Equipment Options for Italy trip

[Monochrom]

hi, totally m8+m9...wide angle 21mm VC or 25mm ZM on the m9 and a 50mm f1.5 sonnar on the m8...
Can´t loose
Same batteries, same feeling, punching resolution...
M9 only hyperfocal and f1.5 glass to resolve lower iso capability of the m8

Enjoy!:angel:

 

[mbisc]

Voted for Option 1.

I'm going to Germany & Turkey later this month, with wife and two (small) kids. I'm taking a digital p&s and the Medalist II with TMax 100 (and my wife will have the Sony A65), so somewhat similar setup. The Medalist will be for ruins/monuments and other "serious" photography...

 

[froyd]

Raid, from what I see of your posts, it seems you have trained your family well and they all seem to be generous photographic subjects. I'm sure they'll tollerate the SWC. I think you'll be glad to have taken it along.

As rough reference, last year I went to Italy and Finland with the family and took a Rolleiflex as the main camera and pocket digicam as secondary. I took 5 rolls of 120 (buy them here, they cost a fortune in Italy!) and I'd say all my favorite images came out of the Rollei. I can imagine the Wide Hasselblad would help you produce some truly memorable shots.

 

[GaryLH]

I used to carry a lot of different cameras on vacation.. These days, I have come to conclusion it is better to only carry one main camera and a backup p&s. btw my p&s is a rx100. Everyone these days knows how to use a p&s. what is better is if it has face detect. Just hand it over to anyone to take a shot of u and your family.

Given your options

I would go w/ option 1 if film is your primary shooting medium (sounds like really where your heart is since u bought a bunch of 120 film lately) and replace the m9 w/ a p&s. For me travel these days means digital, so w/ what u have in options, I would go m9 and digital p&s... My last vacation, my primary was x100 w/ rx100.

Have fun and enjoy your time w/ family.
Gary

 

[robert blu]

ciao Raid, no doubt, for sure option 1: SWC + m9.
robert
PS: Simo and me will be in S.Quirico d'Orcia, a 50 km south of Siena not far from Pienza and Montichiello. We'll keep in touch.

 

[slava]

I voted for the M8 and M9 because of the lighter kit. I myself enjoy more when I'm with lighter kit. But if you want to shoot film didn't you had M6 or film M?

 

[kxl]

Italy seems like a popular holiday destination this year (every year?). I'm visiting as well, although not until October.

As stated, the SWC would be da bomb! An AOV similar to a 21mm on 35m format, except it's square, right? I gotta see images of Italy from that!

Have fun Raid! 😀

 

[jdriffill]

I spent twelve days in Sicily over Easter with a Bessa T and a 25mm Snapshot Skopar and a lot of out of date Tri-X. Worked perfectly. I had other lenses -- a 35mm and the 15mm -- but could not be bothered to use them. Hauling around too much kit is a real pain.

 

[Merumeni]

As usual: it depends.
"Italy" does not exist - where are you going and what are you doing? Running around with kids and wife will hardly leave you any time for more than snaps.
A 35 on the M9 sounds quite ok. Something longer on the M8 -
in that case you do not have to juggle with lenses whilst having the kids in mind: just a 35 would be the lightest and easiest.

 

[raid]

ciao Raid, no doubt, for sure option 1: SWC + m9.
robert
PS: Simo and me will be in S.Quirico d'Orcia, a 50 km south of Siena not far from Pienza and Montichiello. We'll keep in touch.

Hello Robert,
We will meet again in your country. I am looking forward to it.

 

[raid]

As usual: it depends.
"Italy" does not exist - where are you going and what are you doing? Running around with kids and wife will hardly leave you any time for more than snaps.
A 35 on the M9 sounds quite ok. Something longer on the M8 -
in that case you do not have to juggle with lenses whilst having the kids in mind: just a 35 would be the lightest and easiest.

It will be a visit to Rimini, followed by a stay in Siena, with side trips from Siena.
About four years ago I visited Syria with my family, and I managed doing photography beyond snaps.

 

[FrankS]

I'm wondering how many of the posters who are not recommending the SWC, have experience with medium format film. It is very special.

 

[raid]

I know what you mean, Frank.
MF is very special indeed.
Since the V700 is broken, I may have to send Precision Camera my 120 rolls after we return from Italy.

 

[jdriffill]

I'm wondering how many of the posters who are not recommending the SWC, have experience with medium format film. It is very special.

I'm sure that's right. The SWC may be all you need.

 

[raid]

The lens has 4.5 max aperture, which requires a tripod for interior shots. I have used a Graflex XLSW with a 47/8 lens on a table tripod sucessfully in Syria. I will then take with me a table tripod.

 

[Bingley]

I would definitely take a MF format camera, Raid. Either the SWP or a Rolliflex.

 

[Bingley]

Sorry. I meant SWC! Option 1 looks good to me, Raid: SWC + M9. I might be tempted to slip a pocket 35 film camera in my bag too.

I've decided to take an E-PL1 and Pany 14/2.5 lens with me to Portugal later this month, along with an M4-2 and a 50 and 35 lenses (two camera bodies three lenses five focal lengths or equivalents). But I may slip an Oly XA in at the last moment.

 

[julio1fer]

Raid, you are not on assignment, so the goal should be to enjoy the experience. Choose the set you feel more comfortable with. Every photographer has its personal tradeoff regarding weight, capabilities, travel plan and photo opportunities covered.

Photographically speaking: in my limited experience of Italy, a wide angle is essential. I'd guess that at least for the old city of Siena which would probably be one of your main subjects.

The SWC is close to ideal IMHO, regarding capabilities, if you can cope with the weight and size. The M9 with 21 or 28mm would also be an excellent choice. I do not really see the point of taking the M8 except as backup of the M9.

If you need 120 film it is much cheaper in the U.S.; consider taking along some ISO 400 film, for the interiors; grain is not that critical in 6x6 size, and HP5+ or TriX can be pushed to 800 without much degradation.

I assume your SWC can handle additional film backs?

Personally I'd go with a single camera, either the Hassy or M9, because I'd hate switching eye and mind from one type to another and taking care of too much gear. If I lose the main camera, my B-plan is usually to get a cheap P&S, or borrow my wife's.

 

[Vics]

Raid, I voted for the SWC, but after sitting and reading all the other posts, I realized that that's not what I would do. Go for the M9/M8 combo. I hate dragging all my confusions with me on a trip. I'm ALWAYS happier with one camera and one lens. No confusion or decisions to make.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Not quite related, but I took an SWC and my Contaflex TLR to Vienna a few years back. Would never do anything like that again -- way too much crap to carry around, and my neck and shoulders definitely paid for it.

Now here's a thought -- why not just take the SWC and leave the M9 at home? Have a wide angled look at Italy!