Most Practical & Enjoyful Travel Kit

[raid]

Yes, I'm not sure which. I've never had good luck with FSU stuff, so the J-3 would not be high on my list. If you have had good luck with it being spot on (focus-wise) wide open, the size is right. The Canon I think is a BIG lens and might be too big for a pocket (unless you want to think you are happy to see them). If you're cool with the size of the Canon, I'd go there.

While I like 35mm, I love the CV 25. You can get around it being slow if you bring a cable release and hold it against a railing for long shots at night. A handkerchief helps keep the bottom of the camera from being scratched.

I have never been a 50mm lover (or liker for that matter), but I’m taking my new Nikon S3 2000 and a 25/4, 50/1.4 and 105/2.5 with me to Halifax in a couple of weeks. I have to say the jump from 25 to 50 has a nice feel to it. I may come back changed (liking the 50mm focal length more), I do love the 40/1.4, but that is in my M6 kit.

Your Konica III brings me back to my first year of High School, it was my camera of choice (only choice I had at the time). Leave her home and take the T with two lenses (24/50).

B2 (;->

Bill,

The J-3 has been put together and reshimmed carefully by Brian Sweeney, but I could use a collapsible Summicron instead. The Knonica III has not been tested well, so it stays home.

 

[raid]

Yes, by three step I mean what Keith recently talked about. One thing about using primes is that you often don't have time to change lenses. Even fast & easy lenses like M mount lenses, much less LTM or M42, can take enough extra time that a shot is lost. So I like to go out on occasion with only a single prime & force myself to practice compostion. I almost never get anything good from the practice sessions, but the practice makes me aware of situations that have given me several of the shots in my portfolio album.

I guess that, while I can understand the sentiment, I don't agree with Rolland on this issue. I'd rather have a single body & a single lens that I know and am very comfortable with than anything else. Now, some may find that certain inexpensive fixed lens cameras are able to do that constantly. For me? The XA probably comes closest but still, if I wanted a single camera w/ the 35mm FOV to travel anywhere I'd have some time to actually shoot more than a fast grab, I'd have one of my prefered cameras with one really good lens. Bessa R w/ Canon 35/1.8 or T90 & Canon 50/1.4 SSC (perhaps 35/2 thorium) or A2E w/ Canon 50/1.8 mk II just staying in 35mm land.

Hoping this makes sense to someone other than me,

William

It seems that Roland changed his mind from his initial suggestion since now he votes for the M6. The M6 is a pleasure to use. I had it with me in my last trip to Germany. With a Leica camera, I somehow take my time when composing. Must be a "Leica Thing" that makes me aware that the camera is special and that my photo better be special somehow. Since I will have only 5 days during a hot summer week, I better keep things light.

 

[raid]

You'll need a wide when it's crowded, and a fast lens for when the light gets low.. I'd say take an M6, a CV25/4 and a 35.

This is a logical approach; I chose excatly these two lenses during a six week trip to Japan. During the day hours, I mainly used the 25/4, and when I needed a faster lens, I switched to the 35/1.8. Since that trip was long, I also had with me a Rolleiflex 2.8D that was hardly used and two small P&S cameras that I used every day in the subway system (Olympus XA and Minox GT).

 

[Finder]

I would take the body and lens you most use - whatever they are. That would give you the most enjoyable travel kit. I might suggest a second lens if the use is significant or if you have a second body, take two cameras with different optics. Two 35mm cameras are not a big burden.

 

[raid]

Your point is well taken. We all go through this "gear thing" when going on an interesting trip.
As a back-up, I could just throw in the Contaxt T2 and take it along too for B&W film.

First of all, I'd bring a backup camera, but leave it in the hotel until I ever need it (never, I hope).

Secondly, I'd carry one camera with 1 lens, using a wrist strap and a carabiner (to clip the camera to my belt when I need 2 hands free, like in the toilet). For me, the combo would be the R-D1 and the Carl Zeiss 50/2. I might add an extra lens like the CV 15/4.5 (or the CV 25/4 for a film camera).

The spare camera would have one lens and only come out when absolutely needed. I'm loathe to carry around much gear, though I did that when in Istanbul last July. I was loading it all (and my family's stuff) in a fab Crumpler Big Boy backpack, and it never was a drag. However, I would still suggest a single camera from my wrist than bringing extensive loads of gear.

 

[raid]

Fado is Portugals traditional music sad and emotional dont miss it.and for filmspeed 1600 at evenings.enjoy your trip i was there in juni with my daugther i had kiev 2 and a mf rf folder westex4 with me.

Mikael,
I may have to do with ASA400 film due to Xray at airports. I could use the film at ASA1000 or so, and then mark the roll for push service after my return to the USA. Thanks.

 

[raid]

Contax T2, although I think a Minilux or Rollei 35 would be better.

