Myanmar trip: digital & film kit?

<p>Hi there,<br /> Off to Myanmar for a month in a week. Hope to visit Mrauk U, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake, as well do some short/light trekking near Kalaw. And a full day stopover in Hong Kong on both the way in and out.<br />I want to shoot both digital and film and am contemplating the following set-up:<br /> -Nikon V1 with 18.5mm f1.8 (50mm equiv.) + 6.7-13mm (18-35 equiv.) The latter yet to be purchased in HK, so I'll bring the 10mm 2.8 just in case.<br /> plus:<br /> -Nikon F4 (MB20 small grip) with 28mm 1.4AFD, 50mm 1.4 AFD and 85mm 1.4 AFD<br /> or:<br /> -Nikon F2 (DE1 meterless prism) with 35mm 1.4 AIs, 55mm 3.5 AI and 105mm 2.5 ai + Seconic handheld lightmeter<br /> <br />That leaves my D3, F3, F5, FE2 and F100 and 80-200 f2.8 AFS at home ;-)<br /> I'll take Fuji Provia 400X and/or AGFAphoto CT Precisa 100 for slides, ADOX CHS100 for b/w and Cinestill800 for low light color negatives.BTW I'll pick up a Sirui carbon travel tripod in HK as well. I'll leave the SB600 at home.<br /> <br />I really like the handling and files from the V1 and have a sweet spot for the F4's versatility, despite it's plastic, bulk and weight.<br />The idea is to use the V1 for situations where I have to be quick and fast, as well for wide city/landscapes and kick down with one classic body and some great lenses for some more deliberate work: city, street, landscape, portraits etc.</p>

<p>Here's my questions for you:<br /> -What bodies/lenses from my collection would you take?<br /> -Do you think I'll need a telephoto? (180 2.8 ED Ai-s? 300mm f4.5ED IF?)<br /> -Any suggestions for metering with these films and bodies? (quite familiar with ADOX CHS 100, not so much with slides)<br /><br /><br /> Thanks for your input!<br />Grtz,<br />Ray</p>

<p>Personal preference, but I would take the F100 with your 28/50, and get a 70-200/4 VR to round it out.</p>

<p>Reason being, your 28 and 50 are both superlative lenses, but I'd want VR on the longer lens so I could shoot mostly all handheld. Then, I'd be thinking about something very wide, like an 18 or 20.</p>

<p>My mantra for travel lenses is "something wide, something long, and something fast in the middle.</p>

<p>Whatever you decide to take try carrying it all around for a week every where you go. You'll probably find that the weight and bulk will have you thinking twice about leaving things behind.</p>

<p>In 2012 I spent a couple months in India using a Leica M4 with 21, 50 & 90mm lenses, along with a Fuji X-100. Would not have wanted to carry anymore as I mainly use public transport and like to travel light.<br>

The high ISO capabilites of the Fuji got photos that would have been a reach for film. On my trip I decided to just take just two film types, Tri-X and Fuji 400H. Didn't have any problems with carry on baggage scans fogging film but only had about 6 zaps. <br>

Have a great trip Ray.</p>

<p>Have you weighed your contemplated kit and figured out how you are going to carry it?</p>

<p>I'd take the v1 and the F100 with your primes and maybe a 180, either the AIS or the AF one. I'd have a monopod myself.<br>

Al</p>

<p>This thread shows what worked for me in the Philippines last year: http://www.photo.net/travel-photography-forum/00bUoc</p>

<p>Another vote for the F100 instead of F4, mainly because of reduced bulk & weight. Remember, a lighter camera means you can get by with a lighter tripod too.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

<p>As much as I love both of those film bodies I'd leave the F4. Take the F2 and 28/50/105 plus one about 200mm or a fast zoom to cover that. Can't speak to the mirrorless stuff though.</p>

<p>Rick H.</p>

<p>And oh yeah, be damn careful over there.<br>

<br />Rick H.</p>

<p>I went there last autumn and did not use my 70-200mm at all. Majority of the photos were taken with 24-70mm at 55-60mm and then 85mm f/1.4. I would go digital only.</p>

<p ><a href="/photodb/user?user_id=6921722">Rick Helmke</a> , May 11, 2014; 11:42 p.m.</p>

 

<p>And oh yeah, be damn careful over there.</p>

<p>I'll second that and up it by saying make completely sure that according to local law, custom and even hearsay that you are photographing well within the limits permissible and quickly forget any notions of your own country's ideas of rights and reasonableness </p>

 

<p>I`d take the V1 with an all purpose type zoom (24-105 equiv. or so), and the F3 with the 35/1.4 (although I`d prefer a 50/1.4, specially if part of the trip will happen into the nature). <br /> Obviously,<em> I`d ask my wife to take photos with the V1...</em> ;) This way I`ll enjoy a very nice photographic trip shooting b&w film with the F3... FP4+ on D76, please. Maybe add a couple of TX rolls, just in case.<br /> ---<br /> (F4, F2 with a handheld meter, telephotos, color film, chromes... ... ... <em>no way)</em>.</p>

