Going to France.

G

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Ok, I am 58 years old and carrying heavy camera gear is a thing of the past.
I have my FatherS Zeiss Super Ikonta C, in pristine condition, Opton glass.
Now I only shoot BW with it.
Hasselblad 503CW
150mm
50mm
80mm
Meter prism
SWC/M just serviced last month.
FourA12 backs.
M6
M3
Nikon digital SLR.
Two Minolta spot meters.

I am thinking of taking the .......
Super Ikonta,
SWC/M
Three backs, one BW, one Slide and one Colour Neg.
and the Nikon for clicking the rubbish. Both spot meters.

Going to....
Paris.
Mont St Michelle both need wide angle.
Dinan a medieval town also needs wide angle.
Carnac town and then onto
Belle Isle a beautiful small island of the coast.

What do you think of my choices, no way taking the Leica stuff, never use them now. That 503 with a 50 mm stuck on is heavy, the SWC/M is so light, shooting at a 1/15th is a breeze.......

So am I mad or not. If I took the 503, it would mean leaving the Ikonta behind I am afraid.

Cheers,
James.
 
What do you want to take photos of - there's lots of opportunities where you are going to take any number of shots.

I've recently started taking one camera and one lens for film work on holidays and have been really pleased with the results: it simplifies life and in practice you use the kit to get the shots you want.

I used my 500cm + 80mm on a two week tour of New England, with a couple of backs - one colour, one b&w. As I'd only used the one lens I bought a Rolleiflex 3.5F to reduce the size of the kit and found that even better. I also carry a Fuji XF-1 digital camera for all the other shots.

So, out of your kit, I think your idea of the Ikonta plus SWC/M is the right one, else just take the 503 +80mm.
 
I would go for the good images and good images are made when you don't make a mess with cameras. Take the SWC and two backs. The slides are a thing of the past, colour neg if you really need to, else 2 backs 1 for Tri X and the other for a 100 ISO B&W film. Then take also the M6 with a 35mm and 50mm. Out in the streets or field the SWC and a 35mm go well together, when you need to shoot people 50mm wins.
 
I am a landscape boy and building boy. Do not like people in my images, unless unavoidable. My issue is will the SWC/M be wider than I need, so should I use the 503 with the 50 and take the 150 as well. And by doing so just a take the Nikon and leave the Ikonta behind.
I wish I was Ansel with a mule, then all options would be possible. The Hasselblad glass is so so superb.
The places are so wide angle image orientated, Paris, Mont St Michelle and Dinan a beautiful compact town, I am in a maze of what to do. The 150mm would be a great extra but I keep thinking that the Ikonta 100 lens would take up that lump of weight and glass.
I just wish I could take all of my children with me.
This is not a post of a twit, I am honestly having issues with what to take here. Was in England my home country last year and it was all way over the top. I took the whole Hasselblad, Ikonta and Nikon kit.
I like to use the Ikonta because of my Father, he bought it in Stuttgart 1954, I arrived in 1957. It just has something special, the length of glass and the coating produces incredible BW images. I miss my Father, he beat me badly teaching me Latin and French as a child but we got on so well later in life, the camera has a contact with him for me, I forgave him so using it helps me in that time of my life. I wish he could help me now but since he is not here, I am asking you.
He always shouted CRASH when I fired the Hasselblad, loud as it is when shooting but he was very impressed with the images it produced in BW.
Hell I am 58 as of a week ago today, it is a strange life we all travel.
I suppose I need to buy a mule when I land in Paris.
Cheers,
James.
 
If it were me, from your selection of cameras, I would take the Super Ikonta, the M6 and a 50 and 35 lens. That's it. I might replace the Super Ikonta with the Hasselblad, but this is travel, so a folder makes sense for 120 and the Super Ikonta resonates with you b/c it was your father's camera. It can take beautiful photos. Use it and think of him.
 
