Going Travelling: What Camera and What Film?

[greywind]

I really want to say thanks for all the advice given.

I've wimped out a bit an I'm going to be taking an Olympus E-PL3 but I'm going to take a Rollei 35 too.

Weight, nervousness of my ability and ease of use were all factors in going with the digital camera.

Thanks again for everyones help 🙂

 

[noisycheese]

I spent the first six months of this year on a trip that took me from Beijing, to Canada, to Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and back to China.

I took a Leica M2, a 35mm, a 50mm, and a 90mm. I only took one camera. Never had any issues with it. In hindsight I would have left the 90mm at home. It was used too little and I could have gotten most of those shots with the 50.

I also took 120 rolls of film. 100 rolls of Arista 400 premium and 20 rolls of color. The key thing for me was a ND filter. The sun in S.E.Asia is BRIGHT!

I would guess that I went through 20 x-ray machines (could be more) and there were no issues. I never bothered to try getting a hand inspection.

The key to the film is to take it out of the boxes, alternate the canisters right side up and upside down. I taped 5 rolls in a row and then stacked them like honeycombs. actually was quite manageable for space. Weight was a bit heavy, but not THAT bad.

I never had problems in any city, including Saigon at night. Just keep aware of your surroundings and keep the strap wrapped around your wrist.

Most important, enjoy the trip.

You were extremely fortunate. I just returned from Mongolia, where on day eight of a ten day trip, my MP body broke down on me (film advance malfunction). I was VERY relieved and happy to have my M4-P as a backup.

 

[philipaloft]

If you've picked up a Rollei 35 to take with, it wouldn't surprise me to hear that the meter is functioning . However, you might find it worthwhile using the metering on the Olympus E-PLS to at least see if both camera readings are in sync., and if not, what's up.
Philip

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I just read one photog comment (another forum) about Rolley 35 after he returns from vacation travel in Europe.
He puts it on sale and keeps XA4, which he finds to be much easier to use and walkaround.

 

[noisycheese]

I took my Rollei 35 to Mongolia and found it to be well suited to travel photography, provided you have a good grasp of zone focusing technique. It is not really any more difficult or time consuming to load film in or rewind than an M camera is (IMO).

If you want/need a camera that you can blast away with and make 500 images nonstop, the Rollei 35 is not the right camera for the job - but then neither is a film M camera. Only a digital camera is up to that task (until the battery craps out, that is)...

 

[Bensingindo]

To be honest, I'm not bothered either way. I was going to take only one lens. I like 50mm lenses but I'd consider in between 35mm and 50mm.

The Canonet QL17 came up a bit and now here twice, I'll look into it.

The Canon 7s I found on eBay broke to budget once a lens was taken into consideration.

For preference between 35mm and 50mm Leica CL with interchangeable 40mm f.2 Leica summicron would be a good choice.

For a budget alternative, may opt for Werra 3 fixed 50mm Zeiss Jena lens, the outlook in attractive Olive skin. Or, Werra 5 with 50mm changeable Zeiss 35, 50, 100mm lens. Werra still under priced at this moment.

 

[greywind]

For preference between 35mm and 50mm Leica CL with interchangeable 40mm f.2 Leica summicron would be a good choice.

For a budget alternative, may opt for Werra 3 fixed 50mm Zeiss Jena lens, the outlook in attractive Olive skin. Or, Werra 5 with 50mm changeable Zeiss 35, 50, 100mm lens. Werra still under priced at this moment.

Such a pretty camera I picked a decent one up for cheap.

Don't know if I'd take it however.

 

[Bingley]

I really want to say thanks for all the advice given.

I've wimped out a bit an I'm going to be taking an Olympus E-PL3 but I'm going to take a Rollei 35 too.

Weight, nervousness of my ability and ease of use were all factors in going with the digital camera.

Thanks again for everyones help 🙂

Not a bad combination at all. Enjoy your trip and post photos when you return. And tell us how you found that combination.

 

[David Hughes]

Such a pretty camera I picked a decent one up for cheap.

Don't know if I'd take it however.

Hi,

The CL used to be the ideal for travel, RF for accurate focusing, centre weighted meter and manual controls to get the exposure spot on and the shutter speed shown in the VF. Plus those lovely lenses and small size and very easy loading. And the batteries (Wein cells) are small and so easy to carry a supply of them.

The 40mm was a good wide angle for places and the 90mm a good lens for people and details. These days a 28mm addition would be a good idea but that's not a problem.

Anyway, that's what I used mine for for many years. I still have it and use it but, since old age means I mostly revisit old haunts it's no longer my travel camera. Instead I take a small P&S and, btw, the lens quality of them is far better than people expect, which is why I suggest them. A point and shoot (28-90mm zoom) would be a good back up, cheaper and lighter than a second CL body.

Regards, David

 

[greywind]

Hi,

The CL used to be the ideal for travel, RF for accurate focusing, centre weighted meter and manual controls to get the exposure spot on and the shutter speed shown in the VF. Plus those lovely lenses and small size and very easy loading. And the batteries (Wein cells) are small and so easy to carry a supply of them.

The 40mm was a good wide angle for places and the 90mm a good lens for people and details. These days a 28mm addition would be a good idea but that's not a problem.

Anyway, that's what I used mine for for many years. I still have it and use it but, since old age means I mostly revisit old haunts it's no longer my travel camera. Instead I take a small P&S and, btw, the lens quality of them is far better than people expect, which is why I suggest them. A point and shoot (28-90mm zoom) would be a good back up, cheaper and lighter than a second CL body.

Regards, David

I meant I bought a Werra 3.

I love the CL but it was a little pricey.

 

[Film dino]

Availability of film- In urban Malaysia there are many camera shops, particularly in the malls, but you'll be hard put to find film. Whatever there is will have been sitting in a counter for an unknown period.

Film can be found in a few places in Bangkok, but you have to know where. Online choice & prices are better- there are a couple of sellers based in Thailand e.g.http://www.ebay.com/sch/films-festival/m.html

Singapore has sellers in Peninsula Plaza, North Bridge Road

 

[thawkins]

M3 and HP5.

 

[greywind]

M3 and HP5.

Ah the cheap option.