J
Jeff Laitila
Guest
Having lived in Japan for about 10 years now, I’ve been to Kyoto quite a few times, (I go a couple of items each year) but this will be the first time that I will be shooting (digital) medium format. Usually I shoot SLR (5D or D700) or Rangefinder (M8), but this time I decided to go for maximum image quality over light weight.
Here’s what I plan to bring:
Mamiya AFDII
Mamiya ZD back
Kodak DCS Pro Back 645M as a backup
Mamiya 35mm f3.5
Mamiya 55mm f2.8
Hasselblad Zeiss 110mm f2
In place of the 110mm f2, I was going to bring a Mamiya 80mm f1.9 and 150mm f3.5, but the 110mm takes up less space than the two Mamiya lenses, and I will have enough pixels to crop up to an equivalent 150mm if need be. I’ll also be checking out the sued camera shops in Kyoto and Osaka to see if I can find a good deal on a Mamiya 200mm f2.8.
I also have a Mamiya 45mm f2.8 and 80mm f2.8, but they seem to be somewhat redundant based on my current kit, so I don’t plan on taking them.
All of this fits nicely into a Lowepro Micro Trekker 200, which is my favorite backpack to use. I may change bags and instead use a Domke wax-wear F2, it depends if it looks like there will be rain as the Domke is very water resistant.
I actually prefer the colors and overall “look” of the Kodak files compared to the ZD files, but since I have not really put the ZD back through its paces yet this should be a good opportunity to really see what it can do.
To date I’ve only used this medium format setup for single day type shooting (6-8 hours at a stretch) so I think I have a pretty good idea about what to expect as far as weight goes. But I am still a bit concerned, but I do also know that the results will quickly make me forget about the increase in weight compared to a DSLR kit.
But I do also have a backup plan/sanity check: I will also take along an Olympus E-P1 with a 20mm f1.7 and 14-42 kit zoom. This will serve as my backup in case I don’t feel like carrying so much gear on any particular day. The PEN will also serve as my nighttime low light camera.
Since this is a solo trip, and the only point is to take photos, explore more of Kyoto, and relax, I don’t think I’m going too nuts here with the gear I am bringing.
I just wanted some other people’s perspectives about this plan. Given the same choice of gear, would you do the same thing?
My alternative DLS setup is a D700 with some fast primes: 14/2.8, 35/2, 50/1.4, 85/1.4, and 180/2.8
Here’s what I plan to bring:
Mamiya AFDII
Mamiya ZD back
Kodak DCS Pro Back 645M as a backup
Mamiya 35mm f3.5
Mamiya 55mm f2.8
Hasselblad Zeiss 110mm f2
In place of the 110mm f2, I was going to bring a Mamiya 80mm f1.9 and 150mm f3.5, but the 110mm takes up less space than the two Mamiya lenses, and I will have enough pixels to crop up to an equivalent 150mm if need be. I’ll also be checking out the sued camera shops in Kyoto and Osaka to see if I can find a good deal on a Mamiya 200mm f2.8.
I also have a Mamiya 45mm f2.8 and 80mm f2.8, but they seem to be somewhat redundant based on my current kit, so I don’t plan on taking them.
All of this fits nicely into a Lowepro Micro Trekker 200, which is my favorite backpack to use. I may change bags and instead use a Domke wax-wear F2, it depends if it looks like there will be rain as the Domke is very water resistant.
I actually prefer the colors and overall “look” of the Kodak files compared to the ZD files, but since I have not really put the ZD back through its paces yet this should be a good opportunity to really see what it can do.
To date I’ve only used this medium format setup for single day type shooting (6-8 hours at a stretch) so I think I have a pretty good idea about what to expect as far as weight goes. But I am still a bit concerned, but I do also know that the results will quickly make me forget about the increase in weight compared to a DSLR kit.
But I do also have a backup plan/sanity check: I will also take along an Olympus E-P1 with a 20mm f1.7 and 14-42 kit zoom. This will serve as my backup in case I don’t feel like carrying so much gear on any particular day. The PEN will also serve as my nighttime low light camera.
Since this is a solo trip, and the only point is to take photos, explore more of Kyoto, and relax, I don’t think I’m going too nuts here with the gear I am bringing.
I just wanted some other people’s perspectives about this plan. Given the same choice of gear, would you do the same thing?
My alternative DLS setup is a D700 with some fast primes: 14/2.8, 35/2, 50/1.4, 85/1.4, and 180/2.8