goo0h
Well-known
I'm planning to going to Peru for a couple of weeks in December, most likely from the 8-23. Lima and the Cusco region being the main points. Will be going with my girlfriend who is from Lima.
The camera I tend to carry around is my Zeiss Ikon (the contemporary one), the ZM 50F2 and the ZM 35F2, so will likely take that. These days I tend to be shooting TMAX 400 @ 800 to give me a little bit of flexibility in low light, but can still use a ND filter by day if need be. Though, I'm probably also going to take my Metz 44 MZ-2 flash (which so far I'm rather liking.) I sometimes also take my J-3 50mm F1.5 and my CV 75mm 2.5 lenses, but don't use those nearly as much, so might leave those behind. If I'm just taking the one camera above, I tend to use my Bare Bones Bag, which I rather like. Yes, the big pockets inside are sometimes disorganized, but I really like how that bag fits my body, and is very water resistant too!
I also have a Bessa R3A which I sometimes take with me on trips, and often have the 40mm (SC) F1.4 lens on it. If I have it, I typically put color film in it. Though, since I wear glasses, much, much prefer to shoot the ZI these days than the Bessa. When I do take both camera, I have a Naneu Pro Lima bag.
That's a pretty nice bag, and I'll probably take that, but I do sometimes wonder if I'd like the BBB2 bag better since I'm really liking my BBB bag. Oh well, I digress.....
I don't have any super wides, but then I've never really been at home with serious wides. I seem to gravitate towards the 50s more often than not. And after hearing/seeing Helen Hill's use of her 75, beginning to wonder about making more use of that lens. Not sure on this trip, though. Still plenty of time to figure that out.
Planning on 1-stop flights to and fro, and then the short flight from Lima to Cusco. I've read the threads about putting your film in clear plastic bags, so will be doing that. Not sure how many rolls, though.
Anyway, any advice/tips/suggestions? Do I just use the Naneu Pro Lima bag as my carry-on bag? Should I consider something a bit bigger for carry-on, that also has enough space for camera gear? I also happen to have a Courierware medium-sized bag for carrying laptops (can fit my laptop and my BBB inside of it), but thinking that might be a bit too big for carry-on.
The camera I tend to carry around is my Zeiss Ikon (the contemporary one), the ZM 50F2 and the ZM 35F2, so will likely take that. These days I tend to be shooting TMAX 400 @ 800 to give me a little bit of flexibility in low light, but can still use a ND filter by day if need be. Though, I'm probably also going to take my Metz 44 MZ-2 flash (which so far I'm rather liking.) I sometimes also take my J-3 50mm F1.5 and my CV 75mm 2.5 lenses, but don't use those nearly as much, so might leave those behind. If I'm just taking the one camera above, I tend to use my Bare Bones Bag, which I rather like. Yes, the big pockets inside are sometimes disorganized, but I really like how that bag fits my body, and is very water resistant too!
I also have a Bessa R3A which I sometimes take with me on trips, and often have the 40mm (SC) F1.4 lens on it. If I have it, I typically put color film in it. Though, since I wear glasses, much, much prefer to shoot the ZI these days than the Bessa. When I do take both camera, I have a Naneu Pro Lima bag.
That's a pretty nice bag, and I'll probably take that, but I do sometimes wonder if I'd like the BBB2 bag better since I'm really liking my BBB bag. Oh well, I digress.....I don't have any super wides, but then I've never really been at home with serious wides. I seem to gravitate towards the 50s more often than not. And after hearing/seeing Helen Hill's use of her 75, beginning to wonder about making more use of that lens. Not sure on this trip, though. Still plenty of time to figure that out.
Planning on 1-stop flights to and fro, and then the short flight from Lima to Cusco. I've read the threads about putting your film in clear plastic bags, so will be doing that. Not sure how many rolls, though.
Anyway, any advice/tips/suggestions? Do I just use the Naneu Pro Lima bag as my carry-on bag? Should I consider something a bit bigger for carry-on, that also has enough space for camera gear? I also happen to have a Courierware medium-sized bag for carrying laptops (can fit my laptop and my BBB inside of it), but thinking that might be a bit too big for carry-on.
charjohncarter
Mentor
I carried on all my cameras and film. Be careful with those guys (and gals) at the airport. Even though my film went just though the carry-on X-ray, the guy that was working stopped on my bag to talk to his girl friend for about three minutes. Result: fog. I went in October and it was very cool in Cusco and at 14,000 feet, but December might be better. It is a very colorful place.
35mmdelux
#Represent
take a 21mm to do justice to Machu Pichu. It is an expansive site.
35mmdelux
#Represent
BTW, I wouldn't take a camera bag that looks new and shouts "I'm a tourist." Go to a thrift store and see what you can improvise.
When you get home, buy a Billingham Hadley Pro and start using it so next time its weathered and beaten.
When you get home, buy a Billingham Hadley Pro and start using it so next time its weathered and beaten.
