Bring M3 to Luxor or too much dust?

[inglis]

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I am debating whether to bring an M3 to Luxor for a week or two with 3 lenses,

but comments online about the tiny but invasive dust lead me to wonder

whether I should just bring a film zoom camera instead.

Can anyone speak to whether it too dangerous dust wise to bring such a camera of have recommendations on how to limit damage?

John

[spydrxx]

Come on - Leicas have been used everywhere on earth and combat zones during a variety of wars. You limit damage by normal precautions...expose the camera and lenses to the elements to take pictures, not willy-nilly all the time. Keep a lens cap on except to take a shot. Don't leave the camera in the sun. Most of all use common sense and enjoy taking pictures.

[TomB_tx]

My last trip to the Middle East (Israel - Jordan) I left my Leicas at home and just took a fixed lens super-zoom digital. It was always ready for the next shot and I could pay full attention to the lectures / details without messing with the equipment. It was the first time I took that approach, but it won't be the last.

Others in the group did have issues with dust getting into their dSLRs when changing lenses, etc.

 

[Danner]

LOL, I was thinking Las Vegas.

[Aryel]

I’d definitely take mine. I took it to Vietnam, Israel, local sand parks, beach, etc. I use a bag with quick access, take the camera out, take the shot and put it back.

In the evening I blow the dust away and gently wipe, shake the bag best I can and ready for next day. 

I don’t change lens in dusty environments though and always use protective filters…
 

Won’t you miss it if it stay home?

[logan2z]

1 hour ago, Aryel said:

I don’t change lens in dusty environments though and always use protective filters…

I always worry that sand will work it's way inside/under the aperture or focus rings of my lens and cause issues, so I typically only take my inexpensive Nikon SLR to the beach.  But I do miss the Leica on those days.

[Aryel]

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45 minutes ago, logan2z said:

I always worry that sand will work it's way inside/under the aperture or focus rings of my lens and cause issues, so I typically only take my inexpensive Nikon SLR to the beach.  But I do miss the Leica on those days.

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Leica M3, rigid 50 v2

I am as careful as I can but I would not want to miss these opportunities. These cameras and lenses have been taken all over the world before ending up with me. Snap and put it back in the bag 😊. 

Only you can decide, but for me, these are safe to take. I blow and gently wipe the lens and camera afterwards. If it gets closer to the water, then I use something else.

[logan2z]

3 minutes ago, Aryel said:

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Leica M3, rigid 50 v2

I am as careful as I can but I would not want to miss these opportunities.

I don't miss the opportunities, I just capture them with a different camera   

Nice photo, by the way.

[Aryel]

4 minutes ago, logan2z said:

I don't miss the opportunities, I just capture them with a different camera   

Nice photo, by the way.

Thanks 😊 

[Reini]

My opinion on this is: An electronic camera with autofocus is more delicate about sand than an old mechanical one.

[Ouroboros]

8 hours ago, inglis said:

I am debating whether to bring an M3 to Luxor for a week or two with 3 lenses,

but comments online about the tiny but invasive dust lead me to wonder

whether I should just bring a film zoom camera instead.

Can anyone speak to whether it too dangerous dust wise to bring such a camera of have recommendations on how to limit damage?

John

I took my MP and three lenses to Egypt for a couple of weeks in January 2020.    Short of burying your M3 in the sand, I don’t really understand your concerns.  Cameras are meant to be used.

 

[Matlock]

My late father was based in Tobruk during the North Africa campaign of the 2nd World War. He took many photos and his camera is still in working order and has not had a CLA since them (not a Leica though)  Cameras are meant to be used not molly coddled. 

[inglis]

Thanks everyone 

very helpful

would love to have 1.4 lenses and real wide angle,

which my zoom lacks,

all to project slides after the fact.

[MarkP]

You could just as easily suck dust or sand under the zoom or focus ring - creates that delightful grinding sound and sensation 🙄 

M3s and their lenses have been in harsher conditions than Luxor and survived. You should take a Rocket air blower with you regardless. I always travel with one as part of my camera maintenance kit and clean my gear each night if it's been exposed to dust, sand, etc.

Or take the film camera with the zoom lens (they are sometimes very convenient)  and the M3 with your most used focal length lens (a faster prime lens may be very useful).  Gives you the best of both worlds and a backup.

Edited September 18, 2021 by MarkP

[plaidshirts]

1 hour ago, MarkP said:

Or take the film camera with the zoom lens (they are sometimes very convenient)  and the M3 with your most used focal length lens (a faster prime lens may be very useful).  Gives you the best of both worlds and a backup.

This would be my advice as well. I always take my Nikonos V (a bulletproof underwater film camera) for those adverse conditions and my M’s for everything else. 

[LocalHero1953]

I spent four months in Egypt (Cairo, Nile Delta and Sinai) with a M2, and a year in Oman. I just kept it well bagged when there were dust storms and when driving along sand tracks. 

[Reini]

I once dropped a digital camera on the beach. That was the end ... sand in the focus gear.
An M3 is only happy because it has fallen softly.

p.s .: Filters to protect the front lenses are important!

[R6M6]

I made a trip from Cairo to Abu Simbel, mostly by bus, in 1979 with my M2 and a Summaron 2.8/35,a Summitar 2/50 and a Elamrit 2.8/90 and shot  > 1000 slides w/o any problem. Lenses protected with Skylight Filters.

Edited September 18, 2021 by R6M6
Typing errors

[Kriehuber]

vor 49 Minuten schrieb Reini:

I once dropped a digital camera on the beach. That was the end ... sand in the focus gear.
An M3 is only happy because it has fallen softly.

p.s .: Filters to protect the front lenses are important!

Bringing one spare filter is also never a wrong decision.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[inglis]

The filter point is noted,

thanks much