The non-perfect travel lens combination

[Shu_downunder]

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LOL

I tried to give my Sony a7 with a decent Zeiss 40mm to my wife a few years ago. She accepted gladly, except that she has never touched it even once...

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[Shu_downunder]

1 hour ago, dpitt said:

The main issue is that with every picture of the Gx8, I wish I would have taken it with my M9. I do not have these regrets with the X2, although it is older than the Gx8.

This is really what I'm afraid of.

[tom0511]

The big advantage of Leica M lenses is the small size. For me it would be no option to leave 50 at home.

I really like the 28-50 combo a lot. Only you know which focal lengths you use.

 

[Gregm61]

Current 5 lens, two body set is a 28mm F2 on the MP240, 50mm f2 (version 4) on the M246,  18mm f3.8 Super Elmar, 90mm f2.8 Elmarit-M and a second 50mm f2 (version 5) for the MP240. 

Fogg B Major is the perfect bag for the setup.

Oh, and an iPhone for directions, the PHONE feature….and to snap an image of the sign in a parking lot so I can find the car later….the only type image I would ever use an iPhone to record.

Edited May 9, 2023 by Gregm61

[dpitt]

4 hours ago, Gregm61 said:

Oh, and an iPhone for directions, the PHONE feature….and to snap an image of the sign in a parking lot so I can find the car later….the only type image I would ever use an iPhone to record.

And an occasional snap with your iPhone gives you the GPS coordinates if your M does not have GPS. The iPhone is very useful, just not for the picture itself 🙂

[dpitt]

6 hours ago, Shu_downunder said:

This is really what I'm afraid of.

The key is finding a small compact solution that delivers above your threshold of minimum IQ

[BruceRH]

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13 hours ago, Shu_downunder said:

Thanks @dpitt

My first Leica lens was a R 50/2, I used it on a GF1. Manual focusing on that combination was challenging. But I somehow don't mind it.

I therefore still have one or two good M4/3 lenses like the 24-70/2.8 which is not a bad travel one.

So will it be too evil to convince my wife or son to use a decent M4/3 camera with that lens(24-70), and bring a 50mm M lens as additional to have a 100mm equivalent with the M4/3 body, when needed?

The point is that getting a CL/TL will not be used that much, at least not by other family members at all. And the M4/3 could be a good video camera as well.

I frequently carry my M-10R and my Olympus EM5 MKiii together for the very reason that my M lenses work beautifully with the Olympus. I will bring a small zoom, usually the 12-45/4 and the Laowa 10/2 and then 2 M lenses. Everything fits in a small bag and the 2 systems complement each other nicely. 

[Pierre68]

As in every process, the image making process is weak as its weakest element... And when using Leica gear, we all have to admit that the weakest element is... ourselves. So my advice would be to get the lens you are most familiar with and get to know it: Go out every time you have time try to use it in various situation, get familiar with it. Then it will become your best lens.

[sometimesmaybe]

6 hours ago, BruceRH said:

I frequently carry my M-10R and my Olympus EM5 MKiii together for the very reason that my M lenses work beautifully with the Olympus

tangent comment only - the olympus cameras have some really nice JPEG filters - the vintage and monochrome are excellent 👌

[otto.f]

On 5/6/2023 at 4:49 AM, Ko.Fe. said:

Every time I step outdoors, it is one camera, one lens. It never limited me in decades, tens of thousands photos and family been around.

I won't take 50, except it is Vermont State.

Wide is good. I like 21, more natural than 24, to me, don't need eVF for it.

The first time I seriously photographed was in NYC with a Praktika with only a 50mm. I was amazed what was possible with that lens shooting the Twin Towers ( still existed at that time).
But I agree with making all of it when you just bring one lens, stimulates creativity 

[Shu_downunder]

Today is the third day on this family trip. 

I have a few thoughts. 

- I'm so glad that I have only brought  one body and one lens. Doesn't matter which body or lens to bring as it depends on personal needs and nature of the trip. But highly recommended to people like me, who  constantly thinks whether to chang to the other lens.  Will I regret I should have brought certain other lens for a few moments? Yes, but the relief and focus gained is priceless. 

- iPhone is only useful on smartphones' screens in lowlight. At least not as good as what I as a non-professional anticipated. Let alone the front camera. 

- Snapshots need a snapshot camera. Why is it so difficult for me to realise basics like this?

 

For daily snapshots, it seems the Leica-abandoned CL is the best choice for me. As this is a M lens sub section, can I ask:

which body (any brand) is 

- lightweight,

- has viewfinder(optical or electrical) and

- give best result o/a to M lenses?

[Shu_downunder]

I have just returned from the trip and have gone through all the answers again. Some of the responses were spot-on, and many were inspiring. Thank you once more!

First, let me share my experience during the night walk.

It was a guided walk on an extremely dark night (without even moonlight) in the forest. We encountered some very dangerous insects and the most poisonous plant known. The only sources of light were small torchlights that could only be pointed at the ground. When we reached the destination, we had to switch off all torchlights so our eyes could adapt and see the glow worms, which was the main purpose of the trip.

At that point, we were in near-total darkness. I tried to take some photos but realised I couldn't even see the position of the speed dial. Not wanting the LCD light to blind my eyes, I chose not to turn it on. I switched on the torchlight, covering most of it, and managed to set the speed.

Other than this, the aperture and focusing were not problematic at all. I genuinely appreciate the camera's maximised manual functions.

Now, back to my hesitation regarding travel kit selection:

A travel kit usually means lightweight, compact, and versatile. 

For many people, versatility means having a 35mm or 50mm lens. In that case, it would be simpler to have a compact body with a wide-angle lens as a backup, creating a good combination.

For my personal needs, I require a 24mm lens as the main lens, which isn't very versatile. I have also chosen a monochrome body, which makes the kit even less versatile. 

Here's where the problem lies. I know that photography requires compromise, I understand the importance of simplification, and I even named this thread "non-perfect," till, I'm searching for a 'perfect' solution, which is causing me headaches.

The simple answer is, there is NO perfect gear selection.

Even if there was a perfect selection, other bottlenecks exist, such as my ability to fully utilise them and the time and technique needed for editing, organizing, printing, etc.

After weighing all these factors, I think I'll stick to my one-body-one-lens combination.

In the meantime, I might continue collecting Leica gear. Using them used to be my best excuse to spend the money. It's now just for having some fun. Why not?

[sometimesmaybe]

2 hours ago, Shu_downunder said:

see the glow worms, which was the main purpose of the trip

suggest a new thread on LUF 'best M lens and body for worm photography' 😉

2 hours ago, Shu_downunder said:

Even if there was a perfect selection, other bottlenecks exist, such as my ability to fully utilise them and the time and technique needed for editing, organizing, printing, etc.

this is def true for me. i cant say my gear has been the primary limitation 

Edited May 15, 2023 by sometimesmaybe

[RexGig0]

When it is really dark, such that we cannot see the settings, the focusing tab, on the lens, if it has one, can be used to set the estimated distance, if we have remembered the distances that correspond to the positions of the tab. Setting aperture can be done by counting clicks, from either end of the scale. Auto ISO can be our friend, in such situations.

If the lens has no focusing tab, it is possible to set the distance at infinity, and then used a remembered degree of turn. Difficult, but, not impossible.

[Robert Blanko]

For total darkness you might consider one of those or similar products: https://www.flir.com/products/scout-iii/?vertical=public safety&segment=solutions

Works with IR light emitted from objects just because of their temperature. The resolution is ridiculous though. 😀

Years ago I bought the predecessor for spotting wild animals (not for hunting…) which worked quite well.