Camera for Afghanistan

[Turtle]

Zip loc bags defeat desert conditions every time.

I've shot my M in dust storms and not had any issue apart from some dust in the VF. not saying it cannot be a problem with a M, but a CLA can clean out dust if you do have a major influx. Most of the time just shielding the camera a little will ensure the dust just wipes off. If in extremely fine dust, i.e. like powder paint, only fully sealed cameras will keep the dust out.

Holgas are great, but perhaps not the best choice if you want to get reliable results every time in a short space of time.

[Don Parsons]

I wouldn't take any bessa, they're notorious for alignment issues.

I'd take a Nikon, probably a FM or FM2 and a MJU II.

That being said, I wouldn't even bother with film. I took a small Sony PnS when I went (flying) around the world and it did 95% of what I needed a camera to do. Of course, I had access to electriciy to charge the battery but never had to worry about the heat, dust or banging it up.

YMMV.....

[boomguy57]

Maybe a user M6 or something then? Or even a meterless...sunny 16 should work fine.

[boomguy57]

Then again, if you're there for a long time, it might not be worth carting film. Depends on how much you can carry. How much film are you planning to bring?

[KoNickon]

Man, that offer of a Nikonos IV-A and 35mm is perfect. Ideal camera for dusty conditions like Afghanistan. The less complications the better. The camera works without batteries as well at 1/90.

[Vincent.G]

I will take the Nikon and leave the Leica at home.

[Turtle]

I've been shooting Leicas in Afghanistan for six years. Unless you are intent on playing in the dust, or want to shoot endless pictures beneath hovering helicopters, there is no need to get worried. Just bring the camera you want to bring and take some simple precautions in transit and placky bags in case there is severe dust or sandstorms.

[emraphoto]

Originally Posted by Turtle

Zip loc bags defeat desert conditions every time.

I've shot my M in dust storms and not had any issue apart from some dust in the VF. not saying it cannot be a problem with a M, but a CLA can clean out dust if you do have a major influx. Most of the time just shielding the camera a little will ensure the dust just wipes off. If in extremely fine dust, i.e. like powder paint, only fully sealed cameras will keep the dust out.

Holgas are great, but perhaps not the best choice if you want to get reliable results every time in a short space of time.

the weather sealing bit can often be a bit of 'over sell'. i have put consumer grade digital cameras through serious punishment, from extended periods of 100% humidity in a jungle to war zones in desert climate and have never had one totally bight the dust on me. i seriously doubt i would ever buy a multi-thousand dollar camera ever again.

ziplocs are an absolute must in my bag.

please don't turn this statement in to a rule. just sharing experience.

[emraphoto]

Originally Posted by Turtle

I've been shooting Leicas in Afghanistan for six years. Unless you are intent on playing in the dust, or want to shoot endless pictures beneath hovering helicopters, there is no need to get worried. Just bring the camera you want to bring and take some simple precautions in transit and placky bags in case there is severe dust or sandstorms.

more experience folks. dig it

[fotomeow]

Originally Posted by KoNickon

Man, that offer of a Nikonos IV-A and 35mm is perfect. Ideal camera for dusty conditions like Afghanistan. The less complications the better. The camera works without batteries as well at 1/90.

true, but the Nikonos are heavy cameras!

[Rogier]

Originally Posted by fotomeow

true, but the Nikonos are heavy cameras!

Great for self defense

Cary it over a vital organ, it will stop a bullet...

[KoNickon]

Folks, he's in the service -- taking special precautions about a camera may be pretty low on the priority list. (And a Nikonos might well stop a bullet where others won't.)

[emraphoto]

I assure a Nikonos won't stop a round from a Kalishnikov.

[emraphoto]

Redirect maybe

[Overkill-F1]

A Nikonos III would be my suggestion, smaller than the IV or V, totally manual camera with no batteries. Tough as nails!
...Terry

[bigeye]

Originally Posted by Turtle

I've been shooting Leicas in Afghanistan for six years. Unless you are intent on playing in the dust, or want to shoot endless pictures beneath hovering helicopters, there is no need to get worried. Just bring the camera you want to bring and take some simple precautions in transit and placky bags in case there is severe dust or sandstorms.

X2

It comes down to carry and lens choice to me. My preference is RF for wide to normal and SLR for tele. You're shooting 24 & 50, so it would be the Leica and a zip lock bag for me. The F2 is bloody bulky and heavy. I'd back it up with the mju or a canon s100 and be happy. Shoot what you shoot.

-Charlie

[NaChase]

Thanks for the recommendations, everyone. I am thinking I will go with the Ricoh since I can fit it in my gear, perhaps with an XA as a backup. I will bring as much film as I can fit in my ruck (there are lots of nooks and crannies for it). The thing is I will not be able to see my photos until I get back stateside, which will be pretty cool I think.

[buzzardkid]

Originally Posted by MartinP

I think you can forget the Olympus Mju. It defaults to flash-on and needs two fingernail pushes to turn that off. This is not do-able in gloves.

Apart from a "disposable" old SLR the Nikonos (IVa or V)** would do the job. Use the 35mm amphibious lens and don't forget the special grease, as dry o-rings are more likely to get broken.

** See post 19, above

The Mju-II has real small buttons indeed.

But the original Mju-I 35/3.5 is simpler to operate with gloves on since the buttons are at the far end of the body and stick out more.

Best of all: that one will only fire the flash when necessary due to lighting situations, hardly a concern in bright day Afghanistan...

Only adding this for future reference since the OP has chosen already. Have a good trip and be safe, Nick!

[MrFujicaman]

Okay, here's an idea....a Minolta Dual-Weathermatic...it's waterproof to 16 feet which means it'd be sealed well enough to keep sand out.

It's an awful yellow,but with some masking off of the viewfinder,lens etc and a can of Krylon "Fusion" spray paint in maybe flat black,you'd be good to go.