raid
Dad Photographer
I take different outfits for different trips because I want to extensivly use most of what I own. In my last overseas trip to Syria and Jordan, I took the following:
1. For family snapshots and easy of carrying it around: Contax T2
2. For street and crowd photography: Canon P + 28mm/3.5 + 50mm/1.4 + 90mm/4.
3. For specific interior shots: Graflex XLSW + 47mm/8
Quite often, I had the T2 in one pants pocket while I had the P around my neck. For "undercover", I placed the P in my small camera backpack, and the T2 stayed in my pocket. No camera was in sight.
1. For family snapshots and easy of carrying it around: Contax T2
2. For street and crowd photography: Canon P + 28mm/3.5 + 50mm/1.4 + 90mm/4.
3. For specific interior shots: Graflex XLSW + 47mm/8
Quite often, I had the T2 in one pants pocket while I had the P around my neck. For "undercover", I placed the P in my small camera backpack, and the T2 stayed in my pocket. No camera was in sight.
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FrankS
Registered User
Vacation = photo opportunities for me
Now, if you work in photography on a daily basis, I can understand "getting away" from it while on vacation.
Sam N
Well-known
I recently got back from a trip to the Netherlands and Germany. I took an R-D1 and a ZI, and 4 lenses. I also took a flash, but I used it so rarely that it was not worth taking. I'd also take only three lenses next time and maybe only one RF body + a digital P&S. I'd rather miss a couple of shots and not have to feel weighed down the whole time.
I think you should take only one body (M or LTM), no more than three lenses, and a digital P&S. Make sure you have a nice comfortable shoulder bag that you like.
I think you should take only one body (M or LTM), no more than three lenses, and a digital P&S. Make sure you have a nice comfortable shoulder bag that you like.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Yikes - don't know what I started here!
I work as a commercial photographer, so much of that time is either spent with a digital Nikon, or sitting in front of my computer. Vacation - especially a European vacation, for me - is a great opportunity to use equipment that I truly have a bond with, like my screwmount Leica's and other vintage equipment. And, it seems appropriate (for me anyway) to be using equipment like that in the unique and historic surroundings of Europe (I live in Baltimore, MD and am originally from Toronto, Canada). Last year I brought my 35mm Summaron, a 50mm Xenon, a 73mm Hektor, a 90mm Fat Elmar, and a 21mm Voigtlander (for all those handheld self portrait shots with my wife). As far as what I shot and plan to shoot, it's the usual combination of landscape, people/street stuff, old cityscapes, cathedrals, castles, that kind of thing. My wife is fairly patient, and she has her own digital camera thingy for taking photos, plus we don't necessarily need to be joined at the hip 24/7. It's just the two of us going, and we're renting a car and driving as we've always done.
So we'll see....What I'd love is to be able to take the Contaflex TLR with the 50 and 135 if I get it back from Frank at Camera Wiz before we leave, and perhaps a screwmount Leica with a three lenses (35-50-90, or 21-35-90). If that doesn't pan out, then it's possibly a screwmount Leica setup or the M stuff. Or, I could just bring my Voigtlander Bessamatic with the 36-82 Zoomar and wouldn't have to worry about additional lenses - but that sucker's pretty heavy around the neck too!
I work as a commercial photographer, so much of that time is either spent with a digital Nikon, or sitting in front of my computer. Vacation - especially a European vacation, for me - is a great opportunity to use equipment that I truly have a bond with, like my screwmount Leica's and other vintage equipment. And, it seems appropriate (for me anyway) to be using equipment like that in the unique and historic surroundings of Europe (I live in Baltimore, MD and am originally from Toronto, Canada). Last year I brought my 35mm Summaron, a 50mm Xenon, a 73mm Hektor, a 90mm Fat Elmar, and a 21mm Voigtlander (for all those handheld self portrait shots with my wife). As far as what I shot and plan to shoot, it's the usual combination of landscape, people/street stuff, old cityscapes, cathedrals, castles, that kind of thing. My wife is fairly patient, and she has her own digital camera thingy for taking photos, plus we don't necessarily need to be joined at the hip 24/7. It's just the two of us going, and we're renting a car and driving as we've always done.
