Rome - M3 or Nex 3?

kshapero

kshapero

South Florida Man
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Going to Rome in May. Should I bring the M3 or the NEX 3? Or should I bring both? Yes I am fressing over this now. Not looking for a digital vs. film argument.
 
Hi, i would bring both, it´s not a heavy or bulky equipment and each one fills the gap!:)

Have a nice trip!

Bye!
 
Both seems feasable to me... If I could only bring one...I'd bring the NEX. It'll be more versatile I would think.
 
kshapero said:
Going to Rome in May. Should I bring the M3 or the NEX 3? Or should I bring both? Yes I am fressing over this now. Not looking for a digital vs. film argument.
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Akiva, probably should take both. BUT, if you take one, take the M3. It would be a shame to waste a once in a lifetime chance to bond with the M3 in Rome.:) Besides, the M3 is a seductress and you will be Rome for heaven's sake!

And make a LOT of images.:angel:
 
Another thought... is this a photography trip or a family trip? In other words, will you be there primarily for photography or to enjoy yourself doing stuff outside of photography? That should come into play.
 
aperture64 said:
I went with M4/35mm Summicron and Tri-X. I don't think a 50mm for Rome is wide enough, especially for interiors.

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That's a wonderful photo aperture64! I live in Rome and I have never considered taking photos of church interiors, wrongly labeling this kind of photos as "boring", but your photo up there has just made me reconsidering the whole subject!
Thanks!

Stefano
 
A trip should be special, why not make the photos special? The M3 images will have more personality.

Or -- ask the cameras themselves: which one wants to go to Rome more? The NEX probably doesn't care too much, but the Leica is dying to see its native Europe again! ;-)
 
I'm in the same boat, I'm heading to the UK in a few months. I really wanted to bring the DSLR, purely because I wouldn't be limited to the number of shots I could take, having the wrong film in at the wrong time etc, but I decided it would be way to heavy to lug around everywhere.

I think I've settled with bringing one RF, probably my M2, and picking up a Nex3 before the trip.
 
If you are only planning to take one, I would vote for the NEX. Big benefit to me is easy switching of ISO (for changing between bright outdoors and dark interiors). The 1600 and 3200 ISOs are pretty decent on the NEX.
 
My experience shooting in cities has been, that 1 lens is not enough: the ideal combo is 28/50. Secondarily, Rome is full of old architecture, which screams for some Tri X and DR Summicron, or similar low contrast good resolution lenses (CV 28/1.9 is great as the wider option). Remember a yellow filter for your 28mm, the sun is strong there in May.

Old Architecture, DR and Ultron

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kshapero said:
Going to Rome in May. Should I bring the M3 or the NEX 3? Or should I bring both? Yes I am fressing over this now. Not looking for a digital vs. film argument.
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I'm sure you're prepared for the "depends" answer: if you're going to be taking a lot of people pictures that don't look like you took them from a moving car trying to avoid another incoming car, take the NEX 3.

If you are going to take your time composing your shots, have enough film with you (and resources to develop and/or scan it), the M3.
 
Wait, will you be using the kit zoom on the NEX or the same Leica lenses on the NEX that you'd use on the M3?
 
Personally I can't imagine taking a once in a lifetime trip and not shooting film; I'd also like to have a digital camera of some sort, too. Bring both if you can- but for me, if I could only take one camera it would certainly be an M3.
 
bring both....as awesome as the M3 is, you'll enjoy having a wide with you.....I lived in Italy for 2 years......a 15/28/50/90 was perfect for me, but YMMV....Rome is an amazing city, especially if you are coming from Coral Springs.....anyways, buon viaggio and take lots of good photos

cheers, michael
 
I went to Rome in 2008. I would take both.I would use the NEX for general purpose, and the M3 for B&W

I would want a lens that is 24-25mm equivalent, so make sure to have the 16/2.8 Sony lens. Even 28mm would be too narrow. Often in the narrow streets, if you want to photograph the whole building a wide angle is needed. Similar situation with church ceilings

Changing ISOs on the NEX is nice. You might be in a church taking photos at higher ISO, then outside in bright sunlight. Rome is a great city for black & white and I hate digital B&W.

If you want another idea, try a NEX plus a 6x9 MF folder. There are some great shots that are worthy of serious enlargement. Nothing like MF for that.

Photos from my trip to Italy (mostly Rome)
 
I think without question you should take both.
For years I shot only with an m3 and a 50mm. I found that while traveling in an overwhelming immersive environment like Rome, that just having a limited set up was liberating. There is so much to see, so many potential photographs, that you can't take them all. What you want is that the images that you do walk away with are up to your standards (or better). I would also mostly stick to one lens on the m3, whichever works for you.
But since the nex is so compact, you won't mind the little extra weight in the bottom of your bag. Bring it as an assurance, that you haven't limited yourself too much. There may be a couple of situations that call for something else, and switching cameras is faster than switching lenses.
 
jsrockit said:
Another thought... is this a photography trip or a family trip? In other words, will you be there primarily for photography or to enjoy yourself doing stuff outside of photography? That should come into play.
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It is really just for fun leaning towards only the M3
 
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