[Leica] OT Mongolia Trip

[alex at zabrovsky.com (Alex)]

My take to this kind of trips elabotes down to few questions:
1. Is this family-type trip (so your family, kids are with you) or 
photographic-subjected mainly ?
2. If the asnwer to 1. is the latter one, is trip grouped/quided one 
where the majority of the participant aren't really photographic-inclined ?

Bearing family trip or grouped/non-photographic-inclined - I would 
proceed the eaier way - take your RF with 2-3 lenses and a bunch of 
slide film with some B&W for people-reach situations (slide will serve 
landscapes). DSLR may also suit but I can imagine to be a greater burden 
due to size/weight and may or may not really suit your people (local 
stranges) approach situations. Besides I do not shoot digital at all, so 
may be somewhat biased here.. ;-)
However, in the case of purely photographic tour (the best case :-) ) - 
my LF (4x5) comprizing a reasonable field folding 4x5 camera with 2 
lenses, some humble accessories, 10 holders and about 100 sheets (for 10 
days up to 2 weeks trip), all that backed up with your reliable RF 
followed with 1-2 lenses, slide and B&W films will round off yoru 
backpack nicely without much breaking your back.]
My entire field 4x5 setup as mentioned with my M6 and one lens, all in a 
comfortable (though large) backpack weights less then my former pro-kind 
Canon SLR setup I used to lug in every and single strool and trip 
seriously underusing them due to various real-time constrains. Of 
course, my heavy old Manfrotto tripod goes withme as default (can be 
securely strapped to my backpack.

About a year ago I was managing a local high-demanding (in physical 
matter) photo walk with few of my photo buddies - about 5-7 km of hard, 
full of rocks and mini-cliffs climbing and  to may dismay I stuffed my 
backpack with full featured 4x5 and Canon SLR setup + tripod - it was 
probably the most sore experience in my photo-trekking life (not that 
extensive so far though).
Albeit I do not moaning to my physical condition and in general I would 
cosnider myself as in good and reasonably trained physical shape, that 
time I felt as kind of beginner's navy seals introduction course...
Needless to say, much less sheets were shot that day then can be 
anticipated....LOL but learn a good experience (also served as an 
excellent physical challange I would otherwise glad to put myself 
through just to test my physical abilities)...

Best, Alex

Nelson Chan wrote:

>Hello,
>
>I am planning a trip to Inner Mongolia (within China) this coming February. 
>This will be my first time and I don't know what to expect.  Does anyone 
>from the list been there?  What sort of equipments are best suited for this 
>trip?  MF or 35mm?  Should I shoot Color or BW, slides or negatives?  I 
>will be travelling with some pros/serious amatuers, so obviously we will be 
>bringing a lot of equipments, so weight and portability is not an issue.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Regards,
>
>Nelson 
>
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