<p>I went there in spring 2000 for close to four weeks. May well have been the most satisfying photo trip ever. And I´ve done some good ones.<br>

Back then I felt everybody I met was absolutely honest. No threat profile whatsoever, that may have changed. I went to Yangon, Mandalay, Inle Lake and Pegu/Kyaiktyo (Golden Rock), taking my sweet time.<br>

Equipmentthen: F100 (used to be a F4 before that), 16mm f2,8 fisheye, 17-35mm f2,8, 85mm f1,4, Af 20-200mm f2,8 zoom and and a TC 14 converter. And lots of slide film (Ektachrome extra color).<br>

On a recent trip -to Nicaragua- this changed essentially to D700 with 16mm f2,8, 24-120mm f4,0, 85mm f1,4Af and a V1 with 30-110mm zoom. Times change... have a nice trip.</p>

<p>I did a similar tour a coupkle of years ago , on a full frame Nikon 95% of the photos were taken on a 24-70mm F2.8.<br>

the rest on a 70-200mm F2.8.They were fishermen on Ind lake.<br>

Mandalay, take the life to the top its thousands of steps.<br>

ALL the people we met were very friendly, no worries at all no one seemed to mind having there photos taken, all seemed happy to have tourists in their country<br>

Bagan is dusty take care swapping lenses, get u[p on top of the big temples for sunset photos across the river.<br>

I hope you have a great time we sure did .<br>

PS take what you need we didnt see a camera shop anywhere</p>

Unless you are shooting 4x5 or 8x10 cameras, Why take 35mm film cameras at all? Are you nostalgic for the days of

hauling bucket loads of film around, getting it X-ray'd by underpaid reactors at airports, and shoveling out hundreds of

dollars to labs to process of that film to get to the few frames you'll actually be glad you shot?

 

Leave the nostalgia at home and be a practical photographer: take the D3. Better yet, get a D800 or Sony A7r.

<p>Ellis--<br /> I've been taking my little Leica IIIc with lenses 28/50/90mm on trips shooting FP4 and HP5 for the past two years. I'm heading to Chicago on Friday and only taking the Leica. There's something really cool about travel photos taken on b&w film, and I just love the little Leica. It's the original 35mm travel kit and still does the job quite well. On "major" trips abroad I also take the D7100 & D5100 for color images. The shots from the Leica are just as nice though. They have a timeless, classic feel to them. I understand the OP perfectly.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p><div></div>

<p>I also understand the attraction of film, and also carry a Barnack Leica much of the time when I travel, but the poster's proposed kit just sounds incredibly heavy.</p>

<p>I did Istanbul and Rome a few years back. Thailand before then. <br>

I have travelled with Pentax Spotmatic and powershot and then nikon f100 paired with nikon d200 and able to minimize the lenses: 24mm, 50mm, 180mm. I found this worked well. <br>

I shot black and white and color slide with the f100. The most recent trip I used the iphone for the quick and stealthy snaps. I find that I shoot the roll of film first and use the digital to if the area warrants more shots. Now days, I am all about the ease of post processing either for web or print. The film I shoot stays in the fridge and I develop maybe twice a year. Digital gets a quicker edit. Have a good trip.</p>

<p>Hi all,<br />Thank you for your responses.<br />Here's where I am now:<br />-Probably take the F2 with just the 35 1.4 and 105 2.5. It has the H2 screen which is my favorite for manual focussing. And yes, there is some nostalgia involved: I love the experience of shooting a well made SLR and some glass with 'character'. <br /><br />-Probably will leave the color negative film at home. Maybe one or two rolls Cinestill (tungsten balanced) for the Hong Kong at night stopover. Not sure about bringing slides. Am quite at home with developing and scanning B/W (Rodinal stand is pretty foolproof and works fine for scanning) but am new to slides. Anyone has some insights about Provia400X in Asia-light?<br /> <br />-I'd love a lens like the new 70-200 f4 as a travel lens, but unfortunately I don't have it yet. A D600 would be nice too, but alas. I don't mind carrying a pro body on the street but only with a small prime like the 50 1.4 (did this before on a trip to Turkey with a D2H and it works great: fast and responsive).<br />Bringing the D3 with just the 50 is a challenging thought, but I will consider this idea...<br /><br />-As for the V1: I travelled to Nepal before, bringing a small D60 (and FM2), and to my eye I think the IQ of the V1 is better. And I even prefer the 'feel' and shooting experience of the V1 over the cheap plastic of the D60. And the FT1 works great so I'll have my telephoto if needed :-)</p>

<p>-I'm not at all setting low standards to IQ, but for me there's more to a good photo than resolution and sharpness at pixel level. It's an irrational thing but I love it. And just like Kent I think there is a certain charm to black and white travel photo's. So let's not discuss the merits or disadvantages of 35mm film here. That said: I love good digital files too and that's why I want tot bring both.</p>

