Southern Germany, the Alps, and Lakes in Northern Italy

Going to the European Alps region ? I would bring my Rolleiflex and maybe one Leica with a 35mm lens and be done. A Leitz table tripod (that is also stable enough to support the Rolleiflex), some filter and a cable-release would be in my bag, too! :) Enjoy your trip, the last time I have visited there was with my grandparents about 40 years ago, we went there by a VW 1500 ...:D
 
Sounds like a great trip raid - enjoy!

On my recent trip to the French Alps I took loads of gear, but then I had the space in the car and stayed only in one hotel. I found that the GF1 with M adapter was nice to have, but only worth bringing because the GF1 was also used for family snaps with its 40mm. I found I used my 15mm and 28mm a lot on my M6. My Rolleiflex also got 2 days of use including some IR. Finally, I keep a Rollei 35S in my pocket when I'm on my bike, but that's a separate special purpose camera for me.

If I had to or wanted to travel light it would be M6, 15mm or 28mm, 50mm, and GF1 with 40mm and adapter. The little Rollei would join if I brought my bike, or if I was travelling by bike it would be the only one.

Cheers,
Rob
 
I am hesitating about bringing along a MF camera even though it is such a joy using a camera with a large viewing area. I am also hesitating about using a digital camera because I will be traveling with my family, and bringing along a digital camera would imply leaving behind a film camera due to limited car space.

The M6 with 35/1.4 is a sure choice for which I have no doubts. The CV 25/4 is a sure choice because it is wide, is sharp and is tiny.

Everything else is not really decided on yet.
 
With the M6, 35/1.4 and 25/4 you definitely have the essentials. If you take anything else then the choice depends whether it is more important to have a back-up film body, or want MF, or want digital. Also if you want to shoot colour film and B&W film or different speeds at the same time then all signs point to your second film body.

Cheers,
Rob
 
Hi Rob,
A slightly larger trunk in the rental car would solve this issue!
I may place the 35/1.4 on the M6, place the CV 25/4 on a Bessa T (the back-up), and use the EP-2 as my tele lens, so to speak. The 35/1.4 will be a 70/1.4 when needed, and the 25/4 would be a digital 50/4. That would save on weight for carrying the 75/1.4 lux.
 
Hi raid,

Sounds like a plan. I suggest adding an AF lens on the e-p2, kit zoom or preferably pancake, and let your wife and daughters use it as a point and shoot the rest of the time. We didn't coordinate with my wife on packing for our trip and ended up with two digitals for no reason. Like I said earlier, we had the space so no worries.

Cheers,
Rob
 
Travel in central Europe does not require special gear. Take what suits best to your photographic style and enjoy your time! Nice trip that you're planning.

Don't underestimate distances - lot's of potential for traffic jams especially in July/August on all streets crossing the alps (both Austria/Italy and Switzerland/Italy) - many friends from Northern Europe go south these days. If you have spare time, take one of the pass roads instead of the highway tunnels or bridges. One hour more to ride but totally different experience (the pass roads are very good and not too narrow - no problem even with a camper)

Take your time and get off the main roads. Very nice but small roads are the lake side roads at Lake Como and Lake Garda (here especially to the northern end of the lake).

Johannes
 
robbeiflex said:
Hi raid,

Sounds like a plan. I suggest adding an AF lens on the e-p2, kit zoom or preferably pancake, and let your wife and daughters use it as a point and shoot the rest of the time. We didn't coordinate with my wife on packing for our trip and ended up with two digitals for no reason. Like I said earlier, we had the space so no worries.

Cheers,
Rob
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Dana and Lina may have their digital cameras with them, but the suggestion to use the 17mm pancake lens is good since it would give AF and AE.
 
jgeenen said:
Travel in central Europe does not require special gear. Take what suits best to your photographic style and enjoy your time! Nice trip that you're planning.

Don't underestimate distances - lot's of potential for traffic jams especially in July/August on all streets crossing the alps (both Austria/Italy and Switzerland/Italy) - many friends from Northern Europe go south these days. If you have spare time, take one of the pass roads instead of the highway tunnels or bridges. One hour more to ride but totally different experience (the pass roads are very good and not too narrow - no problem even with a camper)

Take your time and get off the main roads. Very nice but small roads are the lake side roads at Lake Como and Lake Garda (here especially to the northern end of the lake).

