File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Dear /p/,

this summer I am staying two months in North Korea to shoot a project. The journey there will be done mostly by train and bus.

I own a 18-70 mm and a 80-400 mm lens, and for camera body I have a D200. I'm wondering if I should get new glass, get a D2Xs or use the money for something completely different?

Major win for real answers. "You should get a D3" is not an answer, I've already looked into that.

Discuss.
>> Anonymous
either a good portrait lens or a flash.

dunno much about nikons, but on the minolta side there's a 50f/1.4. Should be something similar?
>> Anonymous
I forgot to mention; I also own a SB-800 flash and a 50/f1.8.
>> Anonymous
get sigma 10-20mm
>> Anonymous
What sort of work are you planning on doing?

It'd really help if you posted some of your past work or the work of others that is sort of like what you want to do. Or at least give us some idea.
>> Anonymous
Not much a D2Xs will do better than a D200, I'd say glass is your system's weak point. Get a faster wideangle (17-55) and an ultrawide if that's what you think you need.
>> Warren !WSxruxpIJs
If you'll be doing much low light work, I'd recommend picking up a fast prime or two. The 50/1.4 AF is excellent and relatively inexpensive. You might also look into a 35mm prime. Also, make sure your peripherals are in order and you have your digital resource management system well worked out before you leave. Work out the logistics of EVERYTHING you think you might have to deal with while there and put your equipment up against those logistics.
>> Anonymous
Also organize how you're going to power/charge everything. If you won't have (reliable) access to local power sources, perhaps a solar charging solution would be a wise investment. Thom Hogan just wrote a good article about his solar charging system.

http://www.bythom.com/solar.htm
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
I'm almost exclusively going to shoot street and documentary photography. Think Henri Cartier-Bresson, August Sander and Karl Grobl, should give you the picture. Not that my photography is that good but that is beyond the point.

Posting an example of previous work in Ukraine.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D200Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop 7.0Maximum Lens Aperturef/5.7Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern826Focal Length (35mm Equiv)450 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2007:12:02 17:32:34Exposure Time1/160 secF-Numberf/5.6Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating100Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo FlashFocal Length300.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width600Image Height896RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastNormalSaturationHighSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
And a project from the Saharan desert.

The D200 has already proven it's worth; it's been in two deserts, rainstorms and been banged on hard surfaces numerous times. Works like new. From what I've been told by others the D2Xs is built like a fucking tank, and seems suit my needs. Not sure, however, if the faster frame-rate of the D2Xs is an argument to get it over a second D200 body?

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D200Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop 7.0Maximum Lens Aperturef/5.3Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern826Focal Length (35mm Equiv)292 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2007:12:02 17:35:40Exposure Time1/350 secF-Numberf/5.3Exposure ProgramAperture PriorityISO Speed Rating100Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo FlashFocal Length195.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width800Image Height536RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastNormalSaturationHighSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Anonymous
>>120339
No, it's definitely not. Cartier-Bresson, after all, was shooting with a hand-wound Leica. A D300 might be a good eventual upgrade for you, for the viewfinder coverage and all the other "pro" features it brought down, but I don't think a large, square body is good for that kind of work. Keep it small and unintimidating; I doubt random North Koreans are too used to being photographed by Western photojournalists.

I'd think a fast normal prime is the only thing missing from your kit. Otherwise, you seem to have pretty much everything you need. If you don't mind manually focusing, the 28/2 AI and AI-S Nikkors are supposedly excellent and very cheap. Otherwise, there's the Nikkor 35/2, and the Sigma 28/1.8 and 30/1.4, and if you want to shell out for it, the Nikkor 28/1.4.

You might also want to look into a backup, all-mechanical film body just incase everything goes awry. A Nikon F2 would do well, for obvious reasons.

