>> I am searching for a good SLR camera and the necessary lenses to take some quality shots on an long trip this summer. >> *********************************************************************** I own a Nikon F3, a Nikon FM2, and a Nikonos V. The Nikonos V, which is completely waterproof, *always* goes with me when I am kayaking. I used to carry it under a bungie on the foredeck of my kayak, but when I started rolling I discovered that it would slip out and dangle on its leash (it is heavier than water), which interfered with my roll. I now carry it around my neck under my PFD, which is why I like a front zip on a PFD. The Nikonos comes standard with a 35mm lens, but 28mm and 80mm lenses are also available. One problem with the Nikonos is that it has scale focusing only -- you must estimate the distance and then set it on a scale inside the lens cover plate. (The lens can be mounted upside down to make this easier.) This is not a problem with the f/2.5 35mm lens, because of its great depth of field. It is more of a problem with the f/4 80mm lens, because this longer lens requires a faster shutter speed for sharp photos, which has to be compensated for by opening up the lens, which means a shallower depth of field, which is always a problem with longer lenses anyway. The upshot is that it is much easier to set the focus wrong with the longer lens, especially for head shots. Also, there is no frame line in the viewfinder for the 80mm lens, so one must guess at the framing. I don't think the Nikonos III has a built-in light meter (mine is somewhere on the bottom of a creek). The Nikonos IVa has a built-in light meter, but the exposure is set automatically. The Nikonos V has a built-in light meter and a choice of automatic or manual exposure. Most of the time, I leave mine on manual and use the sunny 16 rule for exposure. The Nikonos lenses are very sharp. Also, light falloff is very low. I once took two pictures of the same view with the Nikonos and an Olympus XA. The slide from the XA was noticeably dark in the corners; the slide from the Nikonos was not. The Nikonos RS single-lens reflex is designed excusively for underwater use; it is too big and heavy to use from a kayak. The Nikon F3 is my heaviest camera. For that reason, and because it is battery-dependent, I leave it home when I am camping. My favorite camping SLR is the Nikon FM2. It is smaller, lighter, and has a purely mechanical shutter, so it is not battery dependent, except for the light meter. For kayaking I carry it with extra lenses in a Lowe Elite II camera bag, which fits between my knees in the cockpit and can be converted to a fanny pack on land. To protect the camera from water, I made a drybag that fits *inside* the camera bag and accepts the camera bag's partitions. This makes it easier to get at the camera than if the drybag were on the outside. I don't think Nikon makes the FM2 anymore, but they do make an FM10 that appears to have the same specs. It is the only camera they make that has a purely mechanical shutter. The lenses I use with the Nikons are a 28mm f/2.8 Nikkor AI, a 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor AI, a 105mm f/2.8 Nikkor AI, and a 90-300 zoom (can't remember the brand). All the Nikkors are sharp, fast lenses. I normally shoot Ektachrome Elite 100, which is why I have only one zoom lens. I also own a very sharp 55mm f/3.5 Nikkor macro lens, but I rarely use it, since the 50mm lens, which I bought used, is faster and focuses to about 2 feet, which is about a foot closer than the newer Nikkor 50mm lenses. I used to have a 50mm f/1.4 lens, but I sold it with my Nikon F because of its weight and because my photo subjects changed from indoors to outdoors. I like the FM2 for its versatility, but because it is somewhat uncomfortable and possibly hazardous kayaking with the bag between my knees (there is no room for it in the kayak compartments except on day trips), I have been leaving it home more and more frequently and taking just the Nikonos. Hope this helps. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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