Travel M Lens Kit

[jaapv]

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3 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

And compression. And probably rarely making prints to see any practical differences anyway. 

Jeff

Compression IS perspective… Not dependent on focal length. But you are right, somehow the basics of photography, including printing, have fallen by the wayside. 

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[Jeff S]

6 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Compression IS perspective… Not dependent on focal length.

Indeed, while many refer to it as an inherent lens property, not properly as a camera/subject distance issue.

Jeff

[pgk]

57 minutes ago, otto.f said:

..... and even DOF, which is where the mud comes in.

Gloopy mud.

[IkarusJohn]

Printing!  Right on topic.

Having visited both Japan & Korea, with varying combinations of cameras and lenses, I would suggest taking the 28 Summaron and the 50 Summilux. 

 

[Jeff S]

8 minutes ago, IkarusJohn said:

Printing!  Right on topic.

 

 

Indeed.  Magnification, print size and often controlled display conditions, as determined by the photographer, not by pixel peeping.  Otherwise, one big circle of confusion.

Jeff

[lottic]

Thank you everyone for your input! Oh boy, has so much changed since the end of 2023! 
 

In the end, to surmise - I used a combination of both the M10-R and M6. 
The Godsend lens in the end for both digital and analog was the little 28 Elmarit. Very quickly I noticed that given the massive itineraries we had planned for our trip; I kept my daily kit very simple. One camera around the neck and one lens, and a lens cloth in the wallet (and if applicable, a spare battery).  
I also took the 35 Summicron (which saw little use surprisingly) and the 90 Macro-Elmar (which was nice in situations warranting compression and telephoto landscapes). I may have seen better use of a 50mm as an alternative one lens option. 

In the future for travel, I would be more than happy with quite literally just the M6 and a 28 Elmarit ASPH V1. Japan was exceptionally considerate for hand-checking film. Korea (from Gimpo Airport) only allowed hand checking for higher speed film above or at 800 ISO. They were using old X-ray machines rather than CT scanners - and fortunately I saw no negative repercussions in the final images as far as I could tell. 

The digital option would probably be met with a Ricoh GRIIIX (40mm equivalent) if I needed one.

And for reference, my current Leica-M Kit (and sadly no more Q).

 

TLDR
Next time for my needs, I'll be taking ...
Leica M6 + 28mm Elmarit ASPH V1 + Ricoh GRIIIX (40mm) OR 50mm Summicron V4

It rained a lot, but the cameras were absolute workhorses!

Edited May 1, 2024 by lottic

[hansvons]

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2 hours ago, lottic said:

TLDR
Next time for my needs, I'll be taking ...
Leica M6 + 28mm Elmarit ASPH V1 + Ricoh GRIIIX (40mm) OR 50mm Summicron V4

My travel camera of choice is also the M6. But I’m a happy 35mm shooter, so I only need one lens, which is a 35mm Summicron ASPH V1. The less gear, the better!!

[BWColor]

I’m in the one lens and one camera camp.  The exact camera and lens have changed over time, but I’ve never traveled with more equipment.  It’s been a good while since I went anywhere and now, I’m about to spend three wet weeks in Korea with something new to me, the M11M.  Even in the film days, I had some latitude as to color vs B&W and color digital could always provide B&W in post.  I think that I’ll complicate my life and carry a color body in addition to the M11M.  My current plan is to always have one camera/lens in my sling bag. So, this will be a modified one camera, one lens strategy.   Perhaps, I’ll have a clearer sense of what I want when I take my next vacation.

[derleicaman]

For the Monochrome, I would suggest using the 28/5.6 Summaron. I use it on my M10-M, and the combination is magical. Here’s one from the bridge in Porto.

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[derleicaman]

Here’s another one I took with that combo last December in Dallas at the Texas School Book Depository. Oswald’s Window. I used this shot for the cover of the current LSI Viewfinder journal. I wrote an article about how this lens and Monochrom combination worked so well to make this image.

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[erl]

I pose the question, how is a kit for travel different from the kit you spend a day 'anywhere', including home? I can't imagine how your shooting style will suddenly change when you are travelling. Simple use basically the same gear you use at home. Your gear has been largely formed over time by your shooting style. Why would it suddenly change? Follow your naturally developed habits.

