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Camera kit for Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia


MarkP

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Well I'm going to work outside my usual lens comfort zone on my trip with the family to Uluru this week. Normally for such a trip I'd just take a set of four prime lenses (21 SEM,28 Summicron ASPH, 50 Summilux ASPH/FLE and 90 Macro-Elmar) with the M240 and Monochrom. It all fits comfortably into my compact Crumpler 5 Million dollar Home.

 

I'm not taking the Monochrom on a trip for the first time in ages as I think I will want the option of capturing the colours of the Rock and the outback so it will be the M240. The M9 will be there as a backup. I considered the 4.0/28-50 MATE but decided against it as I want better resolving lenses for landscape work.

 

I'm going to try my 2.8-4.5/28-90 Vario-Elmari-R on it's own with the M240 so I can walk about with the family and some of the guided walks with just one lens, EVF and two batteries (and maybe a monopod). So far I've been very impressed with this lens on the M240 - very detailed and 'transparent' rendering and the slight barrel distortion at 28mm is not really a problem nature landscape work.

 

However, for when I've a bit more time for photography for myself I'm also taking a different set of prime lenses from my usuals (21 SEM, 35 Summilux ASPH/FLE, 75 Summicron ASPH and 135APO-Telyt to force me to use some of my less used lenses and to move out of my comfort zone.

 

I think both of these options will be fine for landscape work.

 

Suggestions welcome in case anyone thinks I've got it wrong - I may well miss my two all-time favourite lenses, the 28 Summicron ASPH and 50 Summilux ASPH/FLE which got the bulk of the use on my last trip to the Northern Territory :(

Edited by MarkP
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Hi

Ive been there a few times and everyone tries to photograph the colurs and "redo" the images we have allready seen a million times. So that means a wideangle to photograph the rock and a tele when youre on the rock. Im not implying thats what you are going to do, but I just think you could perhaps do something more interesting with your MM and a sharp midrange lens like your 35 or 50 summilux

 

Just a thought - have nice trip!

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.....So that means a wideangle to photograph the rock and a tele when youre on the rock.....

 

You can still walk on it? If so, I'm surprised.

 

I still shudder at the thought of seeing Norman Gunston filling the cracks in with Polyfilla. :(

 

Treat it with respect.

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You can still walk on it? If so, I'm surprised.

 

I still shudder at the thought of seeing Norman Gunston filling the cracks in with Polyfilla. :(

 

Treat it with respect.

 

From what I understand (not a fact) you can still do it but the aboriginals prefer people not to because it is a sacred site. I did it almost 20 years ago and nobody mentioned the issue at the time...

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Hi

Ive been there a few times and everyone tries to photograph the colurs and "redo" the images we have allready seen a million times. So that means a wideangle to photograph the rock and a tele when youre on the rock. Im not implying thats what you are going to do, but I just think you could perhaps do something more interesting with your MM and a sharp midrange lens like your 35 or 50 summilux

 

Just a thought - have nice trip!

 

I know what you mean and I have every intention of trying to avoid cliched Rock photos.

Furthermore, I had initially considered not taking a lens any wider than 28mm. Most of my photographs are converted to B&W which is why I usually use the Monochrom, but I thought I shoThere si no doubt that the Monochroms resolution and tonal range easily beart that of the M240. My daughter tells me she wants to use the M9 and a 1.5/50 Sonnar so I've just thrown my Monochrom into the bag - thanks :rolleyes:.

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You may like to take a look at the National Parks regulations on what you may or may not photograph, where you may or may not go, what you may or may not do with your photographs and what the traditional owners are said to require of your photography before you go. Worth a search for awareness if nothing else.

 

This is a contentious situation with a number of Australian landscape photographers, especially regarding commercial use and area access restrictions (despite many thousands of tourist photos in circulation). In my opinion some of this is unreasonable.

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From what I understand (not a fact) you can still do it but the aboriginals prefer people not to because it is a sacred site. I did it almost 20 years ago and nobody mentioned the issue at the time...

 

 

I was last there in 1990 (in my Nikon F3/T days) and there was not even a suggestion that perhaps we should consider not climbing the Rock out of respect to it being a sacred site - the only consideration being safety. The path is about 1.6km long - a climb of about 350 metres. There were a number of brass memorial plaques at the base of the climb for those that died on the Rock (more cardiac arrests than falls)! Anyhow, two thirds up the climb the person in front of me arrested but fortunately fell against one of the steel posts holding the chain or he would have rolled down the Rock to his death. My friend and I successfully resuscitated him - I was on holidays there celebrating having passed my part I physician's exams!

 

Anyhow, I would not climb it today (I'm not sure whether it's even still allowed but will soon find out) out of respect to it being a sacred site - after all we don't clamber all over Churches and Mosques and Synagogues.

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I have never been to Ayers Rock (or to Australia for that matter, although it's definitely on my future trips list) but WATE, MATE and 135 is what I use for sunny landscape group trips.

 

I get enough complaints from the rest of the family when I pause to take a picture, that I don't want to slow the whole party down further by swapping lenses frequently.

 

To me, the (small) disadvantage in resolution compared to prime lenses is more than offset by the convenience offered by the multiple focal lengths available with either *ATE.

 

In addition, minimizing lens changes in windy and/or sandy environments helps keeping the sensor clean.

 

FWIW, I have observed that the MATE is the lens that sees the most use in such circumstances.

 

And yes, I would not take the MM on such trips. If it turns out that the light/patterns provide good B&W opportunities, then I'd just convert the color DNG in post. Not ideal, but better than adding weight to the bag. YMMW, of course.

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You may like to take a look at the National Parks regulations on what you may or may not photograph, where you may or may not go, what you may or may not do with your photographs and what the traditional owners are said to require of your photography before you go. Worth a search for awareness if nothing else.

 

This is a contentious situation with a number of Australian landscape photographers, especially regarding commercial use and area access restrictions (despite many thousands of tourist photos in circulation). In my opinion some of this is unreasonable.

 

Hi Geoff,

 

I would be respectful regarding who rather than what I photographed. My understanding is that there are a few limitations on photography. My photos aren't for commercial use so I'm not too concerned - I really like my photos but I don't think anyone would buy them :rolleyes:.

 

Regardless,

Mark

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I was last there in 1990 (in my Nikon F3/T days) and there was not even a suggestion that perhaps we should consider not climbing the Rock out of respect to it being a sacred site - the only consideration being safety. The path is about 1.6km long - a climb of about 350 metres. There were a number of brass memorial plaques at the base of the climb for those that died on the Rock (more cardiac arrests than falls)! Anyhow, two thirds up the climb the person in front of me arrested but fortunately fell against one of the steel posts holding the chain or he would have rolled down the Rock to his death. My friend and I successfully resuscitated him - I was on holidays there celebrating having passed my part I physician's exams!

 

Anyhow, I would not climb it today (I'm not sure whether it's even still allowed but will soon find out) out of respect to it being a sacred site - after all we don't clamber all over Churches and Mosques and Synagogues.

 

I have exactly the same memory of it as you. But you are right about not climbing. Besides you will have a lot more time to photograph :-) Have a great trip, Mark. Im sure it is still an impressive place and the outback landscape still fascinating!

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I have never been to Ayers Rock (or to Australia for that matter, although it's definitely on my future trips list) but WATE, MATE and 135 is what I use for sunny landscape group trips...

 

...I get enough complaints from the rest of the family when I pause to take a picture, that I don't want to slow the whole party down further by swapping lenses frequently...

 

...In addition, minimizing lens changes in windy and/or sandy environments helps keeping the sensor clean...

 

...FWIW, I have observed that the MATE is the lens that sees the most use in such circumstances...

 

Thanks - exactly why I'm taking the 2.8-4.5/28-90 Vario-Elmarit which gives me 5 lenses in one (28,35,50,75,90), but I will go off and use the primes when I've got some time on my own. I've no experience with lenses wider than 21mm but the WATE is still on my hit list for some time in the future.

 

 

 

To me, the (small) disadvantage in resolution compared to prime lenses is more than offset by the convenience offered by the multiple focal lengths available with either *ATE.

 

Again, exactly why I'm going to try the zoom - if I didn't have it then I'd be taking my MATE for walkabout. For other times where I'm on my own I don't mind changing prime lenses in such environments where I have the time to be careful.

 

 

 

And yes, I would not take the MM on such trips. If it turns out that the light/patterns provide good B&W opportunities, then I'd just convert the color DNG in post. Not ideal, but better than adding weight to the bag. YMMW, of course.

