Lightweight Landscape Gear - A Choice of Formats

Hi Steve, it's a great video...
You said you don't like the blue skies... Well, I guess you're lucky, you're british.

ERCONA II – yeah! The same one I was out with today (mine is the GDR Pentacon model, but technically the same camera). Still not developed the film (Kodak Ektar 100 – I do this by myself now, thanks to the CineStill C-41 chemicals). I'm curious how the lens performed. Less dramatic landscape, though (no mountains around Berlin, I have to admit, but the weather was much nicer ;-)). And no sheep (but horses, even though they decided to stay out of most of my shots today). The Ercona II is an interesting camera, being able to shoot 6x9 or 6x6 (I actually have the 6x6 mask for mine) – very simple, but at least sporting a Tessar lens; combined with an external rangefinder it can be used for landscape and other, more static subjects. A much underrated camera, I think. I've not shot with this particular camera until today, because I had to fix the bellows first (it was partially crumpled, so I had to glue in a peace of black paper to bring it back into shape).

Nice Steve. Like the 6x9 photos a lot. Best regards..

Steve
Wonderful video and some incredible images
Peter

Another great video Steve. If you want to go REALY light weight and minimalist then how about a 35mm Minox?

Crazy how fast that weather changes. Nice Zeiss btw!

I too always carry my Zeiss foldie when hiking as an extra camera but a Zeiss Ikon Nettar

Very pleasing and well-composed still and video shots of North Wales. Looking forward to seeing your video comparing the results of the two cameras

Another cracking Adventure Steve. I also had some fine British summer weather up on Dartmoor the other day. Had to get my thermal jacket out! Looking forward to see the follow up video.👍

I enjoy your series immensly, this trip has potential for 'atmospheric' pics, you can go through 'open' gateways, made me chuckle when you climbed over the stile!! 😊

Thanks, Steve. I just returned to the States from a trip to Scotland, Yorkshire and Snowdonia. The summit of Mt. Snowdon was cloud-bound and the wind was, literally, blowing a gale — with mild conditions and great views just a few hundred feet below the summit. All in all, it was much like your hike — except for a thousand or so other hikers on the Llamberis Path that late-July morning!

Really enjoyed watching this video

Great video Steve, liked the images. Was interested to see the results from the Zeiss folder, I have just purchased a Balda 6x6cm folder ( only cost £15) which I hope to take to Scotland in October. However unlike yourself whenever I shoot film I have to send it off to the lab to get processed and scanned . I have only just got back the 35mm film one that I started in May !!! I am still trying to decide if I am happy with my results :) I love the whole process of using film cameras but I find digital so much more convenient and take so many more images on digital than I do film these days ! Thank you for sharing and once again inspiring me to get some more film shot :D Teddy

Man I really love your videos. I've only recently discovered you. I gave my Pentax film equipment to my son several years ago. Ironically my two adult sons have inspired me to go at it again with film. I recently sold my Nikon D5300 as I never really warmed to it. I'm looking to pick up a couple of film cameras for a trip to Nova Scotia in a few weeks. I already have a Yashica 12 tlr and I'm looking at a vintage 35mm as well. I've always been enamored by large format and a bit unsure about it. I'm not getting any younger and really want to dive into it. I think a folder in large format may just be the ticket. Thanks for the inspiration and the lovely videos!

Great timing I rely on my 4x5 and Hasselblad 503 for 100% of my landscape shooting. I saw Micheal Kenna’s work in a gallery and all his prints are 8x8 inches. So I want to take a 35mm and see just how good of a print I can make in 8x12. Would be a nice light setup for hiking.

Excellent as always, Steve.

Another great trip out with “none of that blue skies rubbish.”

Another great video Steve, loved the mine building locations; glad you persevered in our lovely summer weather to take some great shots. Looking forward to the follow on videos.

