Visit to Israel - gear choice

[ELAN]

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Having photographed quite a bit in Israel, both film and digital, your gear will be fine.  However, if you plan on photographing in the Old City of Jerusalem film might be a little restrictive since many of the interesting locations are quite dark.  Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, for example, with Summilux lenses wide open I often need ISO 3200 and slow shutter speeds. I'd also recommend a 28mm lens since the alleys are narrow and the structures are big.  As for film development, there are a couple labs in Tel Aviv I can recommend.

[PaulJohn]

15 minutes ago, ELAN said:

Having photographed quite a bit in Israel, both film and digital, your gear will be fine.  However, if you plan on photographing in the Old City of Jerusalem film might be a little restrictive since many of the interesting locations are quite dark.  Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, for example, with Summilux lenses wide open I often need ISO 3200 and slow shutter speeds. I'd also recommend a 28mm lens since the alleys are narrow and the structures are big.  As for film development, there are a couple labs in Tel Aviv I can recommend.

Thanks that's really helpful. I will bring my film back home for development.

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[ELAN]

4 minutes ago, PaulJohn said:

I will bring my film back home for development.

At airport security you can ask for hand inspection of the film rather than passing it though the x-ray machines (which are a little cranked up).  Place the film in a small clear plastic bag and hand it to the security agent.  Most of the time they agree and swab it rather than passing it though the machine.  Do not put your film in checked-in luggage because those x-ray machines are really cranked up.

[A miller]

Paul - Not sure how you are expecting to get feedback that is valuable for you if you don't give some details regarding what type of shooting you want to do and what type of places you want to see.  I am sure there are many valuable resources out there for you.  I, for example, have been shooting film for 1-2 months per year in Israel for the past 5-6 years.  I am talking 50-100 rolls per visit.  Problem is that I have used everything from a compact film camera (my T3), to my Barnack, multiple Leica film Ms and two Hassys.  For my upcoming trip next week I plan to take a film M and my Technorama 617siii and 90 and 180.  

One thing I can tell you is that all you need is film.  (I haven't shot with a digital camera in Israel for 5-6 years.)

I can also recommend to bring the film back with you and have it manually checked (which they are happy to do in Israel - the UK may be tough but it is just one way and won't harm the film).  The film labs in Israel are generally not to be trusted to give you clean and scratch and dirt free negatives.  The only exception to this is with Velvia 50.  I have a lab there that does a wonderful job with this - even better than my NYC lab.

I wouldn't go with you film choice and instead would recommend other stocks depending on what you wan to shoot.

Problem is that you haven't hinted at what you want to get out of your trip photographically.  

Happy to try to help with full deck of cards.

Best,

Adam 

[A miller]

On 4/5/2019 at 3:57 PM, jaapv said:

I would take a CL with the three zooms and one fast prime. But I suppose that is a bridge too far in the M forum.

LOL, the last time I checked there are no African safaris in Israel... 😂

[jaapv]

  Unfortunately the "long" CL zoom is nearly useless for serious wildlife. 

Great for camels, though. 🙃

[Archiver]

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I'll add my voice to those suggesting a wide angle lens, unless you know for certain that you are fine with shooting at 50mm or 35mm, even for travel. If it were me, I'd take at least a 28, preferably a 25 or 21 as my wide. The new Voigtlander 21mm f3.5 Skopar seems to be a great lens, and very compact, too. Not sure if you have access to a 21 or 25.

As you know, film won't be the best for night/low light, so the Fuji X100F would be great for a night camera. @robert blu posted about using a X1 alongside his M7 a few years ago, finding that his best option was to use the X1 in low light situations, and the M7 during the day. The Sony is a great camera, but very large in comparison with the X100F, and if you're traveling light/simplying your gear, this may be a factor to consider.

[PaulJohn]

7 hours ago, A miller said:

Paul - Not sure how you are expecting to get feedback that is valuable for you if you don't give some details regarding what type of shooting you want to do and what type of places you want to see.  I am sure there are many valuable resources out there for you.  I, for example, have been shooting film for 1-2 months per year in Israel for the past 5-6 years.  I am talking 50-100 rolls per visit.  Problem is that I have used everything from a compact film camera (my T3), to my Barnack, multiple Leica film Ms and two Hassys.  For my upcoming trip next week I plan to take a film M and my Technorama 617siii and 90 and 180.  

