On travelling light

Hello Mark,
I am glad that you started this thread as I was not going to start yet another "which equipment to take on a trip" thread.

I am thinking of my upcoming trip to portugal (only 5 days long), and I have been thinking about taking a very light set of camera equipment with me. I am tempted by the minimal M3 + 50mm Summicron or the CL + 40mm Summicron.

I am also thinking of a "wilder" set: Graflex XLW with the 47mm/8 Schneider lens and a 6x9 back plus the tiny Fuji Natura with its sharp 24mm/1.9 lens. See everything from a wide perspective.

Raid
 
If one lens, one body is the right outfit, Leica M is the wrong body to carry
on vacations. Too big, too expensive. Nothing a Leica M + 50 or 35
can photograph that a Canonet, Olympus RF, Contax T, Hexar AF etc.
cann't take. YMMV.

Roland.
 
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Roland,

I also thought along this line and was thinking of going with the Hexar AF camera. Its lens is super sharp and the AF helps me when the light is dim.

I also thought of the Konica S3 which is small and light and has a sharp lens.

As someone mentioned above, the fun factor is also important when we want to try out different cameras and lenses.

Raid
 
raid said:
As someone mentioned above, the fun factor is also important when we want to try out different cameras and lenses.
Click to expand...

You know I agree with you ... vacations in particular. We might as well
admit to the fun factor though and not try to be overly spartanic .... If
fun is a factor, a second lens doesn't hurt the luggage too much.

I met Rich yesterday and got a perfect travel camera, an Oly SP ... 🙂

Roland.
 
If I'm travelling to a scenic place (landscape-wise), I'll be sure to bring an MF folder with me. It's small, light, and BIG results.
 
Let Me Broaden This Ever So Slightly...

Let Me Broaden This Ever So Slightly...

Post deleted by posters request
 
I think the biggest advantage of a one lens setup is that you get to know the field of view exactly.
I have been shooting with 50's exclusively for over a year now, and I know what will be in the frame before I take the camera to my eye. That is really nice for hipshots.
After a while the only pictures you see if you walk around are the ones you can take.
It happens a lot to me that I see something I want to take a picture of and so I raise the camera to the eye to get a rough idea, but the image is already perfect in frame.
There is propably no better exercise to go out with just one lens and concentrate on light and composition.

Fabian
 
Raid, I envy your choices. I just have the M2s and a few lenses.

Roland, you're absolutely right of course. There were several times during the trip when I thought a fixed lens RF would have been a better choice.

Fabian, when I use anything but a 50 things start to go badly wrong (I think I can cope with 90's but it's a close thing).
 
markinlondon said:
Raid, I envy your choices. I just have the M2s and a few lenses.

Roland, you're absolutely right of course. There were several times during the trip when I thought a fixed lens RF would have been a better choice.

Fabian, when I use anything but a 50 things start to go badly wrong (I think I can cope with 90's but it's a close thing).
Click to expand...


Mark,

There is no need to envy my choices since I overspent and I should have been content with a few selective items. You have the advantage to do exactly this.

Raid
 
steamer said:
I'm not afraid to miss something with one lens, I just like to play with all my cool cameras a.
Click to expand...


Fine. But this is a different approach to photograpy. Different from mine and from Marks approach too as I suppose.

bertram
 
For cities, it's Bessa R2 and the CV 25/4. In previous city trips, I used to take three lenses---25/4, 35 and 90. But I tried this one lens approach this year, and I like it. Of course I also brought along a digital camera for more casual shots.

For landscapes, I'd take the 25 and the 90. Or even substitue the RF 2-lens outfit with an SLR outfit.

Tin
 
Within the limits set in the above postings, I would take the Hexar AF or the Natura Black or the Konica III. As for B&W film, I would take XP2. The film can readily be developed and scanned almost anywhere, plus it yields great looking images on the screen.

Raid
 
Let me pick up where you stopped two days ago.

I could take the Contax T2 or a Contax III with the Menopta.
However, now I am tempted to go with the Hexar AF alone.
It is rather light, but full sized. (sounds like a beer commercial)
 
Hmmm my post of a couple of days ago seems to have disappeared. Long story short I am currently travelling with two M's and 35, 50, and 90mm lenses and have needed and used everything. Have also used my Calculight-XP for incident readings. Could have done with my 24mm.
 
Hi Raid,
I've been in Portugal last year and I had only a 50mm with me and it was fine for street shooting and all the rest (even for portraits, portuguese people are nice and friendly and you if ask usually they allow being photographed so no need for longer lens) but if you want to add a wider lens you may have some fun in the narrow streets of the Alfama. If you want to take a look I have a dedicated folder in my gallery (bessaR+nok50 only).
Enjoy the meeting, Lisbon and "her" people are beatiful.
Ciao
 
Well, if we're playing this game, I'd have to go for My Rolleiflex and FP4 (but I'd cheat and slip in the M3 with the Summicron 50, 'cause I'm sneaky that way).

😉
 
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