 

Exactly my thoughts. But it's no extra weight in my main luggage, I can head out with it on my own with a second body when I'm not going to slow anyone else down, and it will keep Numbers happy if I take it:D

Edited by MarkP
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Are you concerned about the bulldust finding it's way amongst all that Deutsch gear ?

 

I was going to suggest not changing lenses, if possible, or you'll end up scraping fly guts off your sensor.

 

My memories of the place include being accosted at the nearby resort by some other Yanks in a jeep, demanding to know where they could get a pizza. We told them, "Alice Springs," and helpfully provided driving directions ("Follow this road to the T intersection, turn left and keep going until you get to Alice."). Never saw them again.

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Hi Geoff,

 

I would be respectful regarding who rather than what I photographed. My understanding is that there are a few limitations on photography. My photos aren't for commercial use so I'm not too concerned - I really like my photos but I don't think anyone would buy them :rolleyes:.

 

Regardless,

Mark

 

Hi Mark. I think it is worth reading the guidelines regarding what may constitute commercial use and where you may shoot. Not intending to hijack your 'what lenses should I take thread' :)

Enjoy!

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I was going to suggest not changing lenses, if possible, or you'll end up scraping fly guts off your sensor.

 

My memories of the place include being accosted at the nearby resort by some other Yanks in a jeep, demanding to know where they could get a pizza. We told them, "Alice Springs," and helpfully provided driving directions ("Follow this road to the T intersection, turn left and keep going until you get to Alice."). Never saw them again.

 

Yeah, they're still here, just told em that it's just beyond the black stump....... A bit

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As far as I recall, Leica released the ULURU and UBUNTU filters as a pair. The ULURU produced under any lighting conditions a pale pinkish-orange colour on foreground objects and inserted a magnificent clear blue sky sunset regardless of cloud cover. The UBUNTU produced vivid purple clear night skies filled with swirls of bright pinprick stars while silhouetting the foreground objects in a warm orange glow. ;)

 

Hope you have a great trip, Mark, and judging by the other shots you've posted here you'll get wonderful shots irrespective of the lenses that decide to take you with them.:D

 

Pete.

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We'll thanks for all of your comments and suggestions - I've just got back this evening and have about 1000 files to edit down to a more respectable 100 or so, and maybe 10 to post.

 

Pete, thanks for your comments so let's see if I can maintain my standards :rolleyes:. I didn't have my usual photographic independence though!

 

Regarding lenses I wanted to use what I usually wouldn't. So I primarily used the 28-90 Vario-Elmar-R on the M paired with the 21 SEM on the M9 which got a fair bit of use, occasionally the 135 APO-Telyt, and the 35 Summilux FLE in low light. Ecar's suggestion of a WATE, MATE, and 135 was a good one (paired on two Ms would be nice). This was one of the few times I didn't miss having the Monochrom! As most of the photos were at/near infinity the EVF was acceptable for framing with the Vario-Elmar but not as nice as the optical VFs. Having the histogram in real-time in the EVF was useful at times in situations of very wide dynamic range subjects.

 

Regarding access and photography at Uluru and Kata Tjuta (which I find far more impressive than the former) the new access roads and walking tracks (since I was there in 1990) bypass sacred sites. Photography is discouraged at sacred sites (which are not readily accessible) and at sensitive sites which are accessible. The reason for this at many of these sites is that it is culturally forbidden or inappropriate for men or women to know each other's sites and secret business, and with digital photography and the internet it is too easy for this to occur. Areas where photography is discouraged are clearly marked. I accidentally photographed one before seeing the sign so just deleted the files :o.

 

It is still allowed to climb Uluru although discouraged. Due to safety concerns the climb is closed some 50% of the time, usually due to excessive head, high winds, etc. Less and less visitors climb out of respect to the wishes of the traditional owners of the land who do not climb it themselves - it is expected for the climb to be closed in the next few years as less and less visitors come to do the climb. It still amazes me that people continue to climb such a culturally sensitive site - even a school group combed recently. I don't know what they were trying to teach the kids! Some who climb then visit the local cultural centre and realize how inappropriate their actions were and write in what is now a very thick sorry book!

 

Anyhow, more to come later.

Edited by MarkP
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