Traveling Abroad - Camera Dilemma

Creagerj

Creagerj

Incidental Artist
Local time
4:45 PM
Joined
Jan 25, 2006
Messages
626
I am traveling to Germany and I can't decide what camera to bring along with me. I want to pack as light as possible, so 35mm sounds like a no-brainer. On the other hand, I personally prefer medium format. I plan to stick with one camera either way.

I have some options to choose from:

- Leica M2 + Summicron 40mm
- Bronica RF645 + 65mm or 45mm
- Rolleiflex

If you were in my shoes, what would you bring?
 
None of those. I'd buy a tiny Konica C 35 or a Retina !a. Thy're much smaller and lighter than the cameras you mentioned, and will deliver results that are nearly as good or just as good as your Leica. You want something that will be unobtrusive and quick to use. Don't underestimate the safety factor either. No one will want to steal those, the Leica and Rolleiflex are going to attract the wrong sort of attention when traveling.
 
Whichever is your favorite to use. The importance of smallness in packing a camera is hugely overstated.
 
AAlfano said:
You're a Leica owner. How could you go to Germany and not bring the M2?
Click to expand...

That would apply equally to the Rolleiflex :p. The Rollei as you know is actually a quite small "package" - if you prefer 120 then the choice seems clear
 
AAlfano said:
You're a Leica owner. How could you go to Germany and not bring the M2?
Click to expand...

Noooo, those envious Germans will try to steal it back:)

Seriously, I am surprised how “safety” issue pops up always when somebody discusses travel. As if “non travel” is somehow different in terms of safety. Cmon, we are talking Germany in 21st century... I don’t think even Romans were so much concerned about barbarians stealing from their legions :)
 
tunalegs said:
Whichever is your favorite to use. The importance of smallness in packing a camera is hugely overstated.
Click to expand...

My heart agrees and my neck wishes my heart would mind it's own business.

CharlesDAMorgan said:
Rolleiflex, lovely camera and gets a lot of people chatting.
Click to expand...

Absolutely my favorite thing about it.

Shac said:
That would apply equally to the Rolleiflex :p. The Rollei as you know is actually a quite small "package" - if you prefer 120 then the choice seems clear
Click to expand...

It does pack fairly well and it makes the choice of lens very simple.
 
I used to take Rolleiflex to all my travels (I still do sometimes), but for street photography it was a bit too slow and heavy, so I bought Fuji GA645 - now it’s my favourite travel p&s.
 
valdas said:
Noooo, those envious Germans will try to steal it back:)

Seriously, I am surprised how “safety” issue pops up always when somebody discusses travel. As if “non travel” is somehow different in terms of safety. Cmon, we are talking Germany in 21st century... I don’t think even Romans were so much concerned about barbarians stealing from their legions :)
Click to expand...

Those that got out alive, of course.

I have been to Germany more times than any other country. In that time I have never once worried about criminality, other than my Londoner habit of jaywalking. This is the most serious crime I've seen, including numerous trips back to my hotel in Frankfurt via the red light district (it's where you find the banks too).
 
Creagerj said:
... I want to pack as light as possible ...

I have some options to choose from:

- Leica M2 + Summicron 40mm
- Bronica RF645 + 65mm or 45mm
- Rolleiflex
..
Click to expand...


A simple Decision a mean.

If medium format is important look for a folder like Ikonta, Moskva or so.

Perhaps a Folder with 6x9 format.
 
You are the only one that can decide which camera is the right one for you to carry when traveling. I wouldn't give anyone else's opinion any weight.
 
One thought on travel in Germany: think hard about the type of photography you do. If you are in the older parts of cities or in cathedrals, etc, you will probably want a lens with a 28mm or even 21mm aspect ratio, at least in my experience travelling in lots of German towns and cities. If your Rollei has the 75mm lens, you might be able to use it as a general purpose camera. Carrying your both your Leica with a WA and the Rollei would not be a great burden though. My next trip, I'm definitely going to include a MF camera in the kit. Gute Reise!
 
Since you personally prefer medium format, take the Rolleiflex. If it were me, I'd take a Rolleiflex and one very small 35mm camera, like an Olympus XA or a Rollei 35.
 
Oskar managed perfectly well with a 40mm Mikro Summar on the prototype but settled on 50mm later on. So I'd say the M2 etc. Just don't look in any camera shops and, if travelling in company, send them into the shops for film. Too much temptation in German camera shops...


Regards, David
 
My only recommendation would be to take cameras that you have experience using, and have used and know well.
You don't want to be trying to figure out a new camera, and/or dealing with an unknown and possibly unreliable camera while you're travelling.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom