Murchu
Well-known
Travelled with a tlr once, for a week long holiday around new years in Berlin. It was a bit of an impulsive choice, and although it was accompanied by a dslr and 50mm-equivalent prime. I toted it everywhere, and while I did not find the weight an issue, I favour cameras I can either keep near at hand in a pocket, or that can be slung across my body with a strap and rest out of the way at my side to be called upon at need. In this regard, I did not like the tlr as much as an M, but my travels tend to be for the travel first, and photography second, and also dislike torturing those I am with, by taking an age to take a shot.
I can only speak from my experience, and everyone elses will be their own. The main thing I would say is to bring cameras you are comfortable using, as that way, you will have a good idea if you will travel well with you. Otherwise, take a second camera you know you will use, if your intended camera proves too awkward.
I can only speak from my experience, and everyone elses will be their own. The main thing I would say is to bring cameras you are comfortable using, as that way, you will have a good idea if you will travel well with you. Otherwise, take a second camera you know you will use, if your intended camera proves too awkward.
Highway 61
Revisited
Probably because using a waist-level finder camera when you're sitting in a narrow open-air cockpit could be just fun if you suddenly decide to stand-up so that you can frame more easily...
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
These days I only travel with a Rolleiflex. I haven't used anything else for a long long time.
xia_ke
Established
Last year I spent 9 days at Glacier National Park for my wedding/honeymoon. I brought a Rolleiflex, a Balda Super Baldax, and a Leica IIIa. I ended up using the Rolleiflex 95% of the time as it was the camera I was most comfortable shooting with. I took it on many hikes and used it for all of my "tourist" shots. Most of the time I carried it in hand, and while a pain at times, it was worth it for the shots I got. I used the Balda on my really long hikes as it was more packable. I never ended up pulling out the Leica as every time I thought about it, the first thing that came to mind was the difference in negs, so I always ended up opting for one of my MF cameras. This is a problem I find myself having now. I have fallen in love with an M2. It is a dream to shoot with, but when I see the final negs, I keep wishing they were 120 instead of 35mm
ZeissFan
Veteran
I once carried a Rolleiflex Automat, Agfa Isolette III, Bessa-R and 35mm Skopar and a Nikon F2A with a 20mm Nikkor up a section of the Great Wall.
On subsequent trips to China to see different sections of the wall, I took only a Contax IIA with 35-50-135 lenses and a folding camera or the Rolleiflex Automat.
On subsequent trips to China to see different sections of the wall, I took only a Contax IIA with 35-50-135 lenses and a folding camera or the Rolleiflex Automat.
taemo
eat sleep shoot
pm tsiklonaut, he travelled in Africa, Europe and Asia with a Pentax 67
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90895&page=33
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90895&page=33
raid
Dad Photographer
In my case, there will be my wife and two little girls.
I also am thinking of only carrying either a MF camera or a M9. In the evening, the fast lens of the M9 will be more useful than the slow lens of a MF camera.
I also am thinking of only carrying either a MF camera or a M9. In the evening, the fast lens of the M9 will be more useful than the slow lens of a MF camera.
tarullifoto
Established
Hey Raid,
You may have been to Italy before, and you might already know this. Plus I don't know where you're landing or your plans.
I can tell you that my wife and I went a couple of years ago. We landed in Rome, and took a train to the Adriatic coast. The train was crowded, and we had to handle all our own luggage.
I'm picturing what that would be like with additional family members and two sets of camera equipment, and I can tell ya I wouldn't do it.
My advice is take the M9 with at most 3 lenses, and probably just 2. If you really want to take some MF equipment, I'd opt for a Mamiya RF plus one or 2 lenses. If it were me, lugging a lot of gear long, plus rounding up family members would reduce my enjoyment of the trip, and probably result in not seeing shots I otherwise would have really liked in my portfolio of the trip.
I had a Bessa R3A, with the 40mm Nokton, 15mm Heliar, and a 90mm Elmarit, which worked out well. I shot about 60 percent of the time with the Heliar, and 40 percent with the Nokton. The Elmarit didn't make it out of the bag at all.
That, however, is me, with my temperament, and my tolerance for carrying around my own gear, and as always YMMV.
Italy is going to be an amazing trip - Enjoy! Post some shots!
You may have been to Italy before, and you might already know this. Plus I don't know where you're landing or your plans.
I can tell you that my wife and I went a couple of years ago. We landed in Rome, and took a train to the Adriatic coast. The train was crowded, and we had to handle all our own luggage.
I'm picturing what that would be like with additional family members and two sets of camera equipment, and I can tell ya I wouldn't do it.
My advice is take the M9 with at most 3 lenses, and probably just 2. If you really want to take some MF equipment, I'd opt for a Mamiya RF plus one or 2 lenses. If it were me, lugging a lot of gear long, plus rounding up family members would reduce my enjoyment of the trip, and probably result in not seeing shots I otherwise would have really liked in my portfolio of the trip.
I had a Bessa R3A, with the 40mm Nokton, 15mm Heliar, and a 90mm Elmarit, which worked out well. I shot about 60 percent of the time with the Heliar, and 40 percent with the Nokton. The Elmarit didn't make it out of the bag at all.
That, however, is me, with my temperament, and my tolerance for carrying around my own gear, and as always YMMV.
Italy is going to be an amazing trip - Enjoy! Post some shots!
Last edited:
raid
Dad Photographer
We will have with us a rental car, so maybe we will not take any train or bus on this trip. Which part of the Adriatic coast did you visit? Venice, Rimini, ... etc?
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
tarullifoto
Established
Our trip was a little more pedestrian than that.
We were there for a total of 10 days. It was mainly to see family in Manfredonia, and then as far south as Bari, with side trips to Monte Sant'Angelo, and a town called Palazzo San Gervasio. After that, we spent a 3 days in Rome before heading home.
We were there for a total of 10 days. It was mainly to see family in Manfredonia, and then as far south as Bari, with side trips to Monte Sant'Angelo, and a town called Palazzo San Gervasio. After that, we spent a 3 days in Rome before heading home.
raid
Dad Photographer
We will focus on Siena as our base, with daily side trips. Rimini is also included for a few days. Typically, we leave the rental car most of the day parked.
peppard
Established
Buongiorno Raid:
I grew up in Florence(Tuscany), and I have lived in the USA since 1977. I go visit my brothers/family often in Florence and I carry along my Rollei and Cl with 40/90 combo: Very manageable. Years ago I traveled with my young kids and I was still able to carry the same setup. Remember that in the center of old towns or villages (Siena, Pienza, Florence, Lucca) you are going to need a wide angle for the narrow street and tall buildings, and you will need a moderate tele for the long vistas of the Tuscan hills and hill towns. The Rollei is very capable in crowded places (you will fight with a lot of tourists, I assure you!), markets (by the way, those are the best places for street photos) because you have a very large negative and can crop easily and do large blow ups. I shoot BW film only, only Tri-x, and carry/use 2 120's and 3 35's per day. You can still buy film there, but it's expensive.
I'll be in Florence in June around the 24th for a wedding, if you are there around that time, I can show you the underbelly of the city.
I grew up in Florence(Tuscany), and I have lived in the USA since 1977. I go visit my brothers/family often in Florence and I carry along my Rollei and Cl with 40/90 combo: Very manageable. Years ago I traveled with my young kids and I was still able to carry the same setup. Remember that in the center of old towns or villages (Siena, Pienza, Florence, Lucca) you are going to need a wide angle for the narrow street and tall buildings, and you will need a moderate tele for the long vistas of the Tuscan hills and hill towns. The Rollei is very capable in crowded places (you will fight with a lot of tourists, I assure you!), markets (by the way, those are the best places for street photos) because you have a very large negative and can crop easily and do large blow ups. I shoot BW film only, only Tri-x, and carry/use 2 120's and 3 35's per day. You can still buy film there, but it's expensive.
I'll be in Florence in June around the 24th for a wedding, if you are there around that time, I can show you the underbelly of the city.
redisburning
Well-known
having taken a 120 SLR as my only camera on a trip once, I will NEVER do that again. having had an autocord and rolleiflex, I wouldn't take them as my only camera either.
now, having tried a bunch of different MF cameras, I would take only a Mamiya 7 if I still had one. I could live with the 1m MFD and plasticy feel for travel photography easily.
now, having tried a bunch of different MF cameras, I would take only a Mamiya 7 if I still had one. I could live with the 1m MFD and plasticy feel for travel photography easily.
richardhkirkando
Well-known
If I'm traveling, I always bring either the Bessa RF or one of my TLRs with me. Light, takes up very little space, doesn't require any extra stuff.
1joel1
Well-known
I've been to Italy 3 times and always brought a medium format rangefinder. Either a Mamiya 6/7 or the Plaubel. I usually bring the Plaubel(s) when I go hiking, though I only have the W67 anymore. I will likely try the Bronica RF645 on my next hike, though.
Joel
Joel
Highway 61
Revisited
Funny, I'll be around Siena with a rental car in next May. I guess my Rolleiflex 3.5F will come along too.
This is also something related to your personal practice and habits. If you aren't familiar with very regularly shooting with a MF you trust in fully, and can't really carry dozens of 120 rolls with you, experiencing this on a remote family trip can be tricky and very deceptive and frustrating at the very end. This can ruin your trip if one of the goals is to come back with shots to remember, print and frame eventually. So don't take it too easily.
Of course, to each his own - nowadays I don't shoot color film any longer - everything is in black and white - and mainly shoot streets candids like the one I attach below (which was taken at the Trinita dei Monti church, but everybody will recognize the place, of course). This is what I had been looking for in Rome and I was gifted lots of photographic treasures ; this trip was like lighting some photographic fireworks. But - again - don't take too much gear with you, take something you can absolutely rely on (never ever take a new equipment you can't describe as bullet-proof) and which you're used to shoot with extensively. Nothing worse than missing some great shots when you're on travel because of some gear you don't have a very close feeling to.
Spanik
Well-known
Haven't used anything else for the last 5 years. First with 2 Kiev 60's, after that the M645 ProTL. This is on 2 week trips, visiting cities, museums, castles, churches. Everything during summer (whatever that represents in europe) and in daylight. One year I took a G690BL with the 65 as extra, last year the GA645Zi.
Always have a body, prism, single back, 4 lenses (35, 55, 80, 150), lightmeter, spare batteries and a notebook with me. About 50 rolls of Provia 400X of which I take always 5-10 with me for a day. A monopod goes along as well. No flash as outside it isn't needed and inside almost never permitted.
Weight isn't the issue apart from the last couple of days if it has been hot. But then I can leave a lens or 2 behind depending on what is programmed that day. The monopod is a must once you get inside. No flash permitted and often even not the monopod.
Slowing down? Well yes, but not the weight. Often it is the size of the bag (like in a medieval castle with very narrow stairs) that slows you down. And the missing automation, certainly if you use a hand held meter. And then run around every object 3 times to find a nice angle. Or if you have to change a film and everybody is looking at your fingers waiting for you to drop that roll.
Lens speed is not a problem but film speed is. I'm not someone that is obsessed with shallow dof. On the contrary I want quite a bit of dof. But inside this can mean you end up with f8-11 and long exposure times. Even with iso 400. I could take an extra back and use that for a roll pushed to 1600 but the extra weight and little use votes against it. And then I think I'd want it to go to 6400.
The only thing that bothers me is that with such a setup you have to come prepared for everything. Means a lot of film even if you'll only use 1/3 of it, spare batteries (once had to hunt for one from shop to shop throughout town), etc.
If I could have a zoom that cover 35-120 even if it started from f4 I'd change to that for use on holidays. Just not having to change lenses would make it more bearable.
Always have a body, prism, single back, 4 lenses (35, 55, 80, 150), lightmeter, spare batteries and a notebook with me. About 50 rolls of Provia 400X of which I take always 5-10 with me for a day. A monopod goes along as well. No flash as outside it isn't needed and inside almost never permitted.
Weight isn't the issue apart from the last couple of days if it has been hot. But then I can leave a lens or 2 behind depending on what is programmed that day. The monopod is a must once you get inside. No flash permitted and often even not the monopod.
Slowing down? Well yes, but not the weight. Often it is the size of the bag (like in a medieval castle with very narrow stairs) that slows you down. And the missing automation, certainly if you use a hand held meter. And then run around every object 3 times to find a nice angle. Or if you have to change a film and everybody is looking at your fingers waiting for you to drop that roll.
Lens speed is not a problem but film speed is. I'm not someone that is obsessed with shallow dof. On the contrary I want quite a bit of dof. But inside this can mean you end up with f8-11 and long exposure times. Even with iso 400. I could take an extra back and use that for a roll pushed to 1600 but the extra weight and little use votes against it. And then I think I'd want it to go to 6400.
The only thing that bothers me is that with such a setup you have to come prepared for everything. Means a lot of film even if you'll only use 1/3 of it, spare batteries (once had to hunt for one from shop to shop throughout town), etc.
If I could have a zoom that cover 35-120 even if it started from f4 I'd change to that for use on holidays. Just not having to change lenses would make it more bearable.
matt_mcg2
Established
Personally, I've travelled with just a MF camera a couple of times. Usually a Rolleiflex, but once a Super Ikonta. I don't think I'd travel with just the Super Ikonta again, although I'd happily take it as a second camera.
However, I'd definitely travel with just the Rolleiflex. I find them quick enough in operation, the meter on mine is pretty accurate, so the Rollei, half a dozen rolls of 120, and a hood fits in a bag that would be too small for a 35mm slr or dSLR equivalent with a zoom lens. If I choose the right film I can push or pull it a couple of stops either way, and not bother bringing multiple types of film.
That said, my preference is to take the Rollei and a compact. Either a film compact with faster film loaded (say FP4+ in the Rollei and HP5+ in the compact) or a digital compact.
I was at the Vatican for work in December, and I just took the Rollei and my phone. I didn't miss having another camera at all.
However, I'd definitely travel with just the Rolleiflex. I find them quick enough in operation, the meter on mine is pretty accurate, so the Rollei, half a dozen rolls of 120, and a hood fits in a bag that would be too small for a 35mm slr or dSLR equivalent with a zoom lens. If I choose the right film I can push or pull it a couple of stops either way, and not bother bringing multiple types of film.
That said, my preference is to take the Rollei and a compact. Either a film compact with faster film loaded (say FP4+ in the Rollei and HP5+ in the compact) or a digital compact.
I was at the Vatican for work in December, and I just took the Rollei and my phone. I didn't miss having another camera at all.
raid
Dad Photographer
Hi,
We will be back in the USA by June 24. Too bad! I would have loved to attend an Italian wedding. Thanks for the tips. I know that I need one wide angle lens for sure. I also want a moderate tele for portraits.
raid
Dad Photographer
Maybe we can meet in Siena.
We can discuss via pm.
Raid
We can discuss via pm.
Raid
Funny, I'll be around Siena with a rental car in next May. I guess my Rolleiflex 3.5F will come along too.
This is also something related to your personal practice and habits. If you aren't familiar with very regularly shooting with a MF you trust in fully, and can't really carry dozens of 120 rolls with you, experiencing this on a remote family trip can be tricky and very deceptive and frustrating at the very end. This can ruin your trip if one of the goals is to come back with shots to remember, print and frame eventually. So don't take it too easily.
Of course, to each his own - nowadays I don't shoot color film any longer - everything is in black and white - and mainly shoot streets candids like the one I attach below (which was taken at the Trinita dei Monti church, but everybody will recognize the place, of course). This is what I had been looking for in Rome and I was gifted lots of photographic treasures ; this trip was like lighting some photographic fireworks. But - again - don't take too much gear with you, take something you can absolutely rely on (never ever take a new equipment you can't describe as bullet-proof) and which you're used to shoot with extensively. Nothing worse than missing some great shots when you're on travel because of some gear you don't have a very close feeling to.