jaapv Posted October 1, 2007 Share #1 Posted October 1, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm off to Zambia, Mocambique, Malawi coming Friday on a three-legged journey: snorkeling for Cyclids in Lake Malawi, going into villages and medical facilities in rural Malawi and Mocambique and exploring a newly opening up wildlife area in Zambia. So it is difficult getting a good set of equipment together. Lots of walking in temperatures of up to 45 centigrade, small aircraft with extremely limited carrying capacity, so it is a real headache to balance versatiliy against weight and volume... I've now come to the following: 2 bodies, plenty of cards and batteries, two chargers (I've not forgottten a charger broke down on me), backup device, cleaning kit, table tripod, bean bag. ZI 21/2.8, Elmarit/M 28/2.8 asph, Summicron 36/2.0 asph, Summilux 75, 135/4.0 and Visoflex+ Noflexar 400/5.6 Schnellschuss.. Casio EXILM in underwater housing. That is 8.5 kg's and a compact kit with the long gun carried seperately. What have I forgotten? What is redundant? Decisions...decisions... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 1, 2007 Posted October 1, 2007 Hi jaapv, Take a look here Getting my gear together. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
marknorton Posted October 1, 2007 Share #2 Posted October 1, 2007 Pah, you don't need any of that, just a newly bought D-Lux 3 that you've tested for about 10 minutes will do the job nicely. Will your wife carry it all in her purse for you? Seriously, do you need something wider than 21mm to capture those big African skies? Don't forget the car charger cable, you never know if it might come in useful when you're away from a power socket. What power sockets do they use anyway? Plastic zip-lock bags to keep the bush dust at bay as much as you can? Have a great and safe trip and we'll look forward to your images. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted October 1, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted October 1, 2007 Pah, you don't need any of that, just a newly bought D-Lux 3 that you've tested for about 10 minutes will do the job nicely. Will your wife carry it all in her purse for you? Seriously, do you need something wider than 21mm to capture those big African skies? Don't forget the car charger cable, you never know if it might come in useful when you're away from a power socket. What power sockets do they use anyway? Plastic zip-lock bags to keep the bush dust at bay as much as you can? Have a great and safe trip and we'll look forward to your images. You're right, I'll drop in the CV 15, and I just remember I have a Tex 2x extender for the Noflexar somewhere. I'll probably won't need it, but it is small and weighs very little. I have a feeling I won't need the 28 with a 21 and 35, but that is a small thing as well... I left out the Telyt 280, that was getting too much gear. Yes, zip-lock bags. I find that very unpractical. In safari areas I just change lenses as little as possible and give the cameras a blow in the shower area in camp each night. I've done it like that for years and it works well for me. On walks and drives I leave the long lens on one body and the 135 on the other and only change that one if needed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hookeye Posted October 1, 2007 Share #4 Posted October 1, 2007 I just love monopods. And a rain poncho that can cover your head and the camera while shooting. Did you know that one of the EWA marine housings fitt the M8 just nicely? I use it when things get really and truly wet. Rainshowers, sailing and kayaking. You can also snorkle with it. If you bring one you can leave the Casio and underwater housing at home. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted October 1, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted October 1, 2007 I just love monopods. And a rain poncho that can cover your head and the camera while shooting. Did you know that one of the EWA marine housings fitt the M8 just nicely? I use it when things get really and truly wet. Rainshowers, sailing and kayaking. You can also snorkle with it. If you bring one you can leave the Casio and underwater housing at home. I know- tried to order one, but that was half a year ago - still not there. I doubt I'll need rain poncho in the middle of the dry seaon... Monopods - or any type of tripod- very unpractical in a safari vehicle or generally with wildlife work.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted October 1, 2007 Share #6 Posted October 1, 2007 Maybe a polarizer ... and my ticket. Have a great trip. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanhulsenbeek Posted October 1, 2007 Share #7 Posted October 1, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yes, zip-lock bags. I find that very unpractical. In safari areas I just change lenses as little as possible and give the cameras a blow in the shower area in camp each night. I've done it like that for years and it works well for me. On walks and drives I leave the long lens on one body and the 135 on the other and only change that one if needed. Jaap! Where do you keep all this stuff during those long dusty rides? Dust not only can leave specks, it can also kill your camera and get into your lenses! Very costly to get out. A Pelican case would be best, but bulky and heavy. One ore two Ortlieb camera/video bags for in the car is an alternative. Bever shops have them. Our water and dust tight Ortlieb bags were (camera-) life-savers during 14-hour rides in dusty Sumbawa and Sumba this summer. Open and close fast and feel very trustworthy. Or you could contemplate one of these Lowepro water and dust tight rucksacks, but they do not open fast. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted October 1, 2007 Author Share #8 Posted October 1, 2007 My camera case is a LowePro Omnitraveller, which is made to fit exactly inside a Pelican case. So I use that for long drives, and the inside case for the daily battle.... I don't do many long dusty drives anyway if I can avoid it. I don't like dust any more that my cameras do, so I usually charter a light aircraft, or book a seat on one when available. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanhulsenbeek Posted October 1, 2007 Share #9 Posted October 1, 2007 My camera case is a LowePro Omnitraveller, which is made to fit exactly inside a Pelican case. So I use that for long drives, and the inside case for the daily battle.... Then you will be fine Have fun! