How many do you travel with?

Dan Fromm · Oct 14, 2006

We now have two semi-active threads on how many cameras is too many cameras and no clear consensus. Let's go at it from another angle that bears more on how we use our cameras.

How many cameras do you travel with? I'm not thinking of a short excursion from home, more of something like a week's trip.

For me, a lot has changed with the new air travel regulations. In '92 I went to Paraguay and carried on a Pelican case with 2 Nikons and their lenses, a Tundra case with a Beaulieu and a Canon cine camera, and stowed an Ikelite housing with another Canon cine camera in my checked luggage. Those days are gone, I can't imagine taking that much gear as carry on.

Oh, yes, I also carried on a 30v battery belt for the OmniLight in checked luggage. I think I'd be shot if I tried to board a plane with a battery belt now.

Nowadays, on long drives with photography in mind, I carry two 2x3 Graphics, bracketry to make them a long tandem camera, and many lenses for them. Also the same old Pelican with a pair of Nikons and sometimes, in case we go on a long walk where lugging much camera gear just won't do, a Canon AF35ML. And tripods, flashes, flash brackets. More than that won't be used, so why take it? Funny thing is, during a week in the field everything except the longest lens will be used at least once.

Cheers,

Dan

BrianShaw · Oct 14, 2006

ah, err, um... I usually travel with only one camera. Generally select the one, and it's assoiated parts (lenses, hoods, etc), that will best meet my needs/desires... either 35mm SLR or RF, MF TLR or SLR, or LF monorail or press camera. My goal is to do good photography but keep the weight down. Often that choice depends on mode of transportation. One kit if flying; more than one if driving/train.

David A. Goldfarb · Oct 14, 2006

One usually or sometimes two.

This summer I was travelling for two months with just my 4x5" Tech V, since I can use it both handheld or view-camera style on a tripod, and even though it's a rugged camera, a fair number of things can go wrong, and the camera will still be usable. For instance, the screw that locks the front tilt broke a month into the trip, so for the rest of the trip I could get by with rear tilt and then tilt the whole camera if I needed indirect front tilt. With any LF kit, if I have a problem with one shutter, I have several other lenses that will still be usable. I've managed never to break a groundglass.

If I'm birding, I usually carry my F-1N, 600/4.5, and often a 4x5" Gowland PocketView with a couple of Grafmatics and maybe two lenses for landscapes and macros between bird photo ops.

Another nice light travel arrangment is the 4x5" PocketView and a MF folder.

Terence · Oct 14, 2006

Typically I'll take one MF for the "real" shots, and a 35mm p/s or Olympus XA loaded with color film for the "I was there" shots.

If I'm feeling lucky/strong, I'll add the SWC/M to the bag if I think there will be some good wide angle shots. I usually tend towards a 150mm lens for the MF.

Aggie · Oct 14, 2006

Before the air insanity hit, I would take at least three. Now I will take two and pray a lot that neither breaks.

Dave Parker · Oct 14, 2006

I travel with as many as my wife lets me, come..on? if it fits, it goes on vacation!

LOL

Dave

Pinholemaster · Oct 14, 2006

What does it matter? I don't even know how many cameras I own!

David Henderson · Oct 14, 2006

Always two. Either my Bronica system with a back-up body, finder, back etc , or my Bronica with a Mamiya 7ii and three lenses. Just depends on the subjects I expect to photograph, and their accessibility.

oscroft · Oct 15, 2006

I usually only take one body, and a maximum of two lenses.

Last time (Thailand), I took a Bessa-L with 21mm and 15mm lenses.

The time before that (Thailand), it was an Olympus OM2n with Zuiko 35mm lens.

And the time before that (Thailand - anyone spotting a pattern here?), I took the OM2n with a Zuiko 35-105mm lens.

(...wind back 2 decades...)

First Asian trip (to Nepal) in 1985, I took a Pentax SP500 with 28mm Takumar and 80-210mm Tamron.

And for my next trip (Thailand), I'm undecided - the Bessa-L and two lenses again, or one of my FEDs or Zorkis with 50mm J-8 and 35mm J-12? Hmmm.

Best,
Alan

Black Dog · Oct 15, 2006

Generally one or two, until such time as I grow an extra head and pair of arms (LOL).

reellis67 · Oct 15, 2006

Usually one stereo camera, and my M645 with several lenses, and if there will be an opportunity, I'll also bring along the 4x5 system. Occasionally I also take along a 35mm camera for snap shots and other stuff. When I go out, I usually try to manage the weight carefully since my carrying capacity is now significantly less than it once was so I pick the best camera for the situation, but I like to have a choice even when traveling.

