Travel Gear

[merciless49]

Hi all,

Quick question, just wanted some help with choosing gear for an upcoming trip to Asia. I'll be overseas for 2 weeks, going to Japan and Taiwan with Taiwan being the bulk of where my stay will be. I'm trying to figure out what to bring with me on this trip, as I expect to have camera in hand every step of the way! Will probably do mostly landscape/cityscape shots, along with some "street" and portraits of relatives/friends.

The choices:

1) Medium format set up: Fuji G690 + 3 lenses (65mm, 100mm, 180mm)
2) Leica M3 + 3 lenses (28mm, 40mm, 135mm)
3) Nikon F3 + 2 lenses (50mm, 28-75mm zoom)

What do you all think? I would love to go with choice#1, but it is very heavy and I'll need to bring LOTS of rolls of 120 film! I'll also only have a digital P&S with me so, really limiting myself here to mostly film work.

Thanks very much, I appreciate all of your help!

 

[t.s.k.]

I'm a fan of the G690. However, not only is the system big and heavy, the lenses are s-l-o-w.
Even if you had the ultra-rare 65/5.6, that's about as fast as you'll get for two of the lenses.
IMO, we're approaching tripod territory.
So that leaves the 100/3.5, which is a fantastic focal length, but will it be enough for you?

 

[-doomed-]

The F3 seems like a solid option. You'll have all the range you'll want and it'll be lighter than the MF kit and more versatile than the M3 kit.

 

[ramosa]

For travel, I think portability (eg, compactness, small size). I let you figure out which set up brings you that.

 

[SteveM]

For international travel, unless you are going on a dedicated photo trip, lighter equipment is always better. If you plan on taking lots of photos, 35mm has the advantage in shots per roll and less frequent film changes, although compared to 6x9 you are dealing with a much smaller neg. Whether you need that large neg is the deciding factor for the 120 kit. Taking a small digital camera along is a great idea. I take one regardless of what film camera I use and invariably find it useful.

Have a great trip and post some photos when you return.

Steve

 

[Frank Petronio]

Take the 690 w the 65mm for groups and environments in good light where detail is important.

Take the m3 with the 40mm for spontaneous everyday shooting.

Leave all the extra lenses at home. Just bring film.

 

[wgerrard]

Hauling stuff is a pain, and it's a bigger pain after two weeks. I like Frank's suggestion, although I'd be tempted to take the 28 with the M3. I'd leave the long lenses at home.

 

[Riverman]

Take the M3, the 40mm and a shed load of film.

 

[merciless49]

So....

from the MF fans you'll hear bring the Fuji,

from the RF fans you'll hear bring the Leica, and

from the SLR fans you'll hear bring the Nikon. Oh and

from the P&S fans, you'll hear forget the cameras and really have fun.

Without being a total cynic take what you enjoy using and then enjoy using it.

I do agree with your assessment, and I appreciate the comment. My problem is that I do enjoy using all three systems that it's been difficult for me to decide.

 

[merciless49]

Take the 690 w the 65mm for groups and environments in good light where detail is important.

Take the m3 with the 40mm for spontaneous everyday shooting.

Leave all the extra lenses at home. Just bring film.

Thanks Frank, that sounds like a nice compromise...and you're right, I don't need to haul all the extra lenses!

 

[merciless49]

Within a day's travel by car of my home, and my darkroom, I might carry a pair of M6's or F3's but on the road overnight I carry a pair of M8.2's and a computer. I have seldom been able to go more than a day or so without seeing my images, on film or on a computer monitor.

Regardless of what I enjoy about each pair of cameras, there usually is something that tells me what I want to hear as to what to carry through the door each day. Once I am beyond that portal I don't look back, I don't second guess what images I might make with other cameras, lenses or film. I make the most with what is at hand and let the chips fall where they may.

Agreed! That is how I see it too, but of course since I'm not out the door yet this is making things a bit difficult. But I am leaning more towards perhaps Frank's suggestion with the larger RF and fixed lens, while using the F3 for more general purpose situations...or was it the M3? 😕 As you can see, I might just have to make a last-minute grab and live with that decision!

