Heidelberg Germany

[rexp]

I am being forced to take a business trip to Heidelberg the first week of December (smile). I plan on a couple vacation days while there to wander & take photos. I was wondering if there is anyone in Heidelberg or nearby that would want to show someone from the 'middle of the States the sights?

If you are possibly interested in meeting up, please pm me & we can arrange a time & place as my travel plans firm up. My German isn't very good - I would gladly buy lunch for an interpreter.

 

[rjr]

Beware, it´s getting cold over here at the moment.... <freeeeze>

I study in Kaiserslautern, less than 100km from Heidelberg. If you care for a trip into the Pfalz -the landscape west of the rhine and close to Heidelberg -, we could meet on a weekend and shoot a few rolls.

Speyer is allmost in sight and a beautiful town... the Pfalz is known for it´s wine, if you care for that - but the Pfalz wine is no rival to my home region.. the Mosel.

I am not that familiar with Heidelberg, having been there a single time last year - for dinner in a brewery.

 

[roteague]

There is quite a lot to do in Heidelberg, although at this time of year it will be cold. You really don't need to travel outside the city, and language will not be an issue - there are a lot of foreign tourists there. Also, there is a Starbucks in the center of town, at the foot of the castle - so if you are a Starbucks fan, you won't miss out.

 

[harveyje]

The "Altstadt" and the "Altebrucke" are very nice. If the weather cooperates the view of the city and castle from the "Philosophenweg" is outstanding. There are many wonderful sites in the town within walking distance of the town center. Good luck and have fun! As mentioned the language problem does not exist in Heidelberg.

 

[roteague]

As mentioned the language problem does not exist in Heidelberg.

Yes. I was in Germany in 2003 and lived there from 1979 to 1981, and I don't speak more than a few words at most. Most Germans are at least knowlegeable in English.

One suggestion: if you can do without a car, then do so. Parking in Heidelberg is a pain.

 

[BruceN]

I was in Germany (Augsburg) from 1985 until 1992, and I loved it. I speak a fair amount of German and I very much wanted to take my wife there for a visit. Of course, now that Robert has informed me that I'll find Starbuck's there, I may have to just shoot myself instead.

PS - From 1992 to 96 I lived within a mile of you, Robert. On Manu Aloha St., half a block down from the hospital in Kailua. I was HPD. Small world, eh?

 

[roteague]

From 1992 to 96 I lived within a mile of you, Robert. On Manu Aloha St., half a block down from the hospital in Kailua. I was HPD. Small world, eh?

You would not recognize it anymore; downtown Kailua has almost totally been rebuilt in the last 4 years. It is actually quite nice now (and Starbuck's is all over the island now).

 

[BruceN]

...(and Starbuck's is all over the island now).

It figures. I'd like to go back there for a visit, too. I didn't use my camera nearly enough while I lived there.

 

[roteague]

It figures. I'd like to go back there for a visit, too. I didn't use my camera nearly enough while I lived there.

If it helps, I was at Queen's Beach yesterday morning, shooting the sunrise.

 

[rjr]

Bruce,

wait, don´t shoot.

The company who took over the franchise on Starbucks is in deep trouble, facing bankcruptcy.. Karstadt-Quelle.

So, not all is lost. ;->

 

[BruceN]

Good! I had this nightmare of walking into the beer tent at a Volksfest and seeing a green-aproned teenybopper at an espresso machine instead of a buxom lady with three liters of beer in each hand! I should sleep easier now.

Bruce

 

[rexp]

Thanks to all for the info, this site is a terrific resource. I don't think cold is an issue - I live in Nebraska, and I was the only motorcycle rider on the interstate this morning on the way to work. It was 22F.

I am really looking forward to the visit. Any pointers on carrying film & equipment on the airlines?

 

[roteague]

I am really looking forward to the visit. Any pointers on carrying film & equipment on the airlines?

What type of equipment are you going to be carrying?

 

[John McCallum]

Thanks to all for the info, this site is a terrific resource. I don't think cold is an issue - I live in Nebraska, and I was the only motorcycle rider on the interstate this morning on the way to work. It was 22F.

I am really looking forward to the visit. Any pointers on carrying film & equipment on the airlines?

I always carry my film in 'carry-on' luggage, and politely but Firmly ask customs to hand check the film. Sometimes they start giving the spiel about their x-ray machines being film safe. But if you persist, they will relent. Last week an NZ customs officer was rather puzzled by my LF kit showing up in the x-ray machine. He pulled me aside, not knowing what it was, and clearly didn't know whether to believe me when I said it was a camera.

Heidelberg - hope you like architecture. It is absolutely beautiful there. Check out the University.
best,
John.

 

[rexp]

Interesting you would ask about equipment... I am using a Koni Rapid Omega (6x7). I will probably only take the 90mm and 60mm lenses and one film back. I am generally not in such a hurry that I can't take time to re-load. I plan on taking a flash, although I don't know how much use it will get. My biggest worry is about a tripod. Early morning and late evening shots will undoubtedly require one, but I am reluctant to haul the darned thing there. I have a Bogen 3021, and with the handles removed I can fit it in a reasonable space, but I wonder if it is worth the hassle. I looked up the UltraPod that has been mentioned, I suppose with some duct tape and a light pole it could work... The other item I am noodling with (and for which suggestions are very welcome) is some sort of small backpack or belt pack to carry one lens and some film.

One travel trick I have learned is to put a lens into a ziplock bag before travel. I had a screw fall out of a lens due to vibration. If it wouldn't have been in a ziplock bag, not only would the screw have been lost, I might not have noticed it was gone for quite a while.

 

[roteague]

I have a Bogen 3021, and with the handles removed I can fit it in a reasonable space, but I wonder if it is worth the hassle.

Only you can decide if it is worth the effort to bring it. However, at this time of year it can get quite grey and overcast in Heidelberg, having a tripod may mean the difference between getting the shot, and not getting it. FWIW, I have a Bogen 3221W trip that I take everywhere (Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Jordan, etc.). The downside is that it is a bit heavy; I am planning on replacing it with a carbon fiber trip before my next trip.

As for film, I have not had any problem with with putting it in my handcarry. However, I generally use Fuji QuickLoads, although on my last trip I had a 50 sheet box of Efke PL100 - no problems there. The only place I have ever had trouble with film was in Melbourne, Australia. When I visited Germany in 2003 - arriving at Frankfurt - the customs people barely checked my passport and totally ignored my luggage.