Next Trip: One Camera; Two Lenses Max

[ktmrider]

I returned a few days ago from five weeks in Xela, Guatemala, studying spanish. I took an M2/50 and X100 and used both. Honestly, it was a toss up as to which I preferred but their is an elegance about the M2.

My next trip is shaping up to be six months on a motorcycle to Tierra del Fuego from the US. I will probably take either the M2 or M9 and 35/90 lenses. I will not carry two cameras due to space and I definitely will not mix film and digital again. It will be one or the other.

The motorcycle will be either a big brute (BMW 1200 GSA) or more likely, a small Kawasaki 250 dual sport. If the 250cc bike, then I will approach packing gear like a mountaineering trip in the Sierras-small, light, and minimal clothing and gear. Honestly, I am leaning toward the 250 as it is low tech (carb and chain) vice the BMW. If I apply that to cameras, then the M2 over the M9.

I would enjoy input as we all have different experiences with travel. I will be reporting back on developments as the trip gets closer (due to season reversal south of the equator, we would leave the US at the end of September).

 

[Macpherson]

Sounds fantastic. Take the M2 and the 250.

 

[John Bragg]

+1 for the M2. No contest.

 

[02Pilot]

That's quite a trip. M2 and the 250 sounds like the right combo to me too.

 

[leicapixie]

A superb adventure awaits.
Weather wise, summer is not that great!
Tiera Del Fuego is close to Antarctica.
Summer best about +9*C and it can snow..
Clothing may not be exactly "minimal".
Film or digital? Digital =battery power.
There are some small towns and villages for charging.
Film= how-much-can-you-carry?
Digital is a breeze thru Airport Security, film usually interesting times..
I carry a small point and shoot digital, that uses AA cells, available everywhere. I also have Re-chargeable cells.
It weighs almost nothing! Carry as an extra..
A M2 seems perfect, but a spare body, a good idea..

 

[ktmrider]

Two Small Lenses

Two Small Lenses

To go with the Leica M, I have a 35f2.8 C Biogon and 90f2.8 Tele Elmarit M. And yes, I am leaning toward M2 or maybe M6 so I do not have to carry an extra meter. It turns out one of the other riders also has a BMW GSA so might have to reevaluate choice or find something in between like 650 thumper.

And I wonder if the M2 might survive a trip of at least 9000 miles (one way) better then the M9 (motorcycle vibration).

 

[f16sunshine]

I would take 2cameras. At least a compact as a bu.
Was burned on a lens mount lock failure the only time I ever travelled with one camera. It could have been worse....never again .

 

[segedi]

A 250 for a 9000 mile trip doesn't sound like too much fun. I'd leave the 90mm and take more film. No lens changes. Trip sounds like a blast. Looking forward to photos.

 

[charjohncarter]

Take them both: two cameras, two lenses, 4 combos.

 

[Archiver]

I don't know a thing about bikes, so no recommendations from me on that point!

Leicapixie brought up some salient points: with film, how much can you carry? With digital, how often can you charge your batteries? If you're on a bike, you would want to strip your gear down as much as possible, and that would possibly mean watching your film carefully. Six months on a bike! Are you going to offload film at different points in the trip? Can you restock film if you need to?

If digital, then you are looking at some kind of storage space over this massive trip, which could mean one or two of those new Western Digital My Passports with a SD card reader built in, and a way of recharging them. Maybe you can bring a laptop, maybe not. But since it is just you on a bike, I'm guessing your gear is going to be only what you can carry at any given time.

I love the idea of the M2 and two lenses, but will film really be practical for such a trip?

 

[ktmrider]

I just got a second button rewind from Sherry and may sell the M9. I am more comfortable with film so perhaps two M2's and 21/35/90. And it may be a six month or longer trip around the world instead. The jury is still out.

 

[FrankS]

Fantastic! Have a great trip!

Forget the 250!

M2, 21, 28 or 35, 50

Olympus XA-2, or miu for backup and places you'd prefer to be seen using a cheap p+s.

 

[ferider]

The GS of course. And M2 + 2 lenses in the tank bag.

(just passed 90k Miles on my R1100S)

 

[ktmrider]

Of the four riders I am talking to about TDF, two are planning on a GS. I have a friend with 120000 on her 2007 R1200. I have 54000 on my 08 GSA. However, I have a couple emails from other riders who are going around the world on 250's. It is a hard choice as I know I would be more comfortable on the bigger bike. But the 250 is so easy to work on or even to pick up.

Two M2's sure is tempting but so is M9/M2 combo. I really do not want the hassle of two different systems (film and/or batteries). However, the wife/daughter want to see some of my photos as I travel which may dictate the M9.

 

[Eric T]

For my next trip, I will travel light: a Sony A7r with 24-240mm zoom and a Fujifilm X100s.

 

[Pioneer]

I do like your idea of an M2 and two lenses. You may find yourself surprised how easy it will be to get repairs done on a mechanical Leica while on the road, digital not so easy.

Film really is not that hard. 10 IXMOOs, a changing bag, and a couple 400 foot rolls of EKXX film. You are set for over 150 rolls of film. A little more effort on your part and a big weight and space savings.

 

[BillBingham2]

I'd get a good cla on Barnack with and get a CV 25/4 for her. Pick up a clean collapsable 50 of you choice.

That's the cycle road trip kit. Mix of classic and new, smaller than a M.

B2

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

can i be a contrarian and suggest this:

take the m2 with one lens.
take a p&s as a backup.

the m2 is old and reliable but not invincible. Bad things happen to good cameras. So the P&S is a good backup. i remember several years ago on Everest Hotel at 5.30am watching the fiery red sunrise over the himalayas and my bloody xpan with 45mm lens choked and died. I ended up using the olympus XA4 for the remainder of the trip.

As for one or two lenses, i could never figure when to use what before the subject matter moved away. So I think whichever you are comfortable with, a 35mm wide or a 50mm normal but both may result in indecisive movements, since you will probably have to juggle with (a) exposure (b) focus (c) framing.

just saying

raytoei

 

[seakayaker1]

I would definitely be taking the BMW instead of the 250. It is a long ride and comfort in the saddle is a strong consideration.

I would take the two film cameras with two lens. I would sell the M9 and pick up a fixed lens small digital camera to use to send photographs back to wife/daughter.

Have a blast and be safe out there, happy trails!

 

[efirmage]

Fantastic trip indeed.

I'd take both bodies, one lens on each, but if you're set on one, take whichever you're most comfortable with. An RX100 wouldn't be out of the question either.