So we'll see....What I'd love is to be able to take the Contaflex TLR with the 50 and 135 if I get it back from Frank at Camera Wiz before we leave, and perhaps a screwmount Leica with a three lenses (35-50-90, or 21-35-90). If that doesn't pan out, then it's possibly a screwmount Leica setup or the M stuff. Or, I could just bring my Voigtlander Bessamatic with the 36-82 Zoomar and wouldn't have to worry about additional lenses - but that sucker's pretty heavy around the neck too!
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Bingley
Veteran
LOL!! You started a "what should I take on vacation" thread, a perennial favorite around here!
Matt(1pt4)
Established
I'd take whatever you think you will have the most fun shooting with. If that's the vintage gear, by all means, take it. Don't worry too much about equipment failures. If something breaks and you have no backup, you either have more time for drinking beer and chatting with the wife or an opportunity to buy a camera in a foreign country.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Andy,
'Fraid not. That was my turnaround point; couldn't get a hotel room because there was an arts festival on. Shot a LOT in Pszcyna over the next two days, though. I'm currently waiting for my web-master to do a major extension to the site and there'll be details of that trip in due course.
Cheers,
R.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Chris,
Why own a Leica if you're not prepared to 'risk' it taking pictures? What risk are you thinking of?
Cheers,
R.
sfb_dot_com
Well-known
I live in Cornwall and went as far as the North Norfolk coast this year on the motorcycle HD Dyna). Didn't take the Leica as I was visiting Cropredy pop festival too and was worried about dropping it in the mud. My fears were substantiated as the camera I did take; a Yashica Minster 700, was dropped in the mud. Although it survived ok, I wouldn't have wanted that fate to have happened to my Leica III which I'm very attached to. That being said, I missed it terribly and although the f1.7 lens of the Yashica is sharp, I hate that linked EV system on it. I still got lots of positive comments about it from the younger generation 'Old Skool' was one term used.
Earlier in the year I did take the III to Guernsey, and photographing the underground German military hospital with it gave a real chill when thinking that my very camera could have been there in the kit bag of a soldier or medic.
Regards to all
Andy
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
Traveling with the family and taking snaps I usually choose a kit I don't otherwise use much and the trip provides an opportunity for me to test or get to know the equipment. I know a guy who takes his 8x10, tripod, and all the bits, and the Canon DSLR and then makes his wife carry half of the stuff.
projectbluebird
Film Abuser
Why not take the SM kit. You have two bodies; one for color, one for B+W. Then the question becomes which lenses. Just how many do you have? You might be able to get away with just three (or maybe four) A wide, a long, a normal, and maybe one more. (a fast normal, or just your favorite lens) If you stick with three lenses, you'll only have one to carry. (with the other two mounted, that is)
With all that, my personal choice would be one lens, one film, one camera.
I took a trip a few years ago with my M3, the summilux 50, the 90 'cron. A bag of HP5+, and a brick of P3200.
The 90 stayed in my bag, I never opened the brick and I shot over 1000 frames of HP5 in a week and a half.
FUN!
With all that, my personal choice would be one lens, one film, one camera.
I took a trip a few years ago with my M3, the summilux 50, the 90 'cron. A bag of HP5+, and a brick of P3200.
The 90 stayed in my bag, I never opened the brick and I shot over 1000 frames of HP5 in a week and a half.
FUN!
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Yeah, I'm kinda leaning in that direction. I have several screwmount bodies, so in that regard it's just a question as to whether to take a black or chrome body, SCNOO rapid winder, MOOLY motor, or keep it simple. Lenses - I have a 21/4 Voigtlander, 35/ 3.5 Elmar and Summaron, many 50's (Summitar, Summar, Elmar, Xenon), a hazy 73/1.9 Hektor, 90/4 Elmar ('Fat' and chrome versions), a 105/6.3 Mountain Elmar (sweet!), plus a 135/4 Elmar. Thoughts are to take the 21, a 35, a 50 and a 90.