- Randy

Roger Hicks · Oct 15, 2006

Depends.

Basically, two Leicas or one Alpa or all three.

For my wife Frances Schultz, two Voigtlanders or one Alpa or all three.

After that, it depends on what we need to illustrate and what we have for test (e.g. the Fotoman 810PS that will be going with us on our next trip, to the Mediterranean end of the Pyrenees).

Too many cameras = either indecision or some just don't get used.

Increasingly, too, we'd rather drive than fly. It's not the terrorist threat that worries us, a one in a million chance of being on an aircraft that's blown up: it's the 100 per cent certainty of hassle at the airports.

Cheers,

R. (There is actually a free 'how many cameras do you need' module in the Photo School on www.rogerandfrances.com)

André E.C. · Oct 15, 2006

I have a tendency to take too much !

- 500 CM body, 3 backs, WLF, 45 prism, Chimney, 2 optics, 1 teleconverter.
- Tripod
- Meter.
- Cable release
- Filters
- 1 35mm body with a 50mm.
- 1 6x9 folder
- At least 35 rools of film

A bit sick, isn`t it?

Cheers

André

Kensey · Oct 15, 2006

I too used to always take far more equipment than would be used.

I am very shortly off to Pondicherry, India. After a huge amount of contemplation and with some reluctance I have settled on: Leica MP, Tri-Elmar, 75 Summicron, and Contax T3. Maybe I should also try and squeeze a CV 15...

Roger Hicks · Oct 15, 2006

Kensey said:
I too used to always take far more equipment than would be used.

I am very shortly off to Pondicherry, India. After a huge amount of contemplation and with some reluctance I have settled on: Leica MP, Tri-Elmar, 75 Summicron, and Contax T3. Maybe I should also try and squeeze a CV 15...

Have you been to Pondi before? Gorgeous place; lots of good pics. If you can, get up to Mahabalipuram/Mamallampuram a little to the north: amazing watching the fishing boats go out and come back around dawn.

Given that the 15 weighs next to nothing and takes up next to no room, I'd find space for it if I were you. But I also found a lot of use for a Nikon F with 200/3 Vivitar Series 1, not just as 200mm but also for extreme close-ups (focuses to about 1/3 life size). I'd ditch the T3 for that. Hope this doesn't throw you back into too much confusion!

Cheers,

R. (some Indian pics in the Galleries at www.rogerandfrances.com)

Kensey · Oct 15, 2006

Roger Hicks said:
Have you been to Pondi before? Gorgeous place; lots of good pics. If you can, get up to Mahabalipuram/Mamallampuram a little to the north: amazing watching the fishing boats go out and come back around dawn.

Given that the 15 weighs next to nothing and takes up next to no room, I'd find space for it if I were you. But I also found a lot of use for a Nikon F with 200/3 Vivitar Series 1, not just as 200mm but also for extreme close-ups (focuses to about 1/3 life size). I'd ditch the T3 for that. Hope this doesn't throw you back into too much confusion!

Cheers,

R. (some Indian pics in the Galleries at www.rogerandfrances.com)

Roger you really know how to hurt a chap, never mind confusion!
I don't have a F2/Viv 200/3, but a choice of F6/FM2 with Nikkor 105 2.8 Ais Micro/180 2.8 Ais/135 2.0 DC AF/ 80-400 AF/ CV 125 2.5 Macro or Leica R9 with 100 2.8 APO/180 2.8 APO.
Or should I go with Hassie H1 50/80/150, and ditch the Leica/35mm? HC 35, 210 and 1.7 Conv and ext tubes also available. Taking into account that the Nikkors focus "the wrong way" from the M lenses, what do you suggest? You've caused the PAIN please provide the Aspirin/Paracetemol.
I have been to India many times but not to Pondicherry, am truly looking forward to it.
Kind regards
Ken

Roger Hicks · Oct 15, 2006

Dear Ken,

I'd go for the R9 and 180 or FM2 and 180 -- I don't find the 'backwards' focus a significant problem when I switch to long lenses.

No, I wouldn't take the 'Blad: there's so much to shoot that 35 is a LOT easier.

I assume you're familiar with masala dosai? The perfect breakfast!

Cheers,

R.

