Good travelling camera?

[Jamie123]

How much is an M6 these days? $1k? It's not exactly cheap but it's not a fortune either. A trip around the world seems well worth the risk, IMO.

 

[Chris C]

I'm another to add to the "take the M6" voice. Traveling is pretty much the only time I don't mind if I get a couple of dings and scratches on my stuff. You'll look at any blemishes in a few years time and most likely be quite proud of them. I've got a watch that's been literally everywhere I've been. It's scratched up all over the place and I love it. It would be the same with an M6 if I had one to travel with.

 

[btgc]

Do not listen to me - I suggest Yashica Electro 35 MC. Classic focal length of 40mm, f/2.8 max. aperture helps to keep size small instead of sub-f/2 lenses, Av AE is excellent choice for trouble-free travel type photography. Do this sounds like text from brochure? Small size is reason you'll find this camera hanging from your wrist instead of sitting in a bag or hotel room. Above-the-lens metering cell lets you use filters without any exposure correction. Smart. Small. Super. Snap!

 

[shootodog]

i would say use your leica.

BUT i would suggest also the XA. small. relatively cheap. wide. and fast enough.

OR

you could get an old CL or CLE.

again, i say use your leica.

 

[Don Parsons]

Me too

Me too

Think about the availability of film, and processing, before you commit to film on a round-the-world trip. Also, the more film you shoot, the more space it takes up.

I'd go digital, well supplied with batteries, chargers, plug adaptors, memory cards.

I go 'round the world .on a monthly basis. I take a LX-5 and a cheap Sony PnS. The chargers ride in a plastic bag along with my power converter adapter and netbook powercord.

They're light, take great shots and I can share them that night.

 

[OSFlanker]

Hi, you can consider putting duct tape to black out your M6 (just the relevant parts) during the trip, won't harm the cam and can be easily cleaned off after the trip. On another note, it does not matter where you travel nor what gear you take, always be vigilant!

 

[Mablo]

Well, there are places where someone will rob you just because your hiking boots look sort of nice. OP didn't say is he going backpacking and moving around by trains and buses and staying in cheap hostels or flying from one **** hotel to another with a large Samsonite.

For a backpacker trip my advice is to take a cheap, rugged camera that can take dirt, heat, dust, rain and some very serious banging around. I cannot think a better alternative than a 35mm SLR like a Nikon + one good lens. A small digital wonder is always good to have as a back up. You can buy film and get C41 rolls developed + prints in small Fuji labs everywhere around the world. Send home your negatives and give away the small prints.

For a Samsonite trip you can carry your M6.

 

[OSFlanker]

Hi, you can consider putting duct tape to black out your M6 (just the relevant parts) during the trip, won't harm the cam and can be easily cleaned off after the trip.

On another note, it does not matter where you travel nor what gear you take, always be vigilant!

 

[cambolt]

As you can well guess I am going to tell you to take your M6. Leicas are for using properly, not for being kept in a collector's cabinet. Personally, if I were travelling to thief prone areas, I would cover the shiny parts of the camera with black tape, to at least make it look beat up and worthless, if anything else. I think thieves may pick on shiny stuff so cover that up. I would take a second camera, a Bessa R or Canon RF if your lenses are LTM, or a Bessa R2m if your lenses are M mount. And unless you shoot colour, bring plenty of B&W film, that stuff is hard to find in stores in most places.

 

[shootodog]

don't use duct tape. the adhesive will leave a nasty residue that could harm the camera when the tape degrades. only use gaffers tape

 

[wgerrard]

I go 'round the world .on a monthly basis. I take a LX-5 and a cheap Sony PnS. The chargers ride in a plastic bag along with my power converter adapter and netbook powercord.

They're light, take great shots and I can share them that night.

I have a real aversion to carrying stuff while traveling. But, I don't exactly go to the middle of nowhere. So, I really should just ship exposed film off to be processed. Better yet, get it processed locally and ship that back to myself.

I've traveled with an M, and a Bessa. The Bessa is a bit lighter, so that might be a factor for some.

I'm using a new DSLR on a trip next month, mainly to avoid days of scanning time. Should be interesting.

 

[besk]

"+one for the Leica!. Why own it if you're not gonna use it" That is why I sold the last two M6/s that I had. Now have a IIIf and it doesn't bother me so much.

 

[richardvanle]

Its a little crazy to me that you've got an M6 (arguably one of the best cameras ever made) and people are suggesting you take something else instead. By all means, take a backup. But don't leave the M6 at home. A camera is meant to be used.

I've taken my M6 around the world on assignment and for pleasure. It's withstood all sorts of weather and environments. No need to baby the camera, it's tough.

And as for thieves... anything can get stolen anywhere. I could walk out my apartment door and be mugged. Stay vigilant and you'll be fine.

 

[Jani_from_Finland]

I'd say that M6 w/ Nokton 40/1.4 is a great set for a trip like yours. Take some good compact as backup with you also, I love my Contax T3.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Someone's gonna smack you if you don't take the M6. Seriously, as above- that's why you have it, not for snaps around the house.

But, yes, also take a small, capable P&S, because even without the threat of damage or theft, there are places where it might be inconvenient or uncomfortable to have the M6. Get a Contax T3 or maybe an Olympus Stylus Epic. Either one can be sold again when you get back.

 

[Neare]

Take the m6 if you want, it's just a normal camera stop babying it. Get travel insurance...
Otherwise consider taking something like a stylus epic/mju II as a backup (or even main) camera. It's weatherproofing will come in handy and they are cheap and efficient.

 

[shadowfox]

Leica M and a compact digital like the Pen E-P2 or something similar. The kit lenses on the E-P2 covers from 28mm to 300mm. What else do you actually need? enjoy the world trip and make a photo book (or two) in the end.

 

[mervynyan]

One rangefinder (M6), one SLR (perhaps used F-1 in the ads might do), and a light meter will do.

 

[Roger Hicks]

As you can well guess I am going to tell you to take your M6. Leicas are for using properly, not for being kept in a collector's cabinet. Personally, if I were travelling to thief prone areas, I would cover the shiny parts of the camera with black tape, to at least make it look beat up and worthless, if anything else. I think thieves may pick on shiny stuff so cover that up. I would take a second camera, a Bessa R or Canon RF if your lenses are LTM, or a Bessa R2m if your lenses are M mount. And unless you shoot colour, bring plenty of B&W film, that stuff is hard to find in stores in most places.

You REALLY believe an opportunist thief is going to look that closely? Is he goiing to check the serial number as well, to make sure it's original BP and not a repaint?

For 'beat up' my black paint MP and black chrome M4-P look about equally worn. So would a thief steal my M2 instead because it's shinier? I seriously doubt it. He'd steal ANY of them, given a chance. So try to deny him the chance. Neck straps are good.

Or, of course, he might not bother with any of them because they're 'old cameras', not easily fenced SLRs or digicams.

Cheers,

R.

 

[PatrickT]

I think i'll end up going with the M6 and my Nokton 40/1.4

I'll stick with the Nokton because it's relatively cheap, fast, and the quality isn't too shabby.

I also have a full leather case for the camera to keep her nice and protected.

Bingo! I have that combo...small, light, fast, sharp, (relatively) cheap. You can't go wrong, it's amazing.