Lenses and Sights: Switzerland and No. Italy

[efreed2754]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi all. Leaving in a week for Lake Lucerne, Lake Como, Milan, Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich over three weeks. Will rent a car

 

Plans for M9P are 18, 35 'Cron, MATE, and 75 Lux. For those familiar with these parts do you see much use for a 135 or alternatively a 90 Elmarit?

 

Also, any special sights or places to visit or photograph? Music and opera are special interests and will see an opera in Milan and Zurich.

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

Ed

[Ecar]

All the lenses you mentioned (including the 90 and 135) could be put to good use in a trip that involves both urban environments and landscapes. Choice is down to your preferences and how much gear you want to carry.

There are zillions of places worth visiting and offering photographic interest along your itinerary: good travel guides and improvisation will be your best friends.

And I don't think you'd be allowed to take pictures during opera performances (unless it's commissioned work, of course)...

Enjoy your trip.

[nggalai]

Good morning Ed,

 

in case you’ll hit Lucerne around mid-to-end July, make sure to check whether something of interest crops up during the Blue Balls festival and book in advance.

 

Blue Balls Music - News

 

Edit: Ah, bummer, missed the bit about leaving in one week’s time. Please ignore the above paragraph.

 

Taking pictures during performances is something you’ll need to check in advance, for Switzerland. The Zurich Opernhaus has, as so many other theatres, its dedicated photographer to make sure only stunning pics end up in the public realm. Better check with the theatres in question beforehand. Festivals and concerts without a resident troupe/band/orchestra should be no problem, though. When in doubt, lock up your M9 in the hotel safe, though. You probably won’t want to hand it over to security just because they felt itchy again.

 

Lens-wise, I found I hardly ever used the 90 around central Switzerland or Italy. Don’t know why, but all keepers (execpt the one that made it into the LUF book) were shot with either 28mm or 50mm. But then, I use 90mm only for specific jobs and don’t own a 135mm, so this surely is totally down to my preferences as a predominately wide-to-normal shooter.

 

The landscapes and cityscapes you’ll travel through are very varied, so you’ll probably end up using what you normally enjoy using the most anyway.

 

Have fun!

 

Cheers,

-Sascha

[Ecaton]

Hi all. Leaving in a week for Lake Lucerne, Lake Como, Milan, Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich over three weeks. Will rent a car

 

Plans for M9P are 18, 35 'Cron, MATE, and 75 Lux. For those familiar with these parts do you see much use for a 135 or alternatively a 90 Elmarit?

 

Also, any special sights or places to visit or photograph? Music and opera are special interests and will see an opera in Milan and Zurich.

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

Ed

 

In Lucerne, if time allows and the weather is clear, take the cable car up to the top of the Pilatus (about 9000 feet and some). You will be rewarded with spectacular views. The museum of transport is worth a visit in Lucerne. In Zurich, visit the "Prime Tower", the town's only true high rise with a NYC alike roof top and best views over the city. For dining and wining, there are lots of nice outdoor places. Drive along the Lake of Zurich (on either side) and you will find great outdoor restaurants (pricey). For a great Zurich downtown and lake view you might want to try to sneak into the "Restaurant Haute", a members place only, but if you ask nicely they might allow you take some pics from he terrace. I'd go there in the quite time, after 3pm. Form the terrace of the Swiss Institute of Technology you will have a nice view over the city as well. And of course, in all these places, walk through the narrow old parts of town with either the 18mm mounted and the MATE in the bag. Half an hour drive from Zurich are the Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall.

[efreed2754]

Thanks all for your insights and suggestions. Very much appreciated.

 

Sorry if misled -- did not expect to shoot pics at performances. There to enjoy. While we live in US, in prior two years attended operas in Paris, Prague and Vienna twice and only pics were during a tour of old Paris Opera House.

 

Was wondering if any particular musical places of interest, could be composer homes, or places of final resting etc.

 

Ecaton's suggestions are great examples of what hoping for. Thanks so much.

 

Will probably take 135. There's room in the bag. In past take what think need each day and leave rest in hotel safe. So usually not carrying everything. That's the beauty of Leica, even if take a lot bag is still smaller and lighter than SLRs.

 

Thanks again for your responses!

 

Ed

[Paulus]

Hi all. Leaving in a week for Lake Lucerne, Lake Como, Milan, Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich over three weeks. Will rent a car

 

Plans for M9P are 18, 35 'Cron, MATE, and 75 Lux. For those familiar with these parts do you see much use for a 135 or alternatively a 90 Elmarit?

 

Also, any special sights or places to visit or photograph? Music and opera are special interests and will see an opera in Milan and Zurich.

 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

Ed

 

 

 

Take the Elmarit too, Especially in the Opera.

[wda]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Ed, for a week in Wengen, I found my old 135 very useful for early morning shots of mountain peaks. I would favour the 90 in lieu of the 75 unless you have some special subjects in mind for the latter.

 

The MATE is an excellent choice. Only take the 35 prime if you need a reserve fast lens.

 

If you visit Brienz, consider half a day on the unusual Rothorn railway. Quite an experience with good chances of changing landscape views in both directions.

 

Have a good time.

[akiralx]

In Lucerne, if time allows and the weather is clear, take the cable car up to the top of the Pilatus (about 9000 feet and some). You will be rewarded with spectacular views.

 

Yes, Pilatus is a great trip from Lucerne: I took the boat to the base, cogwheel railway to the summit, and then cable car back down the other side. Great views indeed.

 

 

Also visit the Dying Lion of Lucerne:

 

"The Lion lies in his lair in the perpendicular face of a low cliff - for he is carved from the living rock of the cliff. His size is colossal, his attitude is noble. How head is bowed, the broken spear is sticking in his shoulder, his protecting paw rests upon the lilies of France.

 

The Lion of Lucerne would be impressive anywhere, but nowhere so impressive as where he is."

 

- Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad, 1880

 

[akiralx]

Thanks all for your insights and suggestions. Very much appreciated.

 

Sorry if misled -- did not expect to shoot pics at performances. There to enjoy. While we live in US, in prior two years attended operas in Paris, Prague and Vienna twice and only pics were during a tour of old Paris Opera House.

 

Was wondering if any particular musical places of interest, could be composer homes, or places of final resting etc. Ed

 

Well, there is Wagner's famous villa Tribschen on Lake Lucerne, a bus ride or walk from the town. Site of the first performance of the Siegfried Idyll on the staircase.