Which Pair: 35/90 or 35/75

[back alley]

maybe it's age but i'm happier and enjoy the experience more the less i carry with me.
when i was younger i used to think i was missing shots because of the lenses i had left home…now i see what i can shoot with what i have with me.

 

[luiman]

For me:
50 or 35 (one lens is the best, but... 🙂
21, 50;
21, 50, 90;
21, 35, 50, 90

 

[Roger Hicks]

maybe it's age but i'm happier and enjoy the experience more the less i carry with me.
when i was younger i used to think i was missing shots because of the lenses i had left home…now i see what i can shoot with what i have with me.

Same here!

There are only two reasons for carrying more than one camera and one lens.

Cameras: backup.

Lenses: knowing (or thinking it very likely, on the basis of past experience) that one lens won't allow you to get all the pics you want, e.g. a long lens for landscapes in the mountains, ultra wide angle for interiors.This is mostly a professional concern: for "fine art", one lens can do the vast majority of what I need.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Rodchenko]

40ish
35 90
28 40 90
28 35 75 90

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

To some of us, the most important reason for carrying two bodies at least, is having two kinds of film available at the same time, or two kinds of development even if using the the same film... Two bodies, is a compromise already, but two is a much better solution than only one...
For example, wild direct sun requires a really different treatment unless the professional wants to lose all zones in shades and decides to provide an overall look that doesn't remind of a sunny feeling, where we see with total clarity the zones in the shades... Apart from the most common soft light scenes and the wild contrast ones, the third situation that's nice to have at hand, is the fast film/development/body for low light.
The best way to treat 35mm film is obviously the same way as sheet film is treated... Using one single body and one single film and development for everything isn't better in any way: it's easier, yes, and lighter, yes, and for sure it implies compromises... But better, never.
Cheers,
Juan

 

[ktmrider]

M2 Backup and ?

M2 Backup and ?

So, if I throw the M2 body into the pack as a backup (by the way, it is still my favorite M), would you take an extra lens to keep the M2 occupied as it were.

Choices would be a 15mm or 50 Summicron. Again more weigh but hope to loose a bit of body fat before starting the hike.

My present feeling is to just take the body and throw either the 21 or 90 on it. It will be filled with Tri X by the way. And if push came to shove, I could easily leave the M9 at home and just carry the M2 with 35/90.

 

[Scrambler]

ktmrider, much as I am a belt-and-braces man myself, you will regret this when you are dragging that pack along.

Do you need to carry any shelter or cooking equipment? If so, you are heading well overweight already IMHO.

Assuming you are carrying a down bag, tarp (even for emergencies) and pannikin + stove, you should still be able to get this in at 7-10kg. But it reads like you are seriously thinking of taking 5kg or more of photo gear including laptop!

I didn't do so much hiking as you, but when overseas last year (and some hiking involved) I took a waterproof digital P&S and a waterproof android phone. And I would seriously consider leaving the camera at home next time because the battery life was poor. I took a laptop - and didn't use it. Fortunately I didn't need to hike with it.

Added:

Now you think you will regret not having it ... later you will regret having to carry it.

Weight in a pack is not just weight on your knees, it is also weight dragging on your shoulders, weight altering your balance.

It seems you have the money to consider additional gear - why not one of the weatherproof/waterproof system cams with a decent zoom, and leave the Leica behind? Otherwise your kit is both vulnerable and heavy.

 

[ktmrider]

Well, I have not decided on taking the M2. Honestly, the X100 is lighter then the M2 body only. And if I were really lazy, we could have our baggage hauled from inn to inn so we would be carrying a day pack only (at least in Scotland).

I mean if I really wanted to load up, I have a blad and several lenses. Having just purchased the M9 in February, it is going.

 

[ktmrider]

Others may disagree but using a camera system you like is one of the pleasures in life (if you are into photography). And I enjoy using a Leica (don't really care if it is film or digital). I know there are lighter or more technically advanced systems but again that does not matter.

I am 61 and I like writing with a fountain pen, telling time with an analog watch, riding a BMW motorcycle, and reading books, not tablets.

So, on this trip I will be carrying a Leica M body with a couple lenses. It is part of the pleasures of travel.

 

[raid]

Since you want to use two lenses, take with you the two lenses that you are used to and that you enjoy using.

 

[Scrambler]

Well, I have not decided on taking the M2. Honestly, the X100 is lighter then the M2 body only. And if I were really lazy, we could have our baggage hauled from inn to inn so we would be carrying a day pack only (at least in Scotland).

I mean if I really wanted to load up, I have a blad and several lenses. Having just purchased the M9 in February, it is going.

Does doing a pilgrimage count if someone else does all the work? ;-)

I haven't gone total Ultralight with hiking, but I do think it helps if every gram/oz is justified when the shoulders start to ache. And day pack or not, there's no point taking the M9+lenses if you don't carry them.

