Going to Cuba; camera advice please!

[andredossantos]

I brought a Rolleiflex and a 5dMKII to Cuba. It was a great combo, but then again, I dont do much "street" photography.

If I were you, Id bring the Hassleblad with the 80mm and one Leica with a 35 or 28. I cant resist the big square negatives.

 

[Alex Krasotkin]

My choice would be Leica. If I go, I'll take Konica Hexar RF, Leica M7/50 mm summilux and FUJI GA 645 for landscapes. The weight is critical in such trips.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I repeat one thought. Do not carry more gear than you can comfortably carry with you all the time if you are staying in a hotel. That includes going to dinner or out for the evening. I would never leave camera gear unattended in a hotel room in Cuba. The risk of theft is simply too high. Property theft from tourists is the one exception to Cuba being a very low crime country.

Different situation exists in casa particulars (private houses that rent rooms) I trust those families.

 

[nikon_sam]

Thanks for the Replies on traveling to Cuba...
I guess I'm behind the times on this...I thought the US prohibited traveling there all together...

 

[Bob Michaels]

........................ Some say:
........................
-Forget the tripod, and maybe forget the monopod too.
...............................

There is always a lot of natural light inside Cuban homes and museums because of the large windows which are always open (no air conditioning). They are also big on energy conservation. I have never missed having a tripod or monopod even though I frequently shoot inside.

These were all hand held inside with a 28mm f2.8 using just the light coming through the windows or door. (edit: everything shot on Neopan 400 or Tri-X, both rated at e.i. 320)

 

[Thardy]

I repeat one thought. Do not carry more gear than you can comfortably carry with you all the time if you are staying in a hotel. That includes going to dinner or out for the evening. I would never leave camera gear unattended in a hotel room in Cuba. The risk of theft is simply too high. Property theft from tourists is the one exception to Cuba being a very low crime country.

Different situation exists in casa particulars (private houses that rent rooms) I trust those families.

I second that. Years ago, I went on a trip and my room wasn't ready so we were going to leave our bags in a "safe room" at the hotel. I was going to take one camera out sightseeing and leave a large heavy loaded bag there. For some reason my wife says "ARE YOU GOING TO LEAVE ALL THAT CAMERA STUFF HERE?

Well I guess I'm not now... it was warm, and there were hills.

 

[literiter]

The hotel we are staying at has wall-safes in the room. I am assuming these will be adequate to secure a camera and a few other things. Can anyone comment?

 

[andredossantos]

When in Cuba I stay with my wife's family and have never stayed in a hotel. If Bob Michaels, who has a ton of experience going down there says the hotels aren't safe to store gear I would believe him. I'm not sure a safe would stop a determined Cuban. They are extremely adept at getting around obstacles down there 🙂

 

[Bob Michaels]

The hotel we are staying at has wall-safes in the room. I am assuming these will be adequate to secure a camera and a few other things. Can anyone comment?

A good question but one that has no solid answer. There obviously are no guarantees either way, only probabilities. I have never stayed at an All Inclusive in Valadero. I normally stay with families but did stay in hotels my first trip.

I would look at how sturdy the lock on the safe is. I have seen very secure ones and others that look like the lock could be picked with a hairpin. And remember that there is always a way to open the safe if you forget the combination. It is possible that secret could have been shared for a piece of the action (not unheard of in Cuba). On the other hand, I saw a hotel laundry clerk voluntarily return $500 cash that a friend left in his pants when he sent them to be washed. (and $500 is what she would make in 5 years)

I traveled to Cuba with a one time very high priced commercial photographer. He had one of those huge camera bags with wheels and never let it out of his sight. He said it was a lifetime of having to deliver to clients not the replacement cost of the cameras and lenses.

In my limited stay in hotels, I have left cameras in the safe at the Hotel Nacional in Havana (a 5 star hotel) and have refused to do so at a hotel in Trinidad. I have never personally lost anything from a hotel but had heard of such. I did lose everything I had when a private taxi drove off. That included 2 ZI bodies, 2 ZM and 1 Hexanon lenses plus all my clothes. We identified the guy by his tag number and photo lineup. The police went to his house to arrest him but he was not at home and they never found him. My theft was a very unusual occurrence but it hit home. I must also add that I have walked through many sketchy neighborhoods after midnight and felt perfectly comfortable.

 

[Tinchohs]

So we booked a one week holiday to Cuba. We will be near the Cuban city of Trinidad. I suspect there will be plenty of photographic opportunities.

