I'm headed for Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet in a couple of weeks. My first trip there. I am using a 35/75 lux kit (with UV filters) with my M6ttl and I am planning on shooting color only; slides only. Since I am carrying all my film with me, I plan on taking Provia 100 & 400, maybe a few rolls of Velvia. Any advice from anyone who has traveled there or anyone who just wants to offer their opinion as to these film selections? Should I take B&W film as well? All advice will be appreciated. Thanks

-- Ted (zenspector@aol.com), February 25, 2002

Answers

Just my 2c worth, but as the years go bye.... I tend to carry only one film on trips, usually slide film, usually Kodachrome200p. I also tend to shoot the pants off everything!

On as side note, using RF equipment again after years of SLR shooting, I really am enjoying MANUAL bracketing, which is a pain in the butt with the EOS stuff (the stuff I have at least).

I like the priveledge of taking the regular bracket, and an oddball exposure (usually underexposure but a bunch) just to see how it looks on the 'chomes. That is one reason, I'm going to enjoy travel with the Leica /Bessa combo.

-- Charles (cbarcellona@telocity.com), February 26, 2002.

Well if you need to shoot slides, the film you are taking is fantastic. Exactly the same that i would use. We should go together. You are going to me dream destination Ted. Send me a ticket and I'll come.

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), February 26, 2002.

maybe some really fast color print film for indoors(inside temples)? they're not very well lit, generally. or a flash and lots of batteries. have a safe and fun trip!!!

-- ken kwok (kk353@yahoo.com), February 26, 2002.

Wow, what dream locations for a Leica rangefinder trip. I have'nt been there, but your film choices sound good. Charles mentions Kodachrome 200. This film can look awesome in rustic locals. I love black and white, but find it a bit confusing to switch from B&W to color , maybe some B&W in a small point & shoot? Anyway, you pick the film, keep it simple, and please let us know how you made out. Very best of luck. Sincerely, Ron Wills

-- Ronald Wills (youngdeer@earthlink.net), February 26, 2002.

Be careful in Nepal as they are having big political troubles. Kathmandu should be OK, but watch out in the countryside.It's the Maoists vs the Government fighting.My good friend spends 4 months a year over there and it is not how it used to be.Some businesses down 90% because of the falloff in tourism. Peace.

-- Emile de Leon (Knightpeople@msn.com), February 26, 2002.

I concur with the first answer above... pick one film as your workhorse and then bring a few rolls of something faster just in case. I would use Sensia 100 as my main with some Sensia 400 thrown in for good measure. These may not be "pro" films but for my purposes I've never noticed a difference (apparently the latest versions are "amateur" equivalents of Provia), and I don't have to worry as much about heat exposure or refrigeration.

-- Anon Terry (anonht@yahoo.com), February 26, 2002.

I'd use Sensia 200. Also a B+W KR 1.5 MRC (Multi Coated) filter. It sounds like a really good time, enjoy yourself.

-- Glenn Travis (leicaddict@hotmail.com), February 26, 2002.

Provia 100 is an outstanding choice. So is a few rolls of Velvia just in case the mood strikes you. Couple that with some rolls of 400 for low light work, and IMO you are set!

Enjoy your trip and be sure to post some shots when you get back!

;-),

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), February 26, 2002.

You've named the films I would take. Just be careful that when changing film quickly, you don't confuse the 400 canister with the 100. They are quite similar. The Velvia is different enough so as to be obvious, but 100 and 400 are a bit too similar for comfort. With your 400 film and fast lenses, I believe you'll be ready for anything, including temple interiors. I had no problem with them in Thailand, at f/2.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), February 26, 2002.

Thanks, guys for the advice and support. Thanks, Emile for the warning. I have been aware of the Maoist problems for quite some time. Things seem cooler right now, but I will stay aware. If I can figure out how to post photos, I will do so when I return. Thanks again and cheers. Ted

-- Ted (zenspector@aol.com), February 27, 2002.

I myself shoot Fujichrome Provia 100 on my trips to Asia. In my opinion, there is absolutely no reason to carry and use Velvia (50 ASA), because it has the exact same granularity (RMS rating of 9?) as does Provia. Many people also rate Velvia at 40ASA, rather than at 50, in order to get an accurate exposure. Now you're into needing a tripod at 40 ASA. But with Provia, you can more easily hand-hold the camera. I would also take along a faster speed slide film, like Sensia 200, but the grain of anything like a 400 ASA slide film is not acceptable for my own use. I'd also carry a lot of 400 ASA black & white slide film.

Be careful about extreme areas of brightness and shadows, as you will find along mountainsides, during sunrise. Slide film has a more difficult time dealing with tha kind of contrast, and it is difficult to get all of those exposure ranges to recond on slide film as you actually see it with your eyes. Print film is maybe better in those situations. Regards.

-- Steve Brantley (sbrantley@nccommerce.com), February 27, 2002.

well, i *think* Astia/Sensia handles overcast weather conditions better than Provia...based on experience...

-- Dexter Legaspi (dalegaspi@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.

It is a good choice I think. If you have overcast conditions nothing beats Kodachrome for punch and sharpness and it is much better than Velvia for people. If you have sun all the time then you have a good selection, but if you get cloud, snow and drizzle then K64 is really superb. I wouldn't take black and white too.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.

I went from Velvia to Provia because of the skin tones but the other day I shot three rolls in Amsterdam under sunny wintery conditions and I got very marked blue tones when shooting in the shadows. I was thinking of going back to using an occassional filter, but hate the idea. Is there a film that performs better in these conditions (I realize that there will always be a tendency towards blue)? I had been trying to keep to one film for colour!

-- (dem331@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002.

Sorry, forgot to sign the above message.

-- enrique munoz (dem331@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002.

Enrique

This seems to be big issue with E6 films. K64 has no blue problem, but it is slower. I have not noticed terrible shadow blue issues with Sensia/Astia 100, or E100S.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.