FrankS
Registered User
Told you Bill: 28, 50, and 21.
More Obsessing About Gear Choices
- Thread starter wgerrard
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wgerrard
Veteran
Indeed you did, Frank.
I wonder what people with DSLR's and those 17-200 zooms obsess about. Noise at ISO 16000 or something like that, I'd imagine.
kevin m
Veteran
One lens: 35mm. Two lenses: 28, 50mm. Three lenses: b'ah! 😀
thomasw_
Well-known
I'd take two M kits, a 28/50 on my M2 and a 35/75 on my MP. It is not that much, and it covers me in every way for how I shoot.
FrozenInTime
Well-known
In that quote there are more than enough key phrases to trip the junk mail filter 😱 first time that's happened with a reply notification from RFF.
andredossantos
Well-known
M2 with a 35mm and a 50mm plus the Sigma is what I'd bring.
I don't like changing lenses a lot while walking about. In Andalucia around Málaga I was impressed how useful the 25mm was, along with a 40 (on separate cameras). The 15 got some use for cathedral interiors etc.
In Puerto Rico and St Thomas, 28 and 45mm (separate cameras) got the usage over 21 and 35.
In Malta with the M8, I only had 28 and 35 along, as I was thinking one of those should be good for "one lens one camera" use. The choice for Malta was the 28, while I went with the 35 in southern Sicily, and then back to 28 for the Canary Islands. With the crop factor these are like 37mm and 47mm or so...
One thought I'm left with is that if you take a minimal reasonable selection, you'll make it work fine and come back with memorable shots. Have fun!
In Puerto Rico and St Thomas, 28 and 45mm (separate cameras) got the usage over 21 and 35.
In Malta with the M8, I only had 28 and 35 along, as I was thinking one of those should be good for "one lens one camera" use. The choice for Malta was the 28, while I went with the 35 in southern Sicily, and then back to 28 for the Canary Islands. With the crop factor these are like 37mm and 47mm or so...
One thought I'm left with is that if you take a minimal reasonable selection, you'll make it work fine and come back with memorable shots. Have fun!
ferider
Veteran
Take either the OM with 35 and 85, or the M2 with 35/2.5 (plus the Sigma as backup as you said).
The lighter you pack, the more fun you will have.
Very wides are fun to use. However, rarely do I see photos taken with < 28mm that couldn't have been taken with a longer lens.
The lighter you pack, the more fun you will have.
Very wides are fun to use. However, rarely do I see photos taken with < 28mm that couldn't have been taken with a longer lens.
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Tompas
Wannabe Künstler
You will want to use the same lenses you like to use at home.
(But, as a European, I'll add: 50, 28, and 21mm. You don't have a 15mm, do you?)
(But, as a European, I'll add: 50, 28, and 21mm. You don't have a 15mm, do you?)
Mablo
Well-known
I wouldn't worry too much about travel gear. A small silent camera with a decent 35mm or 50mm lens is all one really needs. I like to use fixed lens rangefinders when travelling because some of them are small and silent and have a decent lens. I use my camera for documenting fine moments. I don't try to make fine art.
One more thing. I have noticed that during my travels a good part of my film consumption takes place at night and I'm not even a bar fly. This calls for two camera system: one loaded with daylight film (I like to use ASA100) and another loaded with ASA1600 or 3200. A small table tripod and self timer are nice to have too.
One more thing. I have noticed that during my travels a good part of my film consumption takes place at night and I'm not even a bar fly. This calls for two camera system: one loaded with daylight film (I like to use ASA100) and another loaded with ASA1600 or 3200. A small table tripod and self timer are nice to have too.
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wgerrard
Veteran
The OM with 35 and 85 is a possibility. On previous trips, I've used the Bessa with the 21, the 35 and a 50. Most work was with the the 35, while the 50 was used, frankly, only to assuage my guilt about ignoring it. The 21 is so small and light that it's a "might as well take it" lens for the R4M.
Most of my 21 shots on such trips have been of the "get it all in" variety, e.g., trying to get an entire cathedral in a shot for the folks back home.
