What would you bring to...?

[pau3]

I know it's a stupid question. Of course, the answer is clear.
But, if you were going to Venice (Italy) for only a couple of days
for a wedding (I'm not shooting the wedding, I'm just a guest),
what gear would you bring? In the beginning,
I thought I would bring a couple of 35mm cameras with a 50/1.4
and a 35/2. I don't like changing lenses in location. But suddenly
I thought that I might bring two 6x6 cameras, one with a 80mm
and the other with a 50mm (did I say I don't like changing lenses).
Anyway, what would you suggest?

Pau

 

[Florian1234]

If you have, I'd go with a 35/90 mm lens combination: One body 35 lens, the other body the 90 for portraits or details.

 

[pau3]

Good point, but I am more concerned about the 35mm 6X6 dilemma.
Of course, the cameras are not of the same size, and the lenses aperture
are not the same either.

Pau

 

[coelacanth]

I'd bring a 35mm body with a couple of lenses (35mm & 50mm or 40mm alone for me), and a 6 x 6 with 80mm (Hassy 500cm fro me)

I want to travel light, but I don't want to regret neither. If I was traveling for over a week, I'll probably stick with 35mm outfit and probably Zeiss Ikon Nettar II (tiny folding 6x6) in backpack. But it's only a couple days and you'll be shooting only in your free time so I wouldn't worry too much about the weight.

 

[samoksner]

Bring it all! That's what I would do... Seriously though, it depends on what 6x6 camera you're using. Is it a hassleblad or a mamiya 6 for example? What about your 35mm gear, is it a Nikon F5 or an Olympus OM-10?

I don't mind lens swapping, but if i couldn't swap lens', i would bring both 35mm camera with lens' and the 6x6 with the 50mm.

This might seem like a really heavy kit to some, but I'm used to hauling lots of cameras around so... Last winter in Paris, (it was really cold) and I had a Leica m6 with a 35mm f1.2, a Bronica 6x6 with a 40mm and a 110mm macro. I also had a Nikon D200 with vertical grip, a 20mm f1.8 and an 85mm f1.8. I had the leica on my left shoulder, the bronica on my right. The Nikon around my neck. The spare nikon and bronica lens were in a small bag that i carried with me. To me, that's standard, as a photojournalist, i'm used to hauling tons of stuff. But then again, i don't take redundant bodies when i'm out doing personal work.

 

[ZeissFan]

I would bring a 35mm rangefinder, three lenses, a Rollei 35S and a medium format folder ... probably the Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta C.

And lots of film -- color and b/w.

 

[caperunner]

I would take a wide say 24mm - 35mm, a 50mm and a mild tele with filters.
Wide for canal and narrow walkway shots etc. I did see a chap with a Rollieflex and tripod in the canal area shooting the gondoliers etc.. Only film user I saw while I was there.
I envy you going to Venice. don't forget to travel to the other islands too. Very photogenic area, all of it.

 

[filmfan]

Obviously, the answer is one 35mm body with 35mm f/2 lens and one 6x6 body with 80mm lens... I dont see how there is any other option really for it is perfect.

 

[Kin Lau]

Obviously, the answer is one 35mm body with 35mm f/2 lens and one 6x6 body with 80mm lens... I dont see how there is any other option really for it is perfect.

That would be my alternate suggestion.

My first suggestion would be the RF w/ 50/1.4 and the 6x6 w/ 50mm. That way you'll have the speed in 35mm, and the larger neg to capture all the details of Venice.

 

[rphenning]

the medium format with a 50 just so long as it is a fast 50.

 

[oscroft]

But, if you were going to Venice (Italy) for only a couple of days
for a wedding (I'm not shooting the wedding, I'm just a guest),
what gear would you bring?

A smart suit and some well-polished shoes?

But seriously, I'd probably just take an M body and a fast 35mm lens.

 

[Yammerman]

Less is more.....M3 + 50mm

 

[maddoc]

If your camera is a Leica bring only this one with one lens, 35 or 50mm. I second the advice about the suit and shoes, though. 🙂

 

[pau3]

Thank you for your answers, guys. I haven't made my mi mind yet,
except for the smart suit and the well-polished shoes ;-)

I want to travel light, and that was the point of bringing 35mm cameras
(Leica M6 & MP). The idea of mixing formats is tempting, but my 6x6 cameras
are either slr or tlr, no folders, so they are bulky. Who would want to carry a large
Bronica or a Hasselblad to a wedding?

I will be leaving in a couple of hours. I must make a deep-thought decision.
Probably I will throw a coin (or two, taking into account the number of options).

Pau

 

[JohnyD]

i think i prefer a RF with 35 F2 , medium format is not so convenient

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

I'd go for the 35 and the 90.

I wouldn't take my MF with me.

I'd take a third body with a fast 50 and portra 800 for color in low light.

Regards, Juan

 

[35mmdelux]

Leica + 35mm/2.0 in one hand and a mojito in the other.

 

[LChanyungco]

i'd bring a designated gondolier and my GR1s 🙂

 

[kully]

You've probably already gone but...

If you're at the wedding and there is a 'proper' photographer, then you want to take some other type of photos. Take your TLR, people find them cool (more so after a few wines) and you'll get some nice stuff.

Don't worry about taking too much stuff - you're there to enjoy yourself and celebrate/commiserate two people deciding they're going to spend the rest of their lives toghether.

 

[Moto Mark]

I would stay with the 50mm as my only lens. It's fast enough for low light work and having just one lens forces you to look at focusing, composure, etc...with a bit more of a critical eye than just standing in one place and zooming in and out.

Enjoy the wedding (and Italy too...)

By the way, nice avitar photo! I used to have a Sherpa T and a Pursang in my dirt riding days