ctual Posted March 7, 2020 Share #1 Posted March 7, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello, I am going to the Arctic cirlcle (Svalbard) in August with an M10 and a 2009 M9. I am dithering over which lenses to take with me. I have a 24mm Elmarit, a 28mm Voigtlander, a 90mm leica Macro collapsible, a 35mm Voigtlander, and a 50mm Summicron,. I don't plan on using big telescopic lenses or a tripod. I will be going out in small dinghies to take pictures. I would love to get good and wise advice from the users. Thank you Christian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 7, 2020 Posted March 7, 2020 Hi ctual, Take a look here Going to the Arctic with an M10. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
benqui Posted March 7, 2020 Share #2 Posted March 7, 2020 First of all you need more akkus. When it is cold outside, they are empty within a short period of time. I would avoid changing lenses. Maybe 50mm on the M10 and 24mm on the M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mujk Posted March 7, 2020 Share #3 Posted March 7, 2020 Svalbard is very far up in the north, much further up than the arctic circle, but has a comparably "warm" climate because of the gulfstream. I have been there in September and the weather can be very nice when it doesn't rain, with daytime temperatures above 0C or even above 10C at sea level. The day will be long, but the sun will never be very high in the sky. Being out in a small dinghy can be a wet and windy experience and therefore feel very cold. I didn't bring my M equipment to Svalbard at all, mostly because I wanted to use longer focal lengths (to maybe get a picture if a polar bear or whale) but also because the M9 I had then isn't particularly waterproof. So I took my EOS 5DSR kit instead, packed in a waterproof camera bag. But we had really marvellous weather, so from that point of view I could well have taken the M9 instead. Svalbard is quite big and the western side where the gulfstream ends is the warmer one. If I have understood correctly, you will not see any bigger icebergs there in August and the sea is certainly not frozen. The hills are not that high on this side and mostly not covered with snow yet. You can climb many of the smaller ones without any special equipment, except a rifle because of the polar bears. But there are glaciers. I'm not familiar with the conditions on the completely uninhabited north or east sides of Svalbard, if you happen to go there as well. It's very hard to give any recommendations on lenses. Depends on what you like to shoot. Because there are no trees and not very much other vegetation, landscapes are quite open. Out on the water you may be at some distance from the shore while moving from one place to another. There are practically no roads, except in the very few inhabited places. Hope this helps a bit. Svalbard is an exceptional place, so enjoy your trip! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 7, 2020 Share #4 Posted March 7, 2020 If you go out in small dinghies using a dry bag is essential. I think you will regret not taking a 135 lens. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Richardson Posted March 7, 2020 Share #5 Posted March 7, 2020 Agree with the others...Iceland, where I live, has a pretty similar topography in the highlands as Svalbard has, and the biggest difference to warmer climes is that the landscapes are much wider open, and therefore longer lenses can be quite useful. I think a 135mm could be useful. Tele-Elmar lenses are generally pretty inexpensive and very good optically, even today. Based on the lenses you list there, I would say take the 24mm Elmarit, 35mm, 50mm and 90mm. None are particularly big and heavy. If you want to keep it to three, and your Voigtlander is good, then do a classic 28, 50, 90. But personally I think the 24mm gives more of a true wide angle feel, and it also allows you to crop in slightly if you want something less. 35mm and 50mm are both quite useful as everyday lenses, and the 90mm will give you that extra reach which you will need, especially if you are photographing from a boat. Regarding the weather, Svalbard in August will be chilly, but not really cold enough to substantially affect the M10 batteries. Probably worth having a spare or two, but I do not think you will need anything too exotic. For clothing, however, you will want good warm gloves, hats and shoes, as well as wind and water proof clothing. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mujk Posted March 7, 2020 Share #6 Posted March 7, 2020 (edited) Not taken with a Leica, but may give a hint of the type of scenery you will encounter. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited March 7, 2020 by mujk 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/307202-going-to-the-arctic-with-an-m10/?do=findComment&comment=3926944'>More sharing options...
sls Posted March 9, 2020 Share #7 Posted March 9, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm going to Greenland (cruising up the west coast to Disko Bay) and will be taking Q2 and M10, but bought a Nikon Z6 and 80-200/f2.8 with 2x extender in the Christmas sale. I tried photographing whales in Iceland with Leica M 90mm - impossible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertknappmd Posted March 9, 2020 Share #8 Posted March 9, 2020 M cameras and M lenses do not thrive in Zodiacs.... I would bring a weather sealed camera with AF potential as Zodiacs can be challenging... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertknappmd Posted March 9, 2020 Share #9 Posted March 9, 2020 but you will have a lot of fun! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 5 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/307202-going-to-the-arctic-with-an-m10/?do=findComment&comment=3928024'>More sharing options...
