kxl
Social Documentary
Given the name of this forum, this question's probably moot, but I might as well ask. I'm going to Peru in early November for 2 weeks. My itinerary is still open, but it's probably:
NEX5 covers my digital needs, but for film (400 and 1600 speed film):
A) FM3A and 20mm/2.5, 35/2.0 (or 28-50mm/3.5) and 75-150mm/3.5
B) ZI and 15mm, 35/1.2 and 90/3.5
I'm especially interested to hear from those who have been there, and provide details if you shot B&W film during your trip (provide a link to your B&W film photos). As to style and preferences, my website pretty much illustrates that.
Gracias.
- 4-5 days in Cuzco/Sacred Valley/Macchu Piccu
- 3-4 days in Puno/Lake Titicaca
- 3-4 days in Iquitos/Amazon river & rainforest
NEX5 covers my digital needs, but for film (400 and 1600 speed film):
A) FM3A and 20mm/2.5, 35/2.0 (or 28-50mm/3.5) and 75-150mm/3.5
B) ZI and 15mm, 35/1.2 and 90/3.5
I'm especially interested to hear from those who have been there, and provide details if you shot B&W film during your trip (provide a link to your B&W film photos). As to style and preferences, my website pretty much illustrates that.
Gracias.
johnsonjj22
Analog Enlightenment
If you're asking what gear to take, you probably haven't thought very much about what kinds of photos you want to make while you're traveling. Try to visualize the trip and the things you'll see. Then, imagine yourself there making the photos - figure out what kinds of gear you'll need to make that happen. What kind of "shooter" you are greatly determines the gear you should take.
ETA - I should add: I usually spend a lot of time trolling through flickr and other sources for other peoples photos of the same area. Try to get an idea of what photos you want to try to make yourself, make better or even see opportunities for new ones beforehand.
ETA - LOL, and another thing - When you're in Cusco, their will be women and children with goats posing for photos, they expect payment. I have a policy of NOT paying for photos. Rather, I went to the shops and artisans who had license to do their craft on the street, I bought something from them that I was going to buy somewhere anyway and THEN asked permission to take the photo, usually leaving a tip afterwards. It's a roundabout way of doing the same thing but I've always felt better doing it that way. Mostly, I don't like posed photos, esp. those I have to pay for.
Personally, I focus on the people and interactions with others. The best gear for me is wide-angle stuff, usually a 35mm or wider. Though, my style has changed over the years and I'm now far more comfortable with a single camera and two primes.
I went to Vietnam a few years ago and wrote a fairly detailed post-trip report of what worked, what didn't:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69407
A year before Vietnam I went to Cusco and hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu:
http://jjohnson.photoshelter.com/gallery/Peru-Cusco-Inca-Trail/G0000gCphJ0i5ELM/
On the trip to Peru, I had just purchased an M3 and was very close to taking it as my only camera. In the end, I didn't have much practice with it and knew it would be a completely different way of shooting. So I took a DSLR with a wide zoom and a tele-zoom and a P&S. Glad I took both.
The main thing is, have fun. Enjoy your surroundings and make meaningful, albeit short, connections with the people you meet and take photos of - they'll be far better for it.
ETA - I should add: I usually spend a lot of time trolling through flickr and other sources for other peoples photos of the same area. Try to get an idea of what photos you want to try to make yourself, make better or even see opportunities for new ones beforehand.
ETA - LOL, and another thing - When you're in Cusco, their will be women and children with goats posing for photos, they expect payment. I have a policy of NOT paying for photos. Rather, I went to the shops and artisans who had license to do their craft on the street, I bought something from them that I was going to buy somewhere anyway and THEN asked permission to take the photo, usually leaving a tip afterwards. It's a roundabout way of doing the same thing but I've always felt better doing it that way. Mostly, I don't like posed photos, esp. those I have to pay for.
Personally, I focus on the people and interactions with others. The best gear for me is wide-angle stuff, usually a 35mm or wider. Though, my style has changed over the years and I'm now far more comfortable with a single camera and two primes.
I went to Vietnam a few years ago and wrote a fairly detailed post-trip report of what worked, what didn't:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69407
A year before Vietnam I went to Cusco and hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu:
http://jjohnson.photoshelter.com/gallery/Peru-Cusco-Inca-Trail/G0000gCphJ0i5ELM/
On the trip to Peru, I had just purchased an M3 and was very close to taking it as my only camera. In the end, I didn't have much practice with it and knew it would be a completely different way of shooting. So I took a DSLR with a wide zoom and a tele-zoom and a P&S. Glad I took both.
The main thing is, have fun. Enjoy your surroundings and make meaningful, albeit short, connections with the people you meet and take photos of - they'll be far better for it.
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Leigh Youdale
Well-known
After looking at your website my impressions are these:-
A lot of the mono shots shown would look better in colour - with too much detail they start to become fussy in mono. With B&W you need to simplify and look for strong, simple shapes and contrasts. My opinion, anyway.
The 15mm lens is rather extreme and although I have one (CV) it gets very little use.
I think your best lens choices would be (of those listed) 20, 35 and 75-150 which indicates the Nikon is the go. I'd prefer the 35 to the 28-50 zoom simply because you seem to take quite a few interior shots and the faster lens wouldn't limit you in the same way the f3.5 of the zoom might. The 20 is plenty wide enough and fast enough. The long zoom will cover from portraits to tele landscapes or urban detail shots.
A lot of the mono shots shown would look better in colour - with too much detail they start to become fussy in mono. With B&W you need to simplify and look for strong, simple shapes and contrasts. My opinion, anyway.
The 15mm lens is rather extreme and although I have one (CV) it gets very little use.
