Going to Paris, etc...

marcr1230

marcr1230

Well-known
Local time
6:08 PM
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
1,379
View My Gallery
I'm going to Paris next week for vacation.

it's there anything other than the obvious major landmarks and museums that is a must see ?

some thoughts on preparation:

I just received my Bare-Bones bag. it looks nice, and will hold one body and a couple lenses and accessories/film comfortably. I don't see putting more than one body in the center pocket for fear of things bumping and grinding together that shouldn't. I'm going to use it on this trip and will try to report back, to add my impressions to the endless "What's the best bag" thread

I do like the space and separation of my Domke F-803 satchel, into which I can get 2 OM's 4 lenses , a flash, accessories and film. it is a little bigger and certainly more identifiable as a camera bag - although mine is an older one w/o the DOMKE name tag.

Equipment. I'm going with my MP and 50mm 'cron. I'm also thinking of bringing my Contax IIa for which I have an 85 and a 50.

I'm kind of lacking in the wide angle dept. I'd like to bring a 35 but don't have one for either camera.

Lastly, I'm reluctant to leave my ginormous Evil DSLR at home. but it seems overkill to bring 3 cameras, after all this is vacation, not a safari.

Suggestions anyone ?
 
I too would take a dSLR... but not with me at all times.

The thing about traveling with cameras is that in the end there's a lens or a camera that simply doesn't get any use. Also, at some point, you curse the bag (it's heavy). From my last trip, I decided to take just one Leica M body instead of two. Inevitably, since I usually load one with color and the other with B&W, one gets more use than the other. But you must know this already...

From Paris, I remember Le marché des Puces... at the end of the purple metro line, I think. If you're there during the weekend, don't miss it. Also, there's a "red light district" near the Place St Denis: "working girls" stand in front of their place of business and attempt to lure you in. Some of them are fairly attractive, others are not. Perhaps it's not a place to shoot, but you want to take a look at it.

I remember a small street on the Left Bank too... because Hemingway lived on it at some point in his life. It's the Rue Mouffetard, and it seems to start in one small plaza with a fountain, and goes down a hill lined with neighborhood butcher- and grocery shops. It's very much a neighborhood experience.

Depending on where you stay, find out when the market day is. I was near one of the boulevards de ceinture, not far from Nation, and their market day was on Wednesdays. The street came alive with vendors (cheese, meats, vegetables). Who knows? You may buy something... or photograph someone...

Good luck! And, of course, I'm green with envy... 🙂
 
Personally, I would not miss the so called "urban blight" areas on the outskirts of Paris where many Senegalese and Middle Eastern immigrants live. But I would not recommend going there without an insider to guide you.
 
Last September was my sixth trip to Paris, and I'd say that your MP with 50 'Cron will be perfect. I'd plan on a lot more film than you're used to shooting. I take 3 rolls for each day I'll be there. Ride the bus instead of the Metro so you'll see more along the way. The best stuff is close to the river and the islands. I've not been out to the banlieues (sp?) but that might be worthwhile. Pere Lachaise cemetery could be good. Take one camera and a 50. You'll be glad you did. Keep in mind that Paris is designed to look like that. The 50 does a great job of seeing what Hausmann designed.
Vic
 
Last edited:
In general my travel set-up is two cameras, two lenses (one normal, one wide). Color film goes in one body and black & white in the other. Bringing too much usually hinders more than helps and if you are traveling with others they'll probably want to kill you if you are futzing with gear every other block.

In the end, I find I'm more creative when I'm constrained and have to work with what I've got.
 
3600425724_4e823c0917.jpg


This little dog was my favorite thing in Paris.

I used an M3 with a 35, 50, and 90 on my recent trip. I also threw a 6x6 folder in the kit. And used a bare-bones bag. The only thing about the bag I don't like is a hook/buckle to keep the top more secure when necessary. The velcro isn't the most secure.

I didn't particularly miss a super-wide, although I wish my 35 was faster than a 2.8 at points, like inside Notre Dame. A 21 or 15 might have been nice at some points, but I made good images. I sort of enjoyed the challenge of sticking to more traditional focal lengths.
 
