Pick a Camera seniorio

mr rusty · May 15, 2013

basic OM1 + 50mm 1.8 B&W
If I can I add OM2 + my faithful 35-70mm F4 which I am never disappointed with. Colour.

thegman · May 15, 2013

The Mamiya 7 is a great idea, it's probably the best compromise of portability and flexibility. It's got 6x7 quality, but you can shoot it like it was a 35mm camera. Either that or a GF670, less flexible with the built in lens, but even more portable.

So for me, certainly medium format, and something easy to hand hold. But it depends on location too, if I was going somewhere deep in nature, with a lot of time to spare, I'd probably want to bring along my 4x5 too.

AgX · May 15, 2013

Allen Friday said:
I am leaving on the 24th to go to Iceland for three days and then on to Paris for two weeks.

Do you suffer GAS? Then avoid Bievre!

http://www.foirephoto-bievre.com/index.php/en/

bdial · May 15, 2013

Unless the trip is specifically for photography, and nothing else, I'd take the camera I am most comfortable using, and simplify it's kit as much as possible. And, it should be a camera you already own and know.

It's not the camera that will make great images, it's the eyes and head behind it.

eddie · May 15, 2013

I head down to the Caribbean in a few weeks. I'll be bringing a Fuji GSW690, Fuji GW690, Holga Pano, a Diana, (now Flying Camera has me thinking of bringing my Rollei 3.5f, too). Part of my trip is to shoot a job for a hotel, but the rest of the time is mine to do as I please. I'll be shipping 100+ rolls of 120 down ahead of time. I don't know how much film I'll use, but better too much than too few. 120 can't be found on the island.

One of my favorite parts of doing a lot of shooting, on vacation, is having months of darkroom work to do upon my return. It effectively extends the experience, as the sights, sounds, aromas, come back to me while printing.

perkeleellinen · May 15, 2013

eddie said:
One of my favorite parts of doing a lot of shooting, on vacation, is having months of darkroom work to do upon my return. It effectively extends the experience, as the sights, sounds, aromas, come back to me while printing.

What's nice about this is if you tend to print in the colder and darker months the photos can help lift the gloom

pgomena · May 15, 2013

Streets and other public areas in Europe can be tight quarters. A wide-angle lens is indispensable. I'd travel as light as possible, 35mm with a 24mm and a 50mm lens, or an equivalent zoom - 24-70 would be perfect. When I last traveled in Europe, I found my 80-200 zoom lens almost useless - and heavy to pack around.

I'd say format depends on your intended final use. How big do you intend to print? Do you have a specific project in mind? Color or B&W? If both, consider an extra body so you have both types available all the time. Film type - certainly up to you, but for hand-held work I always use IS0 400. This could bring up problems with airport X-rays unless you have all your film hand-inspected. A small, light tripod would be very handy.

benjiboy · May 15, 2013

I find the most useful lens for travelling my Canon FD 28-85 f4

nosmok · May 15, 2013

Keep in mind that some places it's hard to get film, even big cities. In 2008 as an example, last time I went, there was only one camera store in Budapest that carried 120 at all. So if yr going with MF, you'll have to carry a lot.

--nosmok

John Wiegerink · May 15, 2013

PDH said:
It would depend on how I am traveling and where I am staying.
If I plan on renting a car and will in be the country side for landscapes I would travel with my Mamiya Press Universal with a Normal and Wide, and a 35mm with 4 primes, 24mm, 50mm, 105mm and 135 or 150 (Pentax 42mm) and a good quality point and shoot.

If I plan on staying in a city and using public transportation and doing a lot of walking I would just take a 35mm with same primes and a point and shoot.

Other option for light travel is Sigma SA 9 and Sigma SD 14 with 2 zooms 28 to 105, 70 to 210 and a 50mm prime.

What the Hell is a SD 14??? Sigma makes lenses - Canon, Nikon, Pentax and the rest make cameras.

k_jupiter · May 16, 2013

rb67 with a 65mm lens and a monopod.
In my bag would also be a 127 and a 180mm lens. In my luggage would be a 150SF.
Waist level finder.
This is the kit I took to Paris a couple of years ago.
These are all going to the Grand Canyon with me this summer as well as my 8x10. The rb goes on my hikes, the 8x10 for rim shots, probably at sunrise (if I am up) and sunset.

tim in san jose

Peltigera · May 16, 2013

pgomena said:
Streets and other public areas in Europe can be tight quarters. A wide-angle lens is indispensable. I'd travel as light as possible, 35mm with a 24mm and a 50mm lens, or an equivalent zoom - 24-70 would be perfect. When I last traveled in Europe, I found my 80-200 zoom lens almost useless - and heavy to pack around. <snip>

Living in a very old European city (Lincoln) I find using a short telephoto lens indispensable. If you use a wide angle lens you will lose that feeling of being in tight quarters and make it look like a spacious American city. I frequently use a Tamron 90mm lens in the city which gives just enough visual compression to accentuate the 'tight quarters' feel.

