Going to Cuba; camera advice please!

[braver]

For trips like this, I go for the gear I'm most fluent with. You want to enjoy it to the fullest and not get caught up in a mess of gear. I'd put a wide on one Leica with Tri-X at 200, a fast 50 on another with Tri-X at 1600, and fill the rest of the bag with film and a lonely planet.

 

[filmfan]

Leica with a 28mm and 50mm... that is all you will need (15mm? who needs that wide--- trade in that worthless lens for a 28mm 😀)

 

[Bob Michaels]

........................ I have three camera systems I can take only one. May I have some comments? ....................

having been to Cuba 9 times in the last two years, each normally 2 weeks, I can give some on the ground insight:

* Cuba is a walking place. It is possible you can be walking 6-8 hours at a time if photographing seriously.

* while Cuba is extremely low crime, property crime against tourists is an issue. Plan on never setting your camera down or leaving it in your hotel room. (casa particulars are seldom the problem that hotels are)

Those mean weight is critical. Do not take more than you can comfortably carry for an extended period. I am a one body, one lens, pocket full of film, no camera bag person so that works for me.

Do take everything you could possibly need with you. Nothing will be available there.

I do carry a redundant camera body and lens (plus batteries and extra film) on every trip. But I only stay in casa particulars, not hotels. I simply tell the family that I am staying with to please look after the photo equipment I leave in the room. I would never leave a camera in a hotel room.

They will want to x-ray your film on arrival and departure. There are no provisions for manual inspections. However, I have always refused to have my film x-rayed in Cuba and managed to talk my way out of it every time. It sometimes is not easy nor quick. I have seen too much "Cuban engineering" (unrelated parts swapping) to trust my film to an x-ray machine maintained by some guy who drives a '48 Chevrolet with a Toyota engine, Ford differential and Plymouth seats.

You mentioned that you were staying "near Trinidad". I am curious where? One of my favorite places to photograph is Banao, a farming community of about 3,000 people between Trinidad and Sancti Spiritus. But I may be the only tourist to have visited there in the modern era.

Be careful of the many overdone cliche photos in Trinidad. The old man sitting on a donkey with a cigar clenched in his teeth (50 cents a photo) has been photographed by almost everyone.

 

[Nick De Marco]

Hey
I went to Cuba 2008 and took 2 RFs (digital M8 and film). one of the best places for street photography in the World. I was humbled that LFI magazine published a feature on my work from Cuba.

I would have no hesitation in recommending a one of your Leica Rfs and all 15mm Heliar, 35 and 50mm Summicrons lenses, keeping the 35 on most time. Unlike ost of my trips abroad, I would load mainly colur film for cuban street - Portra 400 would be great

Have fun

Nick

 

[literiter]

having been to Cuba 9 times in the last two years, each normally 2 weeks, I can give some on the ground insight:

You certainly did, and I thank you very much!

* Cuba is a walking place. It is possible you can be walking 6-8 hours at a time if photographing seriously.

I expect this and it reinforces the idea to go light! Very light!

Those mean weight is critical. Do not take more than you can comfortably carry for an extended period. I am a one body, one lens, pocket full of film, no camera bag person so that works for me.

I have a Domke F-6 bag, which will hold the cameras and lenses quite comfortably. So I'll go with 2 cameras. I like scenics and old buildings, therefor the 15mm. I want to take color and B&W film so 2 bodies.

You mentioned that you were staying "near Trinidad". I am curious where?

We have one of the hotels in Varadero and will travel the area as best we can. We understand there is a bus service to Trinidad.

One week is a very short period of time, especially since 2 days will be taken up with travel and another day to figure out what the heck I'm doing etc.

Is food as bad as they say?

 

[Bob Michaels]

......................... Is food as bad as they say?

Food is just a necessity of life in Cuba and not something for pleasure. I love food and have a weight problem but I will normally lose 4 pounds after staying in Cuba for 2 weeks. You will be in a resort so will not be served normal Cuban food.

Sorry I cannot offer any suggestions about Valadero. I drove part way through it and concluded that it was not what I was looking for in Cuba.

Your call if you think a Domke F-6 with multiple bodies and lenses is light enough to carry all day.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Really? They didn't on the way in, but did on the way out. The sign said "all film below 1600asa is OK."

I just know at terminal 2, they always want to x-ray all the carry on baggage when you enter and exit.

Yes, all x-ray machines tell you that they are OK for asa 1600 and below. And, if I knew the machine was the same as it came from the factory, I would not sweat it so much. We discussed x-raying film a while back. There are different opinions. Kodak's opinion differs from the x-ray machine manufacturer.

 

[literiter]

Food is just a necessity of life in Cuba and not something for pleasure. I love food and have a weight problem but I will normally lose 4 pounds after staying in Cuba for 2 weeks. You will be in a resort so will not be served normal Cuban food.

I can loose a few pounds myself!

Sorry I cannot offer any suggestions about Valadero. I drove part way through it and concluded that it was not what I was looking for in Cuba.

Cheap travel package from Canada. At the time we can go, for the money we want to spend this is what we could get.
Next time I may know something more than I do now.

The wife and I need to get away!

Your call if you think a Domke F-6 with multiple bodies and lenses is light enough to carry all day.

I hope it is.

What camera do you take Bob?

