Hi, I will be in Egypt for three weeks, and have borrowed an SLR camera which I am not all that familiar with.
With out enough time to do a photography course before I leave I would love any tips on taking photographs in low light situations e.g the tombs in the Valley of the kings etc with out a tripod.
I understand that flashes can not be used, and without a tripod I will not be able to use a shuter speed for longer than 1/60 without getting camera shake, so what is the best thing to do - use a very fast film and a wide aperture?
Also the camera has a 28 - 70mm lense, is this enough for a range of photo opportunities in Egypt. Any help would be much appreciated,
Thanks, Mel
[This message has been edited by Melody (edited June 03, 2002).]
Re: can anybody help out with some photography tips
My photo tip would be: take a separate small camera with you with fast film (400 ASA will do) next with your regular camera with normal film and zoom lens for those photos in tombs where you can't use the flash. I did this when I was in Egypt, and it worked really well.
You won't need a zoom lens inside the tombs, since you will be able to come very close to your subject if you want. Outside, it's more a matter of taste what zoom lens you want to use. I had a zoom lens of 35-90mm, and this was fine for me.
Note that at some sites (the Valley of the Kings is one of them) you have to pay extra if you want to make pictures inside tombs.
Have fun in Egypt!
Regards,
Robert.
Re: can anybody help out with some photography tips
Hi Robert,
Thanks for your help, just to clarify, you found 400 ISO film was fast enough with out a flash in the tombs?
What size apature and shutter speed did you use in the tombs, or was this a compact camera you used in the tombs when you say 'small camera'.
Also what speed film did you use in your SLR when you say 'normal' film.
Thanks again for all your help, I just want to ensure that I can make the most of every photo opportunity succesfully
Cheers Melody [img]http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]
[This message has been edited by Melody (edited June 03, 2002).]
Re: can anybody help out with some photography tips
Hi Melody,
Some answers:
-> Yes.
-> I used a small compact camera, which had only one shutter time (since it was a simple one). But with 400 ISO/ASA film it worked just fine. I don't like fancy cameras, I just want to "push the button" and get it done!
-> In my "normal" camera, which was by the way also a compact camera, but one with a zoom lens and some helpfull extra options, I put 200 ISO/ASA film. Good for the very sunny conditions in Egypt, but also for flash photography. And better quality film than 100 ISO/ASA.
You're welcome, but remember, the best mood for travelling around is: not to worry too much! ;-)
Have a good one!
Regards,
Robert.
Re: can anybody help out with some photography tips
Melody,
I found that the film that worked best in the tombs and the Egyptian Museum was 800 ASA. For the camera I had, 400 ASA was not fast enough whilst in the above named sites. A flash is forbidden in most places. 800 ASA worked well even in the temple at Abu Simbel.
Paul
Re: can anybody help out with some photography tips
Hi
I just want to add that I have been recomended to use 800ASA film for low light - no flash situations whilst in egypt.
I am not an experienced photographer just enjoy my travel photography and having just purchased a new auto focus slr for my egypt trip I asked the advice of a photographer as to what film should be used.
Anyone know if you can get 800 asa film for slides or prints in egypt?
For landscape shots I was told to use 100 asa, and general use 200 asa, but I will only have two camera's with me so will settle for 800 in one and 200 in the other, problem is which camera gets the fast film slr with zoom or compact zoom?
So much to think about, not had a response from anyone on the Beyond the pyramids Tour starting 7th July or Alexandria & Siwa oasis starting 22nd July, I am on the Nile and Beyond which is a combination of the two - so take it that somebody else will be going? Last year I done the SRI LANKA Tour with Imtrav and it was excellent, so looking forward too this one.
Robroy
Re: can anybody help out with some photography tips
Hi Robroy
Thankyou for your very helpful advice! Here is some that I hope will help you:
I have been adviced to take to Egypt with me all the film that I will require during my journey as film in Egypt is expensive and not easy to find in all areas, also alot of places store it in the sun so inevitably you could end up buying damaged film.
Also you do not need to make a toss up between which camera is going to get the 200 ASA and which is going to get the 800 ASA as a matter of fact you do not even need to take two cameras, you can just pick up a handy little device from a camera shop called a film retriver - this allows you to rewind a roll of film you are part the way through when you need to change your film speed then re-insert the origional film and continue using it
e.g if you have taken 15 photos on the 200ASA and need to put in the 800ASA to take photos in low light you just fully rewind the 200ASA remove it from the camera and load the 800ASA, when you need to use the 200ASA again you fully rewind the 800ASA - and this is where the clever bit comes in ... - you insert your little film retriever into the 200ASA film and it pulls out the tounge, so that you can reload the film - keep the cover on the lense, and set the camera with your smallest apature and fastest shutter speed, push the shutter button as many photos as you have already taken + one, so in this sinareo you would push the button 16 times, then your camera will be ready to take photos using the 200ASA just be sure to right down some where what number frame you are up to...
I will definately be using 800ASA thanks for the advice
Melody
P.S Good luck with getting any response from anybody on your tour - I am going on the same tour as you (Nile and Beyond) but am starting on June 30 and so far have had no response to a posting looking for other people on the tour!!! Have a blast - Mel [img]http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]
Re: can anybody help out with some photography tips
Hi Melody
Thank you for your very helpful advice and tips I have heard of these gadgets (film retrievers) in my ignorance I thought they were just if you got a film with no leader from the spool, learn something new every day, never too old to learn!
Good advice about stocking up on film prior too departure as there would be nothing worse than to run out halfway through what I hope is going to prove to be an excellent trip, hope your tour goes well for you and you have plenty of good travel companions, have you travelled with Imtrav before?
Nice to hear from you mel, hopefully we won't be the only ones on our tours as I believe Egypt has been a popular destination for Imaginative Traveller this year, going by the web site.
Thanks again, bye for now.
Robroy
Re: can anybody help out with some photography tips
You will definately want to take your film with you, and for that matter I would consider having it developed after you get home. Just try to keep it protected in the meantime. Film and development are both expensive and hard to come by there, not to mention that the quality might not be so good.
I always bring my film in a carry on and ask them to hand inspect it, so that it doesn't go through the x-ray. Sometimes they will balk at this, but if you press the matter they will do it without much fuss. Tell them you are a journalist, if they give you trouble ;D
Re: can anybody help out with some photography tips
The best advice for taking good pictures is bring more film than you think you need. ASA 100-200 did well inside the tombs at Abul Simbel without flash on my automatic pocket camera. Trying to learn how to use a SLR in Egypt is not a good idea unless it is fully automatic. You don't want to come home to see all your photos under or over exposed. Most tombs will charge you a camera fee. It is expensive ($10.00 USD) at one tomb and you mght have to pay another $10 for different tomb at the Saqqara site (Step Pyramid). It's better to purchase postcards outside the tombs or at the museums where you are guaranteed many great memories of your tomb explorations. If you are planning to bring 20 rolls of film, bring 40 or more and you will not be disappointed. Have fun and make it snappy.
Ron
Re: can anybody help out with some photography tips
Nothing technical and you've probably heard it already, but when you come out of the tombs and get on your camel (and they make fantastic camera platforms) keep a plastic bag or similar over the camera to keep the sand out. SLR's are more forgiving than other types though - a grain of the sand in the focusing ring makes a graunching noise but doesn't jam the camera. Someone said the heat can also cause problems, either with the mechanism or the film but I wasn't there at the hottest time to find out - though the plastic case fell apart!