I think your best lens choices would be (of those listed) 20, 35 and 75-150 which indicates the Nikon is the go. I'd prefer the 35 to the 28-50 zoom simply because you seem to take quite a few interior shots and the faster lens wouldn't limit you in the same way the f3.5 of the zoom might. The 20 is plenty wide enough and fast enough. The long zoom will cover from portraits to tele landscapes or urban detail shots.
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
johnsonjj22
Analog Enlightenment
Haha, good point - I was originally thinking the photos, though I can see how it could work both ways. My view of travel is that of a vehicle to personal growth.
I completely blew my first out of country trip by being uber focused on taking photos. The last time I traveled (Vietnam) my uber focus was on making connections with people. It was a life changing event, AND I made photos I'm proud of. So, thats where I'm coming from.
loquax ludens
Well-known
I'd take a lightweight 4x5 and tripod, and an RF camera with a 35mm and a 75mm lens. Or maybe just a 50mm.
degruyl
Just this guy, you know?
Me too, although I'd probably reverse the options on the RF. (50 is my primary length for 35mm film, everything else is the equivalent of 35-40 mm).
loquax ludens
Well-known
I have many boxes of 4x5 Fuji Astia 100 Quickloads in my freezer. I'd bring along some sheet film holders and some B&W film too, of course.
Is that a Speed Graphic in your avatar degruyl? I have one of those, but it's not in good condition. It needs a good CLA and maybe new bellows. More like a refurb. One of these days...
Is that a Speed Graphic in your avatar degruyl? I have one of those, but it's not in good condition. It needs a good CLA and maybe new bellows. More like a refurb. One of these days...
kxl
Social Documentary
So that's what it feels like to have a thread hijacked... 
loquax ludens
Well-known
I apologize Keith. I see that you specifically asked for input from people who had been to Peru. I have not been there, so I should not have offered my unwanted input. I can delete my posts if you would like for me to. Just say so.
kxl
Social Documentary
No worries... I was just kidding -- any exchange of information is always a good thing.
degruyl
Just this guy, you know?
Crown Graphic (not that it matters - I like modern copal shutters).
mfogiel
Mentor
I find, that you should take the same equipment as the one you would take going to Arizona or Paris, i.e. the equipment that makes sense to you.
Personally, I would stick to simple things: a RF with a 28 and 50 - or with just a 35mm lens,
And an SLR with a longer lens, like 85, or 100 mm, your zoom 75-150 looks perfect.
Personally, I would stick to simple things: a RF with a 28 and 50 - or with just a 35mm lens,
And an SLR with a longer lens, like 85, or 100 mm, your zoom 75-150 looks perfect.
ath
Well-known
Which gear to take is more a question of personal preference than the country you are traveling to. I've been to Peru (and other countries in SA) and I always was happy with a SLR and two zooms covering 28 to 200mm. For me it's versatility, for others concentration on a single focal length works.
Regarding b/w in Peru: I always perceive the andean countries as "colour" countries. I like b/w very much (more artistic expression for me) but omitting colour here is simply not possible for me. Doing both in a tight trip schedule doesn't work for me since I have to "adjust my perception" for colour or monochrome. I always carried a few b/w films along with colour slide but except for the odd roll of pushed Delta 400 in some bars or restaurants never used it. That said I wish I could do both simultaneously since I've seen stunning photos from this area in b/w.
Regarding b/w in Peru: I always perceive the andean countries as "colour" countries. I like b/w very much (more artistic expression for me) but omitting colour here is simply not possible for me. Doing both in a tight trip schedule doesn't work for me since I have to "adjust my perception" for colour or monochrome. I always carried a few b/w films along with colour slide but except for the odd roll of pushed Delta 400 in some bars or restaurants never used it. That said I wish I could do both simultaneously since I've seen stunning photos from this area in b/w.
johnsonjj22
Analog Enlightenment
Much of Peru really is a "color" country. In Cusco, where I was, the sky is a deep blue due to the elevation also lots of bright reds, oranges and pastels everywhere. Though, some of the cathedrals and back-alleys would be cool in B&W too. I tend to default to color in the cities and B&W in the country - though if theres lots of color in the country, I'll use color film there too. Personal preference really. Also depends on what you're trying to "say" with your photography and whether or not the color/s would be a distraction to your theme.
kxl
Social Documentary
Thanks guys -- the tips that I'm getting here, other boards and from friends are more or less consistent: Go with the SLR, shoot color and makesure I have coverage wider than 28mm and up to 200mm. Okay -- I think th emessage is finally sinking in. Thanks again.
-Keith
-Keith
arpinum
Member
I've been to all the places listed with a film camera and I'd go with the RF. Being at that altitude weight is a big issue, you have no idea how heavy an slr and zoom lens can feel at 12,000 ft. I shot mostly with a 35mm lens and wished I had something slightly wider. A 28mm would be ideal for this sort of trip. I had a 80-200 zoom, almost never used it except for a few wildlife shots which were mostly forgettable (bought some post cards of Condors instead).
I only shot b&w at night, mostly architectural stuff. Might give good use to that 1.2.
I only shot b&w at night, mostly architectural stuff. Might give good use to that 1.2.
netoga
Member
KenR
Well-known
Keep your kit small and very light - I was there two years ago for Cuzco, the Inca trail and Machu Pichu. The altitude is really extreme and if you're not used to it will make walking up a modest hill into a trek. I took my Bessa R4 with a couple of lenses and was very glad that I didn't take anything heavier.
kxl
Social Documentary
I'm really struggling with the weight and altitude consideration. If I want the absolute BEST color images, I'd have to bring my D700 and 24-70mm/2.8, plus something long, wide and a backup body (D40X), plus accessories. That's starting to add up.
I really have to give this a lot more thought.