Business Trip To India

[zuikologist]

I have a trip to India lined up in early March for 10 days. It is a heavy itinerary by air but I would like to get some shooting in and will try to travel light. The trip takes in Mumbia, Bangalore and Chennai. Any tips on what to see or avoid would be appreciated.

I had in mind taking:

Leica CL
Oly Mju II or XA
NEX5n with finder, 16/2.8 with wa adapter, 18-55 and 30/2.8. Also ltm adaptor and 35/1.4 Ultron and Minolta 90/4

 

[Griffin]

I think one camera would suffice, presuming you will have time to get out and shoot.

 

[zuikologist]

Probably good advice, although I would like the comfort blanket of more than one camera, and would quite like to use digital and film .

 

[SlappyPeterson]

I've been to Bangalore twice on business, and each time I only brought one camera, my Leica M5. That's all I needed. I found more of a struggle even using just the one camera, as most of my time was spent in the office or being driven to/from the hotel and to/from the office. The hardest thing for me was to find a good solid chunk of time to just walk around and use the camera. Most of that time ended up being during twilight or after the sun went down.

 

[mbisc]

Enjoy -- should be awsome. My suggestion on your gear would be the Leica CL and the NEX, with the NEX zoom, and any lenses you can share between the CL and the NEX.

Never did any sightseeing/photography in Bangalore or Mumbai during my time in India, but here is a suggestion for a great place close to Chennai:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nbg90455/sets/72157615623467926/detail/


Enjoy!

 

[kmallick]

I have a trip to India lined up in early March for 10 days. It is a heavy itinerary by air but I would like to get some shooting in and will try to travel light. The trip takes in Mumbia, Bangalore and Chennai. Any tips on what to see or avoid would be appreciated.

I had in mind taking:

Leica CL
Oly Mju II or XA
NEX5n with finder, 16/2.8 with wa adapter, 18-55 and 30/2.8. Also ltm adaptor and 35/1.4 Ultron and Minolta 90/4

If you have some time in Bangalore, try to visit Belud and Halebid. Highly recommended with a Leica CL. There are well organized tour packages available from the city that take you there and back in a day.

 

[porktaco]

spend as much time in mumbai as you can. it's frickin awesome, especially if you're staying in a business class hotel. bangalore always seemed a little bland to me. mumbai is never bland.

one camera should be enough.

 

[zuikologist]

Thanks for the advice so far.

I will cut down to 2 cameras - NEX and CL.

I will also have to adjust my mental image of India: I had contemplated the modern bustle of Mumbai but not the ancient monuments in the excellent links above. Thank you.

 

[jarski]

been in those cities. agree Mumbai probably has best opportunities for photos, especially old center near Victoria Terminus. Bangalore is silicon valley of India, under heavy development and kinda sea of suburbs, factories and office blocks in between. Chennai is something in between those two.

center of Calcutta is personal favorite of Indian big cities.

 

[zuikologist]

Thanks again. I will try to maximise time in Mumbai.

 

[Griffin]

Oh yeah, be sure to shoot color. I've never been to India, but from what I've heard and seen you really need to get those colors!

 

[zuikologist]

Definitely. Thinking of some fresh Portra 400 and will shoot digital in colour and convert if needed to b&w.

 

[mbisc]

Oh yeah, be sure to shoot color. I've never been to India, but from what I've heard and seen you really need to get those colors!

Street photography -- yes, color.

Architecture/Monuments -- B&W is great, too, but less commonly done.

 

[indianavince]

Minolta 16... my new worry free fun machine.

 

[porktaco]

we don't have names for all the colors you'll see

 

[lawrence]

Probably good advice, although I would like the comfort blanket of more than one camera, and would quite like to use digital and film .

First rule of computing 'Always take a backup'. Same with cameras 😉