Still learning what not to do

[marcr1230]

I'm still learning what not to do, eventually I'll find the right way to travel and photograph.


I'm currently at the end of a summer vacation
I have some thoughts on my gear choices and picture taking success

I'm on the island of Maui , I brought 3 cameras , a tripod and an iPhone
For the record, no film camera this time

Camera #1 fuji X100S
I haven't used this one much, not because it's not a rear camera, just got pushed aside by the other 2 and situations

Camera #2 Nikon D800 - used this a bit on a couple day trips, my lens selection is poor . I brought a 14-24 and a 60 micro nikkor plus a 50 1.8
I've decided the 14-24 is great for tight spots but not so good for landscape work. I probably should have known better, but the perspective and relative size of the near and far images makes inspiring landscapes very bland and flat. I lose the height of the mountain tops. I look at the art galleries here, the artists must be using medium or large format or taking panoramas with longer lenses and full frame 35mm size

The D800 is a great camera, but hard to use if you only pull it out every 3 months. Too many options and controls, it took me a couple mins to find the self timer again.

Among things I forget , is how harsh the midday sun is, really need fill flash in those circumstances when taking people pictures

Camera #3 olympus TG-2

This is a gem. Great vacation go anywhere camera, menus make it easy to find all features , easy to set fill flash, great results,you can take it to the beach or pool and take lots of active photos in the water and below.
It's small and loads of fun.

Couple of thoughts- underwater photos are hard to take as waves bounce you around and currents pull you. While snorkeling there's too much happening to calmly set up and frame a shot. It's more like soothing and praying. Underwater needs lots of light. I may have been in too dark or murky / sandy circumstances. But most if the photos are very flat.
Also notable is just how hard it is to see the screen underwater thru a snorkel mask, nearly useless. The TG-2 also sometimes misses focus, choosing some off center target instead of what you intended. It would be nice to be able to fix the autofocus in the center.

Tripod - benro C2680T with acratech GP-ss head - lovely tripod, light weight , quick setup , comes with nice carrying bag. The head fits in the bag on the tripod which is nice - legs fold up to leave the head on the inside. The head was easy and stable with the D800 and 14-24. The controls take a little practice but are fine.

In short I'm thinking of getting rid of the 14-24. Not sure about the D800, I'm not getting enough use if it to get good.

In terms of pictures, again I'm left thinking with nature shots it takes time and patience and that's hard in a vacation w family

In retrospect if I had to choose 1 camera to take on a similar trip, it would be the TG-2 hands down

Image quality is good enough for web, probably not for poster sizes.

I'm seriously thinking of simplifying my gear.

Regarding film - it has a place and the cameras are also fun, but hard to take all your gear on every trip . Better to focus on one kit and think more a out the images you want and can succeed in taking

Turtle w/TG-2

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

I'll give you my 2 cents as to "what not to do", meaning what I have learned not to do: believe that any photo gear that's realistically portable without being a sherpa will be perfect for all situations. You have to find out what is least interesting for you and can be dropped when traveling (ex. underwater photography, tele-shots of distant animals, whatever..), and get rid of the superspecialized gear that you have to do exactly that job. You may realize in the end that you can get most of your photos by only carring your excellent X100s, or the TG-2 if that's so much fun for you to use. THAT is the point, enjoying your travels and photography. Not missing a shot should never be the goal, IMO.

 

[YYV_146]

I think proper underwater photography calls for strobes and insane iso levels...but the pic of the turtle is pretty neat 😀

 

[Silvercall]

I guess I'm in the same boat as you. Before, when I went on vacation I would carry a camera bag with my dslr and two or three lenses, thinking that I'll be prepared for any shot or situation. What ended up happening was that I would usually stick with one lens. Now, I'm more of a mind to carry one camera and one lens and just enjoy the vacation and time with family. My wife has the same Olympus camera and it is nice to be able to not worry if we drop it in the river or ocean on our travels.

 

[Jani_from_Finland]

Used to carry a heavy load earlier, got tired of it and now just take 1-2 cameras, usually the other one is a compact p&s and my wife has the Panasonic FT3 which she does like to use. Normally i take about 6 rolls for a one week vacation and its usually good as lately i have got about 1-4 rolls shot on these trips. Best to downsize and take a camera you know how to handle and use and then one spare if needed.

 

[hausen]

I have just left Maui two days ago and am currently on Kauai. I have with me my Hasselblad Arcbody and Sony Rx1. It is probably the lightest I have ever travelled. First time in living memory I have travelled without a Leica🙂 For me my favorite holiday shots always seem to be either square or panoramas, so I have learnt that lesson and travelled with a 6x6 camera and Nodal Ninja 3 pano head which makes my RX1 the perfect FF pano tool. I think trying to cover all options is hard both for the back and the mind. Pack with the result in mind.

 

[squareshooter]

I have found that as far as gear is concerned, less is generally more. You can get muddled about what camera, what lens, what film to use and meanwhile and miss the good stuff. Of course, everyone works in a different manner. Some people have to have a whole camera store full of goodies available before they can move a muscle.

 

[Doug]

One thing I learned not to do... Take anything new or different. No new camera or film etc. Only take stuff that's thoroughly familiar and known to be reliable. That can save a bunch of disappointment and hassle.

And unless I have a specific project in mind that needs it, I won't bring specialized gear or a tripod.

I have found that as far as gear is concerned, less is generally more. You can get muddled about what camera, what lens, what film to use and meanwhile and miss the good stuff. Of course, everyone works in a different manner...

Yes indeed... While traveling I'm not averse to a fixed-lens camera to keep things simple, or just one lens for an interchangeable lens camera. Something slightly wide is my preference, very versatile. But a largish rig is ok; I like medium format. 🙂

 

[KenR]

Kiss

Kiss

The KISS principle applies - one camera, one or at most two lenses. I take only one film type with me as well (generally Tmax400). My wife carries a small digital camera for those sunset shots. My back isn't what it used to be - I don't miss all the gear as I never actually used it.