Travel-Associated G.A.S.

[wgerrard]

In conjunction with getting ready for my Scotland trip, I'm, as usual, thinking that none of the stuff I own is sufficient to the task ahead and, so, I'm lusting after new toys. This time, I'm looking at Nikon DSLR's and lenses. Never mind that the purchase would almost double the cost of the trip. This is not a rational thing.

Anyone else go through this every time you go off on a major trip? I can't be the only one.

(Now, I won't spend the money on the DSLR... although traveling with one camera, and one good zoom appeals, and scanning two weeks of negs does not appeal at all. Hmmm..)

 

[JHenry]

I usually go through this as well, but more with respect to bags and accessories. I know that the perfect travel bag is out there, and I just need to find it..... (no, it doesn't exist!)

Though, I've decided to take a Canon DSLR on my upcoming trip to Bhutan (in addition to M9 with related M-mount glass and an M7 as emergency backup). I keep thinking that maybe my old 28-70L should be replaced with the 24-70 or the 24-105. But, thankfully, I continue to conclude the expense is not justified nor rationale.

I keep telling myself "Stick with what you've got; you're not even worthy of that gear."

Jeff

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Bill,

Exact opposite. I only take familiar gear, and usually, less and less of it. Two Ms, 3-4 lenses, though Frances also takes an M or M-compatible or two, and 1-3 lenses too.

Cheers,

R.

 

[JonasYip]

Much of my gear has been purchased because it was "necessary" for a trip: 2nd bodies, different zoom, smaller lenses, different bags, smaller laptop, new clothes, proper shoes... no better way to justify GAS than "necessity".

 

[Brian Legge]

I just had an Autocord CLA'ed in preparation for a trip. I'd been planning on doing this for a while but the trip gave me a definitive reason to do it.

I probably would have done the same with an LTM camera but I'm still not totally sure which body works best for me. Why isn't there a body as small as the IIIc, with metal curtains and an adjustable finder that goes 35/50/135? 😉

That reminds me, I need to buy new shoes this weekend and break them in before the trip.

 

[Colin Corneau]

A common malady, for sure. But oddly, I find travel really focuses the mind -- much easier to pare down and minimize.
And interestingly, I find that less really is more. Some of my favorite photos have come from travelling.

You'd think I'd take those lessons and go 'less' in day to day life, but no....

 

[coelacanth]

When I visited my friend in Paris for the first time, I planned to take 2 Ms, 2 OMs, many lenses, and so on. After talking with folks here on RFF, I decided to take "only" 2 Ms as "buddy system" and 2 50mm (elmar-m, nokton 1.4) and a 35mm. I ended up using pretty much the MP and Elmar-M only. I took a few shots with other gear just to justify the weight I carried.

Next time, I'll bring 2 Ms (one as backup) and a 50mm, a 28mm and just bunch of films.

 

[wgerrard]

Dear Bill,

Exact opposite. I only take familiar gear, and usually, less and less of it. Two Ms, 3-4 lenses, though Frances also takes an M or M-compatible or two, and 1-3 lenses too.

Cheers,

R.

You're more sensible than I am, Roger. I hate carrying stuff. Although, whatever else I take, I'll also take the little Sigma DP2-S. It's an annoying camera, but it can produce decent snapshots.

 

[wgerrard]

As of right now, I'm taking an M2, the Nokton 35/1.2 and the Zeiss Planar 50/2 (small, takes up no room.) Very subject to change.... ha!

The rationalization for buying some DSLR is to avoid the annoyance of scanning lots and lots of film. Not quite sure how much that is worth to me.

 

[kxl]

When my son was still a kid, he used to ask for a new toy by saying "I 'want' a new (insert latest toy)...." Being the disciplinarian that I am, I said 'no' on most occasions; however, being the responsible parent that I am, I used to tell him: "You 'need' to take your medicine or you 'need' to go to the dentist." It didn't take him long to catch on and start saying "I 'need' a new (insert latest toy)."

I think that same principle is at work here... you 'need' that shiny new DSLR. 😉

 

[Paddy C]

Dear Bill,

Exact opposite. I only take familiar gear, and usually, less and less of it. Two Ms, 3-4 lenses, though Frances also takes an M or M-compatible or two, and 1-3 lenses too.

Cheers,

R.

Sage advice as always. Know thy gear, know thy film. Vacations (especially ones with great photo possibilities) are not the situations to try new stuff out.

 

[Bingley]

As of right now, I'm taking an M2, the Nokton 35/1.2 and the Zeiss Planar 50/2 (small, takes up no room.) Very subject to change.... ha!

A very good kit for Scotland! I recently returned from three weeks in Scandinavia and England. I took an M2 with a 35 and a 50, and Bessa T with a CV 25/4. The latter camera, in addition to being on call as a back-up, was used almost entirely for interior photos of palaces, churches, and other buildings of interest. Worked very well. But if I were going to Scotland, I wouldn't bother with it. As for the M2, I did buy a Canon 35/1.8 with this trip in mind, thinking that a faster, lower contrast lens might be useful for street shots both with color and b&w. So, yes, there was a travel-related GAS attack! 🙂 And the lens worked pretty well (the 50 was the compact and excellent CV Skopar 50/2.5). I don't feel that I missed any shots I wanted to take b/c of lack of gear (I may have missed some b/c of lack of nerve). I shot about 40 rolls of film, a little over half of which was color (Portra). I will be souping the b&w rolls over many weekends...

 

[KenR]

Fujica GSW690 for a trip to some western National Parks - purchased a couple of months ago to allow me to become familar with its quirks also to allow me build up a few muscles in order to hike with the beast.

 

[wgerrard]

Sage advice as always. Know thy gear, know thy film. Vacations (especially ones with great photo possibilities) are not the situations to try new stuff out.

As I see it, the advantage of a digital for me on this kind of trip is not having to slog through examining and scanning hundreds of film frames. That's not a problem when it's a few rolls at a time. Dealing with two weeks-plus of film takes, well, too long. It isn't fun and I don't look forward to it.

Having little experience with a new toy is mitigated in my case, because I almost always set a digital on full automatic and go have fun. In for a penny, in for a pound.

 

[Chris C]

I can't divide myself between gear when I'm at home yet alone on a trip. My last two serious trips overseas have been with a Mamiya 645 Pro. The first trip to Nepal was with just the 80mm and the second to Myanmar was with that + the 45mm. I also usually take a mju II for more casual shooting.

The only gear issue have before I travel is how to pack my 4x5 to be as portable as possible. I haven't quite got that sorted yet. Maybe next time…

 

[Dr Gaspar]

Right now, I think I could take a sony nex, a few lenses, and two memory sticks.

 

[andredossantos]

I ALWAYS get afflicted with this uncomfortable type of GAS (Montezumas Revenge?). I usually am able to control it by buying a buttload of film to take on the trip. That takes the edge off 🙂

 

[randolph45]

I keep telling myself "Stick with what you've got; you're not even worthy of that gea

I keep telling myself "Stick with what you've got; you're not even worthy of that gea

I usually go through this as well, but more with respect to bags and accessories. I know that the perfect travel bag is out there, and I just need to find it..... (no, it doesn't exist!)

Though, I've decided to take a Canon DSLR on my upcoming trip to Bhutan (in addition to M9 with related M-mount glass and an M7 as emergency backup). I keep thinking that maybe my old 28-70L should be replaced with the 24-70 or the 24-105. But, thankfully, I continue to conclude the expense is not justified nor rationale.

I keep telling myself "Stick with what you've got; you're not even worthy of that gear."

Jeff

I keep telling myself "Stick with what you've got; you're not even worthy of that gear."

Well Jeff you've hit the nail on the head for me ,got this great gear I should give to someone who can use it to it,s potential

 

[wgerrard]

Well, I have succumbed. Just ordered a Nikon 5100 body, a 35/1.8 DX, and the 10-24 DX. Sigh...

 

[zauhar]

It's not quite what you mean, but on our recent trip to Quebec I found a super angulon at a shop in Montreal that I had to have. Wound up buying it, which added significantly to the cost of the trip.

Of course I was thinking before we left that I needed a wide angle lens, so I guess it fits your scenario.

I am happy I succumbed.

Randy