Help in Paris - what to bring

[Bertram2]

I am visiting friends in Paris for a wedding at the end of June. I am traveling from Miami, staying in Paris for one week.
l.

Traut,

I'll be in Paris too this year and so I have been in 2004, 2003, 2002.........
It's the standard birthday present of my wife, and I don't get tired of it.

There are some experiences of course, the first time I took two Bessas with 3 lenses and a SLR plus 28-300 zoom with me, this turned out as MUCH too heavy.

Paris is a city you have to explore by feet and I feel usually totally knackered when I go to bed, everthing hurts, feet look like pancakes. So the longer I walk around there the less weight I want to accept.

Meanwhile I use a L plus 4/25 plus level (architecture) mostly during the day, at night the R plus 1,5/50 Nokton plus monopod plus light meter.

I very seldom have both cameras with me, I must be SURE that I need them both during the day or at night.

The SLR plus zoom stays at home since two years and so does the Mat124.
One has to decide about the format at home. So far Franks's suggstion is well thought , the Hassie plus a 40-60mm and a 80mm lens would be a challenge too.

Important: You NEEEED a wide lens ! 28mm is a minimum, 25 is better, 21 plus 28 is best. The 50 is mostly used for details only or for people.

If you have a nice clear evening with blue sky go to the top of the Montparnasse building ( 200 meters high) and watch the sunset, the roofs get rosared first and then blue all over befor the darkness comes. Unforgattable view, and a dream for photogs.

Have a nice time travelling light,

Bertram

 

[Koolzakukumba]

I've come to this thred a bit late but I was in Paris for a week in April and I can tell you that it's one spread out city. I don't think I've ever done as much walking as I did that week. Thankfully, it's not hilly but many of the attractions are quite a distance from each other and it's not always possible (nor desirable) to take the Metro everywhere.

I had my Minolta A2 digital camera with me which was nice and light and brilliant but, if I were you, I'd just take the D70, zoom and 20mm. That will cover you for most things. It's tempting taking the Leica but a tele lens comes in handy for picking out details from the top of the Montparnasse and Eiffel towers.

I also like the confirmation available from the digital camera that "I've got the shot" - although don't put all your images on the one card!

Cheers,
Bruce

 

[Nikon Bob]

Another for the "your wife is right" crowd. My vote would be for the 28mm and one of the other two lenses that you have. A short tele might be useful too. I like to keep it light and enjoy the trip for reasons other than photography. Carried too much once and never again.

Bob

 

[Little Prince]

Traut, looks like what you need is a MF rangefinder 🙂 . The mean path.

Can't advise you about stuff that you already have. I make poor decisions myself. But one thing I've felt often is it's better to just choose one out of all the stuff you have and be at peace with the choice. Chances are, your output will be as good regardless of what you take, but not having too many choices you will see and function better.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Carried too much once and never again.

I second that! But I don't regret it; I won't do it again, but I don't regret it. 'tis better to walk the path yourself than being told what it's like, at least in this case.

 

[DougK]

My philosophy/mantra of late when I go anywhere on vacation or on a local photography jaunt is "one camera, one lens, and a boatload of film." So far it's worked out pretty well for me, although it's usually agony trying to decide which camera to take in the first place. In the end, I always seem to get the pictures I want to.

 

[Koolzakukumba]

A few Paris pics

A few Paris pics

I've dug out some shots of my April trip. They're all taken on the Minolta A2 and are more or less untouched apart from cropping and conversion to greyscale. All except the spiral staircase were shot towards the long end of the A2's zoom which shows the usefulness of a tele lens in Paris.

Cheers,
Bruce

 

[anaanda]

Just bring the Hasselblad

Just bring the Hasselblad

I went to India and all I brought was my 501c with an 80mm lens, yes I took less pictures but the ones I got were phenomenal..I had a nice thick comfy strap.....otherwise i would just go with the M and one lens..Its better to have a few great photographs then many many mediocre. Having one set up will set your mind right, having too much gear will cause confusion. If you just want snaps then take all the gear, but if you want real photographs that have expansion and depth take one set up

I am visiting friends in Paris for a wedding at the end of June. I am traveling from Miami, staying in Paris for one week.

I plan on bringing an M4-P with 28 elmarit and either a 35 CV or 40 summicron for B&W work. Along with a D70 with a 28 -100 2.8 zoom and a 20mm for interiors/general WA. shots, etc. As well as a pocket s500 canon for snapshots, etc.

My quandry is twofold. Is this a good complement of equipment without getting bogged down? Should I bring a Hasselblad SW 903? I am traveling with my wife who keeps telling me "Don't bring all your crap with you". She's a sweetheart!

I treat this as a fun problem to have and enjoy musing over this rather as a diversion from the serious issues that confront us in the world.

All suggestions are appreciated as well as general insights to visitng Paris. Thanks all.

 

[photophorous]

Well, you've received plenty of advice so far, but I'll go ahead and tell my story too. I went to Paris last October. It was the most photogenic place I've ever been. I took my D70s with 18-70 kit lens, and a Canonet QL-17 GIII. Unfortunately, I spent too much time using the D70s, but over all I was very pleased with the choices it gave me. I carried it all in my Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home (bag, if you're not familiar) and there was still enough room for a bottle of water and a guide book. Although, my shoulder did get tired of the weight.

Here's a link to my gallery from that trip, which also took me to Bruges and Amsterdam: http://www.flickr.com/photos/photophore/sets/72157594430916949/
It's not exactly a professional presentation, but you can get an idea.

Have fun!

Paul

 

[morgan]

I'll join in too. I went to Berlin last month, took my Bessa-r with my 15mm and 35sv and my 30D with a 24 1.4L and 17-55 2.8 IS. I mostly left the 15 on the bessa and usually used the 17-55 on the 30D. But I didn't carry everything around all the time. I brought what I needed for where I thought we'd be going. I would have died lugging everything around. I'm going to Paris on my honeymoon at the end of may, I plan on bringing basically the same thing, but I'm vowing to shoot more film. I may treat myself to some kind of AE camera before I leave though (R3A or Hexar maybe...) I got some great shots in paris last time I was there with a crappy digital P&S, I'm hopign for even better shots this time around.

 

[RML]

Be realistic. What are you most likely going to use? Consider past experiences. I often bring a lot but fun things on top of my R-D1, a backup camera and some lenses. A Holga may come just for fun. IR filter, same thing. A 135mm lens same thing. But they usually end up sitting in the camera bag at my hotel room for the duration. I bring them because I know that when I do take them out, I use them. But it's a considered approach for me; not just a matter of "I better bring it just in case I might have to use it".

 

[Abbazz]

Hey guys, the original poster planned to go to Paris in May 2005. I guess he doesn't need your advice anymore...

Cheers,

Abbazz

 

[photophorous]

Hey guys, the original poster planned to go to Paris in May 2005. I guess he doesn't need your advice anymore...

Cheers,

Abbazz

Ha! That's just details. 😀