Other alternative (if it comes to pass) would be the Contaflex TLR with the 50 and 135 lens, and a screwmount Leica with a 21 and 35 lens. That Contaflex is such an unbelievable camera (some may say in a good way, others in a not so good way), and I'd really love to take it, but the downside is that it's heavy as hell. Film would be Tri-X and a some 400 colour print film.
As far as a bag goes, I've had really good luck with those khaki canvas 'National Geographic' ones - seems to me after using them that a real photographer designed those bags, as they're very well thought out and can store a lot of stuff in a relatively limited space. Wish I could take that NG logo off though!
Other alternative (if it comes to pass) would be the Contaflex TLR with the 50 and 135 lens, and a screwmount Leica with a 21 and 35 lens. That Contaflex is such an unbelievable camera (some may say in a good way, others in a not so good way), and I'd really love to take it, but the downside is that it's heavy as hell. Film would be Tri-X and a some 400 colour print film.
As far as a bag goes, I've had really good luck with those khaki canvas 'National Geographic' ones - seems to me after using them that a real photographer designed those bags, as they're very well thought out and can store a lot of stuff in a relatively limited space. Wish I could take that NG logo off though!
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literiter
Well-known
In 1966 I only had one camera, a Pentax Spotmatic and three lenses. There was no question which camera to take, assuming I was going to take a camera.
Now with age, affluence and accumulation, I've got all this "stuff" and will spend too much time deciding what to take.
Travel by our own vehicle means I can take a lot of stuff, if I want, perhaps the whole kit.
Travel by air means I must trim things down a bit. Perhaps I'll take my Nikon F3 and two lenses and a Super Ikonta B, on a trip to Florida. To Europe I'd consider a Hasselblad SWC and a 500cm or such like.
Now with age, affluence and accumulation, I've got all this "stuff" and will spend too much time deciding what to take.
Travel by our own vehicle means I can take a lot of stuff, if I want, perhaps the whole kit.
Travel by air means I must trim things down a bit. Perhaps I'll take my Nikon F3 and two lenses and a Super Ikonta B, on a trip to Florida. To Europe I'd consider a Hasselblad SWC and a 500cm or such like.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Andy,
Fair enough: there are always specific occasions for using less precious cameras. But equally, I'd have thought that unless you can use your Leica on a trip to Europe, when can you use it?
The Guernsey story is indeed food for thought.
And as a BMW rider, I have to say: that's not a motorcycle, it's a tractor...
(Sorry, couldn't resist. But I like Enfield Bullets, which are only slightly more modern than Harleys...)
Cheers,
Roger
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Frankie
Speaking Frankly
My ideal has always been one-camera/one-lens.
I used to carry a plain Nikon F2 with a 35mm and a TC-14 extender; later a lighter FM3A with a 35~70mm zoom...and the TC-14 in a pocket.
Now I carry a Zeiss ZM with a CV 40mm/1.4 (modified to bring up the 35mm frame line, a tight 95%+ coverage). Hopefully one day soon, someone will make an extender.
In real life, the 35~70mm range handles 90% of what your eyes can cover and resolve. Wider view angles requires eyeball panning if not also your head. Long telephoto lenses magnify details you normally cannot see.
So do you photograph what you saw...or what you imagine you could see?
The camera you have (or bother to carry) is the one you use. Heavy gear is counter-productive.
I used to carry a plain Nikon F2 with a 35mm and a TC-14 extender; later a lighter FM3A with a 35~70mm zoom...and the TC-14 in a pocket.
Now I carry a Zeiss ZM with a CV 40mm/1.4 (modified to bring up the 35mm frame line, a tight 95%+ coverage). Hopefully one day soon, someone will make an extender.
