travel and 4x5 spoiling 35mm :-)

[severian]

never compromise

Mike,
Never compromise. Take the LF gear. If you are so dissatisfied with the 35mm results why even consider it? In the last few years I've flown to Europe 4 times and NYC 3 times (from Houston). My entire 8x10 system fits in a carry on backpack. 8x10 Zone Vl, Gitzo carbon fiber, small Reis head, 6 film holders, meter, changing bag etc. On the first trip to NYC I only took the Hasselblad and I still haven't printed those negs. The only thing I plan to change is the backpack. I really need wheels. A 22" pack should be all you need to check on the plane.
Good Trip!
Jack

 

[Wyno]

Wyno

Take the 4x5. I went to Ireland with the 4x5 and used velvia 50 and had a great time. My partner took the digital, so we've got the best of both worlds.
Mike

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

MF is probably the best compromise in that situation. If you do decide to get a new camera, make sure you have enough time to use it and get familiar with it. Otherwise, it's better to stick with what you know. For European travel where I'm mostly going to be walking around in cities, I've had pretty good results carrying my Bronica S2a kit, usually 5 lenses and 3-5 backs (-1, N, +1, color, flexible), but on any given outing, I usually take 1-3 lenses and 3 backs.

As for film, use what you're comfortable with. You don't want to be testing out a new film on a trip you may not repeat.

 

[tchamber]

You might also look into an old 6x9 folder, e.g., an Agfa, Voigtlander, or Zeiss. The lens quality is not up there with some of the MF cameras mentioned here, but with a coated lens can be quite good. The difference in negative size from 35mm is more than 6:1, while LF is larger than 6x9 by only a bit more than 2:1. And they are small and light. After all, they were the travel cameras of fifty years ago.

The only key issue is to be sure the bellows are light-tight. Cost, with a new bellows and CLA, should be ~$200.

 

[Sportera]

I took a trip to mexico last year, my wife said hell no to the 4x5, It would be much of a vacation for them watching me photograph. Instead I brought a Leica, and a Rolleicord. I made some great prints from the Rollei negatives, and we had a great time. I was actuallly glad to have packed light with all the walking we did.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

The reason I asked you and TheFlyingCamera is because there seems to be a real myoptic view here on APUG that everyone shoots only B&W.

I responded with the comment about the T400CN because he specifically mentioned that he was doing his own development. Had he asked about color, my first response would have been, what is your desired output format, and what is your preferred film stock? If he wants prints, I'd say Fuji NPS 160. If he wanted transparencies, the new Fuji Velvia 100. Those are my personal preferences, but I'm more of a b/w guy because I still don't have the color facility at home that I'd like to, and I don't trust pro labs with that work anymore.

 

[Capocheny]

... have my wife take digi-crap snapshots, 3) purchase medium-format like a Mamiya 7 and be satisfied with 6x7 negs.

Hi Mike,

LOL... just make sure you don't tell your wife that she's taking digi-crap snapshots! Otherwise, she'll NEVER carry your tripod!!

Seriously speaking, the real down-side to taking a LF camera is having to drag a tripod along with you. That's the real deal breaker in my mind. But, if you're one of those folks who doesn't mind carrying a pod (and doesn't mind being queried by the local gendarme every time you set up the camera on said pod) then I'd probably suggest taking both. But, pare the kit down so that it's manageable.

The alternative is to arrange a rental of a good tripod at the location you're visiting. I don't know about the logistics of doing this and whether this is a possibility or not... but you might look into it.

Otherwise, I'd most likely just take the 35 mm. BTW, that Mamiya 7 is a fine camera and will give you a nice usable film size.

Good luck on the decision!

Cheers

 

[Curt]

Lets be real here, I would rather have my wife interested in photography and asking me points about using flash in a museum or composition and talking about pictures than not. So what if she uses a thousand dollar digital camera and puts the prints in a thing called a photo album. Her results are quite impressive and it's fun to see what someone else saw at the same time I was out. Believe me there is nothing worse than having a spouse sit in the car waiting for the other one to do some photography. I would go so far as to make sure she has enough equipment so she doesn't run out of storage etc.. The same as you would take enough film.

Regards,
Curt

 

[sjperry]

Just to throw in my two cents. I shoot medium and large format, and some 35. But for great portability combined with great image quality you might want to consider a Rolleiflex TLR. These are pretty light and convenient to carry and snap pics. The 2.8's made from the 50's on will have pertty much the same image quality as a Hassy (same 2.8 Zeiss Planar). An additional plus is that many made since '56 have a built in meter. Older ones use a selenium meter, which if it is working ok is neat, and can be replaced if not. Make sure the shutter is working well at all speeds. The mechanical shutter will tend to be slow at 1/2 and 1 sec. if it needs oiling. After using Hassy's for several years I have gone back to the TLR for off hand shooting. Its lighter, and once you get used to it, very comfortable. Just a thought.

 

[Trond]

I do a lot of work on both 35mm and 4x5", and while I don't get the tonality of 4x5" on 35mm, I still think 35mm has a lot of special qualities that I don't get on the larger formats. One such quality is grain. I thinks it looks good. Consider Tri-X in Rodinal f. ex., that is really wonderful stuff!

So, for a trip like that, I would go for 35mm with a couple of lenses, and perhaps my Yashica TLR, if there is any space left.

Trond

 

[Sportera]

A good point about 35mm. I think its best not to try to amke 35mm into something its not. I mean I use a 35 for handheld fast work, if i am going to use a tripod I might as well use a bigger format. The grit of Trix inrodinal has certain biting clarity of its own and can lend emotion and drama to a photograph.