I am 71 so much has changed for me..
Weight once easily carried, a thing of the past.
The plus side is a joy in carrying way less..
Less decisions, less complexities, less mess up!
Decide what you really want.
You want.
Honor your dad with great photos..
Carry way less.
I carry point and shoot digital.😀
Anybody can get shots of you and whoever is with..
Easy to share.
The decision is whether you are actually going to make large prints.:bang:
Take the Super Ikonta, using it for color neg and maybe BW.
Conversion to BW easy as is filtering in Photoshop.
Forget about the Nikon DSLR, as you said "only for rubbish".
Never waste frames film or digital.
Each could be a lasting image..
I doubt you will add a P/S digital..
so grab your M6,no more than 2 lenses, using meter for Ikonta..
A lot smaller load.
Enjoy!
 
Hasselblad and a digital p&s. Maybe include the swc. Taking along a dslr for "the rubbish"? Then take a small light p&s and use the rest of the weight for something you will enjoy using.

The Ikonta C is 6x9 and with a standard lens, not as wide as you seem to enjoy and expect to use a lot. I'm also a landscape and building shooter and like it wide, not normal. Also doing travel/tourist shooting in 6x9 means a lot of film to take. Having a single format also eases decicion making.

I'd try to cut back to 2 films, b&w + colour or 2 different sensitivities. You have to take film along as well for your visit. Forget finding 120 film anywhere except in specialised stores in large cities or the net. You won't have time to mail order, it can take up to a week to arrive.

Don't see the use of taking 2 spotmeters along. Unless they are not reliable, but then I would ditch them and get a reliable meter. Nothing more frustrating than ending with badly exposed medium format. With what film costs these days a singing-dancing-coffe-making lightmeter with all the bells on is cheap.
 
My wife and I did a road trip (Route 66) in October 2013. I took a Nikon F3, a Nikon FE + 20mm, 35mm and 85mm lenses + a load of Velvia 100F and Ilford XP2 Super. I was very happy with the lighter weight option - even though I was able to transport via the hire car.

If I was doing the trip you're doing, in NW France, I would take the Hassy 503CW + 50 and 80 lenses + either the M6 and 50mm or a digi point and shoot. The M6 or digi could double-up as a meter.

I love slide film and still use it. That said, it is very intolerant of over and under exposure so, unless I have time to meter accurately, I use Portra 160 or 400 as that allows a lot more latitude. For B&W, I'm a bit more promiscuous but usually limit myself to any Ilford or Kodak 400 ISO film that takes my fancy on the day.

I'm 54 and, although I don't have a problem carrying heavy gear, I don't carry it if I don't feel I need to.
 
Sounds like you're bringing far too much. SWC + DSLR would be my choice. The DSLR can double as your meter and rangefinder, though I would ideally go for something smaller.

Or just take the SWC.
 
Mont St. Michelle in the summer is like being in the NYC subway at rush hour. I can't imagine trying to use a Hasselblad under those conditions. Take the Super Ikonta.

In a city like Paris I like to have a camera that fits in my pocket, preferably one which don't worry too much about getting stolen. The last time I was there I carried a Zorkii with an I-22.
 
I am not usually big on "What should I take" threads. But there are some good points. Four or five years ago, I had a really bad back problem. It got to the point I could only take short baby steps, barely getting on foot past the toes of the other. So I understand not wanting to carry too much weight. That was one of the things that got me to trying out MF folders, something I still like. I have a Super Press 23 and lenses from 50mm to 250mm. Personally I would not want to be carrying all that around all day. I did carry it a lot the first time I was in Korea, along with my 35mm kit. I used it almost exclusively for b/w. I still have a weak mind, but now also a weak body.

Some 12 or so years ago, when my daughter was in Germany, I anticipated going to visit her, and travel some around Germany. I put together a kit with a Yashica FX103 and FX-3 for battery-less backup. It had a dedicated flash, a 50mm f/1.4 Contax, and three zooms from 18mm to 150mm, and a 2x teleconverter. I am not afraid to switch rolls back and forth from color to b/w, but I had a Welta 6x6 folder for MF b/w. I now have a 6mp Sony P&S from my daughters which I would take as well. I still use that kit except that I have a Contax 167mt now, and a Zeiss 6x9 folder with Novar lens. It all fits into a pretty small bag, along with film.