And looking at your EXIF, you seem to shoot on the long side, so maybe an 85/1.8 or 85/1.4, or something like that. Or some fast 90/105/135/etc. lens from somewhere.
>> Anonymous
>>120341
Seconded, the D2x is not the right kind of camera for that kind of shooting. I'd stick with the D200 without the battery grip. I'd also tend to shoot with smaller, less intimidating lenses (my choice is a 24mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8, and 105mm f/2.5 on a D200) without lens hoods. Smaller cameras and lenses tend to make people less suspicious of you and more likely to ignore your presence than if you're dragging around a D2x with a huge f/2.8 zoom and hood.

My preference when shooting travel documentary stuff is to work fast and light. I don't want to be bogged down by my equipment, nor do I want to attract any more attention to myself than necessary. Normally I will carry one body with three or four primes covering ultra-wide, wide-normal, short tele, and maybe a little longer tele. I'll also bring one flash if I'm shooting with the D200, none if I'm using my Leica. If I expect any low light conditions or if I plan on doing any landscape work, I'll also take a small, lightweight tripod and ball head.
>> Anonymous
Some real advice for once, thanks.

It wouldn't be random North Koreans; I'm documenting underground drug and alcohol addiction in low-class societal layers. I don't personally know the people, but a majority of them know I will be there, so how my equipment looks won't be a problem; it's all a question of usability.

For backup I have a F5, if all else fails.
>> Warren !WSxruxpIJs
If you can swing the price, I would invest in a top-level body like the D2x, as even though the D200 is great, you will eventually kill it shooting in conditions like these.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>120351

How on earth are you getting access to the low status alcohol addicts?... in NORTH Korea?
>> Anonymous
>>120351
Please put some good stuff for me in your will.

-- Anonymous
>> Anonymous
By being in the right place at the right time. A guy knows a guy, and all that.

Sure. "I, Anonymous, hereby give half my possessions to Anonymous upon the unfortunate event of my death."
>> Warren !WSxruxpIJs
>>120351
I'll be interested to see your results when the project is finished. You have a site up somewhere?
>> Anonymous
I wonder how the fuck did you get journalist visas to north korea, especially when you try to document something that clearly puts bad light on their country.

Would you mind sharing some details? Last time I wanted to shoot landscapes they refused it... so I had to go there as a tourist with almost 0 photographic equipement (so they won't think I'm a journalist or something).. good journey with 0 photos of any interest for me (I'm not into kim's monuments).
>> Anonymous
>>120364
>>120364
>>120364
>>120364
>>120364
>> Anonymous
>>120337
saturation is up maybe 100 notches too high.

anyway, look at the D300. many people prefer it over the d2x and you can even import color modes that emulate the d2x look if you want into the D300.
>> Anonymous
I can't have a site up somewhere, the entire thing is not entirely legal by North Korean standards. We are going in by bus as tourists. Hence, no equipment will be shown, no one will know about it. The photographic equipment will litterally be hidden in the bus' frame.

Let me point out that it's in the planning stages, I am thinking way ahead here, just wondering what people think of getting a D2Xs. Have to say I am really grateful for all the response, didn't think people would be this helpful.
I'll look into the D300, seems like consensus to me.

Write your e-mails and I'll at least send you links to the pictures when and if the trip gets of the ground.
>> Anonymous
>>120351
F5,
no manual backup?
>> Anonymous
Not sure yet.
You think the FA should substitute the F5? I could get my hands on one relatively fast from a reliable source.
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
>>120417
F5 is a brilliant backup, it many times stronger than a D2x or D200.
Plus it makes a great blunt weapon. (from my own experience with my F5)
>> Warren !WSxruxpIJs
>>120419
An F5 would definitely be plenty reliable. Your film backup need not be entirely mechanical to be reliable.

As for the legality of the project and such, I would suggest saying no more than what you have already said until the project is done and you are back on the safe side of the border. Also, while there be incredibly careful. Bad shit happens to people who try this sort of thing and get caught.

Best of luck.

Oh, and are you not planning to put the photos up anywhere after the project is done, or are you still worried about actions against you after the fact?