Gear for Paris, Rome

[mikebrice@mac.c]

went to Paris and Madrid last year, and took a ton of Nikon digital gear, along with the Leica MP and a 35/2 and a 50/2.

This year, I am going to Paris and Rome, and I am thinking about just taking the Leica MP and the two lenses and leaving the DSLR at home. I know I might be asking the wrong forum, but do you think I am nuts.

I made good images with the Leica, and it was so much nicer with a lighter kit when I was walking around the city.

A couple other options:
1) Take the Leica, and my Bessa R2A as a back up for a full analog soultion.
2) Take the Leica and my Epson RD-1 for a digital/film combo - only pitful is that the 35 is the widest I have and on a RD-1, its not that wide.
3) Take the Leica, and a point and shoot digital, like my Fuji F30.

Any ideas, thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

 

[egpj]

film and digital solution for me. I know that you can not go any wider then the 35 but it would not stop me at all. You want wider then back away till you have everything in the frame. Or you can let Photoshop stitch a bunch of digital shots together for that wide look. Then also shoot film for the love/look of it. IMHO.

 

[ray_g]

In your shoes I would bring the Leica and Fuji. In any trip, there are times when I find a small P&S to be just the ticket. Like going to a dress-up dinner, or for memento snaps and "visual diary" sorts of things.

Or I'd buy a used CV21/4 and bring the M/RD-1 combo. Rome and Paris should be worth at least that, right? 😉

 

[Rey]

I think the Leica, and maybe a small P&S is a good idea. I'm going to Madrid and Paris next month. I'm going to bring 2 OM-1 bodies (for color and B&W), and a 24, 50, 100mm lenses. A fairly compact kit.

 

[Vetteran]

Bring the MP (w/ 2 lenses) and buy an Olympus Stylus Epic (35mm/2.8). I think the Olys cost about $60 these days new. Enjoy your trip.😀

 

[Vetteran]

Hey forget both lenses (they're too close). Bring the 35 only.

 

[Abbazz]

Mike,

One piece of advice: travel light. The Bessa R2A and the Fuji F30 will make a lightweight kit, well suited for low light shooting. Added benefit: this kit is also quite light pricewise and it won't expose your Leica MP or Epson RD1 to the risk of being snatched by some thug in a dark corner... Not that Paris or Rome are more dangerous than other Western capitals (I was born in Paris and lived there for more than 20 years), but why take the chance?

As for lenses, take either the 35 or the 50. Choose the one you feel most appropriate to your shooting style and add a 21/4 Color Skopar, 'cause streets can be very narrow in Paris and Rome.

Cheers,

Abbazz

 

[IGMeanwell]

I would be careful carrying the Leica around.... but that being said

whats a trip to Paris without adding to the romance with a leica?

So I say Leica and Fuji F30... a great low light solution for film and digital

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Leica MP and 35mm/f2 only.

It doesn't get any better than this.

 

[Bill58]

I've met and heard of a lot of pickpockets in both places that "love" tourists w/ cameras--you better carry something secure- as- hell.

The Leicagoodies.com "sling/ strap/ hook" rig is VERY secure!!!!!!!!

 

[Spyderman]

I agree with ray_g. Take the Leica (or Bessa) with both the lenses 35 and 50 and a small digital P&S for those snaps you don't want to waste film for 🙂

BTW: What's the difference between Leica and Bessa? The RF baselength is irrelevant for 35 and 50, so the only important thing is that the body is light-tight, which I guess are both.

 

[matt fury]

Make sure your homeowners covers your Leica nad then stop worrying about it and have fun. If you can't take your Leica to Europe, you might as well throw it away.

And for the record, I vote for Leica + Fuji. Carry the Leica when you can, and the Fuji the rest of the time.

 

[sebastel]

just have been to rome, and i think the combination of 21mm and 50mm on my RD-1 was just right.
the 50mm serves so nicely to pick out details ... i'd not like to do it without.

cheers
sebastian

 

[mikebrice@mac.c]

Thanks for all the comments. I am leaning toward the Leica and 35 for film, and the F30 for a pocket sized point and shoot. I think that is what I enjoyed most last time.
As for theft, I had it there last year and faced no issues, and if it would happen, I have pro photo insurance (not Homeowners) so after the deductible I would be made whole.
Because, if you can't shoot your Leica in Paris, what's the point of owning one.
Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[BJ Bignell]

If you're still open to suggestions, my recommendation would be to take both the MP+35 and RD-1+50. This gives you a 35+70 combination, which can be very versatile, won't be too heavy, and allows you to shoot colour and b&w simultaneously.

Have fun!

 

[Mauro]

Dear Mike,
I would like to suggest you to shot B+W films in Rome: I used a 400ASA when visiting the Fori Imperiali (the area on the road from Altare della Patria to Colosseo). I believe that such a film can give you a special "taste".
But please accept another advice from an Italian: beware of pickpocket in Rome, some years ago I had a bad experience there, always keep your cameras under your jacket on in anonymous bag.
Enjoy your stay!
Ciao,
Mauro

 

[Jamie123]

I've just been to Paris two weeks ago and brought my Hasselblad 501cm and two 35mm SLRs. Maybe a little too much but each had it's purpose.

All I can say is the lighter your equipment is the better. I ended up walking most of the time and not using the metro even for longer distances because this way I got to see more of the city and make more photos. Even though I hardly ever took more than one camera with me my shoulder hurt like hell every evening from where the camera strap was. I really could've used a nice, light rangefinder!

As for the theft issue, I really wouldn't worry. There's always the possibility of getting mugged no matter what country you're in but I assume you didn't buy that camera to have it sitting at home on your shelf.
I might go to Rio de Janeiro in February and definitely going to take the Hasselblad (and maybe a Leica if I have one by then) with me. Paris is definitely a lot safer 🙂

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Option 3 ...

I worry about having a backup as much as the next person. But in years of shooting, I've never ever actually had a Leica break down on me.

The key to enjoying Paris is to walk, walk, walk. So a light kit, and a good pair of shoes are the most important factors. Bring a P&S to assauge your backup fears.

Have a great time, it is a magical city 🙂

 

[mervynyan]

MP w/ 50/2 & Fuji P&S

If you don't have anything wider, then you don't have to take both 35 and 50. I find 50 on a MP is satisfying. You can't have the cake and eat it too. Otherwise you constantly thinking about switch lens, very bad habit when you are using prime.