Multi-Format Traveling

Theo Sulphate · Jun 16, 2016

rwreich said:
Much lighter, and less than the 16"x16"x8" required to get into the Cubs' game!

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Ah... ha ha ha... to me, that's a lot! I'm strong, but lazy. I've travelled all over and take just one 35mm camera and one fixed focal length lens. It's not really limiting. In my youth, I'd take a second camera, but it was an XA2.

So can you get into a game with that??? A few years ago I checked the MLB site and also the team / home stadium site, but they weren't specific enough. I wouldn't want to spend hours travelling and buying tickets only to be tossed out at the gate because the temp worker there thinks my ancient film camera and lens is a pro outfit.

rwreich · Jun 16, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
Ah... ha ha ha... to me, that's a lot! I'm strong, but lazy. I've travelled all over and take just one 35mm camera and one fixed focal length lens. It's not really limiting. In my youth, I'd take a second camera, but it was an XA2.

So can you get into a game with that??? A few years ago I checked the MLB site and also the team / home stadium site, but they weren't specific enough. I wouldn't want to spend hours travelling and buying tickets only to be tossed out at the gate because the temp worker there thinks my ancient film camera and lens is a pro outfit.

I looked it up to be sure!

"
Q: Are the Cubs restricting bags?

A: No, we are not changing our bag policy. The Cubs will continue to allow bags, backpacks and purses, as long as the bag is not larger than 16 x 16 x 8 inches. All bags, including purses, will continue to be inspected. Please consider not bringing a bag to the ballpark - this will help reduce your wait time at our gates. Bags cannot be stored and must remain with guests.
"

Svenedin · Jun 16, 2016

Sounds like you had a good trip. I saw this thread and chuckled as I have just finished packing for a trip to the Austrian Alps. I debated whether to take a MF camera as well as a 35mm and in the end I decided yes I would. I'm taking my Olympus OM4-Ti, 28mm, 50mm and 100mm lenses, a tripod, a selection of filters for B&W and IR and my Fujifilm GF670. I have a lot of OM lenses but the primes are lighter than the zooms and faster too. I didn't want to take lenses that took different diameter filters. It helps that the trip is with a friend who also has an OM4-Ti so we can share lenses.

RalphLambrecht · Jun 16, 2016

rwreich said:
I'm traveling to the FL keys at the end of the week and I'm really starting to labor over which cameras to take with me. I am probably going to explore some classic landscapes and documentary-style people shooting. I am going with a group that is counting on me to make some great images.

I have plenty of Nikon 35mm cameras (FM2n, F100) & prime lenses (14 - 400mm, and everything in between). I also have a Nikon S2 Rangefinder with the 50mm f/1.4 and I really love using this camera.

I have a Pentax 645 with the 75mm f/2.8 and three inserts. I also have a Mamiya RB67 with a 65, 127, & 250mm, and two backs.

First, air-travel is not a concern. Second, I don't mind carrying some weight. Third, I really want to bring back some images that are aesthetically and technically special, which is the main reason for considering medium format in the first place.

My gut feeling is this: Take the S2 & the RB67.

Or, what?

with a Mamiya 6MF you can switch between 35mm and 6x6.

rwreich · Jun 16, 2016

RalphLambrecht said:
with a Mamiya 6MF you can switch between 35mm and 6x6.

The 7-series will allow that as well with the appropriate adapter. The framelines seem to give some indication.

Down Under · Jun 16, 2016

(OP wrote) On this trip, I'm packing everything into a Domke F2... Seems perfectly reasonable to me!

Reasonable is not the word I would use. You'll need a donkey to cart around that Domke!

Anyway, it's your vacation, your cameras, your spine and, back, and your wife, bless her for her patience. Good luck to you. Whatever you do, enjoy.

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 16, 2016

I'm a big fan of "even if you can't travel light, travel simple". I don't like switching between film formats and aspect ratios because it lends itself to confusion of vision, and it means you have to carry around that many more film stocks. I'm even less a fan of carrying both film and digital on the same trip.

rwreich · Jun 16, 2016

ozmoose said:
(OP wrote) On this trip, I'm packing everything into a Domke F2... Seems perfectly reasonable to me!

Reasonable is not the word I would use. You'll need a donkey to cart around that Domke!

Anyway, it's your vacation, your cameras, your spine and, back, and your wife, bless her for her patience. Good luck to you. Whatever you do, enjoy.

