On the road with...
A photo trip to Sylt - digital and analog!
Lennart Filthuth & Hannes Wittkopf
What do you need for a good camping vacation on Sylt? Tent, air mattresses, sleeping bags, beer and of course the most important thing - a few cameras.
The question, however, is which cameras... We briefly considered going out exclusively with analog cameras, but we both really enjoy working with our Fujifilm cameras and we didn't want to miss out on the flexibility of digital photography either.So what did we have with us, what did we use to document our trip?
Fujifilm X-T4 Body silver (click on the picture to see the product)
The Fujifilm X-T4
Why the X-T4? Hardly any modern camera is as much fun as the X-T4. A manual, analog feel and at the same time no compromises when it comes to modern technology - just right for us!
Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2.0 R WR silver (click on the image to see the product)
The Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2.0
Fujifilm offers a good selection of compact lenses to match their compact X-T cameras. In this case, the 50mm f/2.0. Whether in silver or black, it fits perfectly with the X-T4. With its open aperture of f/2.0 and weather resistance, it is the perfect travel companion for portraits and landscape shots.
Fujifilm X100V black (click on the picture to see the product)The Fujifilm X100V
There is so much to say about the X100V... in a nutshell: An X-T4 in a small, classic body including hybrid viewfinder (rangefinder + digital viewfinder). The option to change the Lens is omitted here, but this is exactly what makes the X100V so special.
Peak Design Cuff Ash hand strap (click on the picture to see the product)
The Peak Design Cuff
One of the most important accessories for us - the Peak Design Cuff. Stylish, simple, versatile are the three keywords when talking about the "Cuff". Using the well-known Peak Design anchor system, you can simply dangle your camera from your wrist and quickly switch back and forth between cameras. We use it in both colors (ash and black).
Lighthouse List-Ost (Hannes Wittkopf - Fujifilm X-T4, 50mm f/2.0)
Beach chairs Sylt (Hannes Wittkopf - Fujifilm X-T4, 50mm f/2.0)5 tips for travel photography
- take only one or two fixed focal lengths with you and see what that does to the creativity of your photos
- spend time in the places you want to photograph - good lighting can be shy, give it time
- go out with just an analog camera - sometimes it can be the secret to unique and special photos
- leave your tripod and other accessories at home - the less you have with you, the more creative you become
- enjoy the moment - take a few photos and then leave the camera in your bag for a while
West coast of Sylt (Lennart Filthuth - Mamiya 645, Kodak Portra 400)
Elbow Sylt (Lennart Filthuth - Mamiya 645, Kodak Portra 400)Digital cameras are fun, analog cameras are more fun
For the ultimate road trip and camping vacation, you need analog cameras. Not only are they a lot of fun, but they offer you unique looks, encourage your creativity and let you photograph more consciously.
That's why we took two analog cameras with us on our trip. The Mamiya 645 (a medium format camera from the late 80s) and an old Point & Shoot.
Kodak Portra 400 120 5-pack (click on the image to see the product)
Kodak Portra 400 120 film
Kodak's PORTRA is currently one of the most popular color films and there are good reasons for this. It delivers fantastic skin tones and very natural colors in most lighting conditions. Together with the Mamiya, the film is simply fun!
(On our trip we used the film with sensitivity 400 and 160 )
Kodak Gold 200 135/36 3-pack (click on the picture to see the product)
Kodak Gold 200 135/36 film
Kodak's GOLD 200 is also a very popular color film. It is a good all-rounder when it comes to sharpness, color intensity and color fidelity. It is also comparatively inexpensive and easy to obtain.
Red Cliffs Sylt (Lennart Filthuth - Mamiya 645, Kodak Portra 400)
Red Cliffs Sylt (Lennart Filthuth - Mamiya 645, Kodak Portra 400)5 tips for analog photography
- if your camera doesn't have one: remember the light meter! (alternatively, you can also check the exposure with your digital camera or a light meter app like Light Meter )
- develop a system for separating exposed and unexposed films - especially with 35mm films it is important to keep track of your films (e.g. carve a "B" in the lid of the film canister)
- organize a point & shoot - you are sure to find an old point & shoot in the basement of friends/relatives, they are a bit unpredictable but often deliver very nostalgic and unique results
- get to know your camera - it's important that you know your camera, not only how it works, but also what to do if it doesn't work the way you're used to
- it's better to overexpose than underexpose! Film gives you a lot in the highlights, but if you underexpose your film, you'll quickly run out of light
Elbow Sylt (Lennart Filthuth - Mamiya 645, Kodak Portra 400)
Elbow Sylt (Lennart Filthuth - Mamiya 645, Kodak Portra 400)More about Lennart & Hannes
Lennart Filthuth
Instagram: @lennartfil
Hannes Wittkopf
Instagram: @hanneswit
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