Recommendations for Europe trip

[decoyslikecurve]

Hello all,

In a few months I will be heading overseas from Australia to beautiful paris, london and a few places around there. I think I'll also be doing luxembourg.

At first I was set on purchasing a konica hexar RF with the 50mm hexanon but at 1700 or so australian dollars (1300 or so US) I figure better money can be spent on the trip (Im only an 19 year old student going with my ladyfriend)

Next, I looked into Bessa R's because I have a few LTM lenses like industar 61LD and jupiters. I was kind of put off by the comments of cheap build, I like rangefinders because of thier solid build and smallish size, with ease of shooting etc, and the bessa R seems to me as if it is a little cheaply done.

Now I'm really thinking maybe I should just get a nice yashica GTN and an olympus XA, and just use them.

Reasons being - Both super sharp lenses for the money, both fairly small, and in the yashicas case, very solidly built. not too bad if something goes wrong with them, and that means I can have a B&W film in one, and a fuji superia 200 in the other.

The way I figure it is that the lenses can't be that much worse on the GTN and XA than the LTM russian lenses, and for the money, can't be much worse than the hexanon. Note I said for the money... I know how good the hexanons are!


I would like to take the 30d, but me having to travel a bit with a backpack, I dont really want to be taking such a big camera plus 2 or 3 lenses around constantly. Plus its such an expensive thing.



Any recommendations with cameras? I like manual control and a solid body.

I love zorkis and FEDs and Kievs, but im not sure I want to be lugging around something as old - unreliability.... Ihad a zorki 4 and found it to be a little.... delicate. I really do like the cameras though. Which sort of FSU ones would be suitable for actual real world travel use reliability wise?


Also, I just got a roll of this kodac B&W film, its called something like BW400TCN or something... it runs on c41 process... whats it like? I haven't had the chance to try it out yet.

If you have any recommendations on places to go, or anything in general please by all means go for it! I'd love to hear from you - Any advice is good advice!


Im terribly sorry for all the writing, thanks in advance...

Gavin

 

[ferider]

Don't know about the Yashica, but the XA is really great. Very compact and sharp (was measured at > 60 lpmm if I remember right). Plus you can do automatic night shots (say of the Eiffel tower 🙂 ) on a mini tripod.

Roland.

 

[Ash]

I'd trust my russian RF's as far as I can throw them without em breaking 😀

I managed to get acceptible photo's in Italy from a Zenith, so I think Russian cams can be trusted, but I would take one as a backup only.

 

[decoyslikecurve]

Yeah I think i will definetly be Getting an XA - I did have one a while ago but it didn't work. Also I will definetly be getting a mini tripod.


About the russian cameras - Yeah only thing is, say I buy a yashica GTN or a Minolta 7s, and an xa, I wouldn't really need a 3rd camera.

Argh so many decisions

 

[Ash]

I think 3 cameras is realistic for a trip. You'll be thankful when one runs outta battery, one stops cocking the shutter, and the 3rd is sat happily with a 36exp running smoothly 😉

 

[decoyslikecurve]

I know it would be good to take 3, but you see I have to walk around, catch trains and busses with a only a backpack to hold all my clothes and belongings... an XA can fit in my pocket no problems, and Im fine wearing one in a case around my neck, but I dont really wqant to have to fit another into my bag, as I'll have film, cleaning gear, and a mini tripod in there as well as clothes etc. Plus my girlfriend will bring her minolta digital P&S which would be fine for a backup?


On another note, does anyone know where I can buy an "everready" case for a yashica GTN/GSN brand new? Most of the old cases are fairly worn...


thanks 🙂

 

[FrankS]

I would miss the manual control that both the XA and GSN cameras do not offer.

 

[cbass]

If it will help, here is what I took to Paris (and Amsterdam) for an eight day holiday in April:

Bessa L with two lenses: 25/4 and 15/4.5
Vivitar 35 ES with fixed 40/1.7 lens
Sony digital P&S

I shot two rolls of B&W with the Vivitar, four rolls of color with the Bessa and over 200 photos with the Sony.

I highly recommend the Bessa L. It's a quick shooter, all manual, light weight and very small. I kept it in my satchel during walking excursions and it never felt obtrusive. It is a near-perfect travel camera.

Paris is a truly magical city and the French are extremely courteous hosts (be sure to learn at least a few French phrases before your trip). A truly wonderful place and I cannot wait for my next visit! 😀

Pack lightly, enjoy your holiday and don't fret about what gear you did or didn't bring with you.

PS - Bring comfy shoes.

 

[FrankS]

The Bessa R would be an ideal camera for such a trip: not too expensive, full manual control, ability to accept LTM interchangeable lenses, and light weight. The criticism of build quality is only in comparison to Leica and similar top quality gear (Canon, Contax, Nikon RF)

 

[back alley]

the bessa r is a well built camera. bj, a member here, travelled all over europe with 2 of them and a bag full of lenses.

those who diss the r have never used one.

joe

 

[sf]

You are right about the 30D. Leave that at home. Bring a film camera and a little digital P&S if you want the snapshot capability (whichi is what digital is for). I think you'd be fine with a Yashica. Forget the FSU cameras for a long trip - you want reliability. Actually, I would buy oneof the $400USDish Hexar AF cameras that shows up regularly on Ebay - that would be a good move. Much MUCH better glass than pretty much anything else around, quiet, AF (sometimes a good thing), fast glass, etc. And high resale value if you buy used.

