New York Travel Kit

[otto.f]

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On 1/10/2024 at 1:14 AM, robsonj said:

- 25, 28, 35, 50

28 and 35 are quite close if you already have the 25. The 15 isn't heavy enough to leave it home. My choice would be 15, 35, 75; one lens less to keep the focus on seeing, instead of messing around with your equipment. The  35 is the standard and the other ones are for situations that ask for cityscape resp. (street)portraits.

Edited January 12, 2024 by otto.f

[Storm Chaser]

My perspective on this is whether you are the tourist and part of a family unit on vacation, or whether you are the documentary photographer. Having 2 cameras and a stock of lenses whilst trying to enjoy the experience, is somewhat contrary. Enjoy NYC through your eyes and other senses, not via the Viewfinder.

So suggest 1 camera and 1 lens (35)  Sure, you may miss some shots, and maybe a 40 would have been better than a 35, but these are photographer details that are not that important to the tourist.

Your family will thankyou for making the right decision. 

[otto.f]

5 minutes ago, Storm Chaser said:

My perspective on this is whether you are the tourist and part of a family unit on vacation, or whether you are the documentary photographer. Having 2 cameras and a stock of lenses whilst trying to enjoy the experience, is somewhat contrary. Enjoy NYC through your eyes and other senses, not via the Viewfinder.

So suggest 1 camera and 1 lens (35)  Sure, you may miss some shots, and maybe a 40 would have been better than a 35, but these are photographer details that are not that important to the tourist.

Your family will thankyou for making the right decision. 

Although for both the photographer and the tourist one lens is not a bad idea from time to time. I started my photography in 1982 in NYC with just a 50mm lens. It gave just that different look at the Twin Towers. I was with my friend who had some, but no eternal patience to stop for a photo.

[steveBK]

I've become something of a one lens/one camera guy myself on travel 

I also like the idea of tri-elmar/dual hexanon for travel when you really feel you need more than 1 focal length .. 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

On 1/11/2024 at 5:04 AM, roydonian said:

I tried this approach, but saw a significant number of pics being degraded by flare. As a result of this experience, when working as a journalist I never used the MATE. I just didn't trust it.

On holiday in Athens late last year I used a 35mm Summaron most of the time, but switched to a 50mm Summilux when I needed to be more selective in terms of angle, or simply needed the extra light-gathering capability. My 35mm Summilux ASPH has begun a process of 'unscheduled disassembly' so will have to go back to Leica for repair, and I'll also ask then to check my MATE.

Nothing is wrong with your MATE. This is typical, especially if you have the earlier E55 version and more likely at 28mm. The MATE can also get some pretty nasty CA wide open, again especially at 28mm. My E49 version is a little less prone. Filters can also be a real issue on this lens with flare as there's a big space between them and the front element. Try removing them and see if you get improvement. Use a hood for protection. You can't repair or replace the front element.

For that reason, I don't use it at all on a colour camera. It is, however, fabulous on an Monochrom, where most of it's issues disappear. You can use the flare creatively and shade and reshoot if you want.

Gordon

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Everyone will just tell you what they'd do if it were them. So I'll do the same. I'll take a 21, 28, 50 and 90mm. Camera on a wrist strap and three lenses in a hip bag. If it's my first trip to a new place I'll also have a 35 and 75 available. I could just pack a zoom. Sometimes I do. But I like a small set of primes. I will have two cameras but likely I'll take one out and leave the other in the hotel safe with any extra lenses.

More useful might be some ideas on kit building. Some people can spend their life with a single lens. Good on them. Not me. Never enjoyed it. Ever. The only time I even get close is if I'm out to re-shoot something really specific. Like if the day before I realised, I didn't have the right lens on me so I go back. Definitely not if it's my first visit. But many will disagree.

My kit is based around a 50mm, normally (in small format). That means I always have my 50mm because that's how I *see*. So, I'm likely drawn to images with that field of view. Then I build from there. In a city wider is likely more useful. For me that's a 28mm or 24mm. Somewhere around half the 50. A 35mm shooter might look at a 21mm or 18mm. Then something for details or when I can't get closer. For M the longest *practical* focal length is 90mm. On another system I'd go a bit longer but I rarely use my 135APO and the EVF as a walkaround. I usually carry the little 90mm macro. I like a three lens kit with a 100% split (double or half the previous focal length). Some have a close split. 28/35/50 for example. I find this a bit tight, for me.