Kensey · Oct 15, 2006

Roger Hicks said:
Dear Ken,

I'd go for the R9 and 180 or FM2 and 180 -- I don't find the 'backwards' focus a significant problem when I switch to long lenses.

No, I wouldn't take the 'Blad: there's so much to shoot that 35 is a LOT easier.

I assume you're familiar with masala dosai? The perfect breakfast!

Cheers,

R.

Hi Roger
I can feel the pain receding... much as I love masala dosa, for breakfast idlee and sambhar are my favourites. Chacon son gout (forgive the UK keyboard)
Kind regards
Ken

bill schwab · Oct 15, 2006

I always go light on gear, heavy on film. Basically a tripod, 2-500C Hasselblad bodies, 2 A-12 backs, 4 lenses, spot meter, stop watch, flashlight and a roll of gaffer's tape. I always throw in my Xpan for good measure, but it doesn't get used as much as I would like. Too many options works against me. If it doesn't fit in my Phototrekker, it doesn't go. All gear is packed into 2 Pelican cases which are then encased in Lightware bags and checked. The Phototrekker bag gets packed to the seams with film and is run through handheld X-Ray. I have yet to be seriously hassled at security. (knock on wood)

Bill

DBP · Oct 15, 2006

Flying, usually four, two 35mm, one MF, and my Horizon. Driving, it depends on whether I need to pack other stuff.

Markok765 · Oct 15, 2006

2 pentax screwmounts, 4 lenses including a 85-210 4.5
Rollei xf 35 Rf
Holga
All this fits into my lowepro micro trekker 200

Bromo33333 · Oct 15, 2006

Dan Fromm said:
... How many cameras do you travel with? I'm not thinking of a short excursion from home, more of something like a week's trip. ...

For personal travel:
By Air:
1 35mm SLR (Nikon FM2 + 50/1.8 AIS, 28/2.8 AIS) o=*or RF (ZI + 35/2)
1 35mm "P&S" (Olympus XA)
By Car:
1 35mm SLR (Nikon FM2)
1 35mm Rangefinder (Zeiss Ikon + 35/2)
1 MF Hasselblad *or* Rolleicord III

travel for work (my job is unrelated to photography, and will be by air)
less than 1 week: nothing or P&S 35mm
> 1 week: 1 35mm camera of some kind (Ricoh snappy or Olympus XA - its the photographer, not the camera ... right? )
[I tend to travel really really light if it is for work!]

bruce terry · Oct 15, 2006

Maybe I'm nuts, but I've always carried super-light rather than prepared-for-everything heavy. Never fielded more than one body and one lens, a 35 or 50 in 35mm, a 240 in 8x10, for a while a 500C/120. This is very weird from what I see others doing (my best friend has many dozen bodies and lenses), but I'm in it for the fun so I can do it, where others obviously can't, or won't. I figure I see more than I miss going light, never worrying over my 'kit'.

Of course I can't tell you how many times I've worn my black and white suit and come upon a killer scene in color, or found myself in color-mode for some rare family reason and had THE black and white shot of my lifetime staring back at me. But simple's OK, I like the 'risk' of it - and my wife backs me up 100%, tells me how simple I am, what a risk I am ... and that's good, right?

John McCallum · Oct 15, 2006

It must vary depending on the desire or abilities of the travellor to carry bags, and the requirements for cameras.

Personally, I really love to travel. And photographing with that is a passion. For my own stuff I'd always carry two cameras if possible.

Last trip took Leica M and 3 lenses and a view camera also with 3 lenses, change tent, holders, and a separate cool bag with 8 boxes of sheet film and 60 rolls of 35mm. Did end up arriving home with a little bit of unused sheet film, but purchased about doz rolls of 35mm on the trip. I think if I wasn't moving as quickly through the schedule, it may have been the other way.

The trip included a little time in Thailand and France, and lots of time through Spain and Portugal.

copake_ham · Oct 15, 2006

For walking or driving around on day trips - just two. Either two slrs or a slr and RF.

For longer trips - four. 2 SLRs, a RF and the darkside DSLR.

How many do you travel with?

Dan Fromm

BrianShaw

David A. Goldfarb

Moderator

Terence

Aggie

Dave Parker

Pinholemaster

David Henderson

oscroft

Black Dog

reellis67

Roger Hicks

André E.C.

Kensey

Roger Hicks

Kensey

Roger Hicks

Kensey

bill schwab

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DBP

Markok765

Bromo33333

bruce terry

John McCallum

copake_ham

How many do you travel with?

Moderator

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