david.elliott
Well-known
Hello all,
I had planned on going to the Grand Canyon this year (see - http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=130150), but just got a pretty good deal on airfare to Iceland so my girlfriend and I are going there instead. We will be there toward the end of April.
So, I have a few questions for all of you. But, first, you should know that I am not an experienced traveler at all. So any tips and advice, no matter how trivial they may seem to you, would be greatly appreciated by me.
As budget is always a useful bit of info in these threads, we anticipate having about $800 each as an 'activity budget' remaining after airfare and hotel. While we are on the subject of hotels, hotel recommendations would be appreciated -- I will be booking one this week.
Are there any other photo opportunities / activities that we should look into? Any particular tours, guides, outfits, charters, etc that are worthwhile? I would love to do a bit of hiking (moderate, not super rough terrain), visit some springs, check out the local food and pubs, and of course fit in some landscape and macro photography time.
I think your recommendations as to the above are probably most important, but I wouldn't mind getting some advice as to what equipment to bring as well.
I mostly do macro work, which you can see by looking at my website (www.renderedinsilver.com). On the digital side of things, I mainly use my om-d and a macro lens.
At the moment, I plan to bring my om-d with 60/2.8 macro, 100-300, and 12/2. I should probably get a nd filter for the 12mm lens to do some long exposure landscapes. Will definitely be bringing along a travel tripod.
I would love to bring some film equipment as well. We'll be renting a car so I can bring some extra stuff. What do you guys think, rolleiflex or a leica with a 28mm elmarit or 50mm summicron?
I have a billingham hadley pro which does not fit a great deal of equipment. I don't have any other bags. So, I guess it is somewhat good insofar as it forces me to travel light. My travel tripod is a gitzo traveler (can't really use my hasselblad on it...too lightweight of a tripod).
Is it worth buying a red filter for some dramatic skies? I've only ever used UV filters on my lenses and sometimes a yellow filter with the rolleiflex...
Anybody have a good shoulderpad solution for the billingham bags? I don't think that the actual billingham shoulderpad that they sell is not particularly comfortable.
Any insight or advice regarding what equipment will be best suited to this trip would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for answering all of my myriad of questions!
-David
I had planned on going to the Grand Canyon this year (see - http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=130150), but just got a pretty good deal on airfare to Iceland so my girlfriend and I are going there instead. We will be there toward the end of April.
So, I have a few questions for all of you. But, first, you should know that I am not an experienced traveler at all. So any tips and advice, no matter how trivial they may seem to you, would be greatly appreciated by me.
As budget is always a useful bit of info in these threads, we anticipate having about $800 each as an 'activity budget' remaining after airfare and hotel. While we are on the subject of hotels, hotel recommendations would be appreciated -- I will be booking one this week.
Are there any other photo opportunities / activities that we should look into? Any particular tours, guides, outfits, charters, etc that are worthwhile? I would love to do a bit of hiking (moderate, not super rough terrain), visit some springs, check out the local food and pubs, and of course fit in some landscape and macro photography time.
I think your recommendations as to the above are probably most important, but I wouldn't mind getting some advice as to what equipment to bring as well.
I mostly do macro work, which you can see by looking at my website (www.renderedinsilver.com). On the digital side of things, I mainly use my om-d and a macro lens.
At the moment, I plan to bring my om-d with 60/2.8 macro, 100-300, and 12/2. I should probably get a nd filter for the 12mm lens to do some long exposure landscapes. Will definitely be bringing along a travel tripod.
I would love to bring some film equipment as well. We'll be renting a car so I can bring some extra stuff. What do you guys think, rolleiflex or a leica with a 28mm elmarit or 50mm summicron?
I have a billingham hadley pro which does not fit a great deal of equipment. I don't have any other bags. So, I guess it is somewhat good insofar as it forces me to travel light. My travel tripod is a gitzo traveler (can't really use my hasselblad on it...too lightweight of a tripod).
Is it worth buying a red filter for some dramatic skies? I've only ever used UV filters on my lenses and sometimes a yellow filter with the rolleiflex...
