Rafael
Mandlerian
How do you choose the photographic gear that you take with you on trips to countries where for meteorological reasons or for reasons of public safety you face the very real possibility that your gear will be damaged, stolen, etc.?
Obviously certain types of choices are made for you. For example, you cannot substitute a 35mm lens for a 21mm. If you need the 21mm focal length on your trip, then you take the lens. If you don't, you leave it at home.
But what about the choice between lenses of the same focal length and speed or cameras with the same VF magnification? Do you take your best gear?
Obviously certain types of choices are made for you. For example, you cannot substitute a 35mm lens for a 21mm. If you need the 21mm focal length on your trip, then you take the lens. If you don't, you leave it at home.
But what about the choice between lenses of the same focal length and speed or cameras with the same VF magnification? Do you take your best gear?
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back alley
IMAGES
off the top of my head and without any great thought...if it were me i would take my cv kit as it would be cheaper to replace if it were lost and i think it would be less painful to lose than the zi kit.
joe
joe
peter_n
Veteran
I take two bodies and figure out the focal lengths I need. If I have more than one choice in a given focal length I generally take the lightest lens for obvious reasons. The value of the equipment doesn't come into it.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Whatever I think will work best/is most suitable. If you have expensive gear then an insurance policy might be a good idea.
Bob
Bob
Steve Bellayr
Veteran
What and where you will photographing should dictate the equipment.
mervynyan
Mervyn Yan
MP + 35lux are with me everyday, if i do a photo trip, in addition, will take m7ii/43/80/150, and a lot of films.
if you worry about losing stuff, you better stay home.
if you worry about losing stuff, you better stay home.
I take what I want to shoot with, but at the same time I wouldn't like risking something that was hard to replace, a collector item...
einolu
Well-known
for the past year or more i have only had a bessa r and a 35mm skopar that i take with me when i travel (and a digital p&s), if it breaks im f'ed. i might get another r + skopar while they can still be had for backup but i would rather spend the money on something else.
blakley
blakley
I bought a banged-up M6 for this exact purpose, and I've painted almost everything on it black. I put an old 35 or 50 lens on it & don't worry too much.
michaelging
Established
I think in life as well as travel photography , if all you think about is what you are losing, then no matter what happens, you have already lost.
vrgard
Well-known
That's exactly what my CL kit is for. Not only would I be less upset if it were stolen, but it is also physically smaller so it fits in my luggage better, tucks into my pocket more easily, is less obtrusive in social settings, etc. Of course, that answer changes if I think I will need something else/different/more. But it is nice to have the CL kit as my "grab and go" travel kit.
-Randy
-Randy
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mw_uio
Well-known
This is what you do, have your camera strapped to your body over the shoulder and a light dark jacket covering your camera that is on your side. What you wear is important. None of this geeky pants that you can zipper off to make shorts. Where ever you are, walking and standing, you must portray yourself like you own the frickin place. Also no pointing of your hands. That spells trouble. No clothing with labels. Go unshaven and unbathed. No new clothes. Dark boots, no watch, no chain, no rings, small bills in your front pocket. Your Id in the bottom of your boot. Passport left at the hotel or with a friend. Have a transportation plan to the local you are going to, and one back. No map either. Study it before you go. A pack of Marlboro's also. If you feel that the heat maybe coming then step into a local shop for safety. Do not change your film right in the street. Not where everyone can frickin see you. If you have a M7, then use 'aperture priority' without a doubt. Did you know that 'Moaan' on flickr uses his M7 with it set to 'aperture priority' always.
Cheers
Mark
Quito, EC
Cheers
Mark
Quito, EC
surlysimon
Established
hi
As I have said before my basic travelling kit is an Olympus XA and XA4 (38mm lens and 28mm lens) and one other good camera which for now is my Nikon D50 with either the kit lens or 30/1.4 sigma lens.
It is a matter of covenience and domestic harmony more than quality of equpment.
As I have said before my basic travelling kit is an Olympus XA and XA4 (38mm lens and 28mm lens) and one other good camera which for now is my Nikon D50 with either the kit lens or 30/1.4 sigma lens.
It is a matter of covenience and domestic harmony more than quality of equpment.
pvdhaar
Peter
When sailing, I take a Nikon F75 with a cheapish zoom. If it goes overboard, nothing's really gone overboard.
If my RF's with the Hexanon would sink, I'd feel sick, really sick, for a long time..
If my RF's with the Hexanon would sink, I'd feel sick, really sick, for a long time..
kully
Happy Snapper
Molly-cuddling is a pain in the bum. I don't have anything as expensive as an M7 or MP but I'll take my M2 or Bessas anywhere.
I've trained myself with cheapo SLRs so that I won't lose them no matter how drunk I get. And, I've never, ever been robbed whilst travelling (and I've been to some rough places, including most of the 'axis of evil' countries
) - that's by following (some) of the things that mw_uio put down.
Buying something expensive but being too scared to use it is a horrible feeling.
I've trained myself with cheapo SLRs so that I won't lose them no matter how drunk I get. And, I've never, ever been robbed whilst travelling (and I've been to some rough places, including most of the 'axis of evil' countries
) - that's by following (some) of the things that mw_uio put down.Buying something expensive but being too scared to use it is a horrible feeling.
mtscherning
Member
I have my cameras and equipment for one simple reason; to use it, so of course I do so
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
mervynyan said:
Very well put.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
Toting lots of camera gear when traveling is just a pain in the neck.
Unless the trips main activity is photography I find a really good pocket
camera is often the best choice.
If you don't have one, a compact rangefinder camera is the next best thing.
Chris
Unless the trips main activity is photography I find a really good pocket
camera is often the best choice.
If you don't have one, a compact rangefinder camera is the next best thing.
Chris
angeloks
Well-known
I bring my 1V with a 50mm f1.4, prime lens all the way! For their IQ, their light sucking hability and their small weight.
I also carry a IIf with a 50mm collapsible when I want to be sneaky. When I need something wide, I use the 25mm CV lens. I don't mind bringing the barnack since that kit is just plain small! And having two cameras make me more confortable.
I also carry a IIf with a 50mm collapsible when I want to be sneaky. When I need something wide, I use the 25mm CV lens. I don't mind bringing the barnack since that kit is just plain small! And having two cameras make me more confortable.
alan davus
Well-known
During the 1970's I spent 7 years travelling (oh! to be young again) a lot of it hitching in the Third World, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America and so on. I can honestly say the only place I ever felt unsafe was in the States. For the most part leave the fear factor behind and take a good dose of common sense. That will get you through most situations. Photographically speaking, my companion during those years was a single body with a 50mm lens and I never felt deprived by not having more gear. Today if setting of out on a similar sojurn, the only other thing I would add would be a 35mm lens. I almost laugh at people who travel light with only 2 or 3 bodies and the minimum of 5 or 6 lenses.