Perfect Travel Kit

[sgy1962]

Its time once again to ask that reaccuring question -- what's the best M kit for travel? I'm thinking in terms of light weight, versatility, or ev en what's the lens you seem to get your best pics.

I am gravitating to the less is more philosophy -- maybe even just a body and one lens. But I'm also a big believer in Murphy's Law, and although I have never had a mechanical problem with a Leica rangefinder, I would hate to have one go into the sink when I'm away from home. Would it make sense to take a spare body (assuming you have one) or even a spare standard lens, or is that just being excessive.

I guess its a personal thing, but I would be interested in what others, more seasoned travellers, think.

 

[Kent]

Hi!

I do not use M-Leicas, but I would never go on a trip without a spare body or a second cam.
Call me paranoid, but I always bring some back-up.

 

[back alley]

most economical/efficient would be one body and a 35mm lens. this could easily cover 90 to 95 of your shooting needs.
or 2 lenses, a 25/50 combo - this is becoming a favourite for me lately.

for me...the r4m with the 15/finder along with zi and 25/50 would likely be my kit if i were packing today.

joe

 

[RML]

You could go this way or that for a spare camera. On my next vacation I'm bringing the digital R-D1, the film M2, and (if I get the film in time) the film Yashica A TLR. But as a backup I'm bringing a teensy film Agfa Optima 1035. I can't go wrong with it, it seems. BTW, before I got this little gem, I would have considered a film Olympus Mju.

 

[35mmdelux]

Two cams: one being left at the hotel safe. Two lenses to be used at full envelope: 28mm/90mm or 35mm/90mm. On the street you'd have one camera with two lenses.

I prefer the 28mm because it can be used in tight quarters as well as for architecture. The 90mm to get some reach for details, such as gorgolyes, whatnot.

Cams? My choice for overseas is my MP and M6 backup.

 

[Eelco Amsterdam]

Travel kit

Travel kit

Hi,

M6TTL 0.85 + M7 0.72 (with M Grip)
Tri Elmar + 90 mm
50 or 35 mm 1.4
SF 24 D Flits
Lots of film :<)

My bag in May 2007 / 4 week trip Tennessee USA

 

[sepiareverb]

I'd second Joe- body w/35. Just back and shot that combo most. I'd go with the 28/50 combo if 2 lenses are an option, and a second body isn't a luxury if something goes wrong...

My kit this last trip was 2 M7's, with the 28/35/50. Most all saw use every day and I only missed the 80 a few times, the 25 once.

 

[saiseto]

I just back from a holiday in Barcelona and the UK, I only took my M2 with 35mm ASPH with me + a rollei 35 as a back up camera. Of course, lots of films (Kodak TMax400) too!! It's a totally new experience for me to travel with just two 'basic' cameras, I used to bring along a SLR with a couple of lenses on top of my M2. I didn't miss my SLR during the trip, in fact, I found that I enjoyed the time much better with less weight on my shoulder!

 

[back alley]

another option would be the zi with 35 and my grd for an extremely small & light backup.
now that would be a lightweight package to carry about.
joe

 

[vrgard]

My lightweight travel kit is a Leica CL with 40 Summicron mounted, along with a Rokkor 90/4 double-ended (via a Leica double lens connector) to a Canon 28/3.5. All that easily fits into a small Crumpler 2 Million Dollar Home bag. Unless I was going somewhere exotic or significant, I wouldn't bother with anything more.

-Randy

 

[mervynyan]

i take mp/35/75 and hassey/80 and a meter and tripod, i need to take mf for once-a-life time shoots, as per murphy's law, otherwise mp never fails me.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

One body and one medium wide lens.

We buy these expensive high quality cameras then we take a back up?

If I bought a Bentley I would not buy a back up car.

 

[Berliner]

My travel kit is a .72x with 35mm & .85x with 75mm, and I thought this was a lot to carry--one around my neck and one around my right wrist. I think my next trip, I'll take just the .72x & 35 & 75's....

 

[MichaelM7]

Depends on how you travel

Depends on how you travel

I would say, it depends how you travel and what kind of pictures you take. If you stay at one place for several days and have the time to come back to a spot you saw, it is straightforward to go back to the hotel and get another lens, if it does by no means work with your available kit. If you can't do this (or you don't want to), I would take two lenses at most.

