What body and 1-2 lenses would you take to the Sandbox?

[Gray Fox]

I may have an opportunity to take a relatively safe military support job (at good pay!) in one of our Sandbox locations. I'm looking at taking one of the waterproof/dustproof digital P&S cameras, but wonder if there is an RF or SLR film camera with say a 28 and a 50 that is compact enough to go into a ziplock bag in a BDU pocket that might survive 6-12 months?

This would presuppose that I could put a compact film developing rig together in a footlocker or plastic box. Another thought would be to send the rolls, either B&W or color to that outfit in northern CA that Ken Rockwell uses that puts high res scans on CDs. This would be my second chance in a lifetime to participate in a war the U.S. loses ('Nam was my first experience), and I want to document it well for posterity. All inputs will be appreciated. GF

 

[WalterM]

http://www.northcoastphoto.com/ is what Rockwell was referring to.

and for a small camera, i'd go with a Leica/Minolta CLE and the VC 28/35 mini viewfinder for the 28. fairly pocketable.

 

[former member]

Get a Nikonos. Hose it off when it rains mud.

 

[Neare]

Ohh +1 for the Nikonos, you could probably use it as a riot shield too and it would be sweet.

 

[Gray Fox]

Hadn't thought about a Nikonos since many moons ago in HI. I'll have to see what KEH has on hand.

 

[RollingBall]

When you said sandbox, at first I thought it was American slang for the grave. 🙂
Which got me wondering why you would need 2 lenses.

 

[Gray Fox]

If it wern't for the weight, and its being scale focus, KEH has some great stuff. Black IV body, 35mm/2.5, and 80mm/4.0, both black with caps, all in EX condition for a total of $226. I bet the aperture preferred meter set at 8 or 11, with Tri-X would be a heck of a point-n-shoot if set at infinity. Sure would be something to consider.

 

[Ranchu]

6 X Olympus Infinity Mini/AF-1 Mini. The plastic is tougher than the Epic's. Takes CR123A battery OR 2 x AA. Light. Splashproof with door gasket. Speeds 1-1/350. I'd send the film back.

 

[Neare]

It would be very easy to use the 35mm. 80 though...

In p&s's:
There's also the Konica Wide 28 (aka Off Road) or the Fuji HD-M

 

[Gray Fox]

Rollingball: That American slang term might be "dirt nap" which I would hope would not be the result of such a fairly safe trip to the Sandbox. Would be a bummer, indeed. That having been said, whenever I go someplace new and exotic they always seem to have, "the worst---storm, winter, crop yield, economy, etc. in 40 years." That's why most folks who know me prefer I travel alone.

 

[oftheherd]

The Nikonos sure sounds like a good solution. You might also want to look for a good P&S with zoom, that is also as weatherproof as possible; then keep it in the zip lock bag unless it is actually being used. Even a couple so one is a backup keep at your quarters. Many good P&S out there. The major Japanese manufacturers made many, and even Leica has their Mini Zoom.