On the other hand, I know I passed up shots that would have worked with an 85 or 90.
Doug: I agree that changing lenses is often annoying. The more lenses you carry, the more lens fiddling you'll do. Can't get excited, though, about carrying two RF bodies.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Bill,
SLR's main strength is full frame viewfinder visibility even with long lenses, so 85/2 (or even 135mm if you have one) on the OM for sure.
RF's main strength is fast work with wide or standard lens for people photos. So 35 or 50 on the Bessa (not both, that would be redundant). I'm a 35mm guy, so my choice is obvious.
21mm won't be your mainstay lens, just bring it in case a majestic landscape appeared or a drama involving four people just suddenly materialize in front of your eyes 🙂
Have a lot of fun and don't forget to do some street-photography 😉
SLR's main strength is full frame viewfinder visibility even with long lenses, so 85/2 (or even 135mm if you have one) on the OM for sure.
RF's main strength is fast work with wide or standard lens for people photos. So 35 or 50 on the Bessa (not both, that would be redundant). I'm a 35mm guy, so my choice is obvious.
21mm won't be your mainstay lens, just bring it in case a majestic landscape appeared or a drama involving four people just suddenly materialize in front of your eyes 🙂
Have a lot of fun and don't forget to do some street-photography 😉
wgerrard
Veteran
Will, I'll be spending my time away from the countryside, so the chances of coming upon a "majestic landscape" are pretty slim. 🙂
I do have the 135/2.8 for the OM. I fell down with it last year while out in the woods (leaves are slippery when wet). The hood is a bit banged up, but the lens escaped injury. (Come to think of it, I can attest to the strength of the OM and the M2, having fallen on top of both. Hope I don't similarly test the Bessa.)
If I decide I'm in the mood to lug a large bag (just bought a Domke F2) I'll take the Bessa with the 21 and the OM with the 35 and the 85, with the Sigma over in the corner. That's going to take some convincing, though.
I do have the 135/2.8 for the OM. I fell down with it last year while out in the woods (leaves are slippery when wet). The hood is a bit banged up, but the lens escaped injury. (Come to think of it, I can attest to the strength of the OM and the M2, having fallen on top of both. Hope I don't similarly test the Bessa.)
If I decide I'm in the mood to lug a large bag (just bought a Domke F2) I'll take the Bessa with the 21 and the OM with the 35 and the 85, with the Sigma over in the corner. That's going to take some convincing, though.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Bill, good choice on the Domke F2.
It is not too big, it's in fact perfect for street-walking with two camera kits.
I took it on my trip to Asia and I practically blend in with the locals.
wgerrard
Veteran
Big to me.🙂 I'm used to my little Walker Evens bag. But, it's all about spatial relationships and such. You can't put 15 inches of camera stuff into a 10-inch space.
The F2 really is very nice. I can see why it's been around for so long. The shoulder strap is especially comfortable. I've order a Domke "Post Office Shoulder Pad" which is supposed to improve on that.
morgan
Well-known
With my R-D1 I've been taking my cv 35 1.2 and 15mm (21, 50 on a film camera) and it's a good combination for me. I made a deal with myself that if I took the 1.2 (as opposed to some other lighter 35), I can only take one other lens. Walking around with the 1.2 isn't bad if you're not carrying a ton of other stuff, but if you are I feel like it can sorta add up and get bulky. I wouldn't go without a wide though.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Just doing "gear" selection for 3 weeks in Europe. Mainly in Germany (Photokina/LHSA) and some other places.
I have narrowed it down to a 12f5.6 (m-mount), C-Biogon 21f4.5, Nokton 35f1.4 and the new 75f1.8 Heliar. Three bodies, R4M (never leave home without it!), R3M (for the 75f1.8) and either a MP (0.58) or a M2 for the 35f1.4.
Probably one lens too many, but I like the 21f4.5 too much, I want to try out the 75f1.8 as a "travel lens" and the 12f5.6 does come in handy occasionally. The 35 is most likely going to be my main lens ( well, they always are!).
