Guangzhou, China in a week

[JayC]

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.

 

[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.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

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

 

[Frank Petronio]

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.

 

[filmfan]

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]

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]

Don't take all three man. Just don't.

 

[bigeye]

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