One thing I can tell you is that all you need is film.  (I haven't shot with a digital camera in Israel for 5-6 years.)

I can also recommend to bring the film back with you and have it manually checked (which they are happy to do in Israel - the UK may be tough but it is just one way and won't harm the film).  The film labs in Israel are generally not to be trusted to give you clean and scratch and dirt free negatives.  The only exception to this is with Velvia 50.  I have a lab there that does a wonderful job with this - even better than my NYC lab.

I wouldn't go with you film choice and instead would recommend other stocks depending on what you wan to shoot.

Problem is that you haven't hinted at what you want to get out of your trip photographically.  

Happy to try to help with full deck of cards.

Best,

Adam 

HI Adam,

Thank you for provoking me to explore this in more detail. I hadn't really thought it through clearly in my own mind.

The reason for our visit is to take a holiday / vacation and to add something to our Christian faith by visiting the place where we believe it all happened 2000+ years ago. I am also fascinated by the extraordinary recent history of this remarkable country. Usually on holiday my photography takes a front seat and I have previously taken as many as 6 cameras and multiple lenses. This time I want to really soak in the moments and not be distracted by gear choices and camera settings. Hence the minimal requirement. I recognise that with minimal comes compromise and I am prepared to not bag some shots. Perhaps on a second visit I might bring a full arsenal of lenses. This time around my requirements are:

1. Capture some personal holiday memories

2. Take some photos of the countryside and rural scenery hopefully without tourists dotted around. 

3. Try to candidly capture the various cultures. Jaffa market is high on my list. I would like a film stock to capture the vibrant colours. I don't want to use E6 as I don't want to be metering. Maybe this is a mistake. I have used velvia 50 before with very pleasing results (Iceland). I don't like Portra. Ektar looks nice.

4. Capture a few pics of the old city. Might go mono with this.

I'm not really interested in photographing the ornate churches built on top of places of historical significance. I am hoping to capture images free from the busy tourism and commercialism.

I don't want to take a tripod.

I have 21,25,35 in E mount, 35,50,75 in M mount at my disposal. I have a billingham hadley small that will take 2 cameras with small lenses attached plus a third lens. I am tempted to take the fuji x100f. 

I have decided I will take digital for crop-ability. My experience of 35mm film is that the resolution just isn't there to crop and I don't want to be switching lenses. The right lens is never on the camera when you have a choice.

Option 1 = M-A + 50mm, Sony A7riii + 25mm Batis

Option 2 = M-A + 50mm, Monochrom + 35mm / 75mm

Option 3 = M-A + 50mm, Fujifilm X100F

Option 2 is very appealing apart from the fact that I will have no digital colour option. I could buy a pocketable zoom compact and leave the 75mm at home.

Had anyone got a three sided coin I can toss?

 

Adam, I checked your website. Your photos are simply beautiful. Love how you are using square format.

Thanks everyone for input.

Paul

 

 

 

 

[ELAN]

Paul,

To capture tourist-free photographs you need to get out early in the morning, from dawn until about 8:30 am. The streets of the Old City are practically deserted at sunrise and by 7:30 the local children walk to school and shop owners prepare to open shop.

The Jaffa flea market is pretty small, one or two blocks. The Carmel market in Tel Aviv and the Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem are larger and more lively.  Both have very contrasty light so bring your meter.

I would leave the 75mm at home and bring a wide lens instead.  But even with a 35 and 50 you will be just fine. 

Enjoy your trip. 

[earleygallery]

21 hours ago, ELAN said:

At airport security you can ask for hand inspection of the film rather than passing it though the x-ray machines (which are a little cranked up).  Place the film in a small clear plastic bag and hand it to the security agent.  Most of the time they agree and swab it rather than passing it though the machine.  Do not put your film in checked-in luggage because those x-ray machines are really cranked up.

They run at a fixed level, there's no 'cranking up' involved. Also hand luggage x rays aren't going to damage film unless it's passed through more than 8 times (and that allows a margin of safety).

[earleygallery]

On 4/5/2019 at 8:30 PM, PaulJohn said:

I want to go minimal so thinking of just 2 cameras with lenses glued on.

First place in my bag goes to M-A + Zeiss 50mm Sonnar and rolls of Fuji C200.

What to add with it feels like an unsolvable problem.

