Help! What camera what lens(es) for travel?

kkdanamatt

kkdanamatt

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Leaving for three weeks to Europe: London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rekjavik, etc. Traveling via trains and busses, so I want to travel light. Am considering:
Panasonic Z28, Canon G-10, Contax G2 28, 45, 90 set, CLE 28, 35, 50, or a DSLR w/18-200. If I shoot film, it will certainly be B+W only.

I do mostly street shooting and low light museum/nightlife stuff. I haven't shot film in Europe since pre-9/11/2001.

Any ideas?
 
Canon G-10, small and have everything that you need to focus and enjoy your trip.

I think if you take a big set will be some difficult for you to change a camera from another, the lenses and the films. You also can consider the DSLR, but you are going to Europe using the train and busses, so be more simple and do not put in you an attention target.
 
Being a Ricoh GR-D-aholic I'm not sure about the Canon, but it's hard to argue with a single camera to enjoy the trip. Part of me would say the CLE and lens set would be my first choice of your stuff. Perhaps the Canon and the CLE would be great combo.

B2 (;->
 
Either G-10 & Contax G2 with all 3 lenses

OR

DSLR with 18-200.

I am leaning towards G10 & Contax G2. You can be trigger happy with the G10 and take B & W with the G2.

My 2 cents
 
When I travel, I used to take a Leica + 28mm lens and a Leica with a 50mm (see Tenerife and Croatia.) Now I am "down to" a Leica and a 28mm lens (see Mauritius and Cuba.) I like the ability to shoot landscape and architecture along with all the other stuff (people etc.) without being too encumbered. I can bumble along and miss shot after shot with any number of lenses and bodies, so why not just bumble along with one lens and one body? 🙂 Plus one camera fits easily into my regular old backpack - inconspicuous when it needs to be. So I'd suggest the Contax G2 and the 28mm lens only. Or the CLE and the 28mm lens. You won't have any issues with running out of batteries or film where you are going, though film is more expensive in Europe than it is in the states. I usually use Kodak E100Gx.
 
My vote is for the G2 set up, maybe with the G10 as well...
The 28mm is going to definitely be necessary some places (I usually travel in the netherlands w/ a G2, 21mm, 35mm, 90mm... the wide angle is really a good thing to have...), and I think that as nice as the CLE is, the G2 is a little quicker to use sometimes, and really shines as a travel camera. It's still a pretty compact setup to bring around.
The DSLR I just see as being big and bulky, especially w/ the 18-200. The G2 or G10 or CLE you'll have with you, and use, and be happy about. The DSLR you'll have, and use, and be cursing at after carrying it around all day long...
(or maybe thats just me...😉)

-Brian
 
My vote would be the G10 paired with the CLE & one lens (either 28 or 35). This pair will easily fit into a small bag such as the Crumpler "sporty guy 1.9". That is actually going to me my next lightweight travel kit.
 
Contax, all three lenses, CLE + 1 lens for emergencies if the Contax dies.

Better still, buy a second Contax body or a second Leica body. Never carry two overlapping systems unless you have to.

By 'overlapping' I mean cameras that do the same thing. I sometimes carry an old Nikon F for 200mm shots as well as my Leicas -- because I don't have a 200 for my Viso.

I'll normally carry two M bodies and 2 or more lenses.

Tashi delek,

R.
 
You guys are the best! Thanks.

You guys are the best! Thanks.

I needed some reassurance because I've been ripped off in Europe before. It happened in May of 2000 on the Prague Underground, where I was "relieved" of my complete Maxxum 600si outfit by some professional thieves.

Anyway, I've decided to go along with the Canon G10 for color and the Contax G2/45mm for handling speed as well as B+W available light in churches, museums and for night shots. I like the idea of two small cameras, both with autofocus, one with flash. I would have taken the CLE instead of the G2, but I don't have a fast 35 or 40 Leica lens, so the G2 and the 45 f/2 will get a good workout. I'm bringing 20 rolls of Kodak CN B+W.

Any more suggestions?
 
Roger Hicks said:
Contax, all three lenses, CLE + 1 lens for emergencies if the Contax dies.

Better still, buy a second Contax body or a second Leica body. Never carry two overlapping systems unless you have to.

By 'overlapping' I mean cameras that do the same thing. I sometimes carry an old Nikon F for 200mm shots as well as my Leicas -- because I don't have a 200 for my Viso.

I'll normally carry two M bodies and 2 or more lenses.

Tashi delek,

R.
Click to expand...

There it is the gospel from the man himself. Thanks, Roger.
 
BTW, lately been given to travel with MP/35 Summilux and Hasselblad/100mm. Really works for me; MP provides fast glass and the 'Blad provides the MF portaits I like to shoot. YMMV.
 
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