The longer I'm in a place the more specialised I'll become. I might leave the 90 in the safe and take a WATE. Or drop the three lens kit for a 35/75. Or go for just a 21 and 50...

If I'm travelling with a group of non-photographers, I'll likely leave the M at home or just take my M11M, MATE and 90 macro. Or an A7CR and a 20-70G. Mostly though I'm with my partner who has a Q3 and Q2M with her or one of my adult kids (Fuji). So I'm golden.

I don't find a couple of M bodies and three or four lenses cumbersome at all. I go all day with that kit and hardly feel it. 25K steps is normal for me in a new city. Everyone's different. I don't carry a lot of extras through. Phone in my front pocket. A single card and a bit of cash in the other and sunnies on my head. I know people who don't leave the hotel without a survival backpack of gear. Each to their own.

Gordon

[jaapv]

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I always will take the CL and 18-56 and Summilux 24 M on adapter. And the camera that I know I will need, be it the SL with 150-600 for wildlife or M9M with Zeiss Biogon C 35, Nokton 50-ii and Zeiss Tele-Tessar 85 for general. For a place like NY I would add the Super Elmar 18. 

[Photoworks]

I think the new Leica Store is opening soon, I went by the other day and it looks almost finished. So you can buy another lens if you one got one on this trip.

There is always B&H and the other Leica store in West Broadway, that sells a range of used lenses, there is new inventory every week.

[MarkP]

On 1/15/2024 at 8:04 AM, FlashGordonPhotography said:

Nothing is wrong with your MATE. This is typical, especially if you have the earlier E55 version and more likely at 28mm. The MATE can also get some pretty nasty CA wide open, again especially at 28mm. My E49 version is a little less prone. Filters can also be a real issue on this lens with flare as there's a big space between them and the front element. Try removing them and see if you get improvement. Use a hood for protection. You can't repair or replace the front element.

For that reason, I don't use it at all on a colour camera. It is, however, fabulous on an Monochrom, where most of it's issues disappear. You can use the flare creatively and shade and reshoot if you want.

Gordon

Hi Gordon,

long time no speak. I trust you’re well.

I too have an E49 MATE. Lovely lens - I love how it images - not modern or old (Karbler perhaps 😁), f4.0 OK in most circumstances and it was indeed outstanding on my old M9M.  

However, the flare at 50mm (unpredictable: sometimes really bad and at times subtle but enough to kill central image contrast) really pisses me off and has limited my use of the lens.  I have always used it with filter and hood.  

I had assumed the flare was an intrinsic design fault, the other being the barrel distortion at 28mm with which I can live.
Will have to try it sans filter this weekend.  I am hoping I can breathe new life into this lens 🙂

Mark

 

 

Edited January 19, 2024 by MarkP

[otto.f]

On 1/11/2024 at 11:07 PM, robsonj said:

Do you HAVE to document the Oculus in its entirety? Are you doing that with other buildings?

and @trickness I didn’t see the Oculus yet but I did see Calatrava’s whole complex in Valencia and neither of my photo’s including those with 15mm are able to convey the experience you have when visiting it and walking around live. Thus far I’m only satisfied with a few shots of the Auditorio in Santa Cruz, Tenerife. I do not think anybody can advise a lens for his work, within classical photography with camera’s we’re talking about in LUF, drones are another thing.

Edited January 19, 2024 by otto.f

[larsv]

Having lived there and taken visiting family and friends on tour around the city, my suggestion would be 18 (interiors and cramped highrises), 35 (or28) and maybe 50. Alternatively SL, SL2 or SL2S plus 24-90.

[thrid]

M11 - 35 / 50

Stick the spare lens and battery in your pockets and sling the camera across your chest under your jacket. That way you can make it disappear, when your spider sense starts to tingle.