Last edited:
I visited Paris countless times. I think the 35 was used the most.
As said, the fleamarket in the north is nice. If you like people go were the people are. In front of the centre pompidou or in the parks at dinner time. Pere lachaise cemetery might be interesting. Walk along canal st. Martin when the weather is nice. Or go to La defense if you like modern architecture. BUt you'll need a week at lest to do the tourist stuff.
But then again, just strawling around is great also. Get lost and see. In Paris there is something interesting at every corner.
Personally I prefer the evenings and nights. I always bring fast film and fast lenses.
It's true that you see more of paris while taking the bus. But the metro is much more interesting for photography.

Have fun,

Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema
 
RF w/ a 35mm and a MF with 80mm or wider. It's not really 'necessary' to have anything wieder than 35mm imo, it's not Italy with its narrow and wound streets.

martin
 
Minimize, minimize. minimize. Lugging stuff around gets very old very fast and gets in the way of enjoying the holiday. Take one camera and one or two lenses.
 
One doesn't need to "lug" around all their cameras at one time, just pick your gear for that day and head out leaving the rest at your hotel.

Like I said I always take a bunch of gear, sometimes I might spend the day "lugging" the Oly XA around or a Contax T. That's 2 cameras and they're about the size of a couple of packs of smokes.

If you are a 1 camera guy I could see it, but if you have a bunch of cameras you enjoy using why not take em and enjoy using a variety of equipment.
 
I would agree that 35 would be most frequently used in Paris. 2 OM bodies are not too heavy so as to destroy your holiday mood. If you put a 35mm on one, I would bet you that the other one (if you put a 50mm on it) would be used only as backup or may never even get used at all. But must be safe and have a spare set.
 
I agree with those who recommend bringing a wide angle lens. I also add my voice to bringing a dslr. It really does help out in low light situations, of which there will be many opportunities for photos while in Paris.

I've found that simply wandering around by foot is the best way to see the city. It's simply a wonderful place. If you must go in a museum, I heartily recommend the Orsay - great stuff in there, and a great building in and of itself.
 
not sure I can add much to the "film camera discussion" I am digital guy who is trying to learn film...but we did just get back from a week in Paris two days ago. If you are interested in seeing some of my shots, just go to my flickr site (url is in my signature), I am just starting to upload my images.

I'm sure it is possible to take great "film shots" but it is not a skill I have mastered yet...

was contemplating taking one of my film cameras but in accordance with the "travel light" advice I just went with one camera and three lenses.

With regards to where. It comes down to what you enjoy shooting. Paris has something for everyone. I find the issue is "quality of light". The last week was glorious weather which unfortunately makes for harsh lighting in mid day. But I did get some "golden hour" shots.

What I would add is take advantage of some of the photography exhibits/galleries which Paris has to offer. I saw 3 which I really enjoyed

A Martin Parr exhibit just opened at the Jeu de Paume. I do like his work.

At the Musee Europeenne De La Photographie they had an Henri Cartier Bresson Exhibit which was of course first rate. At the same museum they also were exhibiting another Magnum photographer who I was previously not familiar with but whose work I very much enjoyed. His name is Ferdinando Scianna.

My favourite exhibit was at a very small museum called Musee de la Vie Romantique, where they are currently showing a Marc Riboud exhibit (who is also a Magnum photograher). I had not heard of this museum before. It is extremely picturesque and warrants having pictures taken of it (garden and flower shots). Unfortunately I went mid day and my shots were in harsh light.

Enjoy Paris and get used to the "sticker shock", just pretend you are spending dollars and not Euros and then you will feel better....
 
martin s said:
RF w/ a 35mm and a MF with 80mm or wider. It's not really 'necessary' to have anything wieder than 35mm imo, it's not Italy with its narrow and wound streets.

martin
Click to expand...

True; but if you're in a courtyard of the Louvre, for instance, you wont capture much of the building unless you back up 200 meteres with the 35mm.
 
And if there's a beautiful bird a hundred feet away, you won't be able to capture it unless you have a 300mm lens. You can play that game forever...

martin
 
I'll second the Maison Européenne de la photographie. It's in a great old neighborhood, and there's a nice little bar right around the corner on the Rue Francois Miron.

Equipment, I'm fairly comfortable traveling with one camera and a 50, but at that point, the bag is hardly necessary. An extra roll of film and a change of batteries in a pocket, a guide book or department store tourist map in another, and I'm usually set for a day.

Eat a doner for me. There's some great ones down the hill from Père Lachaise.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom