jke
Well-known
If you have an M8, take that with a 28mm or 35mm equivalent lens. I'd suggest the latter. You aren't going to get anything other than cultural and environmental shots with a rangefinder anyway, so just take the most multi-purpose lens and leave it on the camera. The rainforest is well, rainy, and with a digital, taking the lens on and off is just risking mucking things up with the moisture.
If you feel like you want some bird or other animal photos, one of the better digital travel zoom p&s cameras works fine enough for travel snaps. Small light easy to use. Canon and Panasonic make the best. Images aren't like the ones you'd get from a Canon 5D and a 100-400mm L lens, but the cameras are about the size of a softball now and a lot less expensive than a 5D. If you don't want to buy one, I guarantee you know someone who'll loan you one for the trip.
I am a birdwatcher with a lot of experience in the tropics, and I second the above motion for an excellent pair of binoculars. The Leica model mentioned is terrific - the 10x25 Televid. Now there is also the newer 10x25 Ultravid, which is a noticeable improvement. Get the rubber armored version. In fact, I would say a pair of excellent binoculars will be more important for your overall enjoyment than carrying a second camera. The rainforest is terrific, but the trees are tall and birds & animals can be quite far away even when close at hand.
So to review, the Leica M8 + 28 or 35 and a pair of excellent binoculars. Which coincidently is similar to what I carry whenever I travel. I have an M7 + 28mm f2.0 and Zeiss 10x40's. I also have a Canon S5 IS. Thus my recommendations. (The only reason I say bring the M8 rather than M7 is due to travel convenience and the indication that you aren't familiar with shooting color film. No sense in learning a new film while traveling.)
If you feel like you want some bird or other animal photos, one of the better digital travel zoom p&s cameras works fine enough for travel snaps. Small light easy to use. Canon and Panasonic make the best. Images aren't like the ones you'd get from a Canon 5D and a 100-400mm L lens, but the cameras are about the size of a softball now and a lot less expensive than a 5D. If you don't want to buy one, I guarantee you know someone who'll loan you one for the trip.
I am a birdwatcher with a lot of experience in the tropics, and I second the above motion for an excellent pair of binoculars. The Leica model mentioned is terrific - the 10x25 Televid. Now there is also the newer 10x25 Ultravid, which is a noticeable improvement. Get the rubber armored version. In fact, I would say a pair of excellent binoculars will be more important for your overall enjoyment than carrying a second camera. The rainforest is terrific, but the trees are tall and birds & animals can be quite far away even when close at hand.
So to review, the Leica M8 + 28 or 35 and a pair of excellent binoculars. Which coincidently is similar to what I carry whenever I travel. I have an M7 + 28mm f2.0 and Zeiss 10x40's. I also have a Canon S5 IS. Thus my recommendations. (The only reason I say bring the M8 rather than M7 is due to travel convenience and the indication that you aren't familiar with shooting color film. No sense in learning a new film while traveling.)
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degruyl
Just this guy, you know?
I'd go with Astia 100F, and Provia 400X (which can push a stop or possibly two). Note, if you are pushing, watch for X-ray machines (if you develop it as a high speed film, it reacts as a high speed film).
For C41, I'd take both speeds of Portra (160 and 400). Possibly 800. I really fell out of love with Fuji print films.
ERV
Well-known
Jke- good suggestions.
I agree about taking a simple digital point and shoot with a zoom. My kids took amazing photos of birds and animals, and all I had to do was tell them what to shoot for me while I looked through my binos.
I took Superia 400 and 800 speed print film.
We had great guides, and it was really cool when we arrived at Monteverde cloud forest and they were all waiting outside the park gate with their Leica spotting scopes.
I knew then that this was going to be fun.
I agree about taking a simple digital point and shoot with a zoom. My kids took amazing photos of birds and animals, and all I had to do was tell them what to shoot for me while I looked through my binos.
I took Superia 400 and 800 speed print film.
We had great guides, and it was really cool when we arrived at Monteverde cloud forest and they were all waiting outside the park gate with their Leica spotting scopes.
I knew then that this was going to be fun.