What to pack......

Merelyok

Merelyok

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Hey all.

I'm off for a short trip to Northern Italy (Milan & Parma) in May. I'm having abit of a dilemma on what to pack.

I already know i'll be bringing along my Leica M6 (with 35mm 1.2 or 2.5 lens). It's the medium format camera that is bugging me.

I have the below to choose from

1) Mamiya 7 with 80mm lens
2) Hassy 503cx with 80mm and 50mm lens
3) Bronica ETRS with 80mm and 40mm lens
4) Rolleiflex 2.8F
5) Mamiya C330F with 80mm and 65mm lens

I know commonsense argues that the Mamiya 7 would be the best bet, but then again it's only 10 shots a roll, and i don't have a wide angle lens to go along with it.

I'm really tempted to bring the Hassy but then again weight must be taken into consideration...(esp. with that 50mm distagon T* weighing more than the camera itself!)

Perhaps the Rollei? It's the least bulky and has a fast lens compared to the Mamiya.

The C330F/Bronica could be a good beater option and IF the camera should be damaged or stolen i won't loose much sleep over it (as compared to say the Hassy or Rolleiflex). But i'm not a big fan of the 645 format and the C330F weighs the proverbial ton.

I'll be getting a domke to store everything (film included), so i would probably spring for the bigger F2 rather than the F6 that i had in mind.

Would love to hear your opinions on this!

Cheers,
Wil
 
Always there are compromises. Personally, I think I would be tempted to go for the Mamiya 7. Granted you don't have a wide lens for it, but you get a much larger negative. When I first got my Mamiya Super Press 23, I didn't have any lenses other than the 100mm. I loved taking it with me for the larger negatives over my 35mm SLR kit. The Yashica TLR I had before that was OK too. I mostly went for b/w with the Mamiya, but not always. The Super Press 23 isn't light, but not as heavy as the 330 with two lenses.

I don't know your style, but the above worked for me. Getting more lenses for the Supre Press 23 was great, but I still often just go with the 100mm. The 65mm, when it worked, was no problem either, as it is small. 50mm, 150mm and 250mm are larger. In fact, I don't know why Mamiya didn't put wheels on the 250mm f/5.

A wide in MF is nice, but especially in your case will be heavy. Again, for me, I would forget the 645. I would stick with your Mamiya TLR or your Mamiya 7. But that's just me.
 
For me it is a no-brainer: Mamiya 7 or Rollei. Both are light, relatively small, and take wonderful pictures. If they are both in good repair, choose the one you like to use. (I would choose the Mamiya, but others - including you - have no difficulties with TLRs).
 
BillP said:
http://lightmancer.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-should-i-take.html

Regards,

Bill
Click to expand...

If i may, Bill, this is the first time i'm travelling overseas with a medium format camera so kindly pardon my enthusiasm.

Thanks for trying to help anyway.

I've narrowed it down to the Rolleiflex/M7 choice as some of you have mentioned (although the TLR is a more attractive option). I can save myself some moolah as well with the smaller bag option (the Domke F6).

I look forward to sharing my shots with you guys!
 
if you do not plan to use various optics on the Mamiya7, I personally would choose the Rolleiflex... You will get 12 frames out of the film and have a good counterpart with the square negative against the 35mm negative... so you will "really" be able to choose a camera for a specific subject!

I take always way to much equipment with me, and everytime I had the Hassy and Leica with me, I chose the Leica... why? It weighs much less, is much smaller and you do not have to change films as often as with MF!!

just my 2 cents...
 
i think the rollei is a great choice of you like to photograph people. i couldn't imagine a more sublime experience than wandering Italy and meeting people with a rollei in hand. i would have also chosen the hasselblad with little regret.
 
If you'll be doing a lot of walking, I would recommend a backpack or taking as little gear as you can possibly manage. I carried a small-ish shoulder bag with 2 Ms, film, light meter, and 1 spare lens. Even after a couple of hours wandering, I REALLY felt the weight. By the end of the trip I was taking a single camera and lens out with me, locking the rest of the gear in my hotel safe.
 
European cities are great because you can walk many of them. I'd take as little as possible, just the Leica I'm sure. Have fun though, Italy is beautiful.
 
I am going to give a different argument. The Leica M6 is what you like to use. Forget the medium-format camera--you can only use one camera at a time anyway. This is a short trip and so use what is most comfortable. If you want to go with medium format, them dump the 35mm.

Two thing you don't want to be doing--carrying weight and messing with camera equipment.
 
If you like people I suggest beside M6 the rolleiflex simply because people do not care so much about an "old" looking camera (many italians do not like to be photographed).
Just my idea
robert
PM me when you are going to arrive, m aybe we can have a drink and some walking together in Milan
 
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