Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/09/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 01:44 PM 9/17/04 +1000, firkin wrote: >Ok, I'm climbing to over 5500 meters, the air is thin and the UV must be >high: now can I use (should I use) a UV filter? > >tips please on mountain photography: >how wide an angle lens will I need? >how much in the telephoto range would be useful? >how can I keep the weight down? Alaistair There are two conflicting realities in this: First, you do not wish to carry a lot of weight with you and, of course Second, you want to have a really good wide-angle lens and a really good long-focus lens for topographic photography, and either a 35mm or 50mm lens for shooting around your camp and taking pictures of your party in action. I would recommend a Questar (1300mm), a Viso outfit of the 400, 280, and 200 lenses, and Leica RF lenses -- 3.4/135, 2/90 APO Asph, 1.4/50, and below this your choices are your own. But that load would require a party of three Sherpas to tote, so I would probably restrict it to a 3.4/135, either a 1.4/50 or a 1.4/35, and a wide lens to your choice. Third, 5500 meters is 18,000 feet in real terms. This is pretty much the cutting edge for high-altitude adventure. If you are going to use oxygen, make certain that you sleep with your gear in place and operating. If not, then go high for a week or tenday, and then go low for at least a week. You ought to then be fully acclimatized. (18,000 feet is the absolute limit for extended humna existence without oxygen and, even then, this works best with folks adapted to it such as Peruvians and Tibetans.) Smoking helps. If you are a smoker, light up at altitude and the kick of the nicotine helps you adjust more rapidly to the effects of reduced air pressure. Marc msmall@infionline.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh b?s fir gun ghr?s fir!