Peltigera · May 16, 2013

John Wiegerink said:
What the Hell is a SD 14??? Sigma makes lenses - Canon, Nikon, Pentax and the rest make cameras.

Not really an appropriate suggestion for an APUG post, but if you have had enough of proper photography, the Sigma SD14 is not a bad choice.

TheFlyingCamera · May 16, 2013

John Wiegerink said:
What the Hell is a SD 14??? Sigma makes lenses - Canon, Nikon, Pentax and the rest make cameras.

Sigma has been making camera bodies since the 1990s, so they have even made a few film cameras. Most were not terribly commercially successful, but not bad cameras either.

John Wiegerink · May 16, 2013

Peltigera said:
Not really an appropriate suggestion for an APUG post, but if you have had enough of proper photography, the Sigma SD14 is not a bad choice.

Actually I was just pulling PDH's leg a little bit, but I get "that look" whenever I tell somebody I use a DSLR and it's made by Sigma. People seem to forget Sigma made some darn nice film cameras also. I just got done packing for a week long fishing trip in Michigan's north country and in my bag are one Rollei 3.5E, one Sigma SD9, one Sigma SD14 w/ 24-70mm f2.8 - 70mm macro f2.8 - 70-200mm f2.8. Since I have the Rollei for B&W film I have left my Sigma SA-7n home. I also do agree with you that you better have a pretty good understanding of lighting and exposure with the Sigma cameras. I might slip my old folding Ikonta with uncoated Tessar in my pocket before I go. That's the problem with being a camera junkie, you have a hard time deciding which gear to take. I'll have fun whether the fish bite or not. JohnW

ToddB · May 16, 2013

That's the problem with being a camera junkie, you have a hard time deciding which gear to take.

Boy do I know whats that's like..

John Wiegerink · May 16, 2013

ToddB said:
That's the problem with being a camera junkie, you have a hard time deciding which gear to take.

Boy do I know whats that's like..

Yup! If I were sell off some of my cameras due to lack of use I could easily get rid of 75-80% of my collection. I'd still have 30 to 35 cameras left to play with and according to my wife that's still far to many. Many years ago I used to smoke and indulge heavily in alcoholic beverages, which might mean I've just swapped one addiction for another. I think my biggest problem is that I justify camera purchases by saying to myself and my better half, that I could have spent it on smokes and booze. Or I'll say look at all the money I've saved over the last 30 years by not indulging. What a vicious cycle we're in! Still, there are much worse things we could be doing. JohnW

Paul Howell · May 16, 2013

John Wiegerink said:
Actually I was just pulling PDH's leg a little bit, but I get "that look" whenever I tell somebody I use a DSLR and it's made by Sigma. People seem to forget Sigma made some darn nice film cameras also. I just got done packing for a week long fishing trip in Michigan's north country and in my bag are one Rollei 3.5E, one Sigma SD9, one Sigma SD14 w/ 24-70mm f2.8 - 70mm macro f2.8 - 70-200mm f2.8. Since I have the Rollei for B&W film I have left my Sigma SA-7n home. I also do agree with you that you better have a pretty good understanding of lighting and exposure with the Sigma cameras. I might slip my old folding Ikonta with uncoated Tessar in my pocket before I go. That's the problem with being a camera junkie, you have a hard time deciding which gear to take. I'll have fun whether the fish bite or not. JohnW

I bought a SA 7 after my F3 was rippped off at LAX after 9 11, Southwest would not allow by bring my camera bag on board as carry on. I dithered for several years, for the most part I shoot MF and LF and still had my M42 gear but could not make up mind about an AF body. I found the SA 7 as a kit at a shopping mall and on whim bought it thinking it would do until I decided on either Canon or Nikon. Found that I really liked the SA 7 and bought a SA 9 and few pro level lens. Although I have added Pentex auto focus to my gear, for travel the SA 9 is still a choice for me. Light, has mirror lock up, shoots at about 4 FPS, auto bracket exposure. The auto foucs is not good for sports but good enough for travel. I find my self shooting less and less color film, finidng it on the road, getting it processed so I cheat with the SD 14.

John Wiegerink · May 16, 2013

PDH said:
I bought a SA 7 after my F3 was rippped off at LAX after 9 11, Southwest would not allow by bring my camera bag on board as carry on. I dithered for several years, for the most part I shoot MF and LF and still had my M42 gear but could not make up mind about an AF body. I found the SA 7 as a kit at a shopping mall and on whim bought it thinking it would do until I decided on either Canon or Nikon. Found that I really liked the SA 7 and bought a SA 9 and few pro level lens. Although I have added Pentex auto focus to my gear, for travel the SA 9 is still a choice for me. Light, has mirror lock up, shoots at about 4 FPS, auto bracket exposure. The auto foucs is not good for sports but good enough for travel. I find my self shooting less and less color film, finidng it on the road, getting it processed so I cheat with the SD 14.

That's the one thing I really like about the SA-7n is it's a light weight. My has the pink focus screen/mirror syndrome, but I live with it. I never did get a good explanation as to why they turn pink-O? I don't think the SA-9 had the problem, but I've never owned one so really don't know. I will say one thing about owning Sigma cameras where I'm from and that is you're probably the only Sigma camera owner within 150 miles or more. It gets kind of lonely! Oh, and I'm sorry for your loss and I always get very P.O.'d when somebody rips me off. I too, shoot very little 35mm anymore and find medium and large format more to my liking. Don't tell anyone here, but digital has pretty much replaced what little 35mm I did shoot. JohnW

Paul Howell · May 16, 2013

John Wiegerink said:
That's the one thing I really like about the SA-7n is it's a light weight. My has the pink focus screen/mirror syndrome, but I live with it. I never did get a good explanation as to why they turn pink-O? I don't think the SA-9 had the problem, but I've never owned one so really don't know. I will say one thing about owning Sigma cameras where I'm from and that is you're probably the only Sigma camera owner within 150 miles or more. It gets kind of lonely! Oh, and I'm sorry for your loss and I always get very P.O.'d when somebody rips me off. I too, shoot very little 35mm anymore and find medium and large format more to my liking. Don't tell anyone here, but digital has pretty much replaced what little 35mm I did shoot. JohnW

Pink screen mirror syndrome? Dont what that is. My understanding is the the SA 7 and SA 9 are built on the same platform, only differnace is that he SA 9 has 1/8000 shutter speed and faster motor drive, but the SA9 uses a CR5 so there must be differances in the build as well. I think the mirror and screen are the same. Although a SA 7 was listed on Graigs list last year I have never any one else in Phoenix with a SA 7 or 9. I know a few folks who shoot Sigma SD 14 and SD 1s.

John Wiegerink · May 16, 2013

PDH said:
Pink screen mirror syndrome? Dont what that is. My understanding is the the SA 7 and SA 9 are built on the same platform, only differnace is that he SA 9 has 1/8000 shutter speed and faster motor drive, but the SA9 uses a CR5 so there must be differances in the build as well. I think the mirror and screen are the same. Although a SA 7 was listed on Graigs list last year I have never any one else in Phoenix with a SA 7 or 9. I know a few folks who shoot Sigma SD 14 and SD 1s.

I have had two SA7's and both have the pink screen/finder/mirror problem. One was much worse than the other so I sold it and kept the worst one. On mine it seems to start on the bottom and work its way up. It starts out as a light-pink color when looking through the finder and it seems to get worse with age. It's still usable, but gives most of the bottom half of the finder screen a very pink cast. Like I said, I have never found out what caused it, but it might be some weird gases or glue or............?
I know of nobody in my area that uses either a Sigma film or digital camera. Now, there could be, but I just haven't run into them yet. JohnW

Matus Kalisky · May 17, 2013

I would probably go with medium format camera. Rnagefinders are compact enough to carry 2 or 3 lenses without breaking your shoulder, but something like Contax 645 with the 80/2.0 lens would be nice too

If I plan to shoot more - than my setup usually consists of Mamiya 6 with 3 lenses. Mamiya 7 could be even better (bit more bulky, but the same weight) as the built-in light meter is a bit more usable IMO. My most recent trip was to Romania and I carried the Mamiya 6 and a carbon tripod (which I used a lot).

For more casual use I take just a TLR and a table-top tripod (Manfrotto).

But also something like Fuji GA645, Bessa III or even Fuji GW690 (in particular for larger prints).

If medium format would not be an option for some reason, I would probably turn to some non-analog solution (which I do not posses right now), for some reason 35mm film does not do it for me ...

barzune · May 18, 2013

A lot depends upon whether you plan to tour with others, or alone.

If it's important to you to bring back pictures that will please you into your old age, and capture the flavour and essence of the location, try to travel alone.

If the trip is primarily to enjoy the company of the local population, your personal comfort and mobility suggests travelling light: a TLR with a wide (50-65mm) lens, loaded with HP5 or TX;

Touring on bicycle or motorcycle, by bus or train : MF/TLR with 50, 80 and 180mm, or (NOT and) 35mm SLR or RF with 24, 50 and 135mm.

Travelling by car: 4X5 with 90, 150 and 360 TP, in addition to the above.

Another personal favourite, maybe as a replacement for a wide-angle lens, is a HorizonT wide-angle camera. Surprisingly efficient, but an acquired taste.

Travelling with a wife: iphone

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