 

[sf]

the bessa r is a well built camera. joe

Haven't heard THAT before.🙂

Perhaps more true than false. I had an R3A that had chronic alignement issues, and the Bessa R feels like a toy. BUT, I have not used the R, so I can't really talk about it.

For that price range, though, I'd definitely buy the Hexar AF first.

If you don't mind the $1000 price range, try the R2M.

 

[Richard Black]

I have a Bessa R and am quite pleased with it. No issues with reliability. It traveled to N.M. and Colorado without a prolblem. The XA s I have seen have quite a few years on them and could be subject to failure. Mine did, after 20 years of faithful service. Take a camera you trust and enjoy your trip.

 

[nightfly]

If you could swing a used Leica body, that would be your best bet. You'd have it forever and would save yourself many future camera purchases. That and an XA and you'd be set. I sorta knew I wanted one for years but went through a million other cameras before I finally bit the bullet and bought one. I've seen a lot of $7-800 M4-P's around here lately and I'd snatch one up if I were you. The experience is what counts though, so your money is probably better spent on the actual trip than the camera.

Otherwise the Bessa might not be a bad call. I haven't used one so I can't comment on their build. Some of their lenses though well built.

You don't mention what focal lenghts you have or like and to me that seems like the most important thing. You also don't say what Jupiters you have but many are supposed to be very good. I think you probably want wider lenses for narrow streets and if you want to photograph indoors, something fast. I would go for some sort of 35mm lens or depending on your preferences either a 28 or a 50. Personally I'd bring a fast 35 like a Summicron and a Cosina 28mm 3.5 for daylight shooting. If I were taking 1 lens it be would be a 35mm 2.0, if two probably a 28mm and a fast 50 (since fast 50's tend to be cheap).

I think that film you have isn't too great. It's color process black and white film which gives you pretty lackluster black and white without the option of color. I would either shoot traditional black and white or shoot color film and convert to black and white later in photoshop. To me that Kodak C41 film is the worst of both worlds.

Hope that helps. Most importantly enjoy the trip and don't worry too much about the pictures.

 

[lubitel]

I think Bessa R with CV 35mm is a perfect combo for such a trip. reliable, with light meter, fun to use AND you can use your FSU glass. Built quality is not a problem I think. Get a nice, small photo bag, and when its not in your hand its safe in the bag. I even carried my bessa in a large pocket a couple of times and it has been bumped and... it didnt fall apart 🙂 I also like to take minox35 on my trips, very quiet, very small, nice 35mm lens.

have fun in europe!

 

[Crasis]

Just remember that if you put down your camera bag, put your leg through the strap or tie it to you somehow. Also, make sure you wear your bag across your body and not just slung on one shoulder. You wouldn't want to have a guy drive by on a motorbike an nick you!

My friend had his camera bag stolen when it was sitting right beside him in London I believe? Lost an M7 and several lenses. Evil 🙁

 

[nightfly]

It seems obvious but probably worth saying anyway, whatever you carry your camera in or on, you are probably better off it doesn't have some camera company logo on it or scream "I have an expensive camera in here".

Take a beater bag, a plain strap if you use a strap and possibly cover up the camera logos with some black gaffers tape. Thieves are probably looking for shiny digital point and shoots or big DSLRs since there is a better market for them, so your old mechanical camera probably won't attrack them but better safe.

I've traveled all over with all sorts of cameras and have never had a problem. But fumbling with a map with your big camera camera dangling on a NIKON strap isn't the way to go. Like wise a giant "pro photographer" looking bag is going to attract attention as well. Some padding in an old rucksack or satchel is a better choice.

 

[StuartR]

I am with Shutterflower, I would recommend the Hexar AF. It suits me very well as a travel camera. Here are a few shots I took with one in Japan:

 

[ray_g]

A lot of good advice.

I would not hesitate to get the Bessa R. I travelled around Europe with a Bessa R + canon 35/2 and 90/4 elmar, and it is very reliable. Recently I have been travelling with Leica M bodies, Konica Hexar AF or RF, and frankly what I miss about the R IS it's lightness.

The GSN is a nice camera, but it is not small or light. If you are thinking of the yashica plus another camera, check again to see that your kit is not actually heavier than the 30D + a prime or a light zoom.

The XA is nice, but if the old electronics fail you on your "once in a lifetime" trip, you would be stuck. Same with the yashica, unless you'd be content guessing at what the escape shutter speed is giving you. The bessa will continue to work if the electronics die.

I have had all these camera but while I am speaking from experience, I am also speaking of my own preferences. YMMV.

Last word of advice, travel light and don't let your equipment bog you down. Enjoy the trip with your friend.

 

[raid]

I also recommend the Bessa R to use with your lenses. Buy it quickly and use it with several rolls before leaving for the trip. If you use a Bessa for Mmount lenses and you have screwmount lenses, make sure that each lens focuses properly with the M adapeter that you have.

The XA is great as a pocket camera. Make use of the ASA switch to get "manual over-ride" with its automation.

Travel light; this is most important in such trips so that you will fully enjoy the cultural experience.

Change all batteries before you leave on the trip, and take spare batteries.


Have fun.

Raid