Hoover Dam photo queries

[wombat2go]

I would appreciate any advice about 6x7 lenses and light levels for the tours to the Penstock and the Generator Hall.

http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/PowerplantTour.html

( I put the same query for 35mm on PentaxForums)
Thanks

 

[480sparky]

Last time I visited (1990), I used 35mm, and 17mm fisheye, 20mm, 28mm and 50mm lenses. So you can pretty much double those FLs for 6x7. I used the 50 mostly for the interior shots because of the crappy dim lighting as I was shooting Kodachrome 64. Unless they've added lighting since then, you can pretty much forget taking any penstock images from the inside.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

480sparky is dead-on...

17mm (135) = 34.3mm (6x7)
20mm (135) = 40.4mm (6x7)
28mm (135) = 56.5mm (6x7)
50mm (135) = 100.9mm (6x7)

Ken

 

[wombat2go]

Thanks for the replies.
My son (11) has a project in his STEM class about hydroelectric power, just by chance co-inciding with our visit to the area
I would like to take the RB67 with the 50mm ands 90mm on this trip, and some Fuji 400 C41.

I read there is airport type security screening at start of the tours, I suppose the film will be OK

I might take the Olympus M3/4 too.

 

[480sparky]

Request anything with film in it be searched manually and not x-rayed.

 

[CropDusterMan]

I'll add one thing here...as 120 film is on plastic spools, you can remove it from the foil packaging and
just put it in your pocket, as it won't set off any metal detectors...I'm sure your son will really enjoy
the tour, such a marvel of engineering. One thing you might also consider doing is taking a helicopter
flight tour of the Hoover Dam to get him an aerial shot or two. There are a few companies that do inexpensive
heli-tours, the best being Maverick, that are about 20 minutes and not very costly.

If you fly out of Vegas, be sure to sit on the right side of the aircraft for best photo possibilities. There's
also a company near the Hoover Dam called "Dam Tour Helicopters"...smaller heli, but they fly lower than
the Vegas based heli-tour operations. One cool thing, the Vegas based tours give a nice view of Lake
Meade, which was created by the building of the Hoover Dam, and on the way home, you get to fly
the Vegas Strip...those seated on the left get the best views. If you're on a tight budget, you can always
just send your kid (may be an issue at 10 though)...he'll be back in about 20-30 minutes. A 35mm film body would be best, but these flights have plenty of room for a camera bag. There is no XRay either.

PS: Be sure to tip your pilot, they get paid crap.

Although not solicited, here are a few other ideas you and your family will enjoy if you have the time to get out of Vegas... (I flew there for a year and know the area very well)
If you rent a car, I highly recommend a trip out to Red Rock Early in the morning...it's just 20 minutes west of Vegas and has spectacular views with a loop you can drive 7$ per car, free with a National Parks pass.
ALso, a 40 minute drive east of Vegas on the north side of Lake Meade is the "Bowl of Fire"...nice hike and great images (morning light best). Another 40 minutes east is the "Valley of Fire". It is a MUST, and a really
pretty drive to get you there. Have a look on the web.
PS: These are images from the web, not mine...just wanted to show you the area.

 

[wombat2go]

CropD,
Thanks for the details, I will take a print.

About the film, I have travelled quite a bit with film cameras and no issues putting film through the scanner.
Actually I am more concerned that the medium format cameras will cause a problem, as the younger people don't know what they are.
One night in India at a smaller airport, the young security officers did not even recognise the rolls of film, asked me to explain, then scanned them again for good measure!

 

[CropDusterMan]

I've had conversations about XRay vs not in the past, and this time I will abstain.

 

[esearing]

I was there last Sept. Interior is very dark and I was struggling with a DSLR @ 400iso. You really don't have much time to compose or get to stand where you wish for every shot. They don't allow even a monopod so you need a chest strap or very steady hands. For the generators you need a small shutter for max DOF. Outside is quite the opposite. Plenty of time to wander and very bright conditions. Polarizer helps. Get there at opening on a week day.

I was using a 15mm and 24-70 zoom on a aps-c sensor, so 22-105 mm range.

 

[wombat2go]

Asearing,
Useful info in the light levels inside.
I have some HP5 120 rolls in the fridge, so I can take a second back with one of those for the inside tour . I have previously used that at EI800 with no problems
thanks.