Going to India, what to take, gearwise? The agony of choice...

[payasam]

There's nothing about India which lends itself to any particular camera. We use them all. Bring whatever you are comfortable with carrying and using.

As for theft, India is no worse than any other place. The British robbers left in 1947.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

As for theft, India is no worse than any other place. The British robbers left in 1947.

....and knowing a good thing - quite a few of yours followed!! 🙄

 

[skibeerr]

As Payasam said take whatever you are comfy with. I have never felt uncomfortable or threatened in India but you will have to say no a lot.
Personally I like the idea of the TLR.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Amen, to that, Payasam.

.

Yes - his advice was sound!.....but the insult was unnecessary on a photography forum - especially when so many of his countrymen flocked here ( and still do! ) for a better life! 😡

 

[sirius]

If I was going on this trip I would take the Leica and a 35mm lens. I'd take my film out of the plastic containers and keep it all in one big zip-lock bag (smaller that way). I'd budget 2-3 rolls per day unless you're a monster shooter. Wrap your strap around your arm, be aware of what is happening around you, and careful about setting your bag down and maybe tangling it around something so it can't be quickly grabbed.

 

[bo_lorentzen]

Take the camera which is going to be the most "fun" for you to shoot with. I'm sure down-town Los Angeles is sketchier than most places in India. been to India a couple of times dragging a broadcast camera and a SLR.... nothing happened.

Bo

www.bophoto.typepad.com

 

[payasam]

Not an insult, Dave, but objective history. Search for "Dadabhai Naoroji" if you want an early analysis of how the Brits exploited India. A pity that you sound like Enoch Powell in his "rivers of blood" phase.

 

[Turtle]

I took a Mamiya 7 kit to India last year - NP ... along with 100 rolls of 120 - NP.

I would take the M2, personally, but the Nikon will do just fine too. Keep things simple and enjoy. FWIW I shot mainly around the 35 FL and could have done fine with nothing but this.

Taking film with is no issue if you keep it in hand luggage.

 

[fotomeow]

.....simmer down, there, boys......lets get back to the important stuff, the fotography...........
I travelled/backpacked in India for a month in 2005, I took an M6 with 15-28-50-90mm lenses and a digi P&S. Although 4 lenses was great, I still think it was one too many. If I were to do it again, I would only take 3 lenses, to focus my photographic intent a bit more. Too many lenses for me equals too many choices, and distracts me from getting better shots with fewer lenses (although I may not get the variety of shots).
I travelled with an Aussie buddy who had Konica RF with 2 lenses and a Rolleicord TLR. I think his use of 2 formats with fewer lenses was a wiser choice.
Based on this, I would definitely go with the RF and a smaller mdium format. And heres another reason why: many of the people of India are watching you as closely as you are watching them--> the more inconspicuous the camera the better, thus the RF with few lenses to change around. I mean, if you just shooting the main tourist spots of building and stuff, then its no big deal, but I think the more interesting shots are of the people, and certainly here, inobtrusiveness is rewarded..And the TLR/med format? well, you will get such detailed shots that the negatives will remind your every fiber the excitement yoiu were feeling at that moment.
my 2 rupees........

 

[Ronald_H]

Thanks again guys. It must be said I will only there for business and it remains to be seen what shooting opportunities I will have.

I regret that so much emphasis is put on my slight fear to get my M2 stolen or damaged. It's not that I don't trust the good people of India any more or any less than others, it's that my M2 is my precious. I just don't want to worry about it. As much as I love my FM, if it gets broken I know I'll have another one for a song the next week.

I'll let you know how it all turned out when I get back!

 

[naruto]

Thanks again guys. It must be said I will only there for business and it remains to be seen what shooting opportunities I will have.

I regret that so much emphasis is put on my slight fear to get my M2 stolen or damaged. It's not that I don't trust the good people of India any more or any less than others, it's that my M2 is my precious. I just don't want to worry about it. As much as I love my FM, if it gets broken I know I'll have another one for a song the next week.

I'll let you know how it all turned out when I get back!

Ronald have a great time in India. What areas are you visiting? I am located in Bangalore, so if you need anything ping me.

I would really suggest to take the M2 with a 35 lens.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Not an insult, Dave, but objective history. Search for "Dadabhai Naoroji" if you want an early analysis of how the Brits exploited India. A pity that you sound like Enoch Powell in his "rivers of blood" phase.

Is not the Enoch Powell comparison a little extreme Mukul?...because I took exception to your totally unnecessary reference to "British robbers", all the more surprising - coming from someone who admits to spending a lot of time over here among them.....as I said - it is a PHOTOGRAPHY forum, not a political platform.
Dave.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Not an insult, Dave, but objective history. Search for "Dadabhai Naoroji" if you want an early analysis of how the Brits exploited India. A pity that you sound like Enoch Powell in his "rivers of blood" phase.

