35 years of GAS leads to explosion......

gabrielma said:
I didn't see you mention a Pentax 645. They are nice; loud, but nice, great optics. And many pros keep on dumping them for the siren call of digital.

The Bronica ETRs will do what the Pentax 645 will do and they have interchangeable backs. Besides, I don't have a Pentax 645 🙂

Wayne
 
You just need the camera that has everything going for it. Look at the 6x9 Alpa cameras. Very compact - smaller than my Pentax 645 NII. Best optics in the world -arguably. Certainly the most robust construction of any camera made for purchase. Viewfinder/rangefinder system (no ttl). The usual leaf shutter - zero vibrations, with a very very ergonomic design with grips and a perfectly placed shutter release.

SO, that is what you need. It has all the benefits of every format. Small camera body, biggest negative in handheld except 4x5 field cameras and the 617 format from Fuji and Linhof, built to last a lifetime (and then some) - last longer than any Leica, capable of using digital backs, interchangeable lenses (sort of), and a rangefinder system that removes any nasty effect of a huge shutter. Just imagine an indestructible Mamiya 7, without metering and a much large negative.

It will cost you about the same as a new Mamiya 7II, unless you want the spiffy superwide with the natural wood grips (spend about 5 grand for that).

Look at www.alpa.ch. Now, THAT will give you GAS. I even consider taking out a loan to buy one of those. No kidding. But I doubt that bank will give it to me, seeing as I have 5 digit school loans to pay them back for.
 
I'd second the Alpa 🙂

In the beginning worked very fine for me, but then came the wish for more lenses, backs, accessories, now I carry again a suitcase...
 
I would take one of the following outfits:

  • one medium format camera (any type but rangefinder or TLR preferred)
  • a rangefinder with wide-angle and normal lenses OR a fixed-lens rangefinder with 40mm-ish lens
  • a compact SLR with wide-angle and normal lenses

For any of these outfits I'd also take a tripod/monopod and lots of film. Any one of these outfits would handle (I think) the vast majority of vacation shooting and leave plenty of room for artistic expression. Any more than this and you'll constantly be wondering which camera to grab or aching from lugging gear around.
 
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I think my walk about camera combo is going to be two Canon P’s one with 35mm lens and one with 50mm lens. With a 100mm in bag. With a small GE selenium light meter hand held.

For family grab shots, I think a Canon QL-17 GIII with small flash. Minolta IV f flash meter.

Why not get the Canonlite D flash instead of carrying a seperate meter for this?

For macro details shots I think a Nikon F3HP with 55mm Micro Nikkor and a Tamron 90mm Macro with 1:1 extension tube. Plus a rail bellows. Use the Nikon on board meter.

I would ditch the rail bellows, you have macro covered with your lenses.

Now for the hard part, the scenic views. Medium format and/or large format? If medium format do I use 645, 6x6, or 6x7? My choices are Bronica ETRS with very sharp 50mm PE but smaller 645 format. Yashica TLR with 80mm normal lens in 6x6 or Koni-Omega with 90mm normal lens in 6x7. Or use a 6x7 roll film back on my 4x5 Crown Graphic with 88mm Bausch & Lomb and 162mm Optar?

In large format do I take the 4x5 Crown Graphic and use Graphmatic film holders, one with slide film and one with b&w film? Or go with a rail view camera for the 100mm WF Ektar and 190mm Ektar?
Should I haul a 5x7 with 250mm Commercial Ektar for black & white? Or all of the above? I think with large format any thing over 100 feet from the car is not going to be interesting🙂.

I am kind of leaning toward the K.I.S.S. principle, but then what if I need it and don’t have it? I am not likely to travel this way again for several years, if ever.

I think you will be better off keeping it simple. Take enough not too much. The LF gear may be too much as you said...Make sure it is all serviced or checked out. Hate to do that kind of trip and find out you have a bad camera.
 
Wayne R. Scott said:
Ahh, the voice of reason. Now go away 😉

Wayne

Wayne ,

don't kill the messenger, the truth is bitter: Your head IS already exploded, long time ago btw. 😀

bertram
 
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