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Re: [OM] still not quite sure what I should take :-)

Subject: Re: [OM] still not quite sure what I should take :-)
From: Ken N <image66@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2001 20:17:28 -0700 (PDT)
I'd like to challenge a couple of thoughts here:

Thought #1:  Take one camera and make it an OM-1.
OM bodies are very light and easily packed in with your shorts
(not IN your shorts).  I would NEVER go on a trip like this with
just one body--no matter what it is.  All it takes is a slip and
a fall in water to end your photography.  How about sand?  One
grain of sand took down my OM-1md.  Take your OM-4xx, or OM-2S
(heresy, I know) and the OM-1 as your backup camera.  Leave a
lens home before sacrificing the second body.  No pro would EVER
go on a journey to Palmyra with just one of anything critical. 
Don't worry about batteries--they are small and lightweight. 
Pack a dozen.  Forget the handheld meter--it's nearly the
size/weight of a spare body anyway.  Do take several single-use
waterproof cameras.

Thought #2:  Monopod-Yes, Tripod-No.
Please, oh, please get yourself a small compact tripod.  I feel
strongly enough about this that I'll loan you my Davis&Sanford
customized pod that will take you to ground level and has a
removable center post with mini-ballhead that doubles as a
shoulder-stock.  This two-pound wonder has been perfect for
backpacking and bicycling and is my best macro pod.  You'll need
a tripod for any twilight shots or sunrise/sunsets.

Thought #3:  Take TONS of film.
Leave the motor drive and winders home.  Plan on an average of a
36 exposure roll every two days.  Any more than that and you
will be too wasteful, any less and you'll cut yourself short. 
Somedays you will shoot multiple rolls, but other days you'll
shoot only a handful.  Stick with ONE type of film.  Have a
couple rolls of highspeed stuff and B&W stuffed away for special
occasions.

Thought #4:  Little or no Macro gear.
You don't need to take ring flashes and other wonder-widgets
that Olympus makes, but take that 50/3.5!

I just went and measured the weight of my "this is what I'd
take" kit:  OM-4, OM-2S, 24/2.8, 50/3.5, 100/2.8, 200/4, vivitar
flash (equivelent to a T32), extension tubes, tripod (above
mentioned) and camera bag (Lowepro Elite III).  Total weight: 8
pounds.  Add 1 pound for film, filters and batteries (AAs for
flash too).

Plan on wearing your boots and whatever else you can on the
flight so their weight/size doesn't count against you.  Two
sheets, bug screen, two changes of clothes (full length for
bushwacking) and two pairs of shorts.  Skip the deoderant.  Take
a handtowel for bathing with.  Definitely get a crew cut prior
to the trip--it'll grow back before you get home.  I can
probably pack everything needed with camera equipment in about
35 pounds.  That leaves five pounds for whatever other doodads
they recommend you take.

Most important:  Pack spare sunglasses.  This is one place you
do not want to be without them.

Does anybody know which recent issue of National Geographic just
had something on Palmyra Atoll?  I checked the spines and it
wasn't listed on them, but I faintly remember it being a "last
minute" story that didn't make it on the cover.

Ken N.

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