Travel Conundrum: What Should I Take?

[nocrop]

I will repair the P when I get back. The problem is that the cost of a CLA plus at least one LTM lens is going to add up. And I will need to figure out exactly which lens(es) would make me happy. That seems to be a long-term project. I will probably be taking the Autocord, and definitely taking the FM2n; GF will take her AE-1. I'm probably going to get her a wide angle lens from KEH, something in the 24mm-35mm range. FD lenses are cheap now!

 

[Vanishing Point Ent.]

Contax G1 w/ 35 F2.

you get autofocus, autoexposure if you want, manual if you don't, compact, lightweight, and some of the best optics ever made for 35mm. And a lot less expensive than a CL/CLE. Oh, and don't forget automatic parallax correction in the viewfinder.

Don't get the G1, the auto focus doesn't work very well. The chrome G2, has all of the features of the G1, plus. It is cheap enough & Tocad took over all repairs. They hired the whole Contax staff, so don't worry about that.

For traveling, get the 35 - 70 mm Zeiss T* Vario- Sonnar zoom lens. You could add a 28 mm Zeiss T* Biotar & a 90 mm Zeiss T* Sonnar, to fill out the line. For flash, A Sunpak, or Metz, on a Stroboframe bracket with a TTL cord.

Just be aware that the metering is simple center weighted, so it's easily fooled by backlight.

If money is an issue sell the 40 mm Leica lens. You won't need it anymore.
I think, that you'll fall in love with this system.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

The autofocus on the G1 is only really an issue with the 90mm - it doesn't handle it very well for some reason. It isn't as good in low light as the G2 either, but the G2 is a bigger, heavier, and more expensive camera. The 35-70, while it may well be a great lens, is much slower than the 35 f2. The G1 with the 35 f2 fits his budget.

 

[Vanishing Point Ent.]

Have you seen the prices on the G2, they're dirt cheap.
Admittedly, the zoom lens is a luxury. I don't even own it, I was just trying to lighten his load.
But in reviewing the thread, it looks like, he's taking his Nikon FM2.
It's a pity, that he doesn't have the time, to try to find a Tamron 35 - 105 mm f 2.8 ASL, lens.
As sharp as they come, but you'd hve to find one on eBay, buy it & get it shipped to you in the time allotted.

 

[Markok765]

Get the Canon P fixed and stick a Jupiter 8 on it, and also take a Oly XA for wide shots.

 

[elekm]

When I was traveling a lot, I would take a Contax IIa, three lenses (35, 50, 135), a light meter, a small 35mm (often a Rollei 35S) and a medium format (TLR or folder).

Together, everything weighed about 10 pounds, and I kept it in a backpack, which is easier on the shoulder and the hips.

When I was much younger, I hauled around a Nikon F2A, FE and several lenses: 28, 50, 105 and a big Vivitar Series 1 35-85 and a small Sunpak flash, all in a shoulder bag. That weighed too much, and I doubt I would carry that much gear again.

 

[alanrockwood]

I traveled to India about 13 years ago. I was traveling light, and the only camera I took was a Rollei 35TE.

I traveled to Brazil last fall and the only camera I took was a Ricoh 35ZF.

I find I can get along with some pretty minimal equipment, and taking more can bog me down. However, usually when I travel I take several cameras of different sizes, types and capabilities, not because I actually need them, but because I enjoy them.

My typical travel kit might be something like this: a Canon T2 (film), a Canon XTi (digital), two to four lenses to share among the Canons, a Panasonic Lumix LX2 (digital), and either a Rollei 35TE or Ricoh 35ZF (film). I would often carry an on camera flash as well (Sigma 500 dg super), and a cheap inadequate tripod.

Finally, photography is incidental in my travels, which are always done with a different purpose in mind. If I traveled specifically for photography I might take something more elaborate, such as more lenses and a medium format (Rolleicord or Kiev 60) and/or large format (Crown Graphic) camera.

 

[elekm]

These days, I always bring along a medium format camera, and it's usually a Zeiss Ikon folder. I like having the option of shooting with a bigger negative.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I have the same problem as the original poster. I'm going on a trip and can't decide what to take. I know when I come back I'm going to want large negatives but I can't see packing through China with a Pentax 645... plus I don't want to have to print everything... digi is fine for alot of things. I even bought a film Maxxum 7 to work with my Sony lenses incase I want to go with a Sony digi and Maxxum film body.
The problem is the camera I love to shoot with is the 35mm Zeiss rangefinder..... but the neg. I like to print is from the Pentax 645.... then it seems a shame to leave the Sony behind.
Too much gear ... not enough trips.
-rob

-Rob

 

[Morry Katz]

Rob:
Take the Zeiss rangefinder, a wide angle, normal and short tele. That's all you'll really need and your back will thank you. With a bunch of film it'll all fit into an "Oskar's day" bag from Artisan & Artist. Light, compact and unobtrusive. Bon Voyage.
Morry Katz
Lethbrdige AB

 

[ChrisC]

If I were you I'd take the FM2n with the 50mm, and use the money to buy something wider that suits your style. It'd be 28mm for me but you may see things different. I trekked for 3 weeks in the Himalayas last year with a Mamiya 645 Pro with motorwinder and 80mm lens, and while heavy, I not once regretted it. I'm sure you'd be the same with your Nikon.

 

[mann61]

Contax G1 or G2.Simple .Never miss a shot.Optics are the best around and all take 46mm filters,'cept the 16 and 21mm.Just take a couple of CR2s.

 

[Vanishing Point Ent.]

If you insist on taking the Nikon FM2, try to find a Tamron 35 - 105 mm f 2.8 ASL lens from eBay. It's small, fast & wicked sharp. If you get the Manual Focus version, you can change the lens mount to Nikon.

Just test the lens first. Some of the adapters tend to underexpose.

Also, instead of the 28 mm, which I think is boring, in an SLR design, opt for a 24 mm, much more interesting, with regarding composition.

 

[oldglass]

The choice to bring the FM2 is sound. I like 35mm lens way more than 50mm. A not-so-expensive 35/2 Nikkor AI will be perfect for one lens kit.

And bringing the TLR is also sound, there's a lot of beautiful subjects in Asia that would just glow on 6x6 film especially slides.

But... unless your GF can't part with her AE-1, I'd leave that at home. Instead, give her a Fuji Instax 200 and a couple box of Wide Instax films. You can order them from Freestyle and they are not too expensive (way below your $500 budget).

If you do that, you and GF will have instant photos perfect for journaling your trip. Those Instax photos are cute and high-quality, as well as easy to scan on any flatbed scanner. No development worries and you still don't have to touch digital

That said, if I were you, I'd bring *one* cheap digital P&S just in case (that's what they are good for, "just in case").

Oh, and don't forget to have fun....

 

[kavandje]

For travelling light, I like my Leica MP (substitute your choice of 35mm rf here), for which I have a Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.4, a Summicron 50mm f/2 and an Elmar 90mm f4. With the camera on a strap over my shoulder, the lenses and a roll or two of film fit into the pockets of a reasonably equipped jacket. Metering is by eyeball, so no battery-dependence.

 

[mablo]

I'm leaving to Spain tomorrow morning for a couple of days. I was wondering if I'd take my trusty FM2n or my fragile Canon P along - but I know that I won't have time (or selfpower) to do serious photographing in the early morning hours or late in the evening - so why bother.

Eventually I packed one small digital P&S for those ubiquitous sundowner photos with the 3£ minisize tripod, one Oly 35 RC and one Oly 35 Trip for my better half. I know that with this equipment I'm able to shoot and make normal size prints that only an expert is able to say they came from a small compact.