<p>-I'll be carying my stuff in a F-stop Loka backpack (great bag btw) while traveling or while hiking. And a Think Tank Retrospective 5 while walking around: V1 on the neck, SLR with small lens on the shoulder, other small lens(es) and film in the bag.<br>

Thanks again!</p>

<p>Ray,<br>

I'm sure you'll love Myanmar. I spent a few weeks there in '97 and found it a photographer's paradise. Also, accomodations and eats are embarassingly cheap.<br>

An F3 and 35/70 and 70/135 Nikkors were plenty enough firepower for me.<br>

I assume Yangon will be your port of entry. Be sure to visit the Schwe Dagon pagoda, both during the day, and when it's illuminated at night. <br>

Bagan is a dream if you're into temples. There are rental bikes available, but a better option is renting a horse cart for the day. They're cheap, the drivers know all the best sites and they just park under a tree and snooze while you're snapping away. Also, I second the idea of sunset from one of the taller temples. Don't expect solitude, though.<br>

Except for the mountains, it'll probably be pretty hot. Stay hydrated.<br>

Keep in mind that at Myanmar's latitude, the mid-day (10am to 2pm) sun is really contrasty too. Slide film is a PITA.<br>

Lastly, ignore the travel warnings above. Myanmar is one of the safest places I've traveled in all of Asia. Normal caution is recommended, but it's doubtful you''ll have any trouble.<br>

Good luck, enjoy your trip and post some shots when you get back<br>

Mitya</p>

<p> </p>

<p> </p>

<p>I was there a few years ago. Amazing to say the least. I would go all digital with the V1 and D3. Leave the 80-200 home like someone else mentioned. I would concentrate on portraits there. The people are such willing subjects so make sure you have a decent portrait lens. Very safe country. Here is the link of my book I put together from that trip.<br>

http://store.blurb.com/my/books/5102694-portraits-of-myanmar</p>

 

<p>I was there in January. You'll have a great time. It is a colorful country with friendly people. Try the green papaya salad from the Yangon sidewalk vendors in the Bogyoke Aung San Market, pronounced bo-joke market.</p>

<p>I brought a D800 with 14-24mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm. I used all three. The 70-200 got more use than I expected. Necessary on Inlay Lake, but useful in the little markets too to isolate subjects and compress distances. The 14-24mm was important to have inside temples and at the giant reclining Buddha. On the other hand, I found myself envying the person on the trip who brought only one lens: a 28-300mm. The weight of the three lenses is considerable. I always left one in the hotel room and ventured out with the other two.</p>

<p>If I had a 17-35mm I'd leave the 24-70mm at home and just go with that and the 70-200mm.</p>

<p>I used a tripod at Bagan for sunrise and sunset photos. It wasn't necessary anywhere else. I never wished for a monopod, though I brought one. Never needed a flash.</p>

<p>It will be hot when you're there. In addition to the photo equipment, bring a hat. Shoes and socks are not allowed in any of the temples. You will be taking both off frequently. Bring wipes for your feet. Always have wipes in your pockets; temples are everywhere. I can't stress this enough. Sometimes monkeys are in the temples. You'll be happy to have the wipes if you step in monkey poo.</p>

<p>People are very friendly and are happy to pose for you. They do enjoy seeing the pictures if you are shooting digitally. We arranged in advance for monks to pose for us at several temples. We donated to the temple in appreciation, but did not pay anyone directly for posing.</p>

<p>Not familiar with the V1, but your kit seems sensible. The more I travel and the more comfortable I get, the more the long lenses stay in the bag or at home. Just spent a week in Cairo, used the 70-200 VR II once, the 28 1.4 almost never came off the camera (a D-3 with F-4 backup).</p>

<p>Thank you all very much for your thoughts, tips and wishes!<br />I'm looking forward to what most likely will be a great trip!<br />Here's the kit I finally put together.<br /><br />(still doubtfully with a FE2 or F2 waiting in the wings, maybe to be thrown in the bag last minute as a spare or to have a separate b/w and slide body)</p><div></div>

<p>Hi Ray, first of all, I don't mean to rain on your parade. I wish you have a great trip and enjoy your photography. However, I am more in Ellis' camp.</p>

<p>Back in the 1990's and early 2000's, I used to take a picture of all the film I was carrying before an international trip. This one must have been one of the last such images, before our 2002 trip Australia. I brought four cameras on that trip: Nikon F5, F100, D100 and a Contax 645, which explains the 220 film. I had over 100 rolls, and it was a year after September 11. (In fact, I was in Alice Springs, Australia watching the one-year memorial of 9/11 on TV.) Security was tight at the airport as they were wondering why I had so much film with me.</p>

<p>I am glad that those days are over, at least for me.</p><div></div>

<p>4 Camera's and over 100 rolls would indeed be to much for me too Shun!<br />I reckon 2 small camera's, 10 rolls and 64GB of SD cards must be doable though :-)<br />We'll see. I'am all packed now, leaving tomorrow and will be back with some pics!</p>