Pablito
coco frío
Rock of ages!
Going to France, should I take my evil dslr..?
- Thread starter jpa66
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 31
- Views 4K
Rock of ages!
micromontenegro
Well-known
Similar to Raid, last year I took just a Nikon S3 with 50/1.4 and 21mm, and a Rollei 35.
Oh, and my Contax IIIa, but it was on a special asignement, and stayed "home" most of the time.
Next time I'll probably take only the Nikon.
Oh, and my Contax IIIa, but it was on a special asignement, and stayed "home" most of the time.
Next time I'll probably take only the Nikon.
Armoured
Well-known
That sounds suspiciously familiar...
That sounds suspiciously familiar...
What is it you're doing travelling with my wife? Now we both have to get her a camera? :0
And I think ours is also a Canon 8-something. Actually, this arrangement is easier and lighter than the previous. When I got my wife a DSLR because she was getting into photography, I ended up carrying it all the time (too heavy). At least she lets me use the soapbar - occasionally. Ah, I guess there's always the camera phone.
That sounds suspiciously familiar...
What is it you're doing travelling with my wife? Now we both have to get her a camera? :0
And I think ours is also a Canon 8-something. Actually, this arrangement is easier and lighter than the previous. When I got my wife a DSLR because she was getting into photography, I ended up carrying it all the time (too heavy). At least she lets me use the soapbar - occasionally. Ah, I guess there's always the camera phone.
- Local time
- 7:57 AM
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2005
- Messages
- 6,270
Do not bother with the D70. Not because it's Evil, but because it's too large. I'd say leave the Bessa home and shoot TLR for film only. Pick up a Ricoh GRD III and CV 28mm Black Finder for your pocket and get lots of film for the Rollie.
Lite is better.
B2
Lite is better.
B2
bobkonos
Well-known
Better leave it at home: French border officials confiscate digital cameras. After all, Cartier Bresson came form France and film worked for him.
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
On my last visit I used my M8 with CZ 25/2.8 quite a bit. Carried the 28mm Ricoh GRD II for quick snaps. Also used some other lenses for the M, including the 50mm C-Sonnar and a 135 for a few shots.
Enjoy your trip, it's my favorite city to visit and shoot in 🙂
Kent
Enjoy your trip, it's my favorite city to visit and shoot in 🙂
Kent
robbeiflex
Well-known
I agree. Paris is two hours by train for me, and we go there as often as possible (which is unfortunately still not enough). I've had way more fun there with a Zorki 4K and J-8 than I ever did with a DSLR. My wife's Canon 8-something-or-other point & shoot does the rest very well, and it is usually conveniently in her purse or pocket.
BTW: Try the Marais district both for shopping and shooting some street, it's mostly pedestrian zones or streets so narrow there are no cars. You might find fixed-gear bike riders doing tricks and playing polo near the Centre Pompidou, unless they've already moved on to a new place, but there are always street performers there anyway. Maison du Lieca, Moyen Format and Grand Format are on the Boulevard Beaumarchais a short walk from the Bastille metro stop. That's where I got my changing bag and they have other useful stuff but are dangerous places if you are susceptible to GAS 😉
If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me.
BTW: Try the Marais district both for shopping and shooting some street, it's mostly pedestrian zones or streets so narrow there are no cars. You might find fixed-gear bike riders doing tricks and playing polo near the Centre Pompidou, unless they've already moved on to a new place, but there are always street performers there anyway. Maison du Lieca, Moyen Format and Grand Format are on the Boulevard Beaumarchais a short walk from the Bastille metro stop. That's where I got my changing bag and they have other useful stuff but are dangerous places if you are susceptible to GAS 😉
If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me.
robbeiflex
Well-known
That's nothing, try taking a Rolleiflex through German airport security and I guarantee you will get:
1) Questioning looks from security,
2) A thorough unpacking of you carry-on bag,
2a Optional) Taken aside for swabs and chemical testing,
3) Compliments on your camera!
😀
Vince Lupo
Whatever
I did 8 days in Vienna over Christmas, and I had my Contaflex TLR kit and a Hasselblad SWC. I should have left the SWC at home. Interesting though - I didn't get any more intensive security screening at the airport than anyone else (didn't open my bag, no swabbing, etc).
I'd recommend keeping it as simple as possible -- particularly if you're going to be walking around all day and lugging this stuff with you. It will become a major pain on your neck, shoulders, back, and on your mind too. Plus I think it will affect your enjoyment of the city....if this will be a vacation, then make it a vacation, not a burden.
The other nice thing is that using a vintage camera (the Rollei, for example) is a great ice-breaker in terms of striking up conversations, and that could be of assistance to you in an unfamiliar city. I had more than one waiter/shop owner in Paris give me better service just because I had a Leica M2 around my neck....of course, being able to speak French helped too!
I'd recommend keeping it as simple as possible -- particularly if you're going to be walking around all day and lugging this stuff with you. It will become a major pain on your neck, shoulders, back, and on your mind too. Plus I think it will affect your enjoyment of the city....if this will be a vacation, then make it a vacation, not a burden.
The other nice thing is that using a vintage camera (the Rollei, for example) is a great ice-breaker in terms of striking up conversations, and that could be of assistance to you in an unfamiliar city. I had more than one waiter/shop owner in Paris give me better service just because I had a Leica M2 around my neck....of course, being able to speak French helped too!
Last edited:
rolleistef
Well-known
I might not live in the same country as them, then, did you ever have such problem or was it an "I was told that?"
As for the more specific question : I would advocate as well the digital point and shoot (for mummy smiling, daddy being photograph in front of other tourists half hiding Notre-Dame etc) and RF combinaison. If you feel tough and creative stick to a normal lens and take the Rolleiflex, so that I can pass you down the street and think "does that guy know RFF?" and other come and talk with you on the métro.
If you need to buy MF films, two places for that :
Negatif+, 106 Rue lafayette, métro Poissonière (ligne 7) which also provide quality cheap processing. If you leave your film before 1pm it's ready at 4:30 something.
Prophot, rue condorcet (not sure of the numero, check the net, métro Cadet ligne 7). It is the Heaven of film user since they simply have all the films, papers and chemicals that exist on earth, from cheap RC to expensive 40x60 barytea. They close on saturday.
If you feel like you want to spend some time licking the shop windows, as we say (faire du lèche-vitrine), do not miss Boulevard Beaumarchais (métro Bastille), nicknamed by french photographers "Boulevard of Crime" because the prices get so high there. The three sister shops "La Maison du Leica", "La maison du Moyen Format" et "La maison du Grand Format" is a kind of toucheable summary of what this forum is all about.
Have fun!
rolleistef
Well-known
Sorry hadn't read your post well enough!
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
For my last three trips, I've brought both a DSLR and a rangefinder. The question for me usually boils down to "which ones should I not bring?" 😉
One important thing to know would be: where in France? If you're just snapshooting away, I'd say bring the DSLR.
If you think you'll have time to take your shots, your rangefinder. If you'll be there long enough to one day carry the DSLR, another the rangefinder, then bring both. It's better to have extra options than not to have any!
Similar threads