I could justify to myself the M9 + 3 lens kit you described (assuming a lightish 35) which I guestimate to be 2.5kg with chargers etc. Personally, I find that a smartphone does everything I NEED a laptop to do while travelling (email, web browsing) with better battery life and much lighter. I wouldn't back up the photos to a laptop, I'd have multiple cards in use. Maybe mail some back? Maybe use an internet cafe to copy photos and mail duplicates back? A dual card reader would be much lighter than a laptop.

If you haven't already, can I suggest you start weighing everything on electronic kitchen scales and use that as part of your decision-making process?

I may be teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, and I apologise if I am.

 

[Scrambler]

Others may disagree but using a camera system you like is one of the pleasures in life (if you are into photography). And I enjoy using a Leica (don't really care if it is film or digital). I know there are lighter or more technically advanced systems but again that does not matter.

I am 61 and I like writing with a fountain pen, telling time with an analog watch, riding a BMW motorcycle, and reading books, not tablets.

So, on this trip I will be carrying a Leica M body with a couple lenses. It is part of the pleasures of travel.

I'm 42 and I like all the above (bar the BMW: I'll stick with a bicycle for now).

I get where you are coming from. I, too, would take the Leica ... but in moderation because when hiking weight = pain.

But carrying it all yourself is, like using a Leica, a great pleasure. Well, I find it so.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

M9 with 21, 50 and 90. M2 with 35.
No X100 is an option too, for keeping things lighter... Or no M2 if you want digital...
Cheers,
Juan

 

[Archiver]

For photo storage I use a Nexto CF with a 500GB hard drive. The SD card plugs in the side, you press a button twice and the entire contents are uploaded into a folder with that day's date, and all data is bit-for-bit verified. Putting all your eggs in one basket is a bit scary, but I've used the Nexto quite a bit and it is as reliable as the HDD you have inside it. Packed well (and in a waterproof case if hiking) and you are safe as houses. (conditions apply see store for details)

21/4 Skopar is an interesting choice for the M9, as I thought there would be some purple/red edging with that lens. The Zeiss Biogon 21/2.8 has almost no red edge, particularly when used with the Elmarit 21/2.8 coding.

I would seriously look at the CV Nokton 35/1.4 to take the place of the 35/1.2. Much smaller and lighter.

As for a 75, I have the CV Heliar 75/2.5 and the Leica Summarit 75/2.5. The Leica is larger and heavier, and the Heliar is a wonderful lens.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Juan,

Of course you are right. I can't think how I missed that. My only excuse is that it was late...

Cheers,

R.

To some of us, the most important reason for carrying two bodies at least, is having two kinds of film available at the same time,. . .

 

[shortstop]

Others may disagree but using a camera system you like is one of the pleasures in life (if you are into photography). And I enjoy using a Leica (don't really care if it is film or digital). I know there are lighter or more technically advanced systems but again that does not matter. I am 61 and I like writing with a fountain pen, telling time with an analog watch, riding a BMW motorcycle, and reading books, not tablets. So, on this trip I will be carrying a Leica M body with a couple lenses. It is part of the pleasures of travel.

one of the advantages of using a Leica M film is its similarity to the Leica M digital. in this way we are not seen as rare animals, when we photograph with film.

 

[ktmrider]

Have not finalized anything for my trip which is why I am enjoying all the comments. As I posted earlier, no matter the equipment taken things turn out ok. I could easily be happy with an M2, 50mm, and TriX or M9 and 6 M mount lenses. However, there is probably a happy medium somewhere which is what I am searching for.

Presently, it is an M9 with 21,35, and 90. If push comes to shove, the 21 stays home. Presently, no computer but more SD cards. If the M9 breaks, I assume they sell cameras in Europe.

 

[raid]

With digital cameras, we now have to try to keep the sensors clean. Therefore, changing lenses in the street for an M8 or M9 may be tricky. I prefer on "important trips" to carry both cameras, each with one lens only. I can compose quickly for a 35mm lens and/or for a 65mm lens, so I have a 50mm lens on the M9 and a 35mm lens on the M9. The Rigid Summicron on the M8 makes a great portrait lens that I can switch over to the M9 (at the hotel) to become a normal lens.

I take with me several memory cards and I do not carry a laptop computer with me.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Dear Juan,

Of course you are right. I can't think how I missed that. My only excuse is that it was late...

Cheers,

R.

Hi Roger,
I think you're right: sometimes one single camera can be the best solution too, and half the times I carry one camera only... When we have one camera with its lens, and nothing else, we just act, and maybe in photography that's the real prioroty!
Cheers,
Juan

 

[Ken Ford]

35
28 50
25 35 75
21 28 50 90
18 25 35 75 135

This is a great way of expressing it!

My personal version:

35
35 75
35 75 A good book
35 75 A good book A supermodel