 

[Bob Michaels]

................................. What camera do you take Bob?

I carry 2 Zeiss Ikon bodies, one as a spare. I carry a 28mm lens which is what I shoot with and a 35mm which is a spare. I used to carry 40 rolls of Tri-X for a 2 week trip but have cut that back to 30 rolls. Also several spare batteries.

The spares stay in my room in my casa. I have needed the spare body once and was thankful I had it.

The last few trips I have also taken a compact digital for those "family & friends happy snaps". I bring back 8x10 prints and they are thrilled.

 

[notraces]

Take the Leica. You won't regret it. 35/50 is all you'll need, but the 15mm will be nice for fun close work... Have fun. I hope to be back there soon...

 

[nikon_sam]

having been to Cuba 9 times in the last two years, each normally 2 weeks, I can give some on the ground insight:

Hey Bob...

Are you traveling to Cuba with a US Passport and if so how???
Cuba is one place I'd love to visit...

 

[Mephiloco]

I'd take the Leica or the Nikon. They're smaller and provide great negatives in their own right (comparing to the Hasselblad's capabilities). The Hassy can get big and cumbersome and on trips you don't always want to have to go drop off equipment. Leica/Slr with an extra lens still leaves you mobile. I just got back from a 3 week trip where my 35mm lens broke the first few days, I had my M2 and a 21/4 and a 50/1.2 with a Jupiter 8 as a backup. Kept the 21 on during the day and the 50 on at night. 21 is small enough to fit in any pocket almost, 50 would fit in my lady's purse.

I've basically learned that when you bring a hassy the trip becomes centered around taking shots, especially with the hasselblad and you tend you not enjoy/experience as much because you're trying to get a perfect shot on a nice big negative, even more so than when you bring a Leica. Maybe that's just me. I spent 3 weeks in Europe and only shot 5-6 rolls while having a camera with me 24/7

 

[Bob Michaels]

Are you traveling to Cuba with a US Passport and if so how???
Cuba is one place I'd love to visit...

Long story greatly summarized.

There are 6 or 7 flights per day from Miami to Havana. Probably total of 10 from various points in the US to various cities in Cuba. You can obtain a license for many reasons, most popular is to visit family which has a broad definition. I go to visit my 2nd cousin. There are also permitted "cultural exchange", humanitarian or religious groups; all broadly defined. Many groups do these tours, some specific photo related. Santa Fe Photo workshops is doing 7 weekly workshops (i.e. "cultural exchange") in Havana in January and February this year. (they are very expensive but I know one of the Cuban instructors and he is talented) See Bill Bachmann's website for one I recommend for photographers. Personally, I must travel solo to photograph, but that is just me. In total this seems to add up to about 150,000 - 200,000 Americans who have licenses to fly direct this year.

There seems to be an equivalent amount of Americans who simply buy a ticket to Cancun or Nassau then a separate ticket from there to Cuba. If you are close to Canada you can just drive up and get a direct flight. No one has received hassle from the US Government for simply traveling to Cuba for many years.

Tourism is a major part of the Cuban economy. The Cuban government makes no distinction where you come from. They view the US travel restrictions as our problem, not theirs. Cubans especially like Americans because we spend and tip well.

Cubans have no problems being photographed unlike some Americans. They are a very friendly group and I often get invited into homes to photograph people. The Cuban government places no restrictions on photography other than military installations.

Cuba is a very different and intriguing place with people having a refreshing attitude. Also inexpensive. I highly recommend it.

 

[35mmdelux]

Is this a poll? Trying to enter #1.

 

[literiter]

Is this a poll? Trying to enter #1.

So far it is:
17 for #1 Leicas
2 for #2 Hassy
2 for #3 Nikon

I guess most of us are in agreement that the Leicas are the way to go.
Not a bad idea either.

I'll take:
M2, M4-P, 35, 50 and 15mm lenses. (M4-P as spare)
Polarizing filter (for M)
Light meter will be my Gossen Digisix
Domke F-6 bag will leave room for film, and a book.
Ilford XP-2 B&W film
Fuji 160s Color print

Canon G11 for other stuff.

 

[Teuthida]

Trinidad is a beautiful city. It just cries out for color photographs. While there, be sure you get out to the beaches. Theres an old Soviet built resort thats quite nice.

 

[Teuthida]

Hey Bob...

Are you traveling to Cuba with a US Passport and if so how???
Cuba is one place I'd love to visit...

Fly to Cancun and book a flight there to Havana. They wont stamp your US passport in Havana. Rent a room with a family in Havana. If you need a contact I can give you a great place; former University of Havana professor, beautiful second floor apartment. Last time I went it was 20$ a day with meals.

Havana ia an amazing city.

 

[Vics]

Leica M2 with EITHER 35 or 50, no monopod, tons of one kind of film.

 

[Schlapp]

Stay in casa particulars. Great way to meet people and give them some business. Cienfuegos is an interesting place - a bit ordinary and all the better for it!

 

[literiter]

I've noticed from all these great responses.
You all seem to say:
-"go simple, go light!".

Some say:
-Take no longer than a 50mm and better yet just a 28 or a 35.
-Just take one camera and one lens.
-Just the RF stuff no SLR.
-Forget the tripod, and maybe forget the monopod too.
-No one seems to like the idea of the Hasselblad equipment.