Richard,
I have a Rollei XF, but no serious Rollei user accepts it as a "Rollei"!

 

[raid]

I would take the body and lens you most use - whatever they are. That would give you the most enjoyable travel kit. I might suggest a second lens if the use is significant or if you have a second body, take two cameras with different optics. Two 35mm cameras are not a big burden.

I am considering two very light camera bodies, such as the Bessa T and L. I could use the CV 25mm/4 on the L and the Canon 35mm/1.8 on the T. The L woould also be a great backup camera, even with a 35mm lens I could guess focus. I have used both cameras extensively. The key is their light weight and built-in TTL meters.

 

[raid]

Leica CL, 40mm and 90mm for me...

Paul,

In my CL, the RF spot is faint. I have the 40mm Summicron-C and several 90mm lenses. The Bessa T would do the job better maybe.

 

[Berliner]

M3/6 & 35mm

I took an M6 & 35 Summicron, and a MP & 75 Summicron on my last holiday. The MP & 75 stayed in the hotel room the entire time...

Next trip -M & 35-that's it. No back-up... & plenty o' 800, 400,160 Portra...

 

[BillBingham2]

Raid,

Speed will be important, go with the J-3.

B2 (;->

 

[raid]

Oh boy ... all these tips!
The most common one is still to use the 35mm lens.
I will pack my gear on Saturday, and with maybe just one camera and one lens this will be rather quick.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[raid]

Dear Magus,
I will have to count on my industrial ear plugs to save me from Fado madness!
I will definitely keep my camera gear basic and useful.
The 35mm Summicron is a great performer.

Thanks.

 

[BillBingham2]

I am considering two very light camera bodies, such as the Bessa T and L. I could use the CV 25mm/4 on the L and the Canon 35mm/1.8 on the T. The L woould also be a great backup camera, even with a 35mm lens I could guess focus. I have used both cameras extensively. The key is their light weight and built-in TTL meters.

Great idea. When I was using my Bessas, T was my main body, L was my backup. My 25 stayed on the L and the T got everything else. I am have switched my T for an M6, but I am trying to get myself off the L and onto a M4-P. Very hard to give up the weight & built in light meter crutch. The L just rocks, no other way to put it. Price, weight, features, even quality are all great. Even if you carry both cameras, one out in your hand all the time, a very small bag will do.

Perhaps my work with my S3 kit will get me back into the no light meter needed for every shot sort of world again.

B2 (;->

 

[alan davus]

M3/6 & 35mm

I took an M6 & 35 Summicron, and a MP & 75 Summicron on my last holiday. The MP & 75 stayed in the hotel room the entire time...

Next trip -M & 35-that's it. No back-up... & plenty o' 800, 400,160 Portra...

Sage advice here for sure. One body alone in good working order, in my case that would be M6ttl and my 35 Hex UC. Because the 35 is so light, 120gms, I'd probably toss in a second lens and this is where, for me at least, the debate begins. A 21, the 50 or the 75?.

 

[back alley]

i would be tempted to take my entire cv kit.
if i took one camera & one lens i would still want a small bag to carry it and some film etc also. the cv kit fits in the not so big domke f6 and weighs in at next to nothing. remove the camera/lens from the bag and it does weigh nothing - i hardly feel the bag. it would be hard not to have a backup body (mostly because i'm a pessimist) but i've never had a body die on me. (other than the canon p that i dropped)

joe

 

[mfunnell]

it would be hard not to have a backup body (mostly because i'm a pessimist) but i've never had a body die on me. (other than the canon p that i dropped)

That's what I worry about as well - not mechanical failure but user failure. I feel I'm far more likely to break or lose my equipment than it is to fail on me. I haven't done it (yet!) but I can see it happening...

...Mike

 

[sepiareverb]

On my last trip I made most all my images with the 28/50 combo, though I had the 80 & 35 along as well. I find myself shooting a lot with this combo- just the 2 lenses make it easy to carry around for sure.

I'd not rule out the T2/Natura combo- if the T2 will get you close enough. I've spent many trips with only the T2 or a TVS, Was just in NYC for the day with only the T2. Nevefr found myself wishing for longer glass; wider yes, but then the Natura has you covered. Compact kits are a real joy on an active day.

I try to plan the kit around two things- 1) what I'm doing besides shooting and 2) how much else there will be to carry. These two are often intertwined for me, but not always. Sometimes though there is a chance to be off on my own for a half a day, in which case I'll bring my regular kit if at all possible, with something compact to cover the other days.

Enjoy!
-Bob

 

[kshapero]

Just got back from a week of travel to Hamptons in Long Island and the Berkshires in Mass. Shoot about 14 rolls and travel light with only a Zeiss Ikon and C Sonnar 50mm f1.5. A few times I had to back up to get the wide angle shot.