bill Posted July 27, 2011 Share #321 Posted July 27, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) So, now that we are back on track, indulge me for a moment while I share my views on the subject. I approach the decision on what I carry when I travel by considering where I am going, for how long. and why. I consider what camera and lens combination will best balance pleasure in use with pleasing results. I shoot for me, not for anyone else. I choose tools that will help me to capture the world as I see it. Experience and trial and error has led me to conclude that the optimum tools that accord with my vision are produced by Leica, Zeiss and CV. My ever-changing "travel kit" reflects that view. I don't leave home without a camera of some sort (and I mean a camera, not a portable telephone...) On a business trip it will invariably be something light with a single lens, built-in or interchangable. Current favourites are my II with 5cm Elmar or a Rollei 35. Occasionally I will take an M, but again with a single lens. The purpose of my travel is business, not pleasure and I do not do the sort of job where clients understand if you walk into a meeting with a camera (or obvious camera bag) slung over a shoulder. For "social" trips - a day out, or a trip to town, it is again a single camera and lens by default. If I have photography in mind and specific aim(s) in view I may occasionally take 2 lenses; invariably a 50, but the second choice will be informed by my intent; anything from a 15 to a 135. If I never change lenses I don't worry. If I miss a shot through having brought a wideangle when a tele would have been more useful I don't worry. I work with what I have and make the most of the situation and my choice. For longer trips - holidays, for example, I take the "holy trinity" - 35, 50, 90 - choosing the specific lenses, again, based upon what I believe I may encounter. One lens (usually the 50) will be "fast"; I don't own a flash that I would use on an M and I detest blitzing a subject anyway. I may pack a fourth lens - the CV 15 - if I think I may encounter subjects that would work well with this focal length. A holiday, however, breaks down in reality into a number of smaller "day trips". Once in situ I don't carry everything, preferring instead to once again work with a single lens or two at most. I use b2b coupling rings and a Lens Carrier M for convenience. I avoid a bulky bag wherever possible, preferring a cheap messenger bag from GAP or a Billingham Hadley insert in my briefcase. Above all I avoid complexity that will get in the way. I aim to have a "quiet mind" when I am shooting, working with the tool in my hands and not worrying about whether to fit this lens or that for my next shot. On a good day the only thing that disturbs my rhythm is the need to change film. and I treat that as a hiatus to be enjoyed as part of the overall experience. I always detest carrying un-necessary weight and bulk, and I hate to have my hands full - I feel both muffled from my environment and vulnerable when they are. All I want in one hand is my camera; in my hand, notice, not slung around my neck or over my shoulder; that is for transportation. So. There you have it. A Leica, loaded, a single lens, and thou, beside me in the wilderness... Do bear in mind I originated the One Challenge all those years ago - one location, one camera, one lens, one focal length, one hour (now two!) to capture one image that reflects your vision of the essence of the place. The ultimate expression of photographic decluttering and, as anyone who has taken part will tell you, a true challenge to any photographer. Is it any wonder that I am to this day an advocate of simplicity? Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 Hi bill, Take a look here the perfect travel kit. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted July 27, 2011 Share #322 Posted July 27, 2011 So, Bill, when do you use the 'belt' that I've seen pictured here a couple of times...the one that holds various lenses, etc? The one in post #7 here. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsjxyz Posted July 28, 2011 Share #323 Posted July 28, 2011 So, now that we are back on track, indulge me for a moment while I share my views on the subject. I always detest carrying un-necessary weight and bulk, and I hate to have my hands full - I feel both muffled from my environment and vulnerable when they are. All I want in one hand is my camera; in my hand, notice, not slung around my neck or over my shoulder; that is for transportation. So. There you have it. A Leica, loaded, a single lens, and thou, beside me in the wilderness... Regards, Bill Totally agree. My small + bakcup kit is my grd II Ricoh, with its lens extention becoming a descent 21 and 28 mm equivalent. Then with one lens setup for my m9 for along and hassle trip. Travelling light is the key for me. Jerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted July 28, 2011 Share #324 Posted July 28, 2011 So, Bill, when do you use the 'belt' that I've seen pictured here a couple of times...the one that holds various lenses, etc? Let me see now... The last time was 2003, I think, on a trip to Hawaii via San Francisco that involved a lot of walking about, in both urban and rural environments. My sole backup on that jaunt was an XA. Even back then I did as I described above - most of the kit left in the hotel, carry one body, and one or two lenses, hands-free, thanks to the belt. 2003... that's a whole wife ago Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 28, 2011 Share #325 Posted July 28, 2011 Do bear in mind I originated the One Challenge all those years ago - one location, one camera, one lens, one focal length, one hour (now two!) to capture one image that reflects your vision of the essence of the place We need to make sure that Pete puts this into the rules this year Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted July 28, 2011 Share #326 Posted July 28, 2011 Works for me Regards, Bill P.s. I do wonder how many of the contributors to, and readers of, this thread are even aware of the One Challenge, let alone coming to Palermo on the 15th of October to compete? I know of some, but..? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted July 28, 2011 Share #327 Posted July 28, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Whatever to the magic of just an M with a 35 and 90? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 28, 2011 Share #328 Posted July 28, 2011 Works for me Regards, Bill P.s. I do wonder how many of the contributors to, and readers of, this thread are even aware of the One Challenge, let alone coming to Palermo on the 15th of October to compete? I know of some, but..? It'll be August next week - time to spread the announcements around. I will drop Pete a line to remind him of his responsibilities Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jev Posted July 30, 2011 Share #329 Posted July 30, 2011 billingham hadley pro M9 WATE 35 lux pre-ASPH Nocti 0.95 IPAD 64GB Macbook Air 13inch All fits very nicely Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9P Posted August 2, 2011 Share #330 Posted August 2, 2011 Sweet n Simple for me...... LEICA M9-P LEICA Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH LEICA Neo Case 5 16Gb Cards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrubs Posted August 2, 2011 Share #331 Posted August 2, 2011 I would have never purchased the M9 if it wasn't for me trying to find my perfect travel kit. I used to shoot with a Hasselblad, but the bulk became a pain for me and also mostly shoot with a Canon 5D2 which was an excellent size compromise from the 1dsIII but still too big, I would mostly mount old manual M42 manual lenses on it to keep size down and because I preferred manual aperture control and focus. But what broke the camels back for me was doing a month trip on a motorcycle around Europe and coming home with two photos! I just couldn't be bothered lugging the Canon around and purchased the M9 the week after I got back. I still use the Canon and Hasselblad for studio work and it will always have it's place there as they both do things I want that the Leica can not. but for day to day stuff either the M6, M9, or some other old 35mm I bought off ebay and am enjoying playing with. I find I can be more creative with fewer options, so less is more - is the key for me. It is sometimes an easy trap for me to always be wanting something else, but I have to sometimes give myself a kick up the arse and say 'use what you have got!' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zimboom Posted August 2, 2011 Share #332 Posted August 2, 2011 Just got back from vacation PEI Canada, M9 + 35mm IV pre-asph Cron, Dumky that's all. It was perfect and enjoyable. Some pick on my blog! Enjoy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 2, 2011 Share #333 Posted August 2, 2011 Sweet n Simple for me...... LEICA M9-P LEICA Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH LEICA Neo Case 5 16Gb Cards Great kit, great name! We might have to learn from you Don't jump ship. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdavidr Posted August 2, 2011 Share #334 Posted August 2, 2011 We've logged over 20K miles riding dirtbikes and camping deep in the back country of North America from Mississippi to well above the arctic circle. I'm sure many of you will have a conniption knowing that I'm traveling with an M9 + 3-lens kit (15mm, 50mm, 90mm). Vibrations are a big concern on these bikes (single-cylinder thumpers) on rutted terrain (forest service, logging and mining dirt roads, jeep, and ATV trails), as is water protection (not only from rain). Crashes are not unheard of, especially during stream crossings. For that reason I've elected to keep the gear on my person rather than packed on the bike. (click for bigger) The last 10K miles have been with the following kit: A kinesis vertical accessory pouch looped through my camelbak waist strap on the right side, and a x-small accessory pouch on the left, each tethered with parachute cord and a nite-ize s-biner. The two pouches can slide within a range from nearly in front, to the side/back and are generally unobtrusive while standing or sitting. Mostly, however, their natural location rides just lateral to a delicate area that is instinctively protected in a fall. In the vertical accessory pouch on the right, I have the M9 with one lens, here the 50mm summicron with its hood (all three I'm carrying will fit while mounted, though the 90mm is a little tight), below that, is a padded divider from a crumpler bag, and below that is the small rocket blower, a spare battery, the polarizing filter/hood, some ND filters and a 39mm UV filter for when it gets really wet or dusty. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdavidr Posted August 2, 2011 Share #335 Posted August 2, 2011 on the left, I have the other two lenses (CV15mm, and thin tele-elmarit 90mm), a magnifier for use with the TE90, and spare memory. Various microfiber cloths pad between the items in each bag. The kinesis bags are not waterproof, but should do fine in a splash or a light drizzle. If we really get caught in a deluge, or if faced with a really deep stream crossing, everything will either get zip-locked, or go in a drybag and get stowed in a pannier, or both. Strapped to the back (on the bike, not on me) will be this bag, which contains a Mzungu quick-draw strap, and an Induro carbon monopod with a manfrotto 3422 ball head with support bracket: The monopod doubles as a hand-held extension for the video-cam we carry. Batteries are charged off the motorcycle battery via the 12V adapter, and when we do have access to 120V I've replaced the long charger cord with an old mac power brick plug. The weight of what I'll be carrying on my person is a mere 3lb 12oz (1.7kg)... less than the weight of the water when the camelbak is full. The bag with the monopod is another 1lb 3oz. The next segment of our trip will be two weeks in Sept. from Edmonton, AB to Idaho Falls via this route. Should be fun! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted August 2, 2011 Share #336 Posted August 2, 2011 Surprised carbon fiber tripods + RRS heads are not mentioned, but then I do mostly landscapes which require high f stops and therefore long exposures at ISO 160. I also carry a minipod. Black Label Bag-put in in a back pack when moving from one area to another M9 Zeiss 18mm 50% use Zeiss 1.5 50mm 15% Leica 90mm f.2 &/or 90 macro 25% Leica 135mm f3.4 10% Var ND, Circ Polarizer & warming filters for each lens size. 20x32 GB SDHC cards-shoot DNG only. Macbook 11" Air + 2 backup 1TB drives giving triple backup charger & 4 M9 batteries cleaners cable releases Domke summer vest all day long This is when I leave SWC Hassy at home. Panny GF1 w/M adpater + charger & 2 batteries Been on the road for 6 weeks so far and still have 6 more weeks to go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim sink Posted August 5, 2011 Share #337 Posted August 5, 2011 I don't think about it . I just go to sleep. I take my regular bag of equip. that I use everyday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim sink Posted August 5, 2011 Share #338 Posted August 5, 2011 and by the way, if you have to think about it then you're not shooting enough on a regular basis. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swanny66 Posted August 5, 2011 Share #339 Posted August 5, 2011 and by the way, if you have to think about it then you're not shooting enough on a regular basis. Think about what too much....your travel bag? This is the perfect travel kit thread. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipedreamer Posted August 5, 2011 Share #340 Posted August 5, 2011 Hi All, For me - M9 21mm Summilux 35mm Summilux FLE 90mm Summarit OR 75mm Summicron 46mm B&W 0.9 ND Filter Series VII B&W 0.9 ND Filter 3 batteries 3 x 16GB cards Leica Neoprene Case A & A Lens case Packed Separately - Charger, rocket blower, 3M microfiber cloths. ..... All put into the least 'camera bag' looking bag i have. If i'm in a film mood, I'll swap the M9 for an M7 and also take an X100. Cheers, Peter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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