ctual Posted March 9, 2020 Author Share #10 Posted March 9, 2020 Dear fellow travellers I really appreciate all your answers to my post. I realise a Leica M is not ideal, but I won't mind enjoying sighting wildlife while it still exists and not bringing back extraordinary shots of the fauna. For me this is less of a maritime safari than a meditation on a landscape that might vanish during the lifetime I have left. (I'm 75 years old) So thank you all you Leica users for your judicious remarks. Sincerely Christian PS: attached is what I see every morning from my window in Naples, Italy, with the island of Capri, full speed ahead.... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 6 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/307202-going-to-the-arctic-with-an-m10/?do=findComment&comment=3928036'>More sharing options...
albertknappmd Posted March 9, 2020 Share #11 Posted March 9, 2020 have a great time... it is really beautiful... Albert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted March 9, 2020 Share #12 Posted March 9, 2020 If these are the lenses you're committed to, I'd take 28 on one and either 50 or 90 on the other. Given the weather you're likely to face, the 50 summicron might be better than a collapsible lens. Whatever you do take a good waterproof bag. I've had a good experience with Miggo products. This one should suit your needs: https://www.mymiggo.ca/product/agua-stormproof-torso-pack-pro-dslr-camera/ Enjoy the trip. 🙂 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctual Posted March 9, 2020 Author Share #13 Posted March 9, 2020 Very good advice, Chris, I have just ordered one of these bags ! Christian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
newnew Posted March 9, 2020 Share #14 Posted March 9, 2020 3 hours ago, ctual said: Dear fellow travellers I really appreciate all your answers to my post. I realise a Leica M is not ideal, but I won't mind enjoying sighting wildlife while it still exists and not bringing back extraordinary shots of the fauna. For me this is less of a maritime safari than a meditation on a landscape that might vanish during the lifetime I have left. (I'm 75 years old) So thank you all you Leica users for your judicious remarks. Sincerely Christian PS: attached is what I see every morning from my window in Naples, Italy, with the island of Capri, full speed ahead.... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! " For me this is less of a maritime safari than a meditation on a landscape that might vanish during the lifetime I have left. (I'm 75 years old) " Then I would not leave my nice 24 mm Elmarit at home !!!! Ir renders the color nuances so nicely . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctual Posted March 9, 2020 Author Share #15 Posted March 9, 2020 Yes, you are probably right, I will take the 24mm It works especially beautifully with the M9, colour-wise. There's something about the M10 sensor that doesn't give the same subtle nuances.... Here are some other examples of the 24mm with the M9 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/307202-going-to-the-arctic-with-an-m10/?do=findComment&comment=3928210'>More sharing options...
chrisvik Posted March 15, 2020 Share #16 Posted March 15, 2020 (edited) Sounds like your trip will be about nature/landscape and not reportage/documentary about people who live and work there. So, given your range of lenses i believe I'd use a wide angle the most, so i'd pick the 24 as the go to lens. For polar bears, pick a much longer focal length . The sun never sets in August so there is no need to think about large apertures. Quite the opposite, you may want to bring both ND and polarizers. Do know that Svalbard, like the rest of Norway, is closing its borders to prevent further spread of the Covid-19/Corona virus. Noone knows how things will be in August, but expect a possible cancellation so do opt for a travel insurance that covers it. We Norwegians all live in a self imposed quaranteen now and the country has come to a complete stop. The only thing that is certain is that things will become a lot worse before it gets any better. Edited March 15, 2020 by chrisvik Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stein K S Posted March 18, 2020 Share #17 Posted March 18, 2020 (edited) Hi to OP Good luck with your trip to Svalbard in August! I just had to cancel my trip to Lucca in April ☹️ I have been to Svalbard a few times, all trips i March or April with still some snow left for scooter safaries. Just magic! However, I still find Svalbard a somewhat difficult photo ¨object¨ (at least during those rather dark times of year). And by this also choice of lenses. So for Your trip in August I think I would pick the set of a 28 and a 50 or 75... Enjoy nature and do not think too much about lenses and stuff 😉 And yes, can be somewhat chilly so bring a couple of spare batteries. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited March 18, 2020 by Stein K S 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/307202-going-to-the-arctic-with-an-m10/?do=findComment&comment=3933876'>More sharing options...
Stein K S Posted March 18, 2020 Share #18 Posted March 18, 2020 (edited) ... and I should add... if you go by boat around the island in any way you also need a 135... or more... AND bring your binocular!!! Possibly just as important as your camera? Edited March 18, 2020 by Stein K S Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctual Posted March 18, 2020 Author Share #19 Posted March 18, 2020 Yes, binoculars, you are right I just bought a 10x42, not very powerful but wide enough to spot wildlife 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stein K S Posted March 19, 2020 Share #20 Posted March 19, 2020 Could not resist. Another really old ¨moody¨ Svalbard photo taken during the darker part of the year. From the film days (Kodachrome) and scanned twice… first time from the dias and secondly from the old paper copy (!). But still charming I think. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/307202-going-to-the-arctic-with-an-m10/?do=findComment&comment=3934563'>More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now