If you insist on a bag make it something low profile. I knew one guy who used a diaper bag. Personally I use a small PacSafe waist pack.

Enjoy, but keep your head on a swivel.

 

Ex-New Yawker

 

Edited February 23, 2024 by thrid

[otto.f]

6 hours ago, thrid said:

Stick the spare lens and battery in your pockets and sling the camera across your chest under your jacket. That way you can make it disappear, when your spider sense starts to tingle.

... Personally I use a small PacSafe waist pack.

Exactly how I do street and city photography. I do have my Billingham, but leave it where I stay and pick max 2 lenses out of it per part of the day

Edited February 24, 2024 by otto.f

[Ne314satel]

On 2/23/2024 at 11:31 PM, thrid said:

M11 - 35 / 50

Stick the spare lens and battery in your pockets and sling the camera across your chest under your jacket. That way you can make it disappear, when your spider sense starts to tingle.

If you insist on a bag make it something low profile. I knew one guy who used a diaper bag. Personally I use a small PacSafe waist pack.

Enjoy, but keep your head on a swivel.

 

Ex-New Yawker

The 35 1.4 has been my main lens for many years. And with it I have a second lens - 50 0.95. Close focal lengths, but completely different views of the world. Although, this is also individual...

[DI1]

Having lived in NYC for over 20 years, my most used camera is the Ricoh GRiii. It disappears into a pocket and is quick for street photography. No one pays attention to it. When I really want to get some specific photos of places, I’ll bring the M and 35 summicron. 
 

Enjoy the city and everything it has to offer, but be aware of your surroundings and where you are at all times. 

Edited March 26, 2024 by Rezinator

[robsonj]

Ok, just got back from NY. Here is what I ended up taking in the end...

• M11
• M11m
• GRIII
• 21mm SEM
• 28mm Summicron
• CV 28mm Color-Skopar
• 35mm Summilux
• CV 35mm Color-Skopar
• 50mm Summilux

I only ever took two lenses, mostly only one camera, sometimes both the M's or the M11m + GRIII

Took 1000 photos over the 5 days

Processed 37 photos so far (Not many uploaded yet... https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBj77P)...

• 22 taken with the M11m
• 15 taken with the M11
• 1 taken with the GRIII
• 22 taken with the 28mm Summicron
• 9 taken with the 35mm Summilux
• 5 take with the 21mm SEM
• 1 taken with the 50mm Summilux

Only lenses I never really used were the CV lenses. But I did quite often carry them in my pocket as they're so small.

Only carried a small Retrospective 5 camera bag on 1 day.

28mm and 35 were the most used by far, but I used the 21mm quite a bit also.

[Slange00]

I usually take my m11 & m11m as well as a 28mm, 35 Apo , 50 apo and 75  cron . I noticed all the equipment choices tend to get in the way of being in the moment. Nowadays I try to limit myself to one lens and one camera where I can. I recently went to NYC and only brought my m11m and the 35Apo and loved the minimalism of this setup

 

 

[DI1]

12 hours ago, robsonj said:

Ok, just got back from NY. Here is what I ended up taking in the end...

• M11
• M11m
• GRIII
• 21mm SEM
• 28mm Summicron
• CV 28mm Color-Skopar
• 35mm Summilux
• CV 35mm Color-Skopar
• 50mm Summilux

I only ever took two lenses, mostly only one camera, sometimes both the M's or the M11m + GRIII

Took 1000 photos over the 5 days

Processed 37 photos so far (Not many uploaded yet... https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBj77P)...

• 22 taken with the M11m
• 15 taken with the M11
• 1 taken with the GRIII
• 22 taken with the 28mm Summicron
• 9 taken with the 35mm Summilux
• 5 take with the 21mm SEM
• 1 taken with the 50mm Summilux

Only lenses I never really used were the CV lenses. But I did quite often carry them in my pocket as they're so small.

Only carried a small Retrospective 5 camera bag on 1 day.

28mm and 35 were the most used by far, but I used the 21mm quite a bit also.

Great photos!

[robsonj]

On 3/30/2024 at 7:17 AM, Rezinator said:

Great photos!

Thankyou, slowly uploading them

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Hallo,

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