Only last week, I was on a trip to northern Italy (Lago Maggiore) and I took my M7 with the 35 'cron, the 90 and my ZM25. I normally carry only two of these lenses at a time and leave the third one at the hotel. Standard kit was as always the 35 'cron and the 4/90 macro elmar for ordinary street shooting. After I discovered the very narrow streets in the little towns, I left the 35 in the hotel and took the 25 to get more coverage. However, on market days with lots of people about, the 35 without the external finder is a must for me (I feel most comfortable shooting with it). I never went out with the 35 and the 25 alone. One time, I tried carrying all three lenses at a time but found it was too much of hassle.
I chose this kit, because these three lenses cover 99.9% of all shots, and they are all roughly of the same size. That means, they would fit in the same small belt pocket I have (about the size of a somewhat large mobil phone). So one lens on the camera, and the second always in the belt pocket to keep shoulders and hands free.

On such trips, I normally shoot slides (Velvia and provia 100F). As a backup, I have a 1950's foldable Agfa Super Solinette loaded with TriX which I inherited from my grandfather. It is super small when its folded, very lightweight, and can stay in my trousers pocket (or my wife's backpack) all the time.

 

[KM-25]

Super light?

One M6 TTL, 50 1.4 aspheric, 28 Summicron aspheric.

If two bodies, I would add my new MP-3.

 

[John Noble]

I'm leaving for a three week road trip tomorrow, so I've given this question some thought. Here's a copy & paste from my packing list:

[] 10 rolls hp5+
[] 5 rolls provia 400F
[] tripod + ballhead
[] CL, 21mm + finder, 50mm, 90mm
[] Light meter
[] 2 batteries for CL + remote release
[] 2 batteries for CM + remote cable
[] GPS + charger
[] iPod + video cable + headphones
[] phone + charger
[] ND filter
[] ziploc bags
[] microfiber cloth
[] lens brush
[] moleskine
[] butane lighters
[] leatherman
[] sharpie
[] chapstick, rolaids, ibuprofen

Tripod & ballhead are recent version Leica tabletop model; meter is a Sekonic L-308; "moleskine" is a small yuppified notebook (mine is modified to hold a Fisher Space Pen); ND filter is a B+W 39mm 0.9.

All of this goes in a Domke F-6 with room to spare. Total weight is maybe six pounds, which is about my limit for comfortable all day carry with the Domke USPS shoulder pad. My wife will carry the other camera (Leica CM).

Delete the GPS, chargers, and extra film and add young toddler necessaries (couple of diapers, wipes, munchies, etc.) to arrive at my daily carry bag. Domke makes superlative diaper bags!

 

[tbarker13]

I wanted a setup that would be very light, but also versatile.
So I am assembling this:
Leica M8
CV15
Leica 28 Elmarit asp
CV35 ultron (the lowlight option)
Leica 90 elmar macro

I may one-day switch out the 35 ultron with a 35 lux.

 

[x-ray]

If I'm on vacation it's one body and 35, 50 and 90 or sometimes just the 35 and 90. On assignment it's 4 bodies and two sets of lenses plus atleast one SLR and set of lenses and if the job requires lenses up to 400. Also 2 Hasselblads and lenses, sometimes 6x17 and 4x5 with lenses. On vacation I have to keep in mind I'm not working and if I carry too much I feel like I'm on assignment which gets in the way of enjoying the trip. If I'm making photos for only my interest then I keep it simple.

 

[migtex]

2 Bodies, a 21 and a 85.
a 35 and a 50 on the left and right pockets as options if you dare...
(if you are in the mood one can have B&W the other color/slide)

 

[Bingley]

Canon P or 7 w/ a 50, and an XA for backup/pocket (also covering 35 mm FL), and 28/3.5 skopar in the fanny pack. That's pretty light and simple, and covers 50-35-28.

I just acquired a Canonet Q17 GIII, and I'm thinking about using the 40 mm on that camera in lieu of a 35 or 50; and taking the P or 7 w/ 28 & 75. Thus: 28-40-75, three lenses, two camera bodies.

A small, fixed-lens rf in conjunction w/ a LTM or M camera, and factoring the fl of the fixed-lens camera in the selection of lens for the LTM or M body, would seem to offer a flexible, versatile travel kit. Do others approach their travel kit selection this way?