 

[craygc]

Obviously its horses for courses - what your photographic interests are and how comfortable you are working in close with people, but...

Having lived and photographed in Asia from north to south for the last 12 years (including having lived in Taipei for 14 months) my personal views are:

For the majority of opportunities (for me) I just dont see the value in using medium format - by that I mean given the reduced speed of shooting, and extra work in scanning and working the image for something that probably wont ever go beyond being a file. I prefer to use my Mamiya 7II's for specific purposes; often landscape or where I have plans and expections of what Im shooting and/or with intentions to print. In the main, 35mm suffices. Its quick, compact and offers far more shots per roll. I prefer carrying Leica Ms to my Nikon F3, even on photographic specific trips, and although I have a range of lens from 15mm through to 90mm in hindsight I could have survived the last decade in Asia with just a 35mm (80%), a 21mm (10%) and either a 50mm or 75mm (10%)

 

[Rayt]

Which cities in Japan and Taiwan? If you are going to Tokyo and Taipei then bring the Leica and fast film because the photo ops happen at night. If you are going to Osaka/Kyoto then medium format with a tripod.

 

[merciless49]

Which cities in Japan and Taiwan? If you are going to Tokyo and Taipei then bring the Leica and fast film because the photo ops happen at night. If you are going to Osaka/Kyoto then medium format with a tripod.

Hi Rayt, I'll be in Taipei and Tokyo. I'm planning on using Kodak Ektar 100 and Velvia 50 for the daylight color shots, and Fuji Neopan 1600 for available light opportunities. Love the grain from that film.

 

[merciless49]

Obviously its horses for courses - what your photographic interests are and how comfortable you are working in close with people, but...

Having lived and photographed in Asia from north to south for the last 12 years (including having lived in Taipei for 14 months) my personal views are:

For the majority of opportunities (for me) I just dont see the value in using medium format - by that I mean given the reduced speed of shooting, and extra work in scanning and working the image for something that probably wont ever go beyond being a file. I prefer to use my Mamiya 7II's for specific purposes; often landscape or where I have plans and expections of what Im shooting and/or with intentions to print. In the main, 35mm suffices. Its quick, compact and offers far more shots per roll. I prefer carrying Leica Ms to my Nikon F3, even on photographic specific trips, and although I have a range of lens from 15mm through to 90mm in hindsight I could have survived the last decade in Asia with just a 35mm (80%), a 21mm (10%) and either a 50mm or 75mm (10%)

Thanks very much Craig, I appreciate your input! And agree with your assessment. I do think that, just as Frank and others suggested before, perhaps 1 lens (or two, max) plus tons of film is the way to go. Thanks again for the suggestions!

 

[Rayt]

Both are my favorite cities. The night markets in Taipei are pretty interesting. Just one hour by train outside of Tokyo you will find a completely different world.

 

[bastian a.]

I would takt the M3 + 40mm + 28mm.

My favourite travel gear is:
M + 35mm + 21mm (sometimes + 90mm)
or
M + 50mm + 28mm

... and a lot of Tri-X or Fuji Pro 400H/Kodak Porta 400NC

 

[merciless49]

I would takt the M3 + 40mm + 28mm.

My favourite travel gear is:
M + 35mm + 21mm (sometimes + 90mm)
or
M + 50mm + 28mm

... and a lot of Tri-X or Fuji Pro 400H/Kodak Porta 400NC

Hi bastian, thanks for your input! Yes, my current thought leans towards M3+40mm+28mm. Probably will go the 135 format route due to number of shots available per roll (~40 from the M3). I also have access to a Nikon F while overseas, so I think my SLR needs will be satisfied once I get there.

 

[Sparrow]

I don't put 120 through x-ray machines, so that would exclude the MF option for me

 

[mfogiel]

Simple.
M3+28mm
Nikon F3 +50mm, off you go.