Paris - one lens to rule them all ?

In May I had a Monochrom and a sharp sharp 28 (2.8 ASPH) and my 1970s 50 Summicron. In case of colour I had the Fuji X100, but I used that seldom. Paris is not called the city of light for nothing. All fit in a small shoulder bag. I was very happy with the choice, and the shots. I photographed the queue at the Louvre. It looks like you can't turn up there and get in. A prebooked tour might be the way. Otherwise you'll wait 2 hours or more to get in. With children that would be a deal-breaker.
 
streets are narrower than in the US. i'm a 50 guy and i was more comfortable with a 35 than i am in the US.

one lens? 50

two lenses? 50 / 35

three? i'd add something in the 75-90 range, but lots of people go wide.
 
Slightly OT as the OP doesn't mention owning Leica: I'm curious why no-one mentions the 28-35-50 Tri-Elmar. Is is because of its slow speed? I'd have thought it the idea travel lens, and on digital Ms, the slow speed would be less important.

Back to your OM, why not take a (insert wide angle of your choice)?

Carrying more cameras = more choices to make on-the-go = slows you down = frustrates your family. And the extra weight. I'd try to keep it as simple and lightweight as possible.
 
lynnb said:
Slightly OT as the OP doesn't mention owning Leica: I'm curious why no-one mentions the 28-35-50 Tri-Elmar. Is is because of its slow speed? I'd have thought it the idea travel lens, and on digital Ms, the slow speed would be less important. ...
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I would feel better off with something faster and smaller despite having only one focal length.

G
 
Travel photography is best done by traveling light.
When I visited Paris, first time, i had my Nikon F pro rig.
2 bodies, 4 lenses, flash, filters..
I was 23.
It became a burden over many hours..

I am 70.
Visited South Africa, family and vacation.
I chose a small point and shoot digital.
Spare batteries.The Canon 1200 uses AA.
A few memory cards and i was done.
I had access to my daughter's Nikon system..
I never used her pro gear.
If you must take film, choose the camera, you grab 1st when in a hurry.
That's the one to take..with a digital point and shoot..:angel:
 
As a 50mm guy for decades, I never could have imagined I would say this, but I think I could get along in Paris and just about anywhere else with my two feet and my GR. What a fine, free way to see the world.

John
 
I've started to realize that being comfortable with the equipment is more important to me than the specific capabilities of the equipment itself. Once I began traveling with the same kit I found everything started to smooth out. For me, it's two film bodies and 35/50/90: one body w/ 35, one w/50, 90 in reserve. But I don't generally travel with anyone but my girlfriend, who is also a film shooter and isn't bothered by stopping to take photos. If put in a situation where I knew my opportunities would be limited, I'd probably just go with a single camera and the focal length with which I'm most comfortable, the 50.
 
I was in Paris about 2 years ago and had just my iPhone and a Nikon V1 with 18.5 mm (50mm equiv.). With all that was going on I wasn't wishing for anything more. Here's a few:











 
My typical travel kit:

Leica MP + 50mm V5 cron
Fuji x100s

With 35mm and 50mm focal lengths covered I'm good for most situations. Just carry extra batteries and film and you're good to go. Often times I'll bring a gorillapod to have it, but usually only use it for sunsets or specific photoshoot outings. Won't carry it when walking around a city.

Enjoy your trip to Paris!
 
One digital and lens, one film and lens.
Both lens - wide.
Zero tripod.

Digital for "we were here". Who needs night shots...
Film for fun. Scale focus to catch it fast, RF VF to see it constantly.
 
Hi,

Film or digital? You decide but I'd like a 28-85 zoom on it or else the trad. three lenses that cover 28 - 85mm.

Also there's a Konica, Leica (C3 is great but I wouldn't trust it and their mini tripod together), Minolta, Olympus or Pentax P&S that covers it all and the lens quality is great. Plus built in flash, small size and dirt cheap as second-hand. (No one minds second hand of it's a Leica M4; so the same should apply to a P&S...)

P&S's are also great for street photography and you can carry them in your shirt pocket and go out drinking in the evening or wander around the side streets, without too much worry about the camera. And you could easily take take 2 or 3 to have a back up and (say) B&W in one and one with a prime, and so on and so forth.

Or, how about the Minolta CLE and it's three lenses, 28, 40 and 90mm? Or less electronicy; the Leica CL with those 2 or 3 lenses?

Regards, David

PS (Edit) Of course, for Paris, you want that smart little Pentax with the soft leather Gucci case, wouldn't you. Silly of me to forget it...
 
35mm (or equiv.) and have fun. When I was there earlier this year, I took the X100S and left the Ms at home. See the three big museums (Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou, but not more than one per day) as well as the Magnum Gallery. Otherwise, just wander around, if you walk past a nice-looking cafe, sit down for an espresso or a beer. It is still a magical place.
 
In our last trip to Paris, I had with me a Canon P with Canon 50/1.2. I "focused" on enjoying the trip with my wife to Paris. When it rained, I was able to hide the basic set under my sweater. My handheld meter fell down and broke, so I enjoyed estimating the exposure for each image.

U3565I1156532079.SEQ.0.jpg


Sometimes I was off in the exposure chosen.


U3565I1159977106.SEQ.0.jpg
 
Just two cameras, at least one for b&w film.
One for natural light, the other one with a fast lens for low light, interiors and night.
Cheers,
Juan
 
porktaco said:
streets are narrower than in the US. i'm a 50 guy and i was more comfortable with a 35 than i am in the US.

one lens? 50

two lenses? 50 / 35

three? i'd add something in the 75-90 range, but lots of people go wide.
Click to expand...
Dear Adam,

The US is a big place. Spent much time in California's Gold Country? Or LA's Little Tokyo? Or SoHo in NY?

Cheers,

R.
 
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