Las Vegas + Death Valley + Racetrack Playa: What equipment?

NB23 · Feb 27, 2014

Going to Las Vegas. I plan a day trip to Death Valley and its Racetrack Playa.

Going to shoot some street in Las Vegas (MP + 21 lux, Tri-X or HP5, portra 160)
Going to shoot a Wedding in Las Vegas (Nikon Df + lenses, Leica MP + Tri-X)
Going to go to Death Valley. I want to use film over there. Planing on taking a F6 and the Nikon lenses that I'll also use on the Df. However, this is where it's starting to get complicated: I want to use the F6 loaded with Ektar 100. I also want to bring my Rolleiflex 3.5f and my Xpan+30mm lens loaded with Tmax 100.

That's too much equipment for a 4 days trip. But since I have to bring the Df, adding a F6 is easy to do. My problem is that I think I'll need my Xpan and my Rolleiflex but I can't truly tell as I've never been there before.

What's your take on this? Anyone went there before? Is a Xpan a must? Square format? And I never leave home without my trusty, brassed MP. I don't like SLRs but I would be crazy to leave the F6 at home. I'm very confused at this point.

wildbill · Feb 27, 2014

I couldn't get past the fact that you own/paid money for the Df.

Michael Howard · Feb 27, 2014

A daytrip to the racetrack is barely doable, and I would pack as lightly as possible. When are you going? Personally, I would use just the Df in Death Valley, along with the Rolleiflex. Maybe the Xpan too, but I wouldn't bother with the 35mm film when I have all the rest. I've been to DV a few times, and each time the racetrack was either inaccessable or VERY difficult without the right vehicle. While there, make sure you get down to the Devil's Golfcourse, especially it there in morning or evening. This will be close to the other "photo" areas like Artist's Pallet and Zabriskie Point. Racetrack is more or less at the other end of DV from these. Most of all, have fun! All this in 4 days, you are gonna be tired.

NB23 · Feb 27, 2014

wildbill said:
I couldn't get past the fact that you own/paid money for the Df.

Byoutiful camera. Byoutiful!
My fugly blobby D700 is not charming anymore and there was no way i'd buy the even fuglier D610. And it's deductible. The Df was an obvious choice.

PKM-25 · Feb 27, 2014

You have presented your self with too many options Ned....

I have been out there twice, once with Leica gear and my Xpan kit, the second time with just my 4x5. Either way, unless you have amazing atmospherics, it is really hard to get original images out there because of what it is and how over-photographed it is. It's a wide open space, the Xpan 30 works really well for a lot of it, especially in vertical.

I don't know what to say other than simplify....

PKM-25 · Feb 27, 2014

NB23 said:
Byoutiful camera. Byoutiful!
My fugly blobby D700 is not charming anymore and there was no way i'd buy the even fuglier D610. And it's deductible. The Df was an obvious choice.

I'm going to rent one later this year, I am interested in it but need to take it for a spin...

NB23 · Feb 27, 2014

Michael, thanks so much!!

Why is the racetrack too much for a one day trip?

Thomas Bertilsson · Feb 27, 2014

Leica and Nikon digital.

That's all you need.

PKM-25 · Feb 27, 2014

The road out to the Racetrack is long and rough, many a rental car driving person has blown tires and shocks out there and gotten stuck. The rock is sharp in places which is bad for sidewalls and you lose phone reception early on.

Google it a bit, the trip is worth it but it takes awhile to get out there, an overnight is not a bad idea, especially considering becoming familiar with the place before the good light hits.

Michael Howard · Feb 27, 2014

It all depends on the time of year. If it is dry, then it is less of a problem. Vegas to the racetrack, in my estimation, is a minimum 4 hour drive. The road leading to it is rough and requires an SUV. Plan on getting up early and getting back late. You will want to be at the racetrack, I would think, no later than 9am so that you have a couple of hours of good light. Noon light in death valley means hazy, low contrast, washed out pictures. PKM-25 is absolutely right, getting decent looking pictures that have any level of uniqueness out of DV is a challenge. My best pictures from there are telephotos, showing closeup unique features, rather than the typical "vistas".

snapguy · Feb 27, 2014

fab

Sounds like a fabulous adventure. I would think about taking one 35mm system and the Rollei.

Trail Images · Feb 27, 2014

How many days are you at DVNP? You sated a 4 day trip, does this include the time in Vegas or was it 4 days in DVNP?