In real life, the 35~70mm range handles 90% of what your eyes can cover and resolve. Wider view angles requires eyeball panning if not also your head. Long telephoto lenses magnify details you normally cannot see.
So do you photograph what you saw...or what you imagine you could see?
The camera you have (or bother to carry) is the one you use. Heavy gear is counter-productive.
oftheherd
Veteran
Sheesh Raid, Just because you have all that neat stuff and took a trip to an exotic place, you can bragg?
And I suppose just because you came back with some of the most interesting and intriguing photos, and started one of the most interesting threads because of that trip, that we will excuse you?
Be sure that is meant as a left handed compliment. I don't envy you your equipment as I am happy with mine. I sure envy you that trip and your personal good fortune to have relatives there and be able to fit in. It allowed you go understand what would make good photos, and then get them.
Hopefully the OP will have such good fortune on his upcoming trip. I also hope you will show us some more photos of your trip.
I now return the thread to the OP.
photogdave
Shops local
Going through this as well but I'm taking two trips in one: Galapagos Island cruise and Inca Trail trek to Mach Pichu.
I want to bring some sort of SLR setup to shoot macro and tele for the Galapagos but on the trek and for the stays in the cities I'm bringing M6, 35 1.4, 21 4.0 and CL w/ 40 2.0. May squeeze a 90 in there.
Last time I went trekking I was in Nepal and happy with Nikon F100 and FM2, 20 2.8 50 1.4 and 24-120 (didn't use this one much).
So now I'm going on a shorter trip but looking at twice the gear! Maybe I should just bring one SLR system and leave the RFs at home? But I don't want to do that!
I want to bring some sort of SLR setup to shoot macro and tele for the Galapagos but on the trek and for the stays in the cities I'm bringing M6, 35 1.4, 21 4.0 and CL w/ 40 2.0. May squeeze a 90 in there.
Last time I went trekking I was in Nepal and happy with Nikon F100 and FM2, 20 2.8 50 1.4 and 24-120 (didn't use this one much).
So now I'm going on a shorter trip but looking at twice the gear! Maybe I should just bring one SLR system and leave the RFs at home? But I don't want to do that!
Haigh
Gary Haigh
Travel light
Travel light
I'm going to Paris for a couple of weeks and will take the old M4 and 35 f/2 lens. I will for the first time take a dslr with one zoom. I will use one camera at a time, depending on the whim. I'll walk and work with what I have on me at the time and always in an easily accessible down market bag just and enjoy the city in October. "I" seems to be my favourite letter of the alphabet. Sorry.
Hope this helps.
Bon voyage.
Travel light
I'm going to Paris for a couple of weeks and will take the old M4 and 35 f/2 lens. I will for the first time take a dslr with one zoom. I will use one camera at a time, depending on the whim. I'll walk and work with what I have on me at the time and always in an easily accessible down market bag just and enjoy the city in October. "I" seems to be my favourite letter of the alphabet. Sorry.
Hope this helps.
Bon voyage.
tmfabian
I met a man once...
i only take 2 cameras...m8 and m7 packed snugly into a bag with a 28 and a 50 lens. this gives me the option of 4 lenses depending on what body they're attached to as well as giving me the option to not worry about the battery, should I not be able to charge the m8's batteries.
It's light and simple...they fit together into a small bag that gets wedged into a backpack.
It's light and simple...they fit together into a small bag that gets wedged into a backpack.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Okay, I've dithered again. I'm going back to the M2 and M5 with 21, 35, 50 and 90mm lenses, plus I have one of those M lens carriers that mounts on the baseplate of the M2 and have found to be quite handy.
HOWEVER, if the Contaflex TLR comes through then it's that with the 50 and 135mm lenses, and my Leica I/IIIf conversion with the 21 and 35mm lenses.
Have I confused you yet?
HOWEVER, if the Contaflex TLR comes through then it's that with the 50 and 135mm lenses, and my Leica I/IIIf conversion with the 21 and 35mm lenses.
Have I confused you yet?