Good grief! Are you calling me names? Lol It's really not that heavy... I promise. Besides, it's all relative. I've already walked around this city for the better part of five hours with absolutely zero impediment due to the bag. I shot Ektar with the 14mm until it became too dark. After that, I grabbed the S2 and pushed HP5+ to 1600, a piece of cake. And, I've loaded the 7ii with Portra 400 so it's ready to go in the morning. I also drank champagne, ate chocolate, and behaved like a perfect gentleman with my wife. I really should go... There's more champagne on ice

rwreich · Jun 16, 2016

TheFlyingCamera said:
I'm a big fan of "even if you can't travel light, travel simple". I don't like switching between film formats and aspect ratios because it lends itself to confusion of vision, and it means you have to carry around that many more film stocks. I'm even less a fan of carrying both film and digital on the same trip.

No non-film cameras in the bag, though I hear what you're saying about confusion of vision. I guess we'll find out when I process the film and see if any of it makes sense.

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 16, 2016

rwreich said:
No non-film cameras in the bag, though I hear what you're saying about confusion of vision. I guess we'll find out when I process the film and see if any of it makes sense.

It's not that you can't - it's just switching between say 35mm with its 2:3 aspect ratio and 2 1/4 square, or even 6x7cm, let alone large format, you start off composing for one when you're using the other and it's easy to throw the composition off. And going from a view camera to a rangefinder, well, that's even more of a mind job.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 17, 2016

Wow. I'm on the total opposite end of the spectrum.

If I'm going on a day-trip specifically for photography, I'll take a single medium format or large format camera.

For actual multi-day trips away from home, the only thing I'll take is a single small format camera and lens that can fit in a pocket. Maybe a big pocket.

rwreich · Jun 17, 2016

TheFlyingCamera said:
It's not that you can't - it's just switching between say 35mm with its 2:3 aspect ratio and 2 1/4 square, or even 6x7cm, let alone large format, you start off composing for one when you're using the other and it's easy to throw the composition off. And going from a view camera to a rangefinder, well, that's even more of a mind job.

Theo Sulphate said:
Wow. I'm on the total opposite end of the spectrum.

If I'm going on a day-trip specifically for photography, I'll take a single medium format or large format camera.

For actual multi-day trips away from home, the only thing I'll take is a single small format camera and lens that can fit in a pocket. Maybe a big pocket.

It's all about the experience and the lenses, fellas. I want to shoot film and I couldn't bring a tripod on this trip. I want the best quality available, so when it's sunny and I want normal perspective, I'll use the 7ii 80mm combo. When I want dramatic, I'll use the FM2n with the 14 / 105mm. And when it's too dark for f/4 - f/2.5, I have the S2 50 f/1.4 combo.

I could have brought my Nikon D810 and any lens I wanted, but I didn't want that experience. I wanted it to be film and I wanted it to feel special. I'm having a blast at the moment, and I wouldn't change anything.

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 17, 2016

rwreich said:
It's all about the experience and the lenses, fellas. I want to shoot film and I couldn't bring a tripod on this trip. I want the best quality available, so when it's sunny and I want normal perspective, I'll use the 7ii 80mm combo. When I want dramatic, I'll use the FM2n with the 14 / 105mm. And when it's too dark for f/4 - f/2.5, I have the S2 50 f/1.4 combo.

I could have brought my Nikon D810 and any lens I wanted, but I didn't want that experience. I wanted it to be film and I wanted it to feel special. I'm having a blast at the moment, and I wouldn't change anything.

In the end, what works for you works for you. A couple years ago I took a risk and took one camera with one lens only, my Rolleiflex 2.8E, with me on a trip. I came back with some of the best pictures I've ever made, certainly some of the best to that date. It transformed my thinking about hauling around gear. Sure, there were shots I envisioned that I didn't take because the lens wasn't wide enough or long enough or fast enough. But I wouldn't have enjoyed the trip so much if I were burdened with multiple cameras and multiple lenses, juggling gear all day long. That's just my opinion, based on my personal experience. Try it out sometime and see if it works for you.

Soeren · Jun 17, 2016

rwreich said:
>SNIP
I wanted it to be film and I wanted it to feel special. I'm having a blast at the moment, and I wouldn't change anything.

This is, what people tend to forget, the most important part of our hobby.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 17, 2016

rwreich said:
...
I could have brought my Nikon D810 and any lens I wanted, but I didn't want that experience. I wanted it to be film and I wanted it to feel special. I'm having a blast at the moment, and I wouldn't change anything.

... and that's the only thing that matters. Enjoy the experience and bring back the memories of your trip!

rwreich · Jul 7, 2016

Okay, I'm off again next week to some place awesome and this time I'm bringing:

Mamiya 7ii
80mm
43mm
Light-weight tripod

Nikon F100
70-200 f/2.8 VRii

And that's it! The Nikon is for kids, birds, and wildlife. The Mamiya is for the scenery and everything else. I might be getting the hang of this.

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