Heart says Fujifilm X100F

Head says Sony A7riii + 25mm Batis

Or just add lux 35mm / 75mm summarit

If these threads irritate you don't waste time telling me just "walk on by (dahhh-da-da-da-dahhh-da)"

Opinions appreciated.

I'd go M-A and the 35 and 75. 

Your phone can serve as a 'back up'. 

[scott kirkpatrick]

12 hours ago, A miller said:

  For my upcoming trip next week....

 

 

Will you be here in time to vote?

[ELAN]

19 minutes ago, earleygallery said:

They run at a fixed level, there's no 'cranking up' involved. Also hand luggage x rays aren't going to damage film unless it's passed through more than 8 times (and that allows a margin of safety).

X-ray machines have penetration level dials and some countries dial in higher x-ray penetration levels (measured by kilovolt peak).  Checked luggage is scanned by higher energy machines and I've had Tri-X fog up on trips with fewer than 8 scans.  YMMV.

[earleygallery]

52 minutes ago, ELAN said:

X-ray machines have penetration level dials and some countries dial in higher x-ray penetration levels (measured by kilovolt peak).  Checked luggage is scanned by higher energy machines and I've had Tri-X fog up on trips with fewer than 8 scans.  YMMV.

I have looked into this issue previously even looking into the specifications of some of the machines sold to airports and the like. 

Remember these machines are operated by the same airport staff day in day out and in close proximity to the public, they can't risk exposing people to unsafe levels of radiation. 

They don't 'crank up' the xray volume if they see something suspicious, it gets shunted to one side and then you are asked to stand with the bag whilst it's inspected. 

[M10Alpine]

On 4/5/2019 at 9:30 PM, PaulJohn said:

I want to go minimal so thinking of just 2 cameras with lenses glued on.

First place in my bag goes to M-A + Zeiss 50mm Sonnar and rolls of Fuji C200.

What to add with it feels like an unsolvable problem.

Heart says Fujifilm X100F

Head says Sony A7riii + 25mm Batis

Or just add lux 35mm / 75mm summarit

If these threads irritate you don't waste time telling me just "walk on by (dahhh-da-da-da-dahhh-da)"

Opinions appreciated.

 

How cool - I'm also going to Israel for a photographic holiday 11th to 23rd. My plan is to use two cameras a day, either two film or my M10-D plus a film. I'm bringing a meter... I'm not going light but I think I will mainly shoot M-A plus a M7 on this trip. M 10-D is really for markets. 

I have packed the following (HOLD YOUR HATS): 

1 X M-A
2 x M7
1 x M10-D

35mm Lux FLE
35mm 2,8 Voight Color Skopar (love the small size)
35mm Corn older version (love it so mall and great with Trix IMHO)
50mm 1.8 Canon LTM ( for fun)
50mm Corn - APO 

- Trix 400
- Tmax 100
- Portra 160 - 400 - 800

 

Edited April 9, 2019 by M10Alpine

[M10Alpine]

9 hours ago, earleygallery said:

I have looked into this issue previously even looking into the specifications of some of the machines sold to airports and the like. 

Remember these machines are operated by the same airport staff day in day out and in close proximity to the public, they can't risk exposing people to unsafe levels of radiation. 

They don't 'crank up' the xray volume if they see something suspicious, it gets shunted to one side and then you are asked to stand with the bag whilst it's inspected. 

I have a few "Domke" - led pouches for film and cameras, they work fine. 

[A miller]

On 4/8/2019 at 8:19 PM, jaapv said:

  Unfortunately the "long" CL zoom is nearly useless for serious wildlife. 

Great for camels, though. 🙃

and sheep 🐑 🤪

[A miller]

13 hours ago, scott kirkpatrick said:

Will you be here in time to vote?

Ha ha, no.

Are you around the next two weeks?

[A miller]

17 hours ago, PaulJohn said:

HI Adam,

Thank you for provoking me to explore this in more detail. I hadn't really thought it through clearly in my own mind.

The reason for our visit is to take a holiday / vacation and to add something to our Christian faith by visiting the place where we believe it all happened 2000+ years ago. I am also fascinated by the extraordinary recent history of this remarkable country. Usually on holiday my photography takes a front seat and I have previously taken as many as 6 cameras and multiple lenses. This time I want to really soak in the moments and not be distracted by gear choices and camera settings. Hence the minimal requirement. I recognise that with minimal comes compromise and I am prepared to not bag some shots. Perhaps on a second visit I might bring a full arsenal of lenses. This time around my requirements are:

1. Capture some personal holiday memories

2. Take some photos of the countryside and rural scenery hopefully without tourists dotted around. 

3. Try to candidly capture the various cultures. Jaffa market is high on my list. I would like a film stock to capture the vibrant colours. I don't want to use E6 as I don't want to be metering. Maybe this is a mistake. I have used velvia 50 before with very pleasing results (Iceland). I don't like Portra. Ektar looks nice.