But that doesn't reflect what you have, nor is there any way I can know what type of photography is most important to you. But if any of that helps you make decisions now or in the future, I would be happy for you.
 
Been away for the week.

Thank you for the comments. I am more a landscape and building photographer. Mont St Michell is so tight, it has to be a wide lump of glass, same with Paris. The 50mm on the 503 CW is superb, when I was last in New York it just did not have the width I thought it would have for that city.
I only use the film cameras for something worthwhile and when it could end up on the wall. The digital is for postcard stuff, ie rubbish, memory stuff that I will probably not ever print.
I am going with my gut feeling....

SWC/M and three backs.
Super Ikonta for BW
Nikon DSLR
Two Minolta Spot Meters, one in case.
Gitzo Monopod
And a whole bunch of 120 a Roll film
Billingham bag

Did not want to go in August, but our friend is the President of a Paris based perfume company. It is his retirement party that is taking place in France, it lasts for three days in a Chateaux. We just have to get there, so I am using the time before and after to show my wife some of France. We stayed at one of his houses a place at Mont Blanc a few years ago and the SWC/M just took the best images of the area there and over the Swiss border, in the small villages with the mountains all around. The Ikonta will do the non wide BW 6x9 stuff.
Right that is it, I have decided.
Cheers to you all.
James.
 
This appears to be heavy for traveling, but you know best what suits you and what does not. A lighter set would be the SWC alone, with three backs and one light meter.
 
The SWC is certainly not too wide for France! Not with those narrow streets! However, here is what I took last time:

Leica IIIc with 35mm CV Color-Skopar.
Leica IIIc with 28mm CV lens.
Extra 25mm CV lens for when needed.

Leica M7 with 40mm f/1.4 CV lens.
Adapters to use the wider lenses on the M7.

Leica Digilux 3.
Leica Digilux 4.

If I carried the IIIcs, I left the M7 in the apartment. I could carry both IIIcs and both Digilux cameras without being burdened. It all fit in a small vest. Or I could bring the M7, one IIIc, and one Digilux. I never once felt I brought the wrong gear.

I would not bring a Hasselblad 500C/M, 503, or the like, for reasons you gave. Too big and bulky. But I can't imagine going to France without the M6 and 2 or 3 lenses!

And though I've never used a Super Ikonta, it sounds like a great idea!

I'd bring the Nikon digital--or some digital!

Have a great trip!
 
vitaly66 said:
I think your plan of the Ikonta + SWC is perfect.

Last time in Paris with a 6x9 Ikonta and Rolleiflex:


http://incidence.copperisle.com/site.cgi?entry=2009.02.26_1


http://incidence.copperisle.com/site.cgi?entry=2009.03.08_1


http://incidence.copperisle.com/site.cgi?entry=2009.03.14_1


http://incidence.copperisle.com/site.cgi?entry=2009.02.28_1
Click to expand...


Yep, you have me drooling. BW is going to be my main topic of recording there.
I plugged into google IMAGES OF DINAN/ MONT ST MICHELL/CARNAC AND BELL ISLE FRANCE. Each search made me think the SWC/M was going to be in great demand .
I can keep stuff I do not want in the car or hotel room. But this set up is way lighter than I have previously gone away with. When in Switzerland and Mont Blanc the other year, it was used 80% of the time backed up with the DSLR. I had not by then got my old mans Ikonta serviced, the grease inside had suddenly frozen up and the rangefinder was in a bad way, so I left it behind. The 100mm Opton will be very handy this time.
More worrying has been the fact that wy wife's cat RIESIE an exotic cat has been very ill, we had worried about leaving her behind. Sadly today she is going to sleep, the last two days she has stopped eating, so today is the day.
Lots of tears will be being shed in the next few hours. I am now going to call the vet and get things organized.
Cheers again chaps,
James.
 
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