[david strachan]

51 minutes ago, erl said:

I pose the question, how is a kit for travel different from the kit you spend a day 'anywhere', including home? I can't imagine how your shooting style will suddenly change when you are travelling. Simple use basically the same gear you use at home. Your gear has been largely formed over time by your shooting style. Why would it suddenly change? Follow your naturally developed habits.

Well suppose just what u want to carry, either every day, or periodically. I think we agree.

Personally, I'll  often just choose a lens for the day,  both here and overseas. But I  carry very few, in my luggage maybe three, when "on the road".

Who wants to keep changing lenses...ahh no, not realy...after all earlier recommendations...one had to find a clean bathroom to change lenses..OMG.

 

...

Edited June 22, 2024 by david strachan
Hello Percy

[erl]

David, I do agree with you in general, but I retain the habit of letting the motif define the gear to be used', not 'restrict your shooting by the gear you have'.

I realize I am out on a limb in that regard, but I have always done it. A hang over from my professional days where a shot had to be made, not what can I shoot with just this lens etc.

Same as a builder, I carry my full complement of 'tools' and never try to drive a nail with a chisel. 

A certain amount of endurance is required to travel like that, but I have long got used to it. Rarely do I miss a shot because 'my Noctilux is at home'. 

Full disclosure: When walking the dog I do only carry one lens, one body, for logistical reasons. 

[david strachan]

All best, fully agree.

Just that I'm far less that prof.

 

I tend to make my pics fit the lens..which is not ideal.

All best, always enjoy yr posts.

...

[SoarFM]

1 hour ago, derleicaman said:

For the Monochrome, I would suggest using the 28/5.6 Summaron. I use it on my M10-M, and the combination is magical. Here’s one from the bridge in Porto.

 

When I put the 28 summaron on my M11M, it is a practical point and shoot of a very diminutive size and always pleases. It is definitely the right combo for so many situations. Once had someone comment that the hadn’t seen an old camera like mine in a long time.🙂

[dugby]

I’ve grown tired of carrying too much, so got my travel kit in a small front cross body SwissGear sling bag, with lenspens and batteries.

M10-R with 50APO and  X2 for 35mm, and backup.

The SF26 flash interchangeable between both cameras is superb.

 

Took many years to find the perfect small lightweight cross body bag.

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Edited June 22, 2024 by dugby

[erl]

6 minutes ago, david strachan said:

All best, fully agree.

Just that I'm far less that prof.

 

I tend to make my pics fit the lens..which is not ideal.

All best, always enjoy yr posts.

...

 A long time since I was professional. Amateur status produces more creative images anyway.

. . . and I bet your back muscles fare better than mine. 

[SoarFM]

1 hour ago, erl said:

I pose the question, how is a kit for travel different from the kit you spend a day 'anywhere', including home? I can't imagine how your shooting style will suddenly change when you are travelling. Simple use basically the same gear you use at home. Your gear has been largely formed over time by your shooting style. Why would it suddenly change? Follow your naturally developed habits.

That’s right—up to a point. I don’t take every lens and body I own with me every time I venture out. And a vacation is just an extended outing. Heck, I’ve even left home without any Leica for a two week vacation instead opting for a pair of Ricohs.

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[erl]

2 minutes ago, SoarFM said:

That’s right—up to a point. I don’t take every lens and body I own with me every time I venture out. And a vacation is just an extended outing. Heck, I’ve even left home without any Leica for a two week vacation instead opting for a pair of Ricohs.

Accept and agree with you. However, I am different. If I could not take my camera gear, I would not go! For me, photo first, holiday second in importance. Weird? Yes!

[GinaJ]

7 hours ago, dugby said:

I’ve grown tired of carrying too much, so got my travel kit in a small front cross body SwissGear sling bag, with lenspens and batteries.

M10-R with 50APO and  X2 for 35mm, and backup.

The SF26 flash interchangeable between both cameras is superb.

 

Took many years to find the perfect small lightweight cross body bag.

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!

May I ask what bag you use?  I have a similar sized travel setup; M11-P + 50mm Cron, and a Leica CL with 18mm pancake lens.  I've been looking for a front crossbody sling for a while but nothing seems the right size.