Steve, a suggestion if you are considering 1/2 frame for the absolute minimalist approach to 'landscape' photography. If you want to extract the best from this 'small' format use 100ISO TMax or Delta and home process in non solvent type devs., i.e. Rodinal, Ilford LC29, HC110 etc., I'm sure you will be aware that DOF is enormous at any aperture. I've used a Olympus Pen D 1/2 frame, has selenium cell which Is very accurate, just don't point it up at the sky!, fully manual with a great range of shutter/aperture choices. Doesn't quite fit in my pockets, (of the jackets I have). I have some experience of the wilder regions of the UK, a Cairngorms 'walk' in the middle of winter together with off road cycling in Wales. But is all a long time ago as I'm back in Aust., enjoying our wilderness. Thanks for your very enjoyable and professional videos. Stephen Crowfoot.

Great video Steve. I wasn't sure that you were going to get anything at first. Just goes to show that you need to stick it out when the weathers bad.

Great vlog Steve and the Zeiss shot's in particular are great. Do you use a light meter, daft question maybe but I am a newby to film.

Great video.. I took a nikon F75 and the same 28-100mm lens on holiday with me recently. Very light and versatile set up and the camera made things very easy!
looking forward to the follow up video as I've always been curious about old folders.

I'm looking to get a 6x9 that can be had for less than 500 US. Is the Zeiss you shot with a good candidate versus the Fuji 6x9? or should I consider others?

Some very very nice photos mate 👌

Steve, I didn't notice if you took a tripod and wondered; do you find you take most of your film shots handheld? I am looking forward to the second part of the video as I'm interested in the approach to post processing a film image. And lastly, do you have to Zone Focus your 6 X 9 and if so, do you have a trick for doing that?

You make very beautiful, inspirational and informative content, Steve. Many thanks (from sunny California)!

BEWARE! A retired mountaineer is one who has spent his entire life collecting light-weight equipment, until he cannot carry all.
Thank you.

Great vlog Steve, pretty harsh conditions for Summer and therefore a good reminder to all to take care and equip ourselves fully. Awesome shots before the summit,
and I really liked the shot from low down over the slate fence line looking up to the last wall standing . Thanks Del.

fantastic video and very good black/white images you got there!

Love watching your videos! Glad I discovered your channel...

Some great shots there especially that one with the line of sheep

Another wonderful video. Waiting to see in details what the Ercona can do.

Zeiss folders are far from "rudimentary". In their time, there was nothing better for some assignments.

Great video! Loved these shots. Nice contrast with the 35mm.

Looks windy up there! What do you use for your audio ? sounds clean!
Great job dude!

Nice one Steve, ... Cnicht, our Matterhorn. Nothing better than Welsh mist either, cheers.

Steve love ❤️ your choice of music and a wonderful day in the hills!!!! Thanks buddy 🙏

Steve,
In addition to the interesting comments, you add a bit of humors: taking the ladder when the gate was open, or the ugly blue skies. Thank you for sharing your videos.

While pondering a good cup of coffee often makes wonderful things happen.

Gone from 35 mm to MF film and my camera pack weights a ton...but i dont mind , love how the MF slow me down and how to experiment with diffrent films , filters and lenses...Thanks for your inspirational videos they help me alot...

Thanks for braving the Elements for our entertainment. I’d like to see you shoot the Old Medium format 6x9 camera more if u can. Show tips and tricks please.
All the Best
👍✌️

Hi Steve! Greetings from Brazil! Thank you for the videos, I'm a big fan of your work! I can ask a question? When we leave home at dawn, go to a remote place, in the middle of nowhere, and the weather is absolutely miserable, and we think "what hell am I doing here?", how do you deal with this situation? How to keep your spirits up?😅

All beautiful stuff again Steve. I do enjoy your work.

Hi Steve ! I have a Zeiss Ikon Nettar 518/2 (6×9). Can u pls recommend a cold shoe rangefinder for it ? Thank you very much !

Super superb as always ! The enlargement for the 2nd 35mm picture is ? Many thanks !

Wow stunning ! Steve pls can you post the link here ? Thanks !