Jump to content

Namibia M8 Harsh test report back


dannirr

Recommended Posts

x
  • Replies 56
  • Created
  • Last Reply
I had not - thanks for letting me know! LFI asked for an article too, so I am working to complete that.

 

Danni

Dan

 

For those of us fortunate enough to be on this Forum and thus have access to your work, there is much to be thankful for. I never thought too much about Namibia before but your work has inspired a visit. Also you should be selling these wonderful, dare I say it, Fine Art Prints to what I propose would be a willing and appreciative audience.

 

Woody

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Dan, and everyone else:

 

We were in Namibia in July 2005 and went to Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei, as well as to Etosha, the Huab valley and other places in the country, and then went on to Botswana. The trip was OUT OF THIS WORLD and I very highly recommend it to anyone with interests in that part of the world. Also DO push up north and try to stay at the Etendeka Mountain Camp to get a taste of how comfortable one can be in a desert environment and still have minimum impact on that environment.

 

I brought my R9 and R6.2, and a full set of lenses, and did change lenses frequently, even in the middle of Dead Vlei! One peice of equipment I considered essential was the Lowepro DryZone backpack. This backpack is water proof and dust proof and will actually float on water if you drop it in the Okavango delta. It is also comfortable to walk with all day, fully loaded. I sincerely beleive it saved my Leicas' skin (and guts) on those drives on dirt roads where you just want to get to the lodge and take a shower!

 

We used ccAfrica to organize our trip and had plenty of opportunity to have them customize it to our preferences and interests.

 

I am now in the middle of scanning these slides (yeah, I know, 2005..., but I have to work to pay for that Leica glass) and the memories are so powerful!

 

Check out the Lowepro backpack here:

Lowepro - DryZone 200

 

Check out ccAfrica here:

Safaris and Tours in Namibia with CC Africa

 

... and go enjoy!

 

Guy

Link to post
Share on other sites

Woody - thanks, you are way to kind!

 

Guy - glad you had a good time.

 

A word on going to Namibia. There are many ways to do this, and when I first started going there about 25 yrs ago, we would go days without seeing another soul. The country is huge, yet has only 2 million people. Now, things have changed. Tourism is up, and paved roads lead right into the desert - so every now and again a tour bus shows up, out jump a bunch of people who race 30 feet up a dune, take a few pictures and then dissapear in a cloud of Namibian dust.

 

You can customise the trip easily according to budget. For those cost concious, camping is plentiful and safe. Your biggest expense is a 4 wheel drive rental - which is essential. Want luxory? For around a $1000 a day you can fly in and have every need catered for. Both types of trip are wonderful, and worth it.

 

I am not one for advertising, but I will suggest this. If you are in the US and want to visit Namibia, South Africa or Botswana, there is no better travel company to call than Discover Africa in Cleveland. When you call, talk to Leslie (the owner) and mention me. It won't get you (or me) a better price, but it will get you the very best trip and information possible. No-one can put a trip together like she can.

 

If you are visiting Namibia and want access to restricted areas, or parks before normal public opening times, I can possibly help.

 

One final thought - Namibians are amongst the kindest and nicest people you'll ever meet. Take time way from your photography to get to know them. I guarantee you'll be glad you did.

 

Danni

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest guy_mancuso
Also meant to say: did not bring the DMR on that trip, but used continuously renewable sensors: film!

 

Guy

 

 

Holy cow another person named Guy. That is three of us here. i know about 8 in 50 years on the planet. Amazing

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Dannirr,

I linked here via TOP even though I read this site also. I'm glad I did, so I could see the range of your work on your own site. Your shots of Namibia are your best work in my opinion, and that's still a compliment to your other work. I also liked your posting as it talked about the M8 and how it worked for you, but allowed readers to then see the photos on your other site. I hope future posters use this approach- talk about the camera here on the digital forum, and give a link to the photos elsewhere. You have now given me a rationale for two M8's on my upcoming trip to Kyoto, athough sand will not be a problem

Jack

Link to post
Share on other sites

..... Also DO push up north and try to stay at the Etendeka Mountain Camp to get a taste of how comfortable one can be in a desert environment and still have minimum impact on that environment......Guy

 

I’d like to endorse Guy's recommendation of Etendeka. It can be a bit off-putting at first but the drive in from the main road where you leave your car is awesome and what they manage to serve in the way of food from a “camp fire” is just amazing – think top restaurant. The joy is in the unspoiled details and the ethos of the place.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Dan,

 

thank you for these beautiful pictures. You did a very good job. The quality and design is superb.

 

The one picture you posted in this forum is the only one that shows a color cast in the edges. Is this done without or with IR filter?

 

bernd

Link to post
Share on other sites

..... Also DO push up north and try to stay at the Etendeka Mountain Camp to get a taste of how comfortable one can be in a desert environment and still have minimum impact on that environment......Guy

 

Guy, I knew I had it somewhere but could not find it when I first responded regarding Etendeka. Are you aware of the book: -

 

"Heat Dust and dreams" by Mary Rice and Craig Gibson, published 2001 by STRUIK, isbn 1 86872 632 0

 

I met the authors when they were based at and working at Etendeka and doing the research and photography in their free time. Strictly its not about Etendeka but there are many references etc.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
Danni, a true testament to the M8. Great, lifelike shots. Michael Reichman posted several Namibia shots on his website taken with his umpteen megapixel MF equipment and they really looked fake. By fake I mean there was no detail in any of the images. Your shots have great detail. BTW, my M8 arrives today. It probably will never see Namibia but your report lends credence to Lecia durability in the digital world.

 

If you think those images look fake it's not the digital backs, it's the post processing. Those backs can bring out much more lifelike shots than a M8 can. They have better color, detail and DR. That's the truth..

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Tim - unfortunately I have not seen them in LFI as they have not sent me a copy. Hopefully one will arrive soon.

 

Danni

 

Well I think you'll be pleased with the quality of the repro - it's not 'coffee table' good but it's pretty close and in any event the text is very interesting and I happen to love the set.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...