Anybody have a good shoulderpad solution for the billingham bags? I don't think that the actual billingham shoulderpad that they sell is not particularly comfortable.
Any insight or advice regarding what equipment will be best suited to this trip would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for answering all of my myriad of questions!
-David
kzphoto
Well-known
I haven't ever been to Iceland but someone here had linked to a gallery awhile back with some absolutely stunning black and white photos. I would be willing to bet that the link shows up again!
david.elliott
Well-known
Don't pack your film in your checked baggage! Take it carry on, smile, and ask nicely if you can have it hand checked (better still, get your girlfriend to ask).
Never been to Iceland but the images I have seen look stunning. Were I to go, I would want maximum quality and would certainly have a medium format or two. I'd probably take both the RF and the Rollei, but certainly a Rollei. And lots of Fujichrome. When are you next going to be back there? If you can't answer that, you better make the most of it. Sure you will love it, too.
Regards,
Brett
Never been to Iceland but the images I have seen look stunning. Were I to go, I would want maximum quality and would certainly have a medium format or two. I'd probably take both the RF and the Rollei, but certainly a Rollei. And lots of Fujichrome. When are you next going to be back there? If you can't answer that, you better make the most of it. Sure you will love it, too.
Regards,
Brett
Bingley
Mentor
Travel light -- that goes for photography gear and everything else. Think in terms of a bag that can be carried on board and not checked. Some may scoff, but I think Rick Steves has useful packing lists on his website.
And don't pack your film in checked baggage! Better yet, don't check bags.
And don't pack your film in checked baggage! Better yet, don't check bags.
Bingley
Mentor
You've probably seen this, but in case not...
http://www.dantestella.com/technical/travel.html
Words to live by...
http://www.dantestella.com/technical/travel.html
Words to live by...
FrozenInTime
Well-known
Steve, I would normally agree, but the Icelandic weather can be temperamental; low cloud, wet and windy for days - especially early in the season. Plan for the worse and be happy when the sun breaks through.
David, a start would be to tick off the golden circle attractions :
Þingvellir, Geyser, Gullfoss, Vik and Skógafoss then explore more peaceful locations.
You might want to practice your panoramic stitching L-R and Up-Down : 12mm on µ43 is not all that wide.
brbo
Well-known
I've been to Iceland last summer and my films somehow ended in checked baggage. Some films were ruined.
I took my Hasselblad 500 with 50 & 80mm lenses and M6 with 28 and 50. If I was to go again I would've brought only one system. Hasselblad.
Air tickets (from Europe), hotel (few km out of Reykjavik) and car rental was (relatively) cheap, food is expensive. Proper food is even more expensive. Bring some extra kilos in body fat with you
Iceland is crazy beautiful.
lighthouse by boachi, on Flickr
odd looking black sheep by boachi, on Flickr
enjoying the retirement? by boachi, on Flickr
lil' retro house by boachi, on Flickr
More here...
pvdhaar
Peter
Fellow RFF'er Pete Chipman (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/member.php?u=49479) has done a lot of shooting in Iceland. Probably wouldn't hurt to ask his input. You can also check his website for inspiration http://www.petechipmanphoto.com/PictureInfo/Iceland/Iceland1.html
kanzlr
Hexaneur
Very nice images!
I visited Iceland last summer. Stunning place, really.
Things to visit: in the north, visit Akureyri and Dimmu Borgir, Myvatn, everything up there.
We had a car and took a clockwise tour around the country.
Gear I had with me:
Hexar RF + 28/50/90mm Hexanons + 15mm Heliar
Hexar AF for casual shooting
small Leitz tripod
Red Filters
while not nearly as impressive as the other galleries, here is mine:
www.flickr.com/photos/kanzlr/sets/72157631354611002/
Btw. you can have your film developed in Reykjavik to be on the safe side.
I visited Iceland last summer. Stunning place, really.
Things to visit: in the north, visit Akureyri and Dimmu Borgir, Myvatn, everything up there.
We had a car and took a clockwise tour around the country.
