Paris - one lens to rule them all ?

I was in Paris a year ago for ten days. I brought only the Rolleiflex 2.8E. It was, for me, the perfect travel camera. No need for a long or a wide - while they would have been nice to have, I probably passed on less than a dozen shots that I couldn't make with just the 80mm normal lens. I put 30-some rolls of film through the Rollei in that time. Plenty of examples on my blog if you want to see them -

http://dcphotoartist.com (just search for Paris).
 
2090045545_1b257eae2c_z.jpg
Lived in paris for a year in the early 80's and usually try to get back at least every other year for a couple of days or weeks. It is probably the most "over exposed" city, photographically speaking - and you have to look for the details to make it interesting. It is also a "hard" city - you walk, and walk and walk some more. The trick is to keep the equipment light, preferably one camera - one lens - and simply shoot within the scope of that lens. The 35 works well, but can be a bit long, a 28mm is better, at least for me, It is also a city that is "black and white" - could be because so much of the Paris images are - and also because the city is a bit grey. Good shoes are paramount, extra film essential and frequent stops for coffee will make a visit palatable.
 
For a light and flexible travel kit, I'd probably take an OM(2n) body + 35mm f2 and 85mm f2 lenses + a load of Tri-X or HP5+. A 50mm f1.4 would be a possible replacement for the 35mm but I really like the slightly wider view the 35mm lens offers.
 
Stream of consciousness:

Freestyle took a week to send out my film order :-(
If it doesn't reach me, I can get the standards locally - was trying to use Retro 80s

been walking around w DSLR and mongo 50/1.4 - it's heavy, remembering why I sold the last DSLR

I'd like to do some long exposure daytime, night exposures, and OMG, HDR along with attempts at tiny planet shots - that's what the DSLR is going to be for, along with a 50 and 35 lens.

the DSLR reminds me how much I like the Fuji x100 series, I was planning on bring it - but if I'm already bringing the big D, do I need the Fuji ? of course Fuji is so quiet and unobtrusive - great for metro, street and churches etc - and the colors are gorgeous.

Film - thinking OM4-t and 50/85, otherwise Rangefinder and 35

Fuji might be one camera too much (fuji is 35 equiv) - and 3 cameras are too much

to go wider than 35, I'd have to bring a super honking 12-24 zoom for the DSLR, nice lens but not nice on a family trip to haul it around

I'm working myself off the tree branch and trying to keep my camera/day on the ground ratio below 1:1
 
I guess I'm lucky to live in Paris, so I can have a "lens choice" for the day. Lately I've been using the CV 15mm more on my M8 (effective 20mm crop for 35mm format purists).

However, I find myself gravitating still between 35mm and 50mm FOVs, including with my Fuji X20 --a quaint but trusty camera.

If any of you are ever in town, let me know, let's do a little photowalk, or just a café and compare notes.
 
I'm off to Netherlands, Italy, France and UK in January. 2 M film bodies, 21/3.4, 35/2, 50/1 and a Rolleiflex MF. 100 rolls of Fomapan400 135/120 @ $5.50AUD ea. A heavy kit. It will be cold so my jacket can pocket a lens and film. Domke bag will carry my rollei, 1 M body with a lens, while I carry in hand another M body with a 21/3.4. my 21mm is my current fav lens.
 
im actually going to paris for a long weekend on thursday.
i was alaso thinking about one camera and lens to travel light on the eurostar.

my options are:
- leica m3 with 50mm lux asph
- leica m4 with 35mm lux asph
- leica iiig with 50mm cron collapsible for the classic bresson experience

either way only one body and lens makes most sense plus chunk of b+w and clour film
 
Two lense combos that I always use for vacation.. Film or digital.
- primes
-- 21/40 combo
- zoom
-- 24-80 range zoom plus fast normal

Main camera plus a p&s backup that can u can ask third party to take picture of u and family.

In the old parts of many European cities, the streets are so narrow, that a 35 is your normal lens, IMHO.

Gary
 
I just returned from 90 days in Europe. Did not get to Paris but places like Edinburgh, London, Madrid, Lisbon, Granada, Athens, Rome and several more.

I carried an M9 with 21/35/90. For 90 percent of the trip, the 35 did not come off the camera. It happened to be the 35f2.8 C-Biogon but I would truthfully be happy with any 35 on the M9 or any film M. Guess that is why I enjoy the X100 as it as a 35mm FOV.

Next trip, 35 and 90 or 35/75 (an excuse to buy another lens). No really, 35/90.
 
Haussmann designed Paris specifically for the 50mm lens. I'm kidding, of course, but for pictures OF the city, 50 seems best. For shooting people IN Paris YMMV. One M3 and a 50 always works great for me over there.
 
my fiance and I are honeymooning in Italy and Paris next September and I agree with those that suggested bringing the camera you are most comfortable with.

I'm still in the process of figuring which cameras to bring with me but I'm trying to narrow it down to at most 3 cameras.

right now I managed to break it into 2 sets

Set #1
Fuji X100
GF670
GSW690III
Ricoh GR w/ 21mm or WCL-X100 for wide-angle

Set #2
Sony A7 w/ 21mm, 50mm and 90mm
Leica M6 w/ 35mm
 
taemo said:
my fiance and I are honeymooning in Italy and Paris next September and I agree with those that suggested bringing the camera you are most comfortable with.

I'm still in the process of figuring which cameras to bring with me but I'm trying to narrow it down to at most 3 cameras.

right now I managed to break it into 2 sets

Set #1
Fuji X100
GF670
GSW690III
Ricoh GR w/ 21mm or WCL-X100 for wide-angle

Set #2
Sony A7 w/ 21mm, 50mm and 90mm
Leica M6 w/ 35mm
Click to expand...

It's your honeymoon :D.. Keep it simple. Just bring one camera. Enjoy it.

Gary
 
Vics said:
Haussmann designed Paris specifically for the 50mm lens. I'm kidding, of course, but for pictures OF the city, 50 seems best. For shooting people IN Paris YMMV. One M3 and a 50 always works great for me over there.
Click to expand...

Like this. Designed for the 50. Henri would agree, no doubt.
 
While this is a very individual choice, I visited Paris this year with two P&S (fixed 35 lenses) and a nikon n2000 with 35/2, Using one of the P&s for color and one for BW and the Nikon for color (carried only the pocket ones most of the time).
 
This year I brought the original travel compact, a IIIf with the CV15 and 5cm f3.5 and desired nothing else. Your x100 would be my primary camera from your kit.

Clean slate (your subjects may vary), I might only take the wonderful Ricoh GR next time. I like to keep it simple.
 
The jury is in

I've been here for 5 days with 3 cameras
If I were here by myself - I would bring the same kit
I brought
DSLR and 50/1.4 along w 35/1.8 - my intention was this would be my tripod and night camera
Also along for the ride was the Fuji x100t (35mm equiv)
And finally the OM-4t w 50/1,4
I carried 2 cameras around town. Used the Fuji by far the most
The weather was good one day and misty/cold most of the rest
Jet lag and full days kept night shooting to a minimum
Sun rises late and sets early this time of year
Did not use the tripod at all

Best advice is don't fight the tide, if you are here with family,
You won't be on a photo expedition

I have to look back at my postings from a couple years ago - I bet I reached the same conclusion then
Paris is magnificent you can't spit without hitting a cultural icon here
Fortunately I will be back in April afain
 
Last time in Paris I found the 35mm limiting for the kind of shots I wanted to take. Next time I'll take 24mm, 35mm and backup camera.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom