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Viet Nam trip; Film or Digital?

symmetron

By symmetron
in Customer Forum

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symmetron

symmetron

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Going on a photo trip to Viet Nam in February which will involve lots of moving around in country via boat, trains, etc. I always traveled with my dual R8 system until about 5 years ago when I purchased Nikon DSLRs; currently owning 2 D300 and the "trinity" lenses.

 

Anyway, I'm tempted to do this trip with my R8 system. Bringing two D300 certainly simplifies things as far as film issues traveling on airplanes, selectable ISO, etc. I have similar lens coverage with both systems, but the Nikon system weighs a ton; actually about 17 pounds while the R8 system weighs about 10 pounds...big difference.

 

I haven't decided yet, and there's time to sort it out, but I'm interested in what other Leica users think. BTW, I was also thinking of just bring my D2 with my DLux4 as back-up. Now that would be a light package! :cool:

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pico

pico

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Going on a photo trip to Viet Nam [...]

 

I cannot help you with your decision regarding cameras, but your spelling of Viet Nam as two words reminds me that while I was in-service (USA) we were issued an order in 1965 that from then on, it was one word, Vietnam. I only mention this to ask from what country are you?

 

With respect,

Pico

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Doc Henry

Doc Henry

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Vettran,

I just returned from Vietnam (please see photos in my profile)

I have 3 Leica SLR film (R8 with its 35-70mm, R4S with 50mm+ 90mm+ 135mmet and Leicaflex SL with 35mm) and 2 M (M9 with its 50mm, M8 with 35mm).

Finally I chose to go with the M for a weight problem for my old shoulders :D.

You can go with the D Lux but I do not know if the picture quality is equal to your Nikon?

 

Bon voyage and good pictures

Henry

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FiZZ

FiZZ

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I travelled a few times with only film, and I have never had problems with airport X-rays and airplane radiation. You can also buy an X-ray safe bag and ask for hand inspection if you want to be on the safe side. You can get them from Adorama.com and they're safe till 1600 ISO. You basically put the films and ask for a hand inspection.

 

I travel with my film cameras, mostly because digital doesn't do it for me anymore. I suggest you base your decision on that. What do you enjoy shooting with most? I go out with two cameras, one for daylight, one for lowlight, and I haven't had problems at all. So far four successful trips and going strong (not to Viet Nam, just photo trips in general).

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Wolfgang Esslinger

Wolfgang Esslinger

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My first question would be: What do I need the pictures for? This might rule out film.

Second question: How can I find the optimal mix of equipment with respect to lenses, backup cameras (and lenses) and weight.

 

I have just returned from a longer Peru trip, my first all-digital trip with M8 and R9DMR. Film had been much less hassle. But with digital I had more options.

 

I also did a week-long trip to Barcelona some time ago, all film, R9 plus M7. Much less hassle, though sometimes I wished I had a different ISO in my camera. The big thing came when I returned home and got all the films developed: Scanning the stuff took ages, despite the focus on selected pictures. I don't want to think about the days required to scan the results from a longer trip!

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bill

bill

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Vietnam is far from being a third world country. Transport is cheap, efficient and well run. Airports are run to a high standard. You will have no problem getting around. Crime is generally quite low, although in the tourist areas it is wise, as anywhere, to keep your wits about you.

 

The people are warm and friendly, even to Americans. They refer incidentally to the "American War", although it is not something that they dwell on. The only people they appear uniformly to dislike is the Chinese, partly due to their unfortunate history of invasions and partly due to the way their tourists behave.

 

When wandering around be prepared to be approached by street vendors and the occasional beggar. Be polite and clear that you do not want to buy. If you do buy, be prepared to be hassled everywhere after that - the word gets around that you are a soft touch. Walk slowly, and you tend to be left alone; "new arrivals" tend to walk quickly to keep ahead of the vendors, but if you take your time it gives the impression that you have been there for a while. When crossing the road in cities, just step out and make your way, slowly - the traffic will part around you. I found this hard at first, but it really does work.

 

There are some excellent shops, and you can have shirts and suits tailored for you in 24-36 hours for a fraction of the cost of those found in Singapore - the work is as fine as I have found anywhere, and it is done with pride. Gold and jade are good souvenirs.

 

Above all, have a good time. I love Vietnam and would go back there in an instant.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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stuny

stuny

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I agree with Bill. We've found the Vietnamese to be warm and generous. BTW: they view the Americans as misguided regarding the war. however, they still harbor anger for the colonials, who were French.

 

Please read Barbara's trip notes on our site (including the tour operator who is astonishingly fine and inexpensive) to get ideas. Our trip was all film (before I got my first digital camera), but now I travel shooting all digital. I'll not go back -- It's far less hassle along the way (hand inspection of film - sometimes denied, changing film, processing when home. scanning for the site and for email). and when you consider how much film I'd carry (at least 50 rolls unboxed, in plastic containers, in a ziplock bag), the overall bulk is less with my two digital cameras (DMR/R8 and D2).

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symmetron

symmetron

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It's been a few years since shooting a large number of rolls of slides on a trip. Thinking back; it was a logistics challenge dealing with the slides upon returning....processing, scanning, printing, etc. Shooting print film may be easier since most film processors offer prints and a cd, although the resolution of the scans may not be that great.

 

Still thinking...

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tobey bilek

tobey bilek

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Film always needs good processing, repeat good, not the local drug store.

Digital needs good processing also, but most people can handle their own.

I don`t want film x rayed. Even carry on.

Can you charge or carry batterys in Vietnam?

I read airlines are now starting to complain about Li cells which can be a fire hazard if not manufactured properly.

 

Take the D300, no battery grip. Buy a new 35 1.8 for $200 which weighs 5 oz. Amazing lens. 70/300 zoom which is pretty light weight. 55/200 even lighter. Used both and while not prograde, are travelable. Then a 12/24. You will make the 10 pound mark.

 

The 2.8 zooms while better, are large and heavy. 55/200 stopped down a bit is very decent. 55 3.5 and 85 2.0 are very good, cheap, small and light and work fine on digital.

 

Digital M is a large cost in weight and money. but probable the best digital travel camera if your telephoto use is limited.

 

Keep in mind, Leica lenses get heavy fast too. 50 1.4 weights a ton. I have a 35 Summicron, 50 2.8 last version, and the last collapsible 90. You can not get better than that and stay light and small. Now you are $12,000 theft target.

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stuny

stuny

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Reynolds -

 

I've pasted in below Barbara's notes about our tour operator for Vietnam and Cambodia. Are they the best? I don't know, but they are atonishingly good, and Barbara always does exquisite research before our travels....

 

A driver and coordinator were waiting outside the airport to drive us to the office of Ann Tours. I had read about this agency while researching the trip and immediately wanted to book with them. Not only are they highly recommended by many sources, but their history is inspiring. During the war, Mrs. Nong was separated from her two sons, who ended up in southern California living with a distant relative. She tried in vain to locate them and eventually started a travel agency to enlist the help of travelers who might have had contact with them. After many years, she found them. By then they had business degrees so they returned to Vietnam to join their mother in the family business. I had never booked an international trip with a foreign company via the Internet before, but Tony Nong was so responsive and professional via email that we took the chance and we’re very glad that we did. We got to meet Tony in person at the agency. He reviewed our itinerary, offered helpful suggestions and gave us our trip materials. We highly recommend this agency if you travel to Vietnam - they were very responsive and accommodating and provided terrific guides and drivers at excellent rates. They offer group tours but will also customize private itineraries as they did for us.

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