Printing Large

I'm planning a 2 month trip to the Amazon. Going from the West to the East Coast.

Here's my issue. I love to print large (16"x20" and much bigger). I like to travel as light as possible. What is the best camera? Can a digital camera do a good job on big prints? Would it be worth it to carry a medium format film camera and scan the negatives or positives?

My opinion right now is that shooting with a good quality, old technology MF camera would give the best results. It would be a hassle to carry it but may well be worth the effort. I would probably limit myself to one lens. Carrying film would be a pain and getting it developed on the road impossible.

Are there any digital cameras that can compete with MF film cameras?

If anyone has thoughts or opinions on this subject, I would really enjoy getting some feedback.

Thanks, Tim Stenning, Seattle

Tim, for a trip in such environment you may want to look into the high end of digital SLRs that offer some amount of weather proofing.

The answers to your question will be very subjective. In my opinion the 10MP+ digital SLRs hold their own very well when compared to scanned 645 film. 6x7 and above still holds a distinct edge in my opinion, offering richer detail.

If I were going (I wish!) and money was no object, I would probably take a digital SLR system as well as something like a Mamiya 7. The digital will work for the bulk of your needs. The Mamiya can be used for those grand moments and is well suited for this type of trip - it is well built, has amazingly sharp lenses, and small footprint (it's a rangefinder). Either way - when you're out and away from any stores or repair facilities, going with two cameras is always a wise choice.

Guy

Thanks Guy, I'll be sorting this out over the next few weeks. I still love film. Tim

Tim, in 35mm film cameras I think you'll find the Nikon FM3a ideal for this kind of trip. Like its predecessors (FM2, FM2n) it is all mechanical and built like a tank.

Guy

I agree with Guy here. I wish I had such a chance.

Thanks for the responces. I GOT MY MAMIYA 7 II!! YEAH! I'm psyched. I will use the digital stuff for most things. I got the Mamiya on EBAY. $1275 with the 80 mm lens. I think I might go for a 43mm lens (comparable to 21mm Wide Angle in 35mm SLRs). I believe really wide angle will render some lovely big, detaily images inside the JUUUNGLE. Actually, last night I was having dreams about Large Format cameras and in that dream Pin Hole cameras came into the mix. (Just a Biscuit Box with a tiny hole in it...I'll save that idea for later).

What's nice about the Mamiya 7 II is that it has a Panoramic Adapter to enable it to be loaded with 35mm film and do panoramas. That's got me psyched up too. Tim Stenning, Seattle

Might want to consider how to use a polariser for your jungle shots, lots of shiny leaves which a polariser easily handles, but requires a bit of thought to use on a rangefinder.