4. Capture a few pics of the old city. Might go mono with this.

I'm not really interested in photographing the ornate churches built on top of places of historical significance. I am hoping to capture images free from the busy tourism and commercialism.

I don't want to take a tripod.

I have 21,25,35 in E mount, 35,50,75 in M mount at my disposal. I have a billingham hadley small that will take 2 cameras with small lenses attached plus a third lens. I am tempted to take the fuji x100f. 

I have decided I will take digital for crop-ability. My experience of 35mm film is that the resolution just isn't there to crop and I don't want to be switching lenses. The right lens is never on the camera when you have a choice.

Option 1 = M-A + 50mm, Sony A7riii + 25mm Batis

Option 2 = M-A + 50mm, Monochrom + 35mm / 75mm

Option 3 = M-A + 50mm, Fujifilm X100F

Option 2 is very appealing apart from the fact that I will have no digital colour option. I could buy a pocketable zoom compact and leave the 75mm at home.

Had anyone got a three sided coin I can toss?

 

Adam, I checked your website. Your photos are simply beautiful. Love how you are using square format.

Thanks everyone for input.

Paul

 

 

 

 

Hey Paul - Now THAT is more like it!  Thank you!  My thoughts in order of your points:

1.  I assume you mean with family.  Lens choice is entirely personal.  Mine is a 50mm but that's entirely subjective.  Film choice is also subjective.  Mine for this stuff is Portra 160 all the way as the skin tones are sublime and that is really what family photos are all about. 

2.  The countryside is so beautiful and the terrain is so dynamic that often there are breathtaking views just off of the side of the highway within a few steps from the side of the road!, e.g.,  

 

 

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(NB: this was four exposures with my Hassy and Tri-X )

 

I so often find myself pulling over to take photos.  In these cases, a wide angle is great if you are willing to walk a bit and get in close.  But sometimes you will see a tightly framed scene in the distance with good compression potential and will want a longer lens - e.g., layers of hills and/or valleys.  So I wouldn't discount a long lens for this "countryside" type of scenic shooting.

3.  For what you want, I think Ektar is a great choice.  The punchy colors will shine.  It is a slow film, but if that is your pace then I think it would be perfect.  Skin tones won't be ideal but everything else will be punchy and crisp and clean.  You can also use this along the beach with the colorful water and umbrellas.  There should be lots of action to grab.   In terms of lens choice, I don't really know what your style is.  Mine is up close ad personal and so a 28mm would be my choice.  I will already have my 50mm for family stuff and can use it if I need it.  But the 28mm is perfect for me.  Not for everyone though.  If you are trying to be judicious, I wouldn't go wider than 28mm and would skip the 35mm.

4.  Great idea to go mono.  Can't go wrong with any B&W film choice. I am sure you will get some nicely classic viewpoints.   I feel that there are more opportunities for wide angle scenes than long.  So if you are on the fence about bringing some thing wider than a 28mm, this may push you over the edge.  Elan has a very valuable suggestion about going to the Arab quarter when there are no people there.  I find that Friday mornings are good for the b/c it is their Sabbath and all of the shops are closed:

 

On balance, I think you should take option 1 so you have a super-wide option to have fun accentuating with the architectural details that are basically all over the place (and even on top of each other!) with your own personal spin as well as for close spaces like the markets.  I would, though, suggest that you bring along the 75mm for your M-A b/c I do think that you will see things that are beautiful and at a distance and you will want a longer lens that will reach.

In case you are interested, here is a thread of some photos from the Mahane Yehhuda market in Jerusalem.  You can get a good sense of the vibe there.   It is a candy store

 

Have a great trip!

Adam

 

 

Edited April 10, 2019 by A miller

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[scott kirkpatrick]

11 hours ago, A miller said:

Ha ha, no.

Are you around the next two weeks?

next week.  Right now I'm in the US.  I'll send you a PM.

Love the cactus with fruit.

 

Edited April 10, 2019 by scott kirkpatrick