I have three camera systems I can take only one. May I have some comments?

1)-Leica M2, M4-P. 15mm Heliar, 35 and 50mm Summicrons monopod. Light meter.

2)-Hassy 501cm w/ 80mm, SWC, 3 backs, small tripod, meter.

3)-Nikon F3HP, Nikon F2, 50mm, 24mm, 50-135mm zoom. Monopod.

Personally I took a Leica with a 35mm and nothing else. It was hot then, and this was perfect balance in terms of weight and versatility. If you want to see a reference point in terms of the images I made, you can find my travelogue in here http://www.martinhsphoto.com/2010/0...sonal-account-of-a-three-day-journey-in-cuba/.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[literiter]

I guess I better not get too paranoid about having my beat up old Leicas stolen. (even though the M2 had a nice CLA about a year ago) It could happen in Canada just as easily.

Thanks Bob and Martin for showing me such enviable work.

I don't take pictures of people myself, mainly scenics and architectural. I think I'm just a little to shy, or chicken$..t, to approach people unless I really know them well.
We live in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta Canada, about 15 minutes drive from Banff. The wife and I are avid hikers. The wife is an artist. She paints and I take a camera.

I often take my Hasselblad stuff when I hike. I can load up my backpack with about 30 pounds of stuff and away I go. But I live here, I'm comfortable with my surroundings and I worry more about bear encounters than theft from my hotel room.

I primarily take images of natural areas, mountains, landscapes and river valleys. Cuba is really gonna be a challenge!

 

[literiter]

I took this at a place called Lake Ohara. We spend as much time at this place as we can.

 

[goo0h]

wow, very nice!

 

[literiter]

Behind the Grassi Massif. From helicopter with Hasselblad.

 

[taskoni]

I would choose the Leica package. The advantage to have two bodies and lenses is giving you flexibility, you'll be ready for any situation and more relaxed. You can still enjoy your holiday time rather than looking around and wondering which lens to choose for the next shot. You can also load b&w in one and color film in the other. Small, light and tough set up. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[literiter]

I would choose the Leica package. The advantage to have two bodies and lenses is giving you flexibility, you'll be ready for any situation and more relaxed. You can still enjoy your holiday time rather than looking around and wondering which lens to choose for the next shot. You can also load b&w in one and color film in the other. Small, light and tough set up. Enjoy your vacation!

Yes, I think you are right.

This is the way I'm gonna do it:

B&W in one body and color in the other. 35mm on one body, 50mm on the other, 15mm Heliar for either. Gossen digisix hanging from my neck. Lots of film. Stuff this in my Domke F6 and keep it simple. No tripod or monopod.

Thank you!

 

[taskoni]

Can't wait to see pictures from your trip - your shots are wonderful!

 

[Tom A]

My first trip to Cuba, I only took stuff that was made before Castro took power. Minimalist kit, 2 M2's and the 35/50/90 and the only "non" pre 59 item was a Bessa L and the then new 12f5.6 Heliar (this was in 2000). 75 rolls of TriX and a 10 pack of Fuji's Neopan F.
In places like Havana you walk a lot and "less is more" really comes into play. What is comfortable in the morning, turns into a heavy "lump" after 6-7 hours. If I went back today, I would probably take even less, still two M's but only a 35 and a 50 + a wide angle os dome kind ( probably a 21f4 VC for its size - or the C Biogon 21f4.5). Take about twice as much film as you think you will shoot - you be surprised how quickly you run through a roll. Chris and I took all in all close to 200 rolls between us - and donated the leftovers to Fototeca before leaving (only about 20-25 rolls). On the average we shot 8-10 rolls/day each.

 

[literiter]

I gotta say I really pleased with the guidance I've received from so many generous souls. I must mention Bob Michaels inspired me to leave the big stuff behind and go light.

My M2 is relatively new I'm afraid, born in 1962. My M4-P was made about 1986 so I'm taking some really, really new stuff.
I'll leave my 90 and 135 at home.

I like architectural pics so I'll take my 15mm Heliar instead.

 

[Bob Michaels]

......................... and donated the leftovers to Fototeca before leaving ..........................

Tom: I was leaving my extra b&w film at Fototeca. Finally Nelson Ramirez told me that everyone was now shooting digital and there was no b&w chemistry anywhere in Cuba. He asked "but maybe if you could bring us some D-76 and fixer, and some Dektol and printing paper.................."