If you're only 1 or 2 days in DVNP you might focus on just one area to get in some quality time of shooting. The geographic layout and size of the park can eat up travel time going from say Badwater to Stove Pipe Wells, never mind the time consuming road to Racetrack too. I usually spend 4 days & nights in the park and take a section at a time so I get in some quality shooting time. Just a thought on this wonderful place to visit and photograph.

gedra · Feb 27, 2014

Went to DV last spring and it is a very unique place. Getting to the Racetrack is no problem if you rent a 4x4 from the rental concession near Furnace Creek Hotel. Leave early to avoid flat noontime light and that advice goes for other venues there as well. A long lens for Zabriskie Point will be helpful. Enjoy!

NB23 · Feb 27, 2014

Thanksw so much for all your answers and help.

I have only one day free and that's the day I want to spend in Death Valley. It's going to be a long day but worth it. I will rent a car in Las Vegas for the day. Shall I ask for a 4x4?

I'm not hoping to shoot anything new. Mostly my wife in the desert and the touristy stuff. This might well be my one and only time in Death Valley (the planet has so much to offer!), I want to have my own prints of that place, even if it's deja-vu.

Another question to you guys: Is it worth to see Death Valley even if I don't go all the way to the Racetrack? I understand that it's worth it but I just want to make sure...

Kevin Caulfield · Feb 27, 2014

I would say that if you only have one day, just spend it in one part of the park, such as for example, the sand dunes.

Dave Wooten · Feb 27, 2014

Today and tomorrow the wind is unbearable. When in Vegas, believe what the weatherman tells you
Leave early, travel light, shoot from the road on this trip. Take plenty of water. Check your maps as there is more than one route in from Vegas. In the spring the washouts are dangerous. I do recommend you take the trip .

bdial · Feb 27, 2014

If you only have the day available, and you aren't familiar with what you'll encounter, I'd keep it as simple as possible.
My recommendation would be to use your digital for color, take the F6 for B&W and leave it at that. Otherwise you'll spend all your time deciding what camera to use for what shot instead of reacting to what you see and making pictures.
Use it as an opportunity to plan another trip to really explore the place, and make your limited time quality time.

Trail Images · Feb 27, 2014

Another question to you guys: Is it worth to see Death Valley even if I don't go all the way to the Racetrack? I understand that it's worth it but I just want to make sure...

Yes, I have been to DVNP at least 30 times over the years. Been to the Racetrack once. Between, the Dunes, Z-point, Badwater, Devils Golf Course, Dante's View, Devil's Haystack, Artist's Pallete, and other sites there is plenty to see and shoot. But, with only one day I would highly recommend to take in a certain area and do your photographic work. Unless you see this as more of a scouting trip for future outings. Then just plan to drive around and take it all in.

NB23 · Feb 27, 2014

So many great infos. Thank you each and everyone. I will have to make the most out of this trip. The Xpan + 30mm seems the way to go. After all, why do I own a PANORAMIC camera if I'm not going to shoot a PANORAMA?

Now another dilema: TMAX100? Plus-X (my last left)? Tri-X? ehhh boy, this photography thing is surely taking up too much space in my little head.

ROL · Feb 27, 2014

NB23 said:
What's your take on this? Anyone went there before? Is a Xpan a must? Square format?

Crop the MF. One film. Don't over think the gear. Think about the freedom to see, wherever you go, whatever you do. To quote a famous American, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it.

mgb74 · Feb 27, 2014

I've only been to DV once, and never to Racetrack. Shooting 35mm. Drove in from LV. As I recall, I brought my 24, 50, and 135mm lenses. Used the 135 very little, but the 24 and 50 a lot. In fact, I brought the 50 for low light but ended up using it more than I expected. Many canyons where the 50 just seemed to fit.

So bring whatever you can; you'll find subject matter to fit. Especially with only one day.

FYI, as you might expect, gas prices in DV are very high. Fill up before you get there.

Sirius Glass · Feb 27, 2014

While the night life is not extensive, Shoshone has some good motels.

The road to the Race Track is a good dirt road, but it is not a race track. The stone shards are sharp and sliding street tires can puncture the sidewalls. Keep the speed down.

DREW WILEY · Feb 27, 2014

One day, huh? Does that include the appointment time to change the shocks on the automobile?

Sirius Glass · Feb 27, 2014

DREW WILEY said:
One day, huh? Does that include the appointment time to change the shocks on the automobile?

There will be no need to change the shocks if one is speeding on the road to the Race Track. The shocks will leave on their own, so one will not need to change them.

Sirius Glass · Feb 27, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
The road to the Race Track is a good dirt road, but it is not a race track. The stone shards are sharp and sliding street tires can puncture the sidewalls. Keep the speed down.

The stone shards are chert. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chert

Las Vegas + Death Valley + Racetrack Playa: What equipment?

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