Are you sure you aren't over-reacting? Sure there was colonial exploitation, and a lot of very bad stuff, including the Amritsar massacre, but to throw in a remark like your orginal one, entirely gratuitously, in the early 21st century, is a bit like dragging the Nazis into a thread on modern Zeiss lenses. And the comparison with Enoch Powell definitely looks a bit over the top.

There were some pretty loathesome rajahs, maharajahs, etc., if you want to start digging up derogatory history. I'm not defending the British in India, but the worst excesses and murders came during partition, without British help. Come to that, communalism can be pretty nasty today, and the BJP make Cong (I) look like angels.

I can understand your irritation at the assumption that there is much risk of theft in India, but this might salve the wound slightly (picture caption from http://www.semiadventuroustraveler.com/semi india1.html)


Goa's beaches are of course a magnet for beggars, and even more for vendors of goods and services that you not only don't know you needed, but which, on finding out about them, you actively know that you don't want. But quite honestly, the majority of Indians you meet (including the hawkers) are more honest than many of the tourists.

and (elsewhere in the same piece)

PETTY CRIME AND BIKE SECURITY

Petty crime is cheeringly far from being a major problem, but even so, many hotels and restaurants will have a door-keeper or parking attendant who will be happy to keep an eye on your bike while you patronize the establishment. Before you go in, tip him a few rupees for eagle-eyed service. Sometimes, too, you will find freelance bike minders who will look after the bike (and anything on it) for you. Give them ten or twenty rupees when you stop, and promise the same again when you get back, and the bike will be well guarded. Why don't they steal things? I don't know, but they don't. Or maybe we've just been lucky.

I'd be obliged if you could update the recommendations for the amount to tip.

Cheers,

R.

 

[JPSuisse]

@ Ronald

My opinion is that the colors in India are often just phenomenal. Just the daily activity in India makes for interesting shots. All the people carrying enormous loads of stuff on a little bike, the signage, etc.

That having been said, I would probably go with the FM and slide film. The FM has a meter in it and the older Ms don't.

When I was in India last time I had 2 MPs with me: 1 Film and 1 Black and White including 28, 35, and 50. If I were to go again, I would try to shoot more color.

As a funny note: when I was leaving the airport in Dehli the security guards were very suspect about my bag with the "metal bricks" in it. When they opened the bad and found 2 MPs and film they looked at each other and then asked me, "Film? Are you English?" 🙂)) Go figure!

@ Paysam

Probably every culture has something against another culture for some historical reason. Germans for instance could be fretting about the Russian occupation of Königsberg, but they're dealing with it... I would try to get past the history and concentrate on the present. I'm not British and don't want to moralize about your country, but a lot of the problems in modern India seem to come from "robbers within the country." India is an incredibly wealthy country, but the wealth is so unfairly shared.

JP

 

[Neare]

Cameras aside and as JPSuisse said, colour film may end up being far more valuable than B&W.

 

[oftheherd]

Dave,

Feeling grumpy with the weather was one of the many reasons I left the UK nearly 20 years ago. Below freezing here but crystal clear blue skies and sunshine<s>

But snow? From our Korean TV channels, it looks like Korea is getting its fair share.

For the OP, whichever, I would travel light, and safe. I would take my own film based on how much time I expected to have for personal photography. Enjoy.

 

[MatthewThompson]

It shouldn't matter to you what we at RFF would take, but I'd bring only the Mju and good color film. Convert what you want to B&W when you get home, less agonizing about lenses and choices. Enjoy being there first and foremost.

 

[skibeerr]

Regarding Dave Wilkinson vs Payasam

Read "The Glass Palace" wile you are there ...., Indonesia, Congo etc. who is without blame?

Look at the "now" of India, you might be flabbergasted if you can get the time to explore outside of the business trip arrangements. I certainly need a few weeks to digest every time I return home.

 

[KenR]

Kiss

Kiss

I am an advocate of the "keep it simple stupid" principle. Either 35mm or MF, not both. Either B&W or color, not both. 2 or 3 lenses, not every lens ever made for the camera in question. As has been debated endlessly on RFF, there is a tradeoff between too little gear and too much. Personally, extra weight and extra choices of too much gear take away from my photography, but that is what works for me. You have to decide what works for you.

 

[Carterofmars]

Considering this a business trip, and you'll probably won't find yourself in the bush, I would bring the Leica for sure. SLR's are great for weddings, and scenic stuff, but If you think your going to find yourself in close proximity to you subjects then a RF is best IMHO. Either way enjoy yourself and please post some of the images you make when you get back.

Can I come?

😉