Traveling with MF cameras

[raid]

I am torn between taking with me a Rolleiflex 3.5, 2.8, or a SWC with its 38mm wide angle lens.

The M9 will be chosen too.

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.

 

[P C Headland]

When we were living in Amsterdam, I'd often just take MF with me on our European holidays. It was always the Iskra, and on occasions I'd take the Moskva 5 or Minox 35GT as well.

The nice thing is that if you have just one camera and one lens, you stop obsessing what you need to be carrying each day, and how you're going to frame the shots, etc., etc. When travelling with just the one camera, I don't end up wishing I'd a longer or wider lens, I just focus on the photo opportunities that present themselves to what I'm carrying.

(Iskra in Genova, Italy - Tri-X @ 1000)

Door and Shadows, Genova

The only time I've not taken a 6x6 folder on holiday with me is when I left the bag with it in back at home.... :bang::bang::bang:

Nowadays I'll take a digital (GF1) and a folder (black and white).

(Iskra in Blehnheim, NZ)

St Mary's, Blenheim

 

[Matus]

I have travelled (and still do) with MF with following setups:

1) TLR + Digisix + Manfrotto table-top Tripod + film + acc + Ricoh GRDIII
- all of this stuff packed in a shoulder bag from Courierware . This is a lightweight setup that leaves enough space for all possible bits and pieces and does not get tiring over the course of the day

2) Mamiya 6 + 50/75/150 + Digisix + film + acc + GRDIII. This setup is more than 1kg heavier than above and if I include 1 liter bottle of water is about as heavy as I can manage on my shoulder for city-dwelling.

If I expect low light because of weather or want to photograph some interiors, than I carry also my Feisol tripod which weights about 1.3 kg including ball head (no compromise in stability). I have attached a neck-strap to the tripod and carry it over the shoulder. It actually helps to balance the weight of the shoulder bag even if it looks a bit too awkward.

I have used the setup (2) just few days ago during our visit in Romania where I expected to photograph some church interiors (which I did).

When carrying the TLR I would prefer to replace the GDRIII with a bit more multifunctional digital camera (Olympus OM-D or similar), but when carrying the Mamiya it the bag would probably get too heavy.

I have also considered to get a different shoulder bag as the lightweight messenger is not the fasted to work from, but I usually get put off by the additional weight of more sophisticated bags (like the Retrospective series from ThinkThank)

 

[reaperman]

Travelled recently through Japan with my Rolleiflex 3,5F loaded with Kodak Portrait 400, a M6 0,72 classic with a 15mm Super Heliar loaded with Tri-X and Leica M6 0,58 ttl with a Summilux 35 loaded with Fuji Across 100. Loved to use my Rollei to capture shrines and temples enclosed by cherry blossom trees in Kyoto and Miyajima. For street photography in Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima I used my Leicas.

 

[Richard G]

Hi Richard,

why wouldn't you take the rolleiflex on a plane?

See Tarullifoto's post #48. I would take the Rolleiflex on a plane of course, but currently it means I have to run to two camera bags if I take the Leica and even just two lenses. I like to have the Leica and three lenses in a really small and light bag. I just would not want the hassle of more than one camera bag going through airports and sitting on planes. I could get a bigger bag to fit the Leica and a couple of lenses and the Rolleiflex, but I am sure I would not be happy with that. On my recent beach holiday by car my wife asked how many cameras I had. Five I said. Later I thought more about it. I had seven cameras with me....

Plane travel is tedious. Airports are worse. Raid is travelling with two small girls. In those circumstances I have learnt to travel with an extremely cut down kit. This works and is safer for the photographer, his family and his gear.

 

[Richard G]

What a shot. Bellissima.

 

[Matus]

Just to say - I was flying with both Rolleiflex and Mamiya 6 - the check-in guys always wanted to see them, but I never had a problem there. The charm of the Rolleiflex always wins them over 😀

 

[bigeye]

Raid:

SWC + M9 w/50mm would be perfect, for me. I can't think of a better travel combo.

A 21 or 24 added to the M9/50 would be my 2nd choice, if weight was all important.
(The SWC for its minor additional size, gives you backup, too, and super-wide in medium format is simply special.)

Charlie

 

[raid]

Hi Charlie,
I am trying to learn how to get some half decent scans from my two scanners at home, and so far it has been a big failure. The Epson V700 does not work at all, and the 3170 is simply inferior as I do not have the appropriate film holders.

