Help please! Planing for Antarctica 2020

[WvE]

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You can't afford to go wrong on such a trip. Therefore, I would bring the M (for the shorter work) along with the solid Nikon D500 and a DX tele/zoom lens for the longer work.   

Edited November 14, 2019 by WvE
typo

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[wooferdog]

Hi Mark

I'm also from Sydney and going to the Antarctic in early March .... Have been before , TWO points

1. Take a waterproof backpack (Patagonia have one)

 2. If you are using an SL take the 90 to 280 zoom (don't leave home without it)

If your wallet stretches .... a CL makes a good backup , and EXTENSION for the 90 to 280.

All the best , maybe I'll see you down there.

 

 

[MarkP]

Thanks Wooferdog,

You're not by chance going on the Greg Mortimer in early March?

 

I'm just getting a pack organised this week..

So I'm now taking:

SL + SL2
   1.4/35 for general stuff on the ship
   16-35 SL
   24-90 SL
   4.0/70-200 S-Pro Panasonic. I've not bought a 90-280 as I NEVER use telephoto lenses (beyond 135mm) at other times so just can't justify the cost even to resell it.The 16-35 is much more useful to me i the long term. I can put the 70-210 on the SL2 and crop.

and...a Fuji GW690III

However, when going off the ship I'll only take two cameras at most. The two SLs OR SL2+ 24-90 & Fuji.

I'll pm you later.

 

Regards,

Mark

 

[MarkP]

On 11/9/2019 at 12:15 AM, otto.f said:

So how’s that SL2 grab you Mark?

Hi Otto,

Sorry I should have replied to this sooner.

 

I was indeed grabbed by the SL2.

The new 16-35SL is fabulous. The 16-90 FLs suit my photography better in the long term, hence not buying the 90-280 stovepipe. Using the Pana 4.0/70-200 gives me a 140-400 cropped on a 24 MP file.

 

When I’m back I may well sell the old SL, 70-200 Pana, and maybe the Monochrom v1 to get a M10M......maybe......🙄......maybe not......

 

However, it is the Fuji 6x9 negs that are amazing!

 

Regards

Mark

 

Edited January 19, 2020 by MarkP

[otto.f]

1 hour ago, MarkP said:

M10M

I advise you to read the reviews very carefully, also between the lines and watch the results from it here. This thread for instance.

Oh, and in your place I couldn’t leave my MM1 at home 😩, what a pain

Edited January 19, 2020 by otto.f

[MarkP]

Regarding the Monochrom, I can’t justify SL system, 6x9 Fuji MF AND monochrom M system.  Had to draw the line somewhere.

I promise I’ll put some B&W through the Fuji for you 🙂

[A miller]

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I'd suggest to bring your T3 and perhaps some Ektachrome, Velvia and/or Ektar.  Check out the series recently shared by @adelie - very special stuff.

[MarkP]

7 hours ago, A miller said:

I'd suggest to bring your T3 and perhaps some Ektachrome, Velvia and/or Ektar.  Check out the series recently shared by @adelie - very special stuff.

No No No

i am NOT changing my mind.  Stop tempting me Mr NYC Medium Format Smartypants Film Photographer 😁

toy should be happy I’m coming back with 6x9 negs.

I am NOT taking any more formats or cameras. 🙂🙂

i will take 100 Ektar

 

🙂

[MarkP]

On 11/7/2019 at 5:48 AM, Gelatino said:

I'have been there twice in 2017 and  2018.

first time I careed Nikon D4 with  f/2,8 70-200mm,  f/2,8 300mm +TC 1,4, and  f2,8 17-35mm   and Leica  M10 with  summilux 50.

second time  I took Nikon Z6 with   f/2,8 70-200mm+TC 1,4  and  Leica M10 with SEM 21  and summilux 50.

Tripod, filters (polarizing++ IMO).

second time as we flew  over Drake passage we were restricted in weight, (15 kg max included hand luggage, the over weight had to be left at the hotel ).

Must have a waterproof back pack: boarding/disboarding the Zodiac the bag is better on your back instead having it in hand and waterproof because the Zodiac is often wet, it may rain during the cruises, and sea water may splash .

You will land everyday twice (morning and afternoon) and walk with your gear on uneven and slippery ground. Some excursions are few miles long !

Long lenses are more for photos from the boat (whales, seals,pinguins), WA and medium for  landscapes and natural life as all animals can be approached, BUT better have also the long during the Zodiac cruises as whales are often  seen .

Weather is more than bearable. we never were cold. If not good enough/ insecure the organization cancels the trip. 

A parka (red or yellow 😎according to the TO )and warm boots should be provided on the boat, so you won't need to buy it.

 

 

I was just re-reading this thread. 
Sorry I didn’t acknowledge  this most useful information when you first posted and I first read it.

 

There is really no ideal waterproof backpack balancing needs for waterproofing, ready access to equipment/accessories, ability to stow a spare jumper, gloves, etc. 

Plenty of bags good for cameras OR waterproof but not both.  I’m inclined to go for the latter as I’ll never have more that 2 cameras in Zodiac/on ice.  How did you pad/protect the cameras whilst in the waterproof pack?

regards

Mark

Edited January 24, 2020 by MarkP

[Gelatino]

Hi Mark,

I had a 20 Liters backpack fully waterproof made by Gill, and I have been fully happy with it. No fear for the gear inside during cruises and leaving it on the snow and some times on dirty areas (wild life there has no WC provided ) while taking photos on trips. Just soak  it in the cleaning bin as well as the boots when back in the ship (you will remember this when you will do it in March).

