Equipment Options for Italy trip

[raid]

Hi,
I am now getting close to my 17 day trip to Italy, and the usual decision process will start soon on choosing the photo equipment.
I have narrowed things down to two possible options:

1. Hasselblad SWC + M9
2. Leica M8 and M9

The first option includes the use of film, and it allows me the use of a MF camera with a slow wide angle lens. The M9 will be used anyways in both options, and it would allow me here the use of a fast lens, such as 35/1.4. MF quality can be special.

The second option I am more familiar with, and it would mean to shoot with the M9 in color and using the 35/1.4, while in the M8 I would shoot B&W with a 50/1.4 lens. Switching the lenses around would give a different perspective with 50mm on the M9 and also about a 50 on the M8. This set fits in a compact bag, and it would be faster to use, given that I will have my wife and two children with me.

I know it is silly, but such choices are fun.

 

[kbg32]

I voted for the first set Raid, but having wife and kids in tow could be difficult.

 

[Schlapp]

Well, I'm off to Italy soon too. Have chosen Zorki4 with Jupiter8 and either Hassie/50mm or Perkeo.

 

[KoNickon]

Raid, while I love the idea of bringing the SWC (and it's a film camera), how many shots will you be taking with it? Will you get the same benefit with a very wide angle M mount lens?

 

[anjoca76]

I pretty much only shoot film, so I am a little biased, but the past two summers when I traveled to Italy with my wife and toddler son, I would wake up early in the morning and get the bulk of my (serious) shooting in then. The light is best, the streets are quiet, and I can take my time shooting because I am alone. If you do that, you can easily get away with taking the Hasselblad. A country like Italy, for me, almost begs to be photographed on film, and particularly b&w. Definitely bring one of the digital Ms, but I'll bet that if you do bring the Hasselblad, you won't regret it.

 

[raid]

I bought fresh 120 film, so I am ready for the SWC, if this is my choice of camera gear.
It may have to be as anjoca76 has said above. so that I venture out early in the morning to take alone some photos with the SWC.

 

[peppard]

Raid: I'll be in Florence in June with my jungest boy (16 year old boy) Luca. I am taking with me my Rollei 3.5F, ZI w/24-50-90. My son will carry an Oly SP as a back up ( I am trying to get him into film, so far so good). I do film only. I do suggest the Hasselblad for sure. As anjoca 76 suggested, early morning is great. Farmers mkts get set up around 5:00AM, as the farmers come from the surrounding country side, and it is a great time to wander around. The light is great, the people are too busy to pay attention to you and your camera, and above all it's not to hot.
Giorgio

 

[FrankS]

IMO, an SWC in Italy would be da bomb.

Just don't say that while in an airport or on the plane.
😉

 

[raid]

Raid: I'll be in Florence in June with my jungest boy (16 year old boy) Luca. I am taking with me my Rollei 3.5F, ZI w/24-50-90. My son will carry an Oly SP as a back up ( I am trying to get him into film, so far so good). I do film only. I do suggest the Hasselblad for sure. As anjoca 76 suggested, early morning is great. Farmers mkts get set up around 5:00AM, as the farmers come from the surrounding country side, and it is a great time to wander around. The light is great, the people are too busy to pay attention to you and your camera, and above all it's not to hot.
Giorgio

Hi Giorgio,
The farmers market will be a good place for some photography. Thanks for the encouragement. So you will be carrying the MF camera plus 35mm camera with 3 lenses.

 

[raid]

IMO, an SWC in Italy would be da bomb.

Just don't say that while in an airport or on the plane.
😉

🙂
I know what you mean, dude ... aka Frank.

 

[raid]

I voted for the first set Raid, but having wife and kids in tow could be difficult.

Hi Keith,
It is the major factor that makes my thoughts on taking the SWC uncertain.

 

[raid]

Raid, while I love the idea of bringing the SWC (and it's a film camera), how many shots will you be taking with it? Will you get the same benefit with a very wide angle M mount lens?

If I had used film, things would be easier. With the M9, I need to consider maybe a 28mm lens as my widest lens. My 21mm lenses are non-retro focus lenses, so they would scratch the sensor of the M9.

I would use the SWC for people and for buildings. And if we drive around, then the SWC would be used for some scenics.

 

[mretina]

Where nice will you be going? Definitely SWC. Although MF with the family needs time. I have just been back from a short trip to istanbul and I have shot nearly always 35mm having left my plaubel most of the times in the hotel as I never managed an early tour. But that would be your only wide option and film option. I would not cross the ocean for 17 days digital only.