This is getting annoying, and I will have to think about mailing out film from the SWC for developing and scanning.

If I resolve issue before the Italy trip, then the SWC is very possible.

 

[redisburning]

what issue are you having?

I found output from my 4990 (the director predecessor to your V700) to be fine for larger formats.

 

[bwcolor]

Just returned from 2 weeks in Costa Rica , what camera(s) did I bring you ask? Well only the lightest I had,Bronica Etrsi,2 lens and 2 backs with pistol grip and my Kodak Medalist 1.
At 4000 ft in the MonteVerde cloud forest you can bet they tested my resolve (or is that
endurance?). I doubted I'd be returning and hoped the results would merit the effort involved. Should be developing them in my Arista E-6 kit this week,wish me luck !!!
Regards,Peter
ps: anyone here used these kits? Any helpful hints appreciated.

Yes, I've used the Arista. Pretty easy too use, but I would not be using it for the first time with must-have negatives.

 

[bwcolor]

I use to travel with a Mamiya 7 and one lens. My last trip was with an X100 and next one X100s, but after reading this thread, I might take my Mamiya 7II on its first trip.

 

[FrankS]

Hi Raid. As Charlie suggested, the SWC along with your M9 sounds like a great combo to me. A CV40 for speed and general shooting, and possibly a 90 for reach. That's what I would take if I were you.

 

[raid]

what issue are you having?

I found output from my 4990 (the director predecessor to your V700) to be fine for larger formats.

The V700 arrived to me broken, I bought it at RFF as "never used, still shrink wrapped". When I move the scanner, I hear the sound of screws or parts moving inside it. It is not scanning at all. The warning note says that the scanner is not properly connected. I checked all connections, and I read the manual how to get started once you receive the scanner. There are some setting to unlock.

 

[raid]

Hi Raid. As Charlie suggested, the SWC along with your M9 sounds like a great combo to me. A CV40 for speed and general shooting, and possibly a 90 for reach. That's what I would take if I were you.

I am having to be very careful to avoid dust reaching the M9 sensor when changing lenses, if I take two lenses. I may take with me the 35/1.4 Lux (I have no CV 40/1.4) and the Elmarit 90/2.8, which is light and sharp.

 

[bwcolor]

Usually, you need to lock down the scan mechanism for shipping and unlock for use. Is this what you mean by "setting to unlock"? The lock on my V-750 is on the rear left.

 

[GaryLH]

The V700 arrived to me broken, I bought it at RFF as "never used, still shrink wrapped". When I move the scanner, I hear the sound of screws or parts moving inside it. It is not scanning at all. The warning note says that the scanner is not properly connected. I checked all connections, and I read the manual how to get started once you receive the scanner. There are some setting to unlock.

Are u directly connected to the computer or thru a hub on USB or at the end of a FireWire daisy chain? I have noticed that it is better to connect a scanner direct to the computer. A lot seems to,depend on the scanner and the computer whether it needs to be direct connected.

Someone else has mentioned.. Make sure that u have it unlocked from transport.

Good luck
Gary

 

[aeturnum]

Because I am incapable of bringing fewer than 3 cameras anywhere, I brought my Toyocaflex to Europe on a 2 week trip. I found the camera to be an easy travel companion and didn't feel like the format held me back (compared to my other fixed lens cameras). Film is a bit annoying (you want to keep it in you carry on and avoid the x-ray machines), but it can be managed like anything else. I'm very glad I had a 6x6 camera with me on the trip. There are some photos that digital, even excellent digital, can't do justice.

My photos say more about me than the viability of the setup, but if you're interested here they are: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aeturnum/sets/72157633189906344/

 

[raid]

Usually, you need to lock down the scan mechanism for shipping and unlock for use. Is this what you mean by "setting to unlock"? The lock on my V-750 is on the rear left.

Yes, and I have done this already.

 

[raid]

Are u directly connected to the computer or thru a hub on USB or at the end of a FireWire daisy chain? I have noticed that it is better to connect a scanner direct to the computer. A lot seems to,depend on the scanner and the computer whether it needs to be direct connected.

Someone else has mentioned.. Make sure that u have it unlocked from transport.

Good luck
Gary

Hi Gary,
I have the scanner directly connected to the computer. I will try again.