Prague - What should I take?

[JohnTF]

😉 OK so the address of the tavern is Provaznická 3, it's near the exit of the metro Müstek going to Na příkopě (actually it's in a narrow street located just between Na příkopě and the barocco "States Theater" where Mozart's Don Giovanni was played for the first time in Europe).

The pavement covering Prague's walksides is a (beautiful) mosaic of small black and white squares. The black are granite or basalte and the white are marble with quartz inclusions.

Příští zastávka : Újezd.

I asked a rock layer once what type of rock he was putting down, and he answered "Roche de Rue", was in France of course. I use a slide of it in my classes, labeled as such. ;-)

I hate to admit getting a bit lost in Mustek, especially looking for the window that sells the monthly passes for the Metro. I hope to bring my Iphone with GPS next trip. ;-) I used to carry a compass with me on the Paris Metro. With narrow streets, you can get turned around easily.

It took me a couple of years to find B&S photo for the second time. You do have to find the Tesco, all my friends seem to navigate from that and meet by the tail of the horse on Wencelas Square, two things a tourist can pronounce and find.

Bar around the corner from Pazdera--Jama- The Hollow, interesting place, reasonable food, smattering of Ex Pats from various places, patio in the back. Street runs up parallel to the square, other nice looking places as well. I need a guide to find the Beer Garden U Flecku (I cannot even spell it anymore sorry, but I bet help is on the way ;-), nice traditional Chestnut trees and picnic tables with sausages and beer made on premises.


John

 

[Gumby]

Not to be too much of a pedant but what I actually asked was what kit would you take? (from the list of things I have available).

I've never been to Prague, but for all of my European travel the most enjoyed photography has been with MF. I'd consider taking your 645 and lots of 120 film.

 

[Highway 61]

One thing I wouldn't do in Prague is shooting 120. Think that you will be always walking and searching for nice places to see, nice lights to capture and the like - with a bit of stress because you'll keep in mind that you are there for two days only. Loading and unloading MF films all the time at the risk of veiling them by misfortune is not what I'd chose to do then.

I would take the Contax G2 outfit - definitely.

Nice thing would be to get a Contax G1 on loan if you can. You load the G2 w/ color, and the G1 w/ B&W. And you switch the 28-45-90 lenses from one camera to another if needed.

I'd also take the Oly Mju-II loaded w/ B&W film in my trousers pocket, for street snapshots.

And nothing else. Carry a small bag in front of you (no bagpack of course) in which you can put all your unused camera gear (keeping the used one in your hand, ready to shoot). You may secure it to your belt by a small chain or a bicycle pedal strap.

I went twice to Prague recently and I carried the same gear both times : two Nikon RF cameras (one with B&W film, the other one with color slides film), a lone set of 28-35-50 lenses which could fit the two bodies, a pocketable light meter, and a pocketable digital camera in my trousers pocket. The bag was small but capable and convenient (kind of a small Domke but from no known brand and made of aged brown leather). Think that the rolls of film with take some room in your bag. Of course you can buy some locally but rather arriving already being all set re. your films stock. For two days you are likely to burn five rolls of B&W as well as five rolls of color film.

Another good place to eat and/or have some Pilsner beer is the Na Certovske tavern. It's located on Kampa, on the left bank of the Vltava, just in front of a small bridge crossing the Certovska river and going to the French embassy (just near the John Lennon wall shot by Micromontenegro above). It's easy to recongnize because the front wall is painted green and you have to climb some small stone stairs to reach the entrance door.

Generally, avoid places looking like large restaurants and prefer some small taverns where you see Czech people your age go, but for two of them : the Savoy (left bank of the Vltava, access via Legion Bridge) and the Slavia (right bank of the Vltava, in front of the National Opera - at the other end of the Legion Bridge BTW).

 

[whitecat]

I think with all the great architecture I would take my OM4Ti and my 24mm PC lens!

 

[JohnTF]

I also enjoy the restaurant at the first stop of the funicular, if you find the funicular, (by a tram stop, same ticket), you obviously find the restaurant, very pleasant, food is the real thing, don't recall it as being expensive, but very nice. You can walk down if you have the legs.

Also recommend the pork knee and the steaks at HUSA on Vinohrady.

Terrific stand up lunch place on Narodni, just a bit toward the river away from Tesco, opposite side-- great open faced sandwiches, and Slavia on the corner by the river. With a pass and the trams, you just jump on and off to cover blocks quickly, a stop in front of Skoda will take you to Tesco and on to the river. Tram 22 I think is the longest and you may well find some photos by and on the trams. I think your dog is half fare. ;-)


I think your Contax and Fuji kit are precisely what you will want.

I found my favorite smaller camera bags at the close-out and used department of FotoSkoda. Too bad my good friend Lukas has left, or so I hear.

John

 

[Doug]

I've never been to Prague, but for all of my European travel the most enjoyed photography has been with MF. I'd consider taking your 645 and lots of 120 film.

There are different views with good reason and logic, but I tend to agree with Gumby here.

For many decades people have been going off on vacation - or for professional travel photography - with a Rolleiflex and 120 film. I think the main thing is to take a camera you're completely confident in handling, and be familiar with the useful tricks in loading and unloading.

I've only had smaller cameras on European trips; a CLE + Bessa, two Contax G2, or a pair of M8 for instance. But on domestic trips and to Hawaii I've had along at various times a Fuji GS645S, a pair of Bronica RF645, or a Pentax 67. For these I've always loaded 220 film though, to reduce loading. So then I just average one roll per day anyway, not a lot of bother even if it were 120 twice as often.

So as long as you're comfortable with it, I'd think the 645 a good candidate for travel.