Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/04/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The issue of batteryless cameras is an indivudual choice, but I would never go on a field trip without at least one batteryless camera. As Oddmund points out, you can buy batteries almost anywhere in the world (at least AAs), but will they be in your pocket when you need then. A couple of years ago I was shooting in Arches National Park in Utah with a Nikon F4. I'd hiked a great distance in the dark before sunrise to be at the right place at the right time to catch the first rays of sunlight illuminating some redrock hills along with alpenglow. After shooting a bit, using the built in illuminator, motor winder and time exposures, as the magic moment arrived I found the batteries about to die. Where are the fresh batteries? In the car. Where's the car? A looong hike from where I was. Fortunatly the F4's batteries don't die instantaniously and I salvaged the shoot, but JUST. I now use a Contax RTSIII system, which is even harder on batteries that the F4 was, but I have a fully mechanical S2 body as a backup. Also the M6 is of course in the same catagory. Cold weather is another issue. I've had so many experiences working in cold Canadian climes where battery cameras have let me down, so that again, I always take one that is strictly mechanical along as well. ______________________________________ Michael H. Reichmann E-mail: michael.reichmann@alphanet.net ______________________________________