Gear I had with me:
Hexar RF + 28/50/90mm Hexanons + 15mm Heliar
Hexar AF for casual shooting
small Leitz tripod
Red Filters
while not nearly as impressive as the other galleries, here is mine:
www.flickr.com/photos/kanzlr/sets/72157631354611002/
Btw. you can have your film developed in Reykjavik to be on the safe side.
david.elliott
Well-known
This is probably a once in a lifetime trip for us. Not sure we will ever make it back.
Will be sure that the film does not get checked.
Hmm. Rangefinder and rollei wouldn't leave any room for my omd with macro lens and that is a must for me. Unless I get a bigger bag...or a backpack.
david.elliott
Well-known
Great packing lists. Bookmarked! Thanks.
david.elliott
Well-known
I read it quite some time ago. Just read it again now and have bookmarked it for further review. Thank you.
david.elliott
Well-known
Thank you! Will put those sites on the must-do list.
24mm equivalent is super wide for me. I've never gone this wide before actually. I usually use a telephoto for landscapes.
david.elliott
Well-known
I've been to Iceland last summer and my films somehow ended in checked baggage. Some films were ruined.
I took my Hasselblad 500 with 50 & 80mm lenses and M6 with 28 and 50. If I was to go again I would've brought only one system. Hasselblad.
Air tickets (from Europe), hotel (few km out of Reykjavik) and car rental was (relatively) cheap, food is expensive. Proper food is even more expensive. Bring some extra kilos in body fat with you
Iceland is crazy beautiful.
Great photos! You have made me even more excited for the trip. Sorry to hear that some of your film was ruined.
Extra body fat? Time to bulk up on fried chicken.
david.elliott
Well-known
He has some great work on his site. Thank you. Will see if I can get in touch with him before we leave.
david.elliott
Well-known
I don't think we have time to go around the whole country, unfortunately. That must have been a fantastic trip!
I think you have quite a few very nice landscapes in your set. Thank you for sharing it.
david.elliott
Well-known
Sorry for the slow replies. It is the end of the quarter and I have been very busy at work. Thank you to all for your continued information and advice.
This is such a fantastic community.
This is such a fantastic community.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
David, I have been to Iceland - for a longer stay only once - in the 70's. Always wanted to go back - and will someday. As for gear, first comes cameras/film and any left over space is allotted to clothing. Good shoes (essential!!), rain/wind gear. Sweater (can be bought on site - they make great ones). You can usually wash stuff in the hotel - so one or two changes is more than enough. You are not going for a dress-up occasion anyway As for weather changes - the layered look works fine - add and subtract as the temperature requires.
It is a modern country and if you run out of something - you can find it there. Only cabin luggage, of course. Maybe even a small, mini tripod for macro work - about 50% more film and SD cards than you think you are going to use!!!!
What is remarkable is the clear air - mostly geothermal heating and brisk Atlantic winds blowing away any pollution.
If offered "Black Death" - politely refuse (local moon shine - and Icelanders are tough!). Some of the fish dishes are also a bit strange - but not directly life-threatening. Throw in some reading material as books in english tend to be a bit pricy - I usually take some paper-backs and then simply leave them behind. Of course, scour the book stores (there are many - Iceland is the only country with 100 % literacy rate in the world!) Some good photography books - at least that what I have heard.
Have a great trip and post a lot when you are back.
It is a modern country and if you run out of something - you can find it there. Only cabin luggage, of course. Maybe even a small, mini tripod for macro work - about 50% more film and SD cards than you think you are going to use!!!!
What is remarkable is the clear air - mostly geothermal heating and brisk Atlantic winds blowing away any pollution.
If offered "Black Death" - politely refuse (local moon shine - and Icelanders are tough!). Some of the fish dishes are also a bit strange - but not directly life-threatening. Throw in some reading material as books in english tend to be a bit pricy - I usually take some paper-backs and then simply leave them behind. Of course, scour the book stores (there are many - Iceland is the only country with 100 % literacy rate in the world!) Some good photography books - at least that what I have heard.
Have a great trip and post a lot when you are back.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
From Heimyen - a year after the volcano blew up (1974). Icelander's are famous for their literary output - though I think this type writer had had it!