Grenoble

[alexz]

Chances I'll be visiting Grenoble (France) for a few days of business trip some days probably next week.
Not sure how much time I'll have to a shooting, but I'd like to get prepared in terms of whereabouts should I be lucky having time to shoot an enjoy the surrounding...
So, what to see and where to go in Grenoble ?
I'm leaning to pick with me one camera and single lens (probably 35mm cron) to make it easier.

I guess Leica prices are quite stiff in Europe in general so little point to seek for a related shops (I may be on the market for some used M6-M7 0.85 or something like that)..am I wrong ?

 

[degruyl]

The town is quite beautiful, as are the mountains surrounding.

Is your business in town?

If so, and you are staying there, take a walk down towards the Isere and cross over to the other side of the river. Or take the teleferique up to the top of the hill.

The older sections of town are quite beautiful.

Get lunch in the central square and take people pictures.

Will you have a car?

If so, head up the valleys until you see a scene that strikes your fancy. The cliffs of the Chartreuse are incredible. Also, go to the top and eat dinner: there is an old fort up there that has some fantastic food.

It might be snowing on the passes already, but even if it is not: the ski stations are a good place to do landscape type photography.

If you get a chance, go to the Chartreuse distillery. If you like that sort of thing. The drive from Grenoble has some nice tunnels and other photo opportunities as well.

If you have any other questions, ask. I'll try to remember the answers.

Good hunting

 

[alexz]

Thanks a lot David.
Unfortunately, not much time will be available for me to enjoy the beauty of the place, hope at least of a few percentage of what you suggest will be drawn on my film....

 

[ferider]

You do have to spend an evening in Lyon, and, eat in one of the "Bouchons".

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[alexz]

Well...probably...what are these Boushons.. ?

Hmm, sorry for my ignorance...

 

[ferider]

Next to being the home of Bocuse's Auberge, Lyon has many small restaurants, with limited menus but great food. I guess Americans would call this "hole in the wall", where French call it "cork (in the bottle) / Bouchon". Looks like this:

Lyon is also very scenic at night, for example:

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[alexz]

Looks lovely indeed...

So far looks like I'll have quite tight schedule with meetings, etc...will see how much time I'll have available for enjoy shooting around...

 

[degruyl]

Post pictures, if you are so inclined. It will be a walk down memory lane for me.

 

[alexz]

Xmm, one insignificant issue has been forgotten to get clarified: the weather...😉
What do you think kind of weather shall one expect in Grenoble area in the mid of October ? Rainy ? Cloudy ? Reasonably cold ?
Would you consider mainly ISO 400 or 200 would probably fit well there for daylight ?

 

[alexz]

Grenoble - now, B&W or color ?

Grenoble - now, B&W or color ?

Well, now the next question comes is about the mood: B&W or color ?

I'll bring only one camera with me (and apparently a single lens, either 35mm or 50mm), but can hardly come up with the film, B&W or color ?
Most certainly will not have much free time to enjoy the beauty of the area, the schedule is quite tight (this is for work), so most shooting will probably be on-the-go, streets, cafe, occasional views...

I have either Superia 200 or 400 or alternatively Tri-X available at hand..so ?

 

[degruyl]

Tri-X, if it were me. The mountains in the area will be mostly grey, and so will the town.

 

[alexz]

Tri-X, if it were me. The mountains in the area will be mostly grey, and so will the town.

Thanks, point is taken.
Now, the last contemplation is focal length. I definitely will take "one body one lens" approach for that short trip, have to choose between 35mm and 50mm lens. The lens choice will also dictate which camera to be taken with me (35mm goes on M6, 50mm goes on M7).
Given I'm supposedly will mostly be able to shoot on the go and/or probably within the city (streets, cafe, etc..), I'm leaning so far to 35mm...
What do you think ? (bearing acquaintance with Grenoble local reality)..

 

[degruyl]

I'd take the 35mm.

 

[alexz]

Thanks, this is exactly what I did.
Took my M6 with 35mm cron. Now I'm on my way back typing from Lyon airport lounge. The combo fitted exactly my needs in Grenoble city and it appears B&W should work better then color. It was a great pleasure to walk Grenoble streets shooting around with M6 and 35mm lens. Also the cable car provided some magnificent views on the city and the surroundings...

 

[degruyl]

Glad to hear it. I hope you have a good flight home.

 

[alexz]

Thanks.
Have 2 flights ahead...

 

[truatetri]

I am not so hopeful. We'd have heard about it long before now.Plus, I would probably have had to pay for a computer upgrade.

 

[alexz]

I am not so hopeful. We'd have heard about it long before now.Plus, I would probably have had to pay for a computer upgrade.

What are you talking about ?

 

[ferider]

This is just spam, Alex. You are supposed to click the link in the signature.

How was your trip ?

 

[alexz]

ouch...thanks for noting...it appears I'm lucky being slow thinking, otherwise would fall in that trap...🙂

Well, the trip went great, both business-wise and leisure...have some 3-4 hours to stroll throughout the city, crossed it by walk, enjoyed the gorgeous views from the top of the cable car mount...managed to burn nearly 2 rolls of Tri-X through my M6 with 35mm cron...
Have yet developed...need some time to mix some fresh Xtol..

It appears it wasn't my last time being there....