European Tour this summer: What cameras?

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Over the years I've stopped carrying serious and heavy cameras and have relied more and more on small pocket ones. So my 2d worth would be to suggest something like a pocket camera with a prime lens.

Last year I took just an Olympus XA2 with me and the 35mm f/3.5 lens proved more than adequate. Here's a sample:-

I thought of taking the XA but the RF patch can be a problem at times and hunting for it a pita especially in low light.

Since then I've thought long and hard about taking the XA2 and XA3 because then I could have colour film in one and good old B&W FP4+ in the other. And the XA3 has the lever to add a stop or two to the exposure; saving messing around (and forgetting) with the film speed setting.

Other ideas have been two Olympus mju- I's or II's, which give me flash and a spot meter. Or something like the Leica mini III. The point being that a P&S with a bit of control can get a lot more pictures effortlessly.

There's also a small clamp on tripod thingy and a Cobra Flashmate on the list but they are luxuries.

Regards, David

PS My wife's ideal travel camera is the digital mju-300 she borrowed from me many years ago and still hasn't returned.

 

[leicapixie]

Travel light! Travel with fun. Enjoy your trip.
Becoming your own porter,long hours, unpaid, not fun.
Traveled last few very long flights with Point and Shoot digital.
If determined to do film..take a body,the 50mm.
Take a small digital. Last trip to Africa,almost 4,000 images.
If it were film at least 35 rolls..
my carry on going also had my medicine drugs for a month..
Film usage, i would still be at Security.
TG went thru Amsterdam to Johannesburg.
back same way to Toronto. i avoid US and Heathrow.
I carried 4 P/S digitals. AA- recharge-Batteries 12.
6 memory cards all 4GB and some 8GB.
Canon Powershot S-590,1200.Minolta Dimage 600=B/W only.
Canon 460, spare backup.
The whole kit fits into a jacket..

 

[Merumeni]

M4-P, your 50 and 28 / 35 will give you lots of opportunities. Since times are getting tougher here do not forget your M16 (kidding... though social instability seems to bring out the best for your 35 / 50 combo ... 😉 )

 

[cassel]

M4-P, your 50 and 28 / 35 will give you lots of opportunities. Since times are getting tougher here do not forget your M16 (kidding... though social instability seems to bring out the best for your 35 / 50 combo ... 😉 )

The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards just the one camera...the M4-P with two or three lens (plus the digital P&S). I just hesitate because it would be nice to have a second body for a different film type/speed.

 

[Richard G]

Leica with 50. I would take my tiny 25 Skopar as well. And I wouldn't have film only: X100 for the 35mm perspective. I went all round Europe twice in the '80s with just a 50. Worked fine. If I was taking one camera and one lens now it would be the X100, light compact and comparatively cheap.

 

[raid]

I usually take with me film cameras, but I want to try out a trip in which I use only digital cameras. In your case, and if you favor using a film camera, take along one M body and two lenses.

 

[Bingley]

The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards just the one camera...the M4-P with two or three lens (plus the digital P&S). I just hesitate because it would be nice to have a second body for a different film type/speed.

This sounds very sensible. Use the p&s for color, and shoot bw or color in the M as the mood or location strikes. I shot mainly bw in London.

 

[porktaco]

streets are narrow in europe. distances are close. if you shoot 50 here, think about 35 there.

x100s.

 

[Frontman]

On my last trip to France, I brought a pair of M3 cameras, one with a 50mm Summicron, the other with a 50mm Nokton. I also brought a Rolleiflex. I got the best photos with the Rollei...

 

[steveclem]

For those cities, just pick your favorite focal length and go... Wear comfortable shoes, a hat and loose clothing, and don't forget to hydrate.

You'll be ok in London, and anyway, there's still a few good pubs tucked out the way if and when necessary.😀

 

[raid]

On my last trip to France, I brought a pair of M3 cameras, one with a 50mm Summicron, the other with a 50mm Nokton. I also brought a Rolleiflex. I got the best photos with the Rollei...

Did it slow you down in taking photos, and was it the better composition that you see as being better or is it the MF larger negatives?

 

[cassel]

Picked up the Leicameter today...needs a battery, but it works OK. It will take a bit of practice to get used to. Also, I'm thinking of keeping the Canon 35mm f2.8 and selling the Nikkor 35mm f3.5. PM me if interested...

 

[cassel]

I think I'm all set with gear for this trip...I have a second MR4 meter on order because the first one was acting weird. I also got my Canon L3 back from a much-needed CLA. The last piece of the puzzle was a decent bag that can carry a couple of bodies and lenses and film. I found a Crumpler "5 million dollar home" bag in Seattle today. Pretty sure it's a fake because it was very cheap- but it is very nice and looks like the real thing🙄

 

[cassel]

Today is the day! I leave for London later today...I am taking the M4-P with the Zeiss 50mm and the Canon 35mm along with the MR4. I'm also bringing along a tiny Canon Powershot 16 MP. I'm still not 100% sure about what film to bring...I have Ektar 100, B&W 400CN, and some Lomo 800.

Wish me luck😎

 

[raid]

Have a great trip.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Take the Ektar 100.

 

[cassel]

Take the Ektar 100.

Yes,
I think that's wise...F 2 with the Zeiss Planar is a great look. I will bring some high speed film for night shots as well!

 

[Spicy]

Either Provia 100F if you're into slide film (you should be, it's awesome), or Portra 160 (400 if you have ND filters) if you aren't.... and some TMax 400 (can be pushed to 1600 in a pinch).

 

[Vobluda]

Not sure about the camera, but take an umbrella for sure as this is more autumn then summer..

 

[robert blu]

Have a nice trip!
robert