Advice on lens and film to the Baltic states

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mkyy

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I will be traveling to Stockholm for a conference and taking a side trip to the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) afterwards. For my previous trips, I have been traveling with 1 body 2 lens: M6 + pre-asph 35 cron + CV 75/2.5. There were many moments I wished I have a wider lens when I shoot monuments and alike. For that reason, I bought myself a ZM 25/2.8. Optically, I think it's perfect. Physically, it's a bit larger than my 35 cron, which I think is the optimal size for traveling.

Now the dilemma, would *you* trade the wider AOV (i.e. ZM > 35 cron) for the portability (smaller 35 cron > bigger ZM + ext VF)?

I have read this time of the year, there are ~18 hours of daylight in the Baltic states. What do you suggest in terms of films? I am thinking 70% ISO 100 + 30% ISO 400?

Any place I should not miss in the Baltic states? tentative itinerary: stockholm -> vilnius -> siauliai -> riga -> sigulda -> tallinn -> stockholm.
 
I would head North instead. Stockholm-Helsinki, Helsinki-Rovaniemi, hire a car, keep going. It is only a few weeks since the rivers thawed, even on the edge of the Arctic. Further North will be interesting photographically and there is a lot of light up there now (with not so many mosquitoes).

EDIT:My apologies for totally ignoring your question. As you can pull HP5 or similar it sounds great, but then you have to do that with the whole roll of course. Mostly slower film as you proposed, with something pushable, but only as a just-in-case. And I'd take the 25 as an extra, else I'd think there is a huge gap around the 'normal' sort of focal length.
 
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My travel set is currently a 28 mm asph elmarit and a 75 mm summicron. The 28 mm is even smaller than a 35 summicron with equal image quality.
 
Minimally 160 asa and pushable HP5. 35mm cron , 21mm CV, 75mm CV. small gitzo tripod. All of this would keep you kit small.
 
After several years of experimentation I've honed down my lens kit for travel to a 35 and 75 for 90% of the shots and a 24 for the wide stuff that the 35 can't handle. Essentially your kit. So I would take the three lenses because you will need that 25mm. I also take two bodies and carry everything in a small Domke satchel (F-803 size). I took 400ISO film to Estonia but could have done with a few rolls of slower stuff.

I have only been to Helsinki and Tallinn in that area, but I strongly recommend going to the Baltic states. Tallinn is a beautiful little jewel and I'm sure places like Vilnius are similar. Lots of narrow streets and cobblestones, old churches, beautiful architecture; they are fascinating places. I'd love to go back.
 
Currently I use ISO200 in Latvia, though this week is sunny with intermittent clouds and rain. It depends also what are you going to shoot - dayscapes or in darken pubs.
In Riga is a lab in case you need to pick more film/occasionally develop b&w. Just ask for specific film, I can call them.
 
horosu said:
Buy the 21/4.5 from Zeiss . Minuscule, outstanding optics and great for travel
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The OP is of the opinion that his 25mm is optically perfect for him. He clearly knows the lens. It isn't really a good idea to take new equipment that you're not familiar with on a potentially unrepeatable trip.
 
I spent some time in Vilnius, Lithuania. I was on foot having traveled from Minsk, Belarus by bus.

For me the 28mm lens was enough on the wide end. Anything wider to my eyes does not accurately reflect how the subject looks in "real life." (Others may like wider lenses) The 28 did fine.

I also carried a 50 which was used only a few times. Wish I had taken a medium format folder with me for a few landscapes.

All of this too was carried in a Domke 803- great travel bag. Don't forget that you may have to do a lot of walking also so keep it light. I carried a camera, water, unbrella, food etc in the bag.
 
Sorry for the late reply. Thanks all for your opinion.

MartinP, I have already booked my flights to the Baltics. Should I have the chance to go to Northern Europe again, I shall head north.

peter_n, thanks for reading my post ;) I prob will take your recommendation to go with 3 lens kit. What time of the year you went to Estonia? Anything not to be miss?

besk, I did considered getting the ZM 28 to complete my travel kit with the VC 75. I thought 28 might be too close to 35 and I just can't give up my pre-asph 35. I used to travel with the M-Classic bag but the strap doesn't work too well with my boney shoulder. I have since bought the Domke F6 with the optional shoulder pad. Hopefully, it'll work better. I am really looking forward to Vilnius too.
 
35 Cron enough for traveling. I live in Vilnius, Lithuania and weather depend on what will be summer period. Often and often raining and you should think about ISO 200 - 400 films.
 
Mack, I agree with you about carrying the Summicron! If I had one I would take it along with maybe the 25mm also. My shoulders are square and boney too. I had a "postal pad" on my shouder strap to help carry the weight.

Girmantas: What is the name of the big hill in Vilnus from which you can see the whole city? I loved Vilnius. Many photo oportunities. The day we spent there was hot and sunny.

All of my film was 200ASA.
 
In 2009 Vilnius is European Capital of Culture (that's another city every year) so there might be some interesting events there.
 
mkyy said:
peter_n, thanks for reading my post ;) I prob will take your recommendation to go with 3 lens kit. What time of the year you went to Estonia? Anything not to be miss?
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It's four or five years ago now, but I was there in either late April or early May. We did spend Easter Day there and I remember the churches which are magnificent. The three that come to mind are the Russian Orthodox cathedral, I think called Alexandar Nevsky (?), the Holy Spirit church, which appeared to be a center of Estonian nationalism and is incredible inside, and St. Olaf's. All of them are well worth seeing, and I'm not a religious person. ;) The old town in general is a visual treat with lots of windy little narrow streets like St. Catherine's. Have a wonderful trip, and post some pictures when you get back! :)
 
I think you talking about "Gediminas castle"

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...4.686001,25.290742&spn=0.009216,0.019226&z=16

or "Taurakalnis panoramic place"

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...54.69343,25.277739&spn=0.017288,0.037122&z=15

anyway they are excellent places in Vilnius center with panoramic view






besk said:
Mack, I agree with you about carrying the Summicron! If I had one I would take it along with maybe the 25mm also. My shoulders are square and boney too. I had a "postal pad" on my shouder strap to help carry the weight.

Girmantas: What is the name of the big hill in Vilnus from which you can see the whole city? I loved Vilnius. Many photo oportunities. The day we spent there was hot and sunny.

All of my film was 200ASA.
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I think Allus is beer in all three countries. ;-) Am pretty sure I misspelled it, but it will not matter.

Find that Riga Minox, will fit nicely in your pocket on the way home.

Have a terrific trip.

Regards, John
 
I dont know about allus, but in Estonia beer is õlu.
Make sure you go to the Old Town in Tallinn. I think Kadriorg is nice too.
There is a photostore not far from the Old Town which sells black and white film.
I havent been to Latvia or Lithuania, but I think that the architecture in Riga and Tallinn is similar. I have heard that Vilnius has more of a Polish style architecture, but I havent been to Poland either, so I dont know for sure.

If im not mistaking, the original Minox prototype (maybe not) is in a photo museum here in Estonia. The museum is located conveniently in the Old Town behind the Old Town Hall.

http://www.linnamuuseum.ee/fotomuuseum/index.php?lang=2&id=192
 
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