print of the photo I took. Here he is holding it.

From my latest trip to Myanmar, working towards a new book.

Leica M9, Zeiss 50mm Sonnar f1.5 lens

More photos and info here:
http://rangefinderchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/01/wednesday-11-january-2012.html

 

[fotomeow]

so Nick, how did this trip pan out? last post is from January.
It is an amazing country. I went for 3 weeks in 2005. My first
experience with RF gear: M6 x 4 lenses, digital P&S, and film P&S.
Have you prepped a book or anything yet on Myanmar?

 

[Kent]

My 'travel light' camera gear includes a digital Leica M9, film Leica M6, various lenses (Zeiss 18, Leica Summicron 28, 35 and 90, and Zeiss Sonar 50mm f1.5), Plaubel Makina 67 medium format camera, film and stuff, and the Fuji X100 which took this photo before packing my bag.

Wow! What a dream set!! (And great shots!)

 

[cwitteki]

Logistics in Yangon/Mawlamyine?

Logistics in Yangon/Mawlamyine?

Hi All,
Thanks for this very informative post.
I'm planning to spend approx. 3-4 months in Yangon and Mawlamyine this spring and am hoping to take my Hasselblad along. I've never tried to travel with/shoot film in a less-than developed country and have a few questions:

1) From your experience, is keeping the exposed film cool and dry for the whole 3-4 months and planning to develop it after returning home a valid option?
2) If not, is there a reliable place you'd recommend that can develop medium format film either in Yangon or Mawlamyine (or even in Bangkok, if necessary)?
3) Any other tips regarding the logistics of this plan? I'm really not sure how to plan for taking my Hasselblad along, but I would hate to have to leave it behind.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[maggieo]

Fantastic set of photos in this thread, Nick. Looking forward to seeing more.

Oh, and I think I'm going to have to get myself a Sonnar now.

 

[E.M]

Good place in Bangkok for filmdevelopment is IQ LAB : Silom Tel. 238-4001 , Ekamai Tel 714-0644 . http://www.iqlab.co.th

I'm not sure if it's still there , I used it ( Silom ) in 2000 and was happy about it .