Better have a bag you can wear on your back instead of holding in hand as for going in and out the zodiac you will be asked to grip firmly the fore arm of the stewards and some times 2 free hands are better than one.

When the weather was good I used to put my parka in it.

For additional protection inside the bag which is not padded though quite resistant, I took bubble bags used for packaging, but any cloth may be OK as you won't be in rocky situations as in safari, just bumpy but no more. Again, the main problem is water.

A cheap but possible solution is buying a thin waterproof bag that you put inside your backpack.The items inside will be protected against shocks and water but not the backpack.

Feel free for any other question. 

What is your itinerary (just curious )

 

Edited January 24, 2020 by Gelatino

[MarkP]

Thanks again 

Im looking at this 20 litre pack and some camera/lens-sized dry bags for condensation for when we come back in from the cold.

 

https://www.cruisetraveller.com.au/departure/wild-antarctica-aurora-expeditions-3rd-mar-20-new-ship-greg-mortimer-03-mar-2020/

Click on Itinerary on this page

 

Mark

 

Edited January 24, 2020 by MarkP

[Gelatino]

Hi Mark,

Get some silicagel packs and plastic bags.

As you will cross the Drake passage which may be a bit tumultuous, you may need some medication against sea sickness for the 2 nights and 2days of crossing.

[wattsy]

I can't work out from the thread what you have decided to take, Mark, but I think you know, deep-down, your camera kit should include a film M. 😀 I haven't had the good fortune to go to Antarctica but I do know that my only photographic regrets are having been to some special places and taken only digital photos. From my own personal perspective, my iPhone does the digital thing perfectly good enough nowadays and if I'm taking a camera somewhere, it really needs to be a film one.

Either way, whatever you take, have a good one.

Edited January 24, 2020 by wattsy

[Gelatino]

Ask for weight limitation for the flight between Punta Arenas and Frei station. we were STRICLY limited to 15 kg so we left a bag at the hotel that we got back when returning there.Except you go back through Ushuaia  and not Punta Arenas. So ...

In that idea take a large but light luggage to go on the ship, no need to waste extra weight in a hard case as you will have photo gear in addition.

[MarkP]

On 1/24/2020 at 10:59 PM, Gelatino said:

Hi Mark,

Get some silicagel packs and plastic bags.

As you will cross the Drake passage which may be a bit tumultuous, you may need some medication against sea sickness for the 2 nights and 2days of crossing.

Thanks, already have bought desiccant sachets.

Re seasickness 🤢🤮, I’m a doctor so have read up and asked around. Getting our supply of Stugeron this week and we’ll check we don’t get side effects by testing it next weekend. 

[MarkP]

On 1/24/2020 at 11:10 PM, wattsy said:

I can't work out from the thread what you have decided to take, Mark, but I think you know, deep-down, your camera kit should include a film M. 😀 I haven't had the good fortune to go to Antarctica but I do know that my only photographic regrets are having been to some special places and taken only digital photos. From my own personal perspective, my iPhone does the digital thing perfectly good enough nowadays and if I'm taking a camera somewhere, it really needs to be a film one.

Either way, whatever you take, have a good one.

Hi Ian,

you are so right.

Yes, I’m also shooting film but decided that 35 mm neg too small so decided to go MF

Taking a Fuji GW690III with lots of 120 film.

kind regards,

Mark

Edited January 25, 2020 by MarkP

[MarkP]

On 1/24/2020 at 11:23 PM, Gelatino said:

Ask for weight limitation for the flight between Punta Arenas and Frei station. we were STRICLY limited to 15 kg so we left a bag at the hotel that we got back when returning there.Except you go back through Ushuaia  and not Punta Arenas. So ...

In that idea take a large but light luggage to go on the ship, no need to waste extra weight in a hard case as you will have photo gear in addition.

Thanks,

we have 20 kg stowed luggage and 7 kg hand luggage limit. Confirmed last week.

I agree I can’t waste precious 3-4 kg on the case itself. We have soft cases but will probably go waterproof duffel bag.

Mark

 

[Gelatino]

Something not to forget is waterproof over pants. They will prevent being wet sitting in the zodiac, and allow to knee in the snow, sit or why not race the slope.

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Hallo,

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[burningheart]

On 1/25/2020 at 5:55 AM, MarkP said:

Thanks,

we have 20 kg stowed luggage and 7 kg hand luggage limit. Confirmed last week.

I agree I can’t waste precious 3-4 kg on the case itself. We have soft cases but will probably go waterproof duffel bag.

Mark

 

I was there back in 2008. One thing I took was a heavy duty rain poncho. It came in handy every time we went out on the Zodiacs. While most people put their cameras away in their bags as the zodiac was in motion, mine was under the poncho I was able to grab quick shots when the zodiac was in motion where others had to dig their camera out of their camera bags.  It also came in handy one day when we landed on a small island. The air was so misty one could have said we were in a rain forest. Water just flowed down my eye glasses. With the camera under the poncho and I quickly brought out for shooting then back under the poncho. Most people didn't bother shooting and left theirs in their bag to avoid the moisture. Ironically that day the moisture was so thick that my film camera briefly stopped functioning for about 10 minutes. 

[MarkP]

On 1/27/2020 at 9:11 AM, Gelatino said:

Something not to forget is waterproof over pants. They will prevent being wet sitting in the zodiac, and allow to knee in the snow, sit or why not race the slope.

Packed.  Thanks 🙂