 

[raid]

I will have lots of options since we will stay at an apartment for 10 days in the central part of Siena (Tuscany).

 

[Godfrey]

My last trip with a Hasselblad SWC was to the Isle of Man in 2002. I carried the SWC with two backs, meter, and tripod. My other camera on that trip was a Sony DSC-F707.

In total, in that trip, I used two rolls of color and two rolls of B&W film in the SWC. About a dozen of those photos were worth processing to a finish rendering. I made about 1500 exposures with the Sony. About three dozen of those photos were worth processing to a finish rendering.

Most of the shooting with the SWC happened on a few dedicated moments when I carried only it to go out and do some shooting. The Sony I carried the rest of the time and used it all over the place.

On the last trip to the same places, I carried only my M9 plus 35, 50 and 90 mm lenses. No tripod, little else. I made 800 exposures, about 200 of which seem to be worth processing.

I'd say carry the SWC and the M9, but only if you know you're going to do enough shooting with the SWC. It's a lot of equipment to carry without using it enough. Otherwise, I'd just carry the M9 and a couple of your favorite lenses, and save carrying all that additional gear. The simplicity and lack of distraction from gear is often a big plus in getting more satisfying photos.

G

 

[raid]

I will not be carrying with me a tripod, Godfrey. I did some practice shooting with a few rolls with the SWC hand held for this purpose. I will not be able to do any photography that requires some time to set up equipment and compose. I will be walking around, and I will shoot from the hip, so to speak. I am used to this type of photography.

I have to keep things manageable, so I will leave behind the extra back and ground glass and tripod. It will be a SWC by itself.

 

[Gary Sandhu]

For thought, do all of the following:

1. Use M9 primarily : convert to b&w
2. Keep M8 as back up IN THE HOTEL

AND
3. Take the SWC for some solo photography

You'll enjoy your trip and have some nice photos with the M9. And you can take an hour or so early or late when the family is resting to photograph with the SWC. your wife and kids will love you.

 

[peppard]

Hi Giorgio,
The farmers market will be a good place for some photography. Thanks for the encouragement. So you will be carrying the MF camera plus 35mm camera with 3 lenses.

Yes Raid, I'll take the MF and 35mm w/3 lenses. You will be staying in Siena, a beautiful medieval hill town, but the streets are very narrow and building are tall, so that you'll need a fest lens for street and also for the dim lit Romanesque churches. Make sure to go to Pienza, the ideal Renaissance town build by Pope Pius II in 1462, a sienese native. Pienze is located south of Siena, and overlooks the Orcia valley. I have taken my favorite photos ( Rokkor 90/4) early in the morning from this hill town, with the fog rising from the valley. That's why I always bring a short tele when going to Italy, for the beautiful open views that hills can offer. By the way, if in Pienza, try both the Wild Boar Prosciutto and sausages. They are unbelievable. Across the Orcia valley there is another hill town worth visiting: Montalcino. Very well known for the wine, Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino.
I'll be visiting family and relatives in Florence, but if you'd like to try to connect while there, send me a PM and we'll take it from there.
Ciao,
Giorgio

 

[raid]

For thought, do all of the following:

1. Use M9 primarily : convert to b&w
2. Keep M8 as back up IN THE HOTEL

AND
3. Take the SWC for some solo photography

You'll enjoy your trip and have some nice photos with the M9. And you can take an hour or so early or late when the family is resting to photograph with the SWC. your wife and kids will love you.

I will have to check size and weight of the three cameras. Good thought though.

 

[raid]

I just sent you a pm.

Hi Giorgio,
The farmers market will be a good place for some photography. Thanks for the encouragement. So you will be carrying the MF camera plus 35mm camera with 3 lenses.

Yes Raid, I'll take the MF and 35mm w/3 lenses. You will be staying in Siena, a beautiful medieval hill town, but the streets are very narrow and building are tall, so that you'll need a fest lens for street and also for the dim lit Romanesque churches. Make sure to go to Pienza, the ideal Renaissance town build by Pope Pius II in 1462, a sienese native. Pienze is located south of Siena, and overlooks the Orcia valley. I have taken my favorite photos ( Rokkor 90/4) early in the morning from this hill town, with the fog rising from the valley. That's why I always bring a short tele when going to Italy, for the beautiful open views that hills can offer. By the way, if in Pienza, try both the Wild Boar Prosciutto and sausages. They are unbelievable. Across the Orcia valley there is another hill town worth visiting: Montalcino. Very well known for the wine, Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino.
I'll be visiting family and relatives in Florence, but if you'd like to try to connect while there, send me a PM and we'll take it from there.
Ciao,
Giorgio