Across the World with one FL

O

oleg C

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Going across the world on 3 weeks trip with 50 cron and MP only. I like 35/75 FL classic combo idea, but don't want to spend $$$$ @ this time just for this one as I'm waiting for a new 35 lux and 75 lux is on the list as well. This is my first trip with the rangefinder rig. Will end up in the desert festival where I would like to cover portraits, landscapes, architecture, candid and have a heaps of fun, off course. I have stocked up some Tri-X, Neopan, Porta 160, 400 - NC,VC, etc. I'm confident it can be done with one FL and I like the challenge. But sure I would also love/need to have some tips.. Cheers, Oleg
 
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Oleg, the only advice I offer is ignore all the advice you are liable to get about taking at least another lens or two and of course that you MUST take a second body just in case. I travelled for 7 years in the '70's with one body and a 50 and looking at my transperancies 30 years on, I don't feel I deprived myself in any way. Have a great trip.
 
You'll be fine. Perfectly adequate kit.

Don't forget some filters for B&W - useful on three counts: protecting the lens elements, enhancing photos and acting as a density filter so you can shoot fast film in bright conditions at wide apertures. A dark yellow/orange one would be a good solo one - don't forget to remove it for colour film though (I'm guilty of that mistake)
 
Sounds like an awesome trip! I just got back from two weeks of travel with just my M6 and 35mm Summarit and felt liberated by the simplicity of the kit. Have fun!
 
Yes, the kit is ok, and although I am a 50mm man, for this variety of subjects a 35mm would probably be more flexible. As to filters, the yellow one is ok on the lens as is, for orange or red you have to measure the light without it and compensate according to factor, or alternatively downrate your EI by at least one full stop, else you will get everything underexposed.
 
I think I'd choose a 35 over a 50, but it's a personal thing. I just find 50 a bit tight for the types of subjects I prefer. (Like I often use a 25!). But a 35 would be my single lens choice for the subject matter you've described. If I didn't have one - I'd take the 50!
 
One think about it -- whenever you pick up the camera, it will have the right lens mounted. I remember when I got my first two-lens kit. It seemed that whenever I picked up the camera, it had the wrong lens attached!

As Picasso said, limitation of means unleashed creativity. Go for it!
 
Sounds like a fun trip. I'm sure it can be done with one camera and one 50mm lens. However, based on my trips to Europe, Turkey, Israel, etc. I'd take a second camera as back-up, and a another lens or two. Some places I felt I needed a longer lens, when I didnt have one. Some places a wider one. I think maybe even a small P&S camera with zomm would be nice as a back up. Plus if you insist on just one lens for you Leica, I'd go with a smaller and faster lens like a CV 40/1.4. You'd be surprised how many times having a faster lens halped me out with a film camera - like here:
I have M5 with ISO 200 film in it and thankfully had a 50/1.2 Hex with me to make shots like these handheld:

4431292440_79a6b79301_b.jpg


4430517401_c03b849eef_b.jpg
 
No problem with 50 mm.

I would pick up a few CV lenses or older Leica lenses and resell them later as they are cheap.

90 4.0 wil take wonderful pics from 5.6. Screw mt adapter and shade needed. CV 90 3.5 APO you probably will want to keep. I am not unhappy with my 3.5 Summaron I bought for a screw mount camera. It is the size of four quarters stacked up. CV 75 2.5 is a decent lens.


My biggest worry would be airport x rays on film.
 
Krosya: Is that Citadel al salahadin Egypt? What a wonderful place.....

50mm is perfectly adequate!!!

... though personally, i'd take another camera, even just a P & S as the last thing you'd want happen is to be stuck in the middle of the trip with no camera if your only body fails.
 
Yes, I do have B+W 102 0.6 (4x)-ND, 022-yellow & UV Haze filters, which I forgot to mention about. Thanks guys.. I also have a full confidence in my brand new a la carte MP. "Mechanical perfection" right? :) Will see.. I do wish I had faster lens as it is 7days/24hrs festival with the spectacular night performances and beautifully lit sculptures but as I mention before I'm waiting on new 35 lux and because I'm not very good on buy and sale, I've decided to stick to what I got @ the moment, which is latest 50 cron. And thanks for wishing me a good trip! I really looking forward to it.. Cheers, Oleg
 
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One camera 50mm lens

One camera 50mm lens

I traveled around the country , with only a nikon and 50
At the end of the trip the camera felt like part of me .
I was never thinking what lens should I try , I only had the one .

You will really get to know this combination , and stretch your vision
To find a way to do it with what you have .
 
999 out of 1000 times you should be fine with one body and one lens... Of course that means 1 out of 1000 times when you will NOT be fine.


Why take the chance that this once in a lifetime trip is that 1 time in a 1000?

At least bring a P&S, or something that you would only take out of your bag in case of an emergency.
 
Krosya, nice capture.. I have manage to get something like this one with 50 cron on ektar 100. Guessed focus. Got some faster film for my trip this time.. :)
 
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enasniearth said:
I traveled around the country , with only a nikon and 50
At the end of the trip the camera felt like part of me .
I was never thinking what lens should I try , I only had the one .

You will really get to know this combination , and stretch your vision
To find a way to do it with what you have .
Click to expand...

I agree 110%. I can go years with a single focal length.
 
I would agree on the 50 Summicron-M but an Leica MP for an important trip as the only body .... :eek:
 
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