Johannes
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Hello Johannes,
I have built into my driving plans such possibilities. Therefore, I am taking the faster route from Germany to Lake Como, due to the distance, but I will take the Alpine road on the way back. Also, I have built in an extra day for relaxing in Salzburg,and then a night close to Munich, so that driving distances are not too great.
 
I decided on this set-up: it fit very well into a smaller sized camera bagt, and it is very functional.
Cameras: Leica M6 plus Olympus EP-2
Lenses: 35/1.4, 75/1.4, 25/4 (can be used with both cameras) plus the 17/2.8 pancake AF lens for the EP-2.

I will be meeting Robert (RFF) at Lake Como.
 
I like film but I have to say that the combination of film+digital is interesting. Desiring to travel light in my last two short journeys (4 days south italy and 1 week Arles) i used the m7 (35-50-75 but only used the 35 and 50) with provia 100F for the outside photos and the x1 at 400-800-sometimes more for interiors shots, when higher iso was a must. Not too heavy to bring around and good results, which I'll post in a short time.
See you in a couple of week, ciao
robert
 
See you soon, Robert.

I may drop the 75 Lux and use instead a 50/1.5. On the EP-2 it would be a 100/1.5 portrait lens. This makes the camera bag lighter.
 
Raid, if there is a lot of driving and sightseeing, why not take the MF gear. As you know the quality is worth the extra weight - I try to take MF except if I'm planning extreme hiking, where weight is really an issue. Also, on group outings where the inconvenience of changing film too frequently might cause me to be left behind, do I give in and take 35mm.
 
If you have the space I would certainly take a MF camera. I stayed in Sirmione (Garda) a few years back and did all of the surrounds, really regretted taking a really light kit. Will be doing something similar myself next year and I will take M9 + 3 and Fuji GF670. This is why I bought the Fuji and exited my Mamiya 6 because of questions like this, should I take it or not. Fuji slides into my M bag so easily.
 
KenR said:
Raid, if there is a lot of driving and sightseeing, why not take the MF gear. As you know the quality is worth the extra weight - I try to take MF except if I'm planning extreme hiking, where weight is really an issue. Also, on group outings where the inconvenience of changing film too frequently might cause me to be left behind, do I give in and take 35mm.
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I just thought that I had completed packing my camera bag, and then I see these MF fans here!

I would (and I may or may not) replace 35mm lenses with a MF camera with lens to reduce the extra weight and volume.

I have two children (6 and 8) with me, and I will neet quite a few friends there, so an AF camera is very helpful. A MF is more classical, and I would need a light meter. Without using a tripod, a MF is less superior.
 
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hausen said:
If you have the space I would certainly take a MF camera. I stayed in Sirmione (Garda) a few years back and did all of the surrounds, really regretted taking a really light kit. Will be doing something similar myself next year and I will take M9 + 3 and Fuji GF670. This is why I bought the Fuji and exited my Mamiya 6 because of questions like this, should I take it or not. Fuji slides into my M bag so easily.
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I could drop one camera from the bag, and use instead a Graflex XLSW with a 24mm equivalent view. Or, take one lens, the 35/1.4 plus M6 plus XLSW.
It is a matter of preference.

Currently:

M6 + Cv 25/4 + 35/1.4 Lux + 50/3.5 Heliar
EP-2 + 7.5mm/5.6 + 17mm/2.8

The Heliar and the CV and the pancake 17mm are very small lenses.
I was thinking that the Heliar with its high resolution would "replace" the MF.
The 7.5mm on the EP-2 is a 15mm lens.
There is lots of felxibility in such a set-up.
 
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roboflick said:
Add a gsw690iii to the list for some scenics, You cant beat it and some velvia for some mountain and lake shots

Nik
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I have used a G690BL for many years, but it is a very heavy camera to be carried around all day long. It would only be good for the drive from Germany and Italy, and back (from the car).
 
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