andym911 Posted March 30, 2013 Share #1 Posted March 30, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Every so often this subject comes up and several readers praise the benefits of keeping it simple, particularly when traveling. Well I did it recently for the first time a week or so ago on a short trip to a city where I had never been before. All I had was an M4 and a Cron 35 and a few rolls of Portra.No light meter, batteries, extra lenses, flashguns, not even a camera bag..that was it. I shot portraits , cityscapes, indoors, outdoors,morning noon and evening. Andy you know what..it was perfect. I didn't think about gear, I just picked up my camera and shot..usually slung over my shoulder or hand carried.I was not distracted by choice of lens or asa settings. My whole mind was on enjoying the city and the person I was with, and taking some photographs of specific moments. It was by far the most enjoyable photo 'shoot' I have had and I think has delivered so fine photographs (by my standards). So if anyone has worries and doubt about what to take in terms of gear, I can only recommend , as little as possible. Must admit I was a bit worried about not even taking a lightmeter, but it all worked out good. just my short experience of traveling light. best andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 30, 2013 Posted March 30, 2013 Hi andym911, Take a look here The joy of One camera One Lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest Posted March 30, 2013 Share #2 Posted March 30, 2013 My 16 years old does it all the time. But she's using it more for talking and texting. I have read your motto for years Andy, like it and I do take it to heart. But for the sake of discussion we should remember, that it's 2013. I use a DSLR at work (1% of the time) and in my spare time I shoot mostly film btw. I feel like you, but...hey PS: envious too. In the old days never without the Lunasix and/or the Leicameter and now on the IIIg the little chrome Voigty meter's always on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted March 30, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted March 30, 2013 tri completely understand... I am stuck in the 70's sometimes but enjoy it and that is what matters. best andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted March 30, 2013 Share #4 Posted March 30, 2013 I regularly do this. Helps to maintain harmony with your companion, too, I find... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iedei Posted March 30, 2013 Share #5 Posted March 30, 2013 i have never walked around or traveled with more than one camera and one lens......so i don't know how it feels to carry more than that! but i'm always satisfied with whatever i have. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
moikle Posted March 30, 2013 Share #6 Posted March 30, 2013 When I take one and one my other half always asks if I'm sure I'll have enough equipment with me! Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ola.fiske Posted March 30, 2013 Share #7 Posted March 30, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I like travel light (when it comes to camera gear), and then I have with me either a 50mm or 35mm. I also have a 25mm, but I've not yet been brave enough to go with just it.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted March 31, 2013 and look how relaxed I was at the airport going home...:D:D Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/201625-the-joy-of-one-camera-one-lens/?do=findComment&comment=2286948'>More sharing options...
kivis Posted March 31, 2013 Share #9 Posted March 31, 2013 M3 and a CV Nokton 40 f1.4. Done. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
too old to care Posted March 31, 2013 Share #10 Posted March 31, 2013 I too travel light. My career had me to traveling 50 to 70% of the time to many countries and most of the US. My camera of choice was a simple Rollei 35SE with f2.8, 40 mm lens. Small enough to carry in my pocket and built well enough to stand most jars without complaint. Seldom did I want for more, I just walked up on the subject when I need a telephoto lens, and back when a wide angle would work better. That Rollei is still with me today on my motorcycle trips now that I am retired, still working like new. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hepcat Posted March 31, 2013 Share #11 Posted March 31, 2013 I too travel light. My career had me to traveling 50 to 70% of the time to many countries and most of the US. My camera of choice was a simple Rollei 35SE with f2.8, 40 mm lens. Small enough to carry in my pocket and built well enough to stand most jars without complaint. Seldom did I want for more, I just walked up on the subject when I need a telephoto lens, and back when a wide angle would work better. That Rollei is still with me today on my motorcycle trips now that I am retired, still working like new. A Rollei 35T was my constant traveling companion for ten years, until on one camping trip in the desert too many, the sand that found its way into the gear train ground the nylon gears to shreds... *sigh* What great little cameras they are. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted March 31, 2013 Share #12 Posted March 31, 2013 Today I took the approach one step further: I took no camera, no lens and enjoyed being there. When I saw something that might be interesting I remembered it. Tonight, with eyes closed just before I fall asleep I will post-process the keepers. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted April 1, 2013 Share #13 Posted April 1, 2013 I am traveling at the moment, with an M2 and a 50mm, with a 35mm in my pocket (rarely used). No missed pictures. When I need a 90mm, I move closer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted April 2, 2013 Share #14 Posted April 2, 2013 I admire the simplicity of the basic sentiment in this thread. It aligns well with "keep it simple stupid" (KISS), but I just cannot get MY head around it when something as important as a trip is involved. I look at all my images from my travels and imagine 'destroying' all but those taken with just one lens. It's never going to happen! That is what I would have missed. Protagonists of 'one lens, one camera' are often heard to say, "move your feet" instead of changing lens. Sorry but that is both NOT the same and often not possible. When you say 'limit yourself to one lens' you are accurate in that the word 'limit' is the operative. I do not fancy limits in my photography, although I certainly do have them. I prefer to limit them. Again, I admire the forgoing protagonists because they definitely have an ability I don't. P.S. Recently I have been using just that, a new (to me) 111f + 50mm Summitar, without a light meter and yes, I did/am enjoying it but have now added a 35mm and 85mm lens and a Sekonic L398A light meter. I felt I was missing shots with only the one lens although I was getting very enjoyable images with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen.w Posted April 2, 2013 Share #15 Posted April 2, 2013 I admire the simplicity of the basic sentiment in this thread. It aligns well with "keep it simple stupid" (KISS), but I just cannot get MY head around it when something as important as a trip is involved. I look at all my images from my travels and imagine 'destroying' all but those taken with just one lens. It's never going to happen! That is what I would have missed. Protagonists of 'one lens, one camera' are often heard to say, "move your feet" instead of changing lens. Sorry but that is both NOT the same and often not possible. When you say 'limit yourself to one lens' you are accurate in that the word 'limit' is the operative. I do not fancy limits in my photography, although I certainly do have them. I prefer to limit them. Again, I admire the forgoing protagonists because they definitely have an ability I don't. P.S. Recently I have been using just that, a new (to me) 111f + 50mm Summitar, without a light meter and yes, I did/am enjoying it but have now added a 35mm and 85mm lens and a Sekonic L398A light meter. I felt I was missing shots with only the one lens although I was getting very enjoyable images with it. Erl, there is a reason that 99% of photographers (in the loosest sense of the word) opt for autofocus cameras with long zooms - it is the reason you give, limiting one's limits (or limitations). Stepping out with a Leica and one lens isn't about about forsaking pictures for shooting discipline, but hopefully taking better pictures on account of that self-imposed discipline. Think of all the famous Leica photographers who used only one lens for most of their careers (Cartier-Bresson and Winogrand being the obvious ones) or those who only or mostly shot with a Rollei TLR (Vivien Meier and John Deakin spring to mind). Their choice was an artistic one, not some sort of hair-shirted dementia. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted April 2, 2013 Share #16 Posted April 2, 2013 Erl, there is a reason that 99% of photographers (in the loosest sense of the word) opt for autofocus cameras with long zooms - it is the reason you give, limiting one's limits (or limitations). Stepping out with a Leica and one lens isn't about about forsaking pictures for shooting discipline, but hopefully taking better pictures on account of that self-imposed discipline. Think of all the famous Leica photographers who used only one lens for most of their careers (Cartier-Bresson and Winogrand being the obvious ones) or those who only or mostly shot with a Rollei TLR (Vivien Meier and John Deakin spring to mind). Their choice was an artistic one, not some sort of hair-shirted dementia. Sorry stephen.w but I just can't agree with your explanations. Stepping out with just one lens and hoping to take better pictures is 'pipe dreaming' IMO. Taking better pictures is more about having vision, reflexes and above all, opportunity. Cartier-Bresson and Winogrand (your examples) probably would not cut it today unless they moved with current technology and practice. Your reference to 'artistic choice', I suggest, came from the photographer, not his tools of choice. Of course I could be wrong, but have not yet been convinced that it is so. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 2, 2013 Share #17 Posted April 2, 2013 Today I took the approach one step further: I took no camera, no lens and enjoyed being there. When I saw something that might be interesting I remembered it. Tonight, with eyes closed just before I fall asleep I will post-process the keepers. . Indeed..... rant mode on..... I really don't understand why anyone wants to take photos of a gig on a cameraphone from the middle of the crowd. Assuming they even end up with an image that isn't a blur, or a patch of blown highlights in the darkness, what do they do with them? They stand their watching a live gig from the small LCD of their smartphone, instead of putting the damn thing away and just enjoying the event. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted April 2, 2013 Share #18 Posted April 2, 2013 Indeed..... rant mode on..... I really don't understand why anyone wants to take photos of a gig on a cameraphone from the middle of the crowd. Assuming they even end up with an image that isn't a blur, or a patch of blown highlights in the darkness, what do they do with them? They stand their watching a live gig from the small LCD of their smartphone, instead of putting the damn thing away and just enjoying the event. They put it on Instagram or Facebook for their friends to go Ooooh Aaaah. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pablo LeicaM8 Posted April 2, 2013 Share #19 Posted April 2, 2013 I do use a single lens on my camera, I am trying to master it (and i have only one).... I do not know if I am getting it, but I can tell that I am having fun from short distance St Patrick's Day NY - Thinking | Flickr - Photo Sharing! to long distance New York City | Flickr - Photo Sharing! Regards! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maurometallo Posted April 2, 2013 Share #20 Posted April 2, 2013 I have been shooting with an M4-P and a 50mm 'Cron since 1988, and been advocating the advantages of it ever since. Bruce Lee once said: “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once. I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” Likewise: Don’t get caught up in acquiring all the latest, great photography tools. Pick one camera and one lens, and shoot with it 10,000 times. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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