JayC
5 kids,3 dogs,only 1 wife
I am going there for three weeks. I was there in 2005, but had a completely different camera/lens set-up. I took a Canon 10d and EOS 3 with a 17-40mm and an 85mm. Swapping the lenses between the full frame and crop camera gave me a range of 17mm up to 136mm with just a small gap in the middle. This time around I am wondering what to take.
It was going to be an m6 with a 35mm, an m3 with a 21mm and a Mamiya 7 with a 65mm, plus a small digital. I am now thinking that might be a little too much. I just picked up a Panasonic GF1 to replace my aging Canon G7 digital. The GF1 has the 20mm 1.7 lens. I think that plus the Mamiya will give me low light shooting with the necessary digital for blogging, and the Mamiya for all else. I have a boatload of 220 film, so I won't need to change rolls so often. Just 2 cameras, 2 lenses that are easy to carry in a smallish bag.
The trip will be for an adoption (like last time), but there is a ton of time for photography. What say you all? Will not having a super-wide (my 21mm) lens be missed? The GF1 and Mamiya sport lenses that are equivalent to 40mm and 33mm in 35mm.
Here is my new-ish blog that I will use to document my travels and the adoption: www.jaychadney.com
I will also be spending 3 days in Hong Kong.
It was going to be an m6 with a 35mm, an m3 with a 21mm and a Mamiya 7 with a 65mm, plus a small digital. I am now thinking that might be a little too much. I just picked up a Panasonic GF1 to replace my aging Canon G7 digital. The GF1 has the 20mm 1.7 lens. I think that plus the Mamiya will give me low light shooting with the necessary digital for blogging, and the Mamiya for all else. I have a boatload of 220 film, so I won't need to change rolls so often. Just 2 cameras, 2 lenses that are easy to carry in a smallish bag.
The trip will be for an adoption (like last time), but there is a ton of time for photography. What say you all? Will not having a super-wide (my 21mm) lens be missed? The GF1 and Mamiya sport lenses that are equivalent to 40mm and 33mm in 35mm.
Here is my new-ish blog that I will use to document my travels and the adoption: www.jaychadney.com
I will also be spending 3 days in Hong Kong.
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Colin Corneau
Colin Corneau
I've made 5 trips to China in the past 8 years, to almost all regions. Carrying anything from a Crown Graphic 4x5 to a Lumix LX-3.
You're wise to minimize. It all depends on your style and personal preferences, but I'd rely on a small P&S for any blogging or digital work. The 35mm lens, on your Leica is probably the best all around 'everything' focal length. But you'd be better off with more film gear -- you can scan in negs later on, after all.
Your original list, of 4 cameras, is actually pretty modest. A decent pack will easily carry that around and you won't feel like a pack mule, either.
If you're worried about that, or have mobility/back issues, remember you can always leave a piece or two of kit in your room and just choose which camera you'll go out with each day.
You're wise to minimize. It all depends on your style and personal preferences, but I'd rely on a small P&S for any blogging or digital work. The 35mm lens, on your Leica is probably the best all around 'everything' focal length. But you'd be better off with more film gear -- you can scan in negs later on, after all.
Your original list, of 4 cameras, is actually pretty modest. A decent pack will easily carry that around and you won't feel like a pack mule, either.
If you're worried about that, or have mobility/back issues, remember you can always leave a piece or two of kit in your room and just choose which camera you'll go out with each day.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Back in 2000 I was in Hong Kong, Kowloon and Guangzhou. I had a Pentax ME super with a 50mm lens and 70-210 zoom. I wished so much that I had a wide-angle. I came back with some great photos, but there are some pretty narrow streets and using a wide is great when lots of people are around. I love carrying an M with a 21 around NYC or Philly these days.
I guess I'd say definitely carry the 21mm if you find yourself using it a good amount in your normal shooting.
When you miss having it, you really miss it.
Good luck & congrats!
Phil Forrest
I guess I'd say definitely carry the 21mm if you find yourself using it a good amount in your normal shooting.
When you miss having it, you really miss it.
Good luck & congrats!
Phil Forrest
Frank Petronio
Well-known
I did that adoption trip in 2004, to the White Swan and all ;-)
It really is subjective, but a 28-35-40mm equivalent lens is key.
In 2004 I used a Nikon D70 with a 24 and 50 combo (~35 and 75 equivalent) and was satisfied, as having a portrait lens solution was handy for the families and babies. But the 24 was on the camera 90% of the time during the daytime.
Unfortunately neither the Mamiya 6 nor the Pany GF1 have an easy portrait lens solution either. IMHO neither does the Leica M6.
If tight head shots aren't that important, I like the idea of shooting a lot of 6x7 120 film and having the GF1 for stealth.
If portraits are part of it, you might re-think. Your original outfit of a dslr and complimentary same brand 35mm slr was a pretty good one - perhaps updating the 10d ;-)
A 50mm on a 35mm film body and 24mm on a APS digital is nice during the day. Put the 50mm on the APS digital at night for low light and portraits. For not too much $ you could get a Nikon D80 and N80 combo with 50 and 24AF-D lenses ($800).... almost bulletproof, light, low-key, and not too valuable for travel.
It really is subjective, but a 28-35-40mm equivalent lens is key.
In 2004 I used a Nikon D70 with a 24 and 50 combo (~35 and 75 equivalent) and was satisfied, as having a portrait lens solution was handy for the families and babies. But the 24 was on the camera 90% of the time during the daytime.
Unfortunately neither the Mamiya 6 nor the Pany GF1 have an easy portrait lens solution either. IMHO neither does the Leica M6.
If tight head shots aren't that important, I like the idea of shooting a lot of 6x7 120 film and having the GF1 for stealth.
If portraits are part of it, you might re-think. Your original outfit of a dslr and complimentary same brand 35mm slr was a pretty good one - perhaps updating the 10d ;-)
A 50mm on a 35mm film body and 24mm on a APS digital is nice during the day. Put the 50mm on the APS digital at night for low light and portraits. For not too much $ you could get a Nikon D80 and N80 combo with 50 and 24AF-D lenses ($800).... almost bulletproof, light, low-key, and not too valuable for travel.
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filmfan
Well-known
I would bring the M6 and 35mm only. I think small and simple would be best in a place like China (having never been there personally).
JayC
5 kids,3 dogs,only 1 wife
Thanks for the insight. I have long sold the Canons for Nikon. My only body in that department is a d3 with f2.8 lenses. Kinda heavy and blingy. The choice is between gf1 and the mamiya, or the gf1 and the leica, or all 3.... I just need to make that call. I will probably take all three and get a sore neck from carrying them everyday (seems a shame to keep one in the hotel room, after all). I just wish I had 6 hands so I could be ready in an instant with whichever medium was required for a given photo.
filmfan
Well-known
Don't take all three man. Just don't.
bigeye
Well-known
I'd like to take an ultra wide into the quigping market.
I'd bring a 21mm and 35mm with the M6 and call it a day. If you're blogging, I'd just use an iPhone (or S95 or your pany, for backup). The 'normal' lensed Mam 7 is just load and can be replaced by a 50mm Leitz in this combo... Or, leave the Leica and bring a 40mm with the 65mm mamiya.
I like to travel light.
-Charlie
I'd bring a 21mm and 35mm with the M6 and call it a day. If you're blogging, I'd just use an iPhone (or S95 or your pany, for backup). The 'normal' lensed Mam 7 is just load and can be replaced by a 50mm Leitz in this combo... Or, leave the Leica and bring a 40mm with the 65mm mamiya.
I like to travel light.
-Charlie