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitnaros Posted October 1, 2007 Share #10 Posted October 1, 2007 I just love monopods. And a rain poncho that can cover your head and the camera while shooting. Did you know that one of the EWA marine housings fitt the M8 just nicely? I use it when things get really and truly wet. Rainshowers, sailing and kayaking. You can also snorkle with it. If you bring one you can leave the Casio and underwater housing at home. Hans Peter, Which of the EWA housings fit the M8? I am getting ready for a kayak trip down the Passaic in New Jersey and could make good usage of that. (The Passaic will be the opposite of jaap's tour: right around Newark/New Jersey it is a very polluted river with industries dumping waste since over 100 years...) Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted October 1, 2007 Author Share #11 Posted October 1, 2007 If I read that river rightly, you should purchase an Ewa housing to include yourself with the camera. Sounds like an ideal place to use a film camera. You could develop the film by trailing it beside the kayak at night Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack_Flesher Posted October 1, 2007 Share #12 Posted October 1, 2007 Sounds like a great trip jaap --- enjoy! Can't wait to see the images. Your kit sounds perfect. Me personally, I would swap a 50 in for the 35 and leave the viso and tele at home --- but that would be for my style of shooting. Cheers, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hookeye Posted October 1, 2007 Share #13 Posted October 1, 2007 Which of the EWA housings fit the M8? Peter Peter, I use the "U-F" type. Originallly bought it for using with the M6 on a sailing voyage to the Antarctic. A bit of a pain to operate the rewind crank and setting the focus and aparture with that glove going inside. But with the M8 you avoid most of that if you use the "A" mode and pre-set the focus. But it does not fit all Leica lenses. Adapters for 49mm / 52mm / 55mm / 58mm / 62mm filter sizes are included. For others you need to check with EWA if they have them in range - or simply use a step-up device. I use it mostly with the 28mm Elmarit M which has a 49mm filter size. The enclosed photo was taken a few weeks ago during a heavy downpour. I simply dangled the M8 from my paddle and used the self timer. Not a prize winning photo, I admit, but better than leaving the gear behind - or worse still; ruining it by dropping it in the soup . 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/34714-getting-my-gear-together/?do=findComment&comment=366902'>More sharing options...
jrc Posted October 1, 2007 Share #14 Posted October 1, 2007 You say "cleaning kit." Does it include a Visible Dust sensor loupe? I've found mine to be invaluable, and they're reasonably priced. JC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tummydoc Posted October 1, 2007 Share #15 Posted October 1, 2007 I would swap a 50 in for the 35 and leave the viso and tele at home --- but that would be for my style of shooting. Indeed! I quite suspect though that head shots of lions and rhinos from 1.5m are rather outside most chaps' comfort zone Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted October 1, 2007 Share #16 Posted October 1, 2007 I'm off to Zambia, Mocambique, Malawi coming Friday on a three-legged journey: snorkeling for Cyclids in Lake Malawi, going into villages and medical facilities in rural Malawi and Mocambique and exploring a newly opening up wildlife area in Zambia. So it is difficult getting a good set of equipment together. Lots of walking in temperatures of up to 45 centigrade, small aircraft with extremely limited carrying capacity, so it is a real headache to balance versatiliy against weight and volume...I've now come to the following: 2 bodies, plenty of cards and batteries, two chargers (I've not forgottten a charger broke down on me), backup device, cleaning kit, table tripod, bean bag. ZI 21/2.8, Elmarit/M 28/2.8 asph, Summicron 36/2.0 asph, Summilux 75, 135/4.0 and Visoflex+ Noflexar 400/5.6 Schnellschuss.. Casio EXILM in underwater housing. That is 8.5 kg's and a compact kit with the long gun carried seperately. What have I forgotten? What is redundant? Decisions...decisions... Enjoy your holidays! And don't forget to put some "Gouda" in your luggage ;-) PS: Who is carring it? You, or your wife in her purse? (just for kidding) . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted October 1, 2007 Share #17 Posted October 1, 2007 Indeed! I quite suspect though that head shots of lions and rhinos from 1.5m are rather outside most chaps' comfort zone There really friendly that close. LOL Actually the 135mm might be a good choice here the APO is really good and is really a 180mm which might fit the comfort zone of ether being left alone or becoming lunch with a 75mm. Hell as long as there is a guy with a rifle that is good at it i would walk up to them with a 28mm but that guy better be good , or i will come back and haunt him. ROFLMAO Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack_Flesher Posted October 1, 2007 Share #18 Posted October 1, 2007 Indeed! I quite suspect though that head shots of lions and rhinos from 1.5m are rather outside most chaps' comfort zone Quite... I guess I need to explain things more fully here... If you've ever used a Viso, they are to say the least, somewhat awkward --- even the Viso-III. So there are some subjects I feel a DSLR and long zoom are simply better suited to than the M8 --- and this would be one of them. Also one where I would carry the other cam in lieu of trying to force the M8 into work... If I was tight for space, I might otherwise take the 135 APO for the M8 and call it good (long) enough. Cheers, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted October 1, 2007 Share #19 Posted October 1, 2007 Please don't under estimate what a 135mm can bring home. yes a little tough to work with but it is a sweetie. I shot a portrait with it that is so damn sharp i had to use a LOT of guassian blur. Scary sharp. Okay a 100 percent crop and i mean NO SHARPENING Than the final after A LOT of airbrushing. I shot this at 5.6 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/34714-getting-my-gear-together/?do=findComment&comment=366970'>More sharing options...
rwfreund Posted October 1, 2007 Share #20 Posted October 1, 2007 Guy, That is scary close as well as scary sharp. Did you have that fellow with the rifle standing by? -bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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