Pablito
coco frío
Beware altitude sickness if you are flying from Lima. Sea level to 14,000 feet is no joke. Much safer to ascend slowly. The pills most commonly given to prevent altitude sickness, diamox, are useless, IMO. And they make you pee like crazy.
peter_n
Mentor
Hate to say this but a wide-angle for Machu Pichu is worth it. Consider getting the excellent CV 25/4 used if you can, then sell it when you get back if you don't like it. Use the oldest-looking bag you have.
goo0h
Well-known
So, 21mm or 25mm? Is there much difference in the CV F4 models of these lenses?
goo0h
Well-known
Yeah, have noticed in the Bags forum here how often Billingham Hadley Pro comes up. Though, in this forum I noticed in the recent discusion about a trip to Vietnam, that poster used a Domke F-2. I tend to prefer more of a courier/satchel type of bag, but one thing about the F-2 that strikes me could be incredibly handy is the two pockets at the ends. Seems like those end pockets could be good for carrying film, allowing film changes without having to open the bag.
lbenac
Established
My 2 cents from having been to Peru several times.
1) If you have time and money, make a stop in Arequipa on your way to Cusco. It is lower and you might get used to altitude more easily. While there take an inexpensive overnight excursion to Colca canyon. It is worth every penny.
2) Take an orange and red filter - if shooting B&W, if not you should. Take slow film. The sky up there is amazing and the light is plentiful so you can go 25ASA like a charm. Wake up at 5am to shoot. And try to catch sundown before 6pm, it is close to Equator.
3) I never had any problem, but then again I do not look like a complete tourist usually and I speak Spanish fluently. Old Domke bag without tag will do the trick.
4) Oh yes also take a lens as wide as you can or stich pano the scenery is just "huge"
Enjoy.
Luc
1) If you have time and money, make a stop in Arequipa on your way to Cusco. It is lower and you might get used to altitude more easily. While there take an inexpensive overnight excursion to Colca canyon. It is worth every penny.
2) Take an orange and red filter - if shooting B&W, if not you should
. Take slow film. The sky up there is amazing and the light is plentiful so you can go 25ASA like a charm. Wake up at 5am to shoot. And try to catch sundown before 6pm, it is close to Equator.3) I never had any problem, but then again I do not look like a complete tourist usually and I speak Spanish fluently. Old Domke bag without tag will do the trick.
4) Oh yes also take a lens as wide as you can or stich pano the scenery is just "huge"
Enjoy.
Luc
wclavey
Established
Lived in Peru and traveled with both 35mm and MF for personal shooting... I second the use of slower B&W film. I shot KR-64 exclusively for 35mm color and started out with a mix of 100 & 400 for B&W. I developed my own B&W there and sent the KR-64 back with students for processing in the US. After developing the first batch of B&W, I put the 400 aside and strictly used 100. I also made extensive use of yellow, deep yellow & orange filters.
And I had my "non-camera bag" camera bag (beat-up canvas shoulder bag) sliced open on a bus in Lima, so even subterfuge does not always work. But they were not able to get anything out of the hole and I got his hand while it was still in the bag.
And I had my "non-camera bag" camera bag (beat-up canvas shoulder bag) sliced open on a bus in Lima, so even subterfuge does not always work. But they were not able to get anything out of the hole and I got his hand while it was still in the bag.
KenR
Well-known
Cuzco is at 11,000 feet and was difficult to walk uphill the first day that I was there. Dead Woman Pass on the Inca Trail was at 13,600 feet and felt like someone was ripping my lungs out of my chest. Yet others on our trip had much less trouble with breathing at those heights. Take the Diamox. The last thing you want is your trip cut short because of altitude sickness. See a Travel Medicine specialist before you go for advice on vaccinations and meds.
lawrence
Mentor
Belive it or not tourists are only permitted to take one camera free of charge into Peru -- you may be hit with a tax if you take more: http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/magazine/news/anger-over-peru-camera-fees
When I went in January last year I took two cameras but one of them was an old Canon L1 which the customs guy just laughed at. My friend, Andy, took a few M6s and had to pay the tax.
Machu Piccu is great -- stay at Inkaterra if funds permit.
When I went in January last year I took two cameras but one of them was an old Canon L1 which the customs guy just laughed at. My friend, Andy, took a few M6s and had to pay the tax.
Machu Piccu is great -- stay at Inkaterra if funds permit.
photogdave
Shops local
I went through this too. Wasted nearly an hour while the customs guys tried to google my Leica CL to verify the value. Since I had three cameras on that trip I declared my Nikon and CL and I gave my M6 to my girlfriend.
Here's a thread I started on my experience traveling to and shooting in Peru (and Ecuador). http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66111&highlight=peru
There's a few pics in my gallery too!
Brian Puccio
Well-known
Agreed, I went from NY (home at sea level, in fact I just moved to where I can see the beach out my front door!) to Pike's Peak Colorado (14000 feet) and was I miserable!
goo0h
Well-known
You've got to be kidding me! Oh man, that's insane.
Not just 2nd camera, but more than 5 rolls of film????