I Leica M10 good enough for travel photography

[tonyniev]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

after 36 months of staying at home, I am making my first trip across the pond,(continent)  and preparing for the trip, I am now deciding if I should bring only the Leica M10. In my previous travels I had a Sony A7R, later an A7RIV with the Leica M10. The zoom lens, AF , an other features on teethe Sony was very convenient, BUT maybe time to go Leica only. Even before with the film, I used an M3 ( slides) and a Nikon (color negatives) 😞

Appreciates any thoughts, I have three lenses for the M10 - 28, 50 and 90 (plus a 14 mm). Actually the 28 says on the camera during my last travels.The Sony has either the 16-35 or 24-105 mm

Thanks

 

 

Edited November 27, 2022 by tonyniev

[M Street Photographer]

There is an old " wisdom":

With 35 and 90mm I'm going on a trip around the world and I can photograph anything.

Supplemented: without missing anything or not being able to take pictures.

But we will be more comfortable and have GAS.

So why not take the M10 and its 2-3 lenses with you. You will have a pleasant photography experience. You are then light on the road and can enjoy your tours with a low weight. Forget thoughts of a success rate or the waste.
Enjoy the trip and please show us some of your photos.

[Ouroboros]

I travel light compared to the OP.  My wife and I spent the whole of February this year cycle touring and backpacking in Sri Lanka and August doing the same in Namibia.  I took my M10-R with a 28mm summicron and 75mm apo-summicron to Sri Lanka and the M10-R with 28mm, 50mm & 90mm summicron to Namibia.

We are trekking in Nepal in March ‘23 followed by two months backpacking in India and I’ll be taking the M10-R with 28mm summaron-m and 50mm elmar-m f2.8 for a lighter load when we’re trekking at altitude.

I don’t understand why anyone would want to lug 2-3 cameras and zoom lenses around on what is primarily a holiday.  A Leica M and a couple of lenses, a spare battery or two, charger and memory cards are all you need.  The rest of the holiday should be about the enjoyment and the experience of the journey.

[andybarton]

A Leica M and three lenses still aren’t “light”, IMHO.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip Tony. 

[cboy]

Perhaps id consider a second body as  backup and have a techart adaptor to use for the m lenses. Just a thought 

[Ouroboros]

Back-up....everyone needs a backup...can't go anywhere without a back up....naked without a backup...live in fear of being mugged or leaving your camera on a bus, what about the backup?

Backup cameras are the greatest myth in the history of holidays.

Go and live in Bacup.

[tonyniev]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Great responses, yes alternatively I can take my old A7r with the m lens adapter very small body, or maybe use the Zeiss 55 F1.8 mm on it, two bodies, the back up small.  I went mirrorless 8 years go because of size and weight then , found the Leica m10 as another alternative, I find the A7R4 lost all the lightweight merit of the mirrorless. Definitely the A7R 4 will stay at home. 

It is a short trip to Portugal and Prague.

In 2018 in Cartagena, Columbia with th eM10 and A7r classic on the sling with 16-35mm lens

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!

 

 

 

[tonyniev]

9 hours ago, Ouroboros said:

I travel light compared to the OP.  My wife and I spent the whole of February this year cycle touring and backpacking in Sri Lanka and August doing the same in Namibia.  I took my M10-R with a 28mm summicron and 75mm apo-summicron to Sri Lanka and the M10-R with 28mm, 50mm & 90mm summicron to Namibia.

We are trekking in Nepal in March ‘23 followed by two months backpacking in India and I’ll be taking the M10-R with 28mm summaron-m and 50mm elmar-m f2.8 for a lighter load when we’re trekking at altitude.

I don’t understand why anyone would want to lug 2-3 cameras and zoom lenses around on what is primarily a holiday.  A Leica M and a couple of lenses, a spare battery or two, charger and memory cards are all you need.  The rest of the holiday should be about the enjoyment and the experience of the journey.

From the 70s I have traveled always with two cameras, and in my last trip January 2020 it was Leica and A7R4, but I am getting old, thus the question. Why? the convenience of zoom and autofocus, film days transparency and negatives.

 

Read a 5 year old blog when I decided to go Leica again

https://tonyniev.wordpress.com/2017/03/06/the-evolution-of-my-travel-camera/

[M Street Photographer]

I would do it like this: Take an M Leica and 2 lenses and a Ricoh Gr III as a backup.
I myself have a RIV, M10 R, RX1 R II and the Ricoh GR III. I have 3 native lenses for the RIV and adapt a lot.
No matter which camera I take with me, the RIV or the RX1 or the Leica M, I always take the Ricoh GR with me as a backup.
And since all of this is too much for me, I will part with the RIV and the 3 lenses.
After all these years I have learned that less is more, concentrate on the essentials!
You don't always have to be prepared for the worst possible accident, a little protection is enough for me.

[M Street Photographer]

vor einer Stunde schrieb tonyniev:

...https://tonyniev.wordpress.com/2017/03/06/the-evolution-of-my-travel-camera/

Sorry Sir, if i see there your full Equipment, i think you have al lot of GAS.

Of course it can be that you need everything for your professional practice, I can not allow myself any judgment then.
But if it's a hobby, then it's GAS. 😁

Maybe that's a reason to think about it fundamentally and to question a few things, even if it's needed for the job.

Maybe that will answer your initial question.

[earleygallery]

M, 28 and 90. Smartphone as backup.

[TomB_tx]

I used to vacation with my old "kit" - Leica M4 or M6 with 3 lenses and Leicaflex SL with 3 different lenses. Later just cut it down to a Leica M and two lenses. Now I just take my M10 with a single lens, and look for shots to use the lens rather than changing lenses. I normally just take a 35 - but sometimes a 50 instead. I end up taking faster shots as no equipment options to to decide. But then I'm an engineer - not an artist, so I just want to capture what I see.

Even though my iPhone can also take nice images, I just can't stand using it as a camera. That's what 60 years of Leica use does to you...

[tonyniev]

4 hours ago, M Street Photographer said:

Sorry Sir, if i see there your full Equipment, i think you have al lot of GAS.

Of course it can be that you need everything for your professional practice, I can not allow myself any judgment then.
But if it's a hobby, then it's GAS. 😁

Maybe that's a reason to think about it fundamentally and to question a few things, even if it's needed for the job.

Maybe that will answer your initial question.

It is a hobby and I am getting out of the GA syndrome, thus this serious question 🙂

 

[tonyniev]

6 minutes ago, TomB_tx said:

I used to vacation with my old "kit" - Leica M4 or M6 with 3 lenses and Leicaflex SL with 3 different lenses. Later just cut it down to a Leica M and two lenses. Now I just take my M10 with a single lens, and look for shots to use the lens rather than changing lenses. I normally just take a 35 - but sometimes a 50 instead. I end up taking faster shots as no equipment options to to decide. But then I'm an engineer - not an artist, so I just want to capture what I see.

Even though my iPhone can also take nice images, I just can't stand using it as a camera. That's what 60 years of Leica use does to you...

Thanks, I am an engineer too but now as a retiree, I do more of oil and acrylic painting :-). I started using Leica in the late 60's but stopped by the 90's...returned only on the M10, 5 years ago, I take iPhone(13) photos to share with family and social media, with all the responses, when I decide on the M10, it will be the 28 staying most on the camera..

[m410]

Since 1986 have traveled around the world seven times and lucky to have visited 110 countries mostly in Africa, Middle East, Western Europe and Asia.  I have traveled as an individual using trains, ships, and an occasional rental car or taxi.  Never in a tour group.

I have used the following equipment combinations:

1) M6 with 21mm + 50mm + 135mm.

2) M6 with 35mm + 135mm. 

3) M240 with 21mm + 50mm.

4) Leica Q

5) M10 with 21mm + 35mm + 90mm.

6) M10 with 28mm + 90mm.

7) M10R with 28mm + 90mm.

Seems I have settled on small and lightweight over the "perfect" focal length and big apertures.

Good luck with your choices and enjoy your trip.

[NZDavid]

M10 plus two lenses for me when traveling. Usually the 2.8/24 Elmarit-ASPH and 35 Summicron-ASPH. 

Edited November 28, 2022 by NZDavid

[SiggiGun]

I'am a LEICaholic. So, nohting else! At the moment, Leica M11 and SL2. When travelling (non Landscape) I take allways the M. Concerning the lenses, it depends, from "ligth to complet":

1. 35LUX or APO35
2. MATE
3. 28CRON + APO50
4. 21SEM + 35APO+90MACRO

Today, with modern sensor, there is less need to travel with a 75, 90 or 135er lens (if not necessary for special  needs). Number 3./ is for me a good "General purpose" choice. 

[lmans]

On 11/27/2022 at 3:15 AM, Al Brown said:

Take the Leica. After all, this is what you bought it for. And since Leica M10 is a digital M the company finally needs not to be embarrassed about it will do great.

As of late with return to retro…. It is ‘film’ that is once more defining many photographs so Leica is in a good spot. Film to define… digital to keep up with other manufacturers. The best of both worlds, eh? 

[lmans]

For sure…. But bigger than what was just a few years ago. I am glad Leica promotes both

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Ouroboros]

On 11/27/2022 at 8:53 AM, andybarton said:

A Leica M and three lenses still aren’t “light”, IMHO.

Depends on what the three lenses are and what you are comparing them with!