Probably take 35-40 rolls of Neopan Presto 400 from here and try to get to Fotoimpex in Berin for some more odd films to try out.
I have narrowed it down to a 12f5.6 (m-mount), C-Biogon 21f4.5, Nokton 35f1.4 and the new 75f1.8 Heliar. Three bodies, R4M (never leave home without it!), R3M (for the 75f1.8) and either a MP (0.58) or a M2 for the 35f1.4.
Probably one lens too many, but I like the 21f4.5 too much, I want to try out the 75f1.8 as a "travel lens" and the 12f5.6 does come in handy occasionally. The 35 is most likely going to be my main lens ( well, they always are!).
Probably take 35-40 rolls of Neopan Presto 400 from here and try to get to Fotoimpex in Berin for some more odd films to try out.
pau3
Well-known
A 35 is all what you will need, and although the 35/1.2 is quite heavy, you can carry
it with a 50 all day. If you only have one M body, probably you will only use the 35 (unless
you'd changed the lens in the morning).
With two bodies, things are different. A 35 and a 50 at the same time,
even if many people will think that are redundant,
will cover almost everything (unless you want to shoot architecture, of course,
or there is a line of policemen that do not allow to get you closer, these
things happen).
But what I would (strongly) suggest is to carry a 35 for 35mm
and another format (a 80mm for 6x6, for instance). There you have
versatility. And if you restrict yourself to two cameras, well, you have
two elbows...
Best,
Pau
it with a 50 all day. If you only have one M body, probably you will only use the 35 (unless
you'd changed the lens in the morning).
With two bodies, things are different. A 35 and a 50 at the same time,
even if many people will think that are redundant,
will cover almost everything (unless you want to shoot architecture, of course,
or there is a line of policemen that do not allow to get you closer, these
things happen).
But what I would (strongly) suggest is to carry a 35 for 35mm
and another format (a 80mm for 6x6, for instance). There you have
versatility. And if you restrict yourself to two cameras, well, you have
two elbows...
Best,
Pau
wgerrard
Veteran
Tom: Admirable shoulder strength. No way could I carry 3 cameras and 4 lenses around all day. I don't use a bag at home, so using one while traveling becomes a bit more of an issue. I'm usually out on walkabout for 10 hours a day on these holidays. The lighter the load on my shoulder, the better.
Pau: That 35/50 combination is a serious contender. Either with the M2 and nothing else (the CV 35/1.2) and the Planar 50/2) or with the R4M and the Color-Skopar 21/4. The Bessa wins on points -- lighter and has framelines for the 21 -- but I'd rather use the M2.
When I've packed the 35/1.2 along with other lenses, I've always seemed to use the 35 about 80 percent of the time.
Pau: That 35/50 combination is a serious contender. Either with the M2 and nothing else (the CV 35/1.2) and the Planar 50/2) or with the R4M and the Color-Skopar 21/4. The Bessa wins on points -- lighter and has framelines for the 21 -- but I'd rather use the M2.
When I've packed the 35/1.2 along with other lenses, I've always seemed to use the 35 about 80 percent of the time.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Bill, I am so used to the shoulder bag that if I don't have it on - I fall over!!! For city wanderings I usually carry one body on my right shoulder, one body (M2/35) around my neck and the bag only holds one body/lens or two lenses.
I decide in the morning if I take something odd with me. The 12 will probably linger at the hotel - unless I know I need a super-wide (i.e much wider than the 21). Film goes in the pocket - unexposed in the left - exposed on the right. I double tape 10-12 film canisters (back to back) and they serve as protection for the film. I have done it this ways for decades and it has become 2nd nature to me now.
I decide in the morning if I take something odd with me. The 12 will probably linger at the hotel - unless I know I need a super-wide (i.e much wider than the 21). Film goes in the pocket - unexposed in the left - exposed on the right. I double tape 10-12 film canisters (back to back) and they serve as protection for the film. I have done it this ways for decades and it has become 2nd nature to me now.