swamiji Posted August 25, 2009 Share #21 Posted August 25, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) A few minor issues: 1) No fancy camera bag... simple. worn, cotton. non-desrcript 2) Avoid Chrome... Monkeys love it 3) Make sure you camera is an appendage. It should never leave your body... at any time. I filled 16 2g chips. I averaged two batteries per day... and most important, make sure you make copies of your files.... as often as possible... computer crashes, lost chips, security guards (take extra money to bribe them), etc. P.S. You have a good streamlined kit... to many lenses only get in the way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 25, 2009 Posted August 25, 2009 Hi swamiji, Take a look here India - Sept. 2009. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ShivaYash Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share #22 Posted August 25, 2009 Yes, my tiny Billingham Alice bag hardly ever leaves my shoulder, it light and holds essential kit other than my camera. This discussion has raised an interesting point for me, maybe for others too. I certainly shoot digital as if I were shooting film - during previous trips to India, I have shot about 10 rolls, meaning 360 shots. I absolutely hate having millions of images when I get to my computer. I am not a happy snapper - almost video like footage. I'm not saying that I'm an amazing photographer, I guess I'm just lazy, I hardly even do masses of post processing. Are there others in my boat? Who shot digital with care? I would be surprised if I filled my 8GB card - that is 734 RAW images! I'm going for 28 days - that would be like shooting a roll of 24 exposures every day. Not my style. In any event, I'll report back. SY Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yanidel Posted August 25, 2009 Share #23 Posted August 25, 2009 Though I prefer a 24/50 combo I think the 28 Summicron has a wonderful look on the M8. Very sharp, yet not harsh. But this is just a side note, I'd stick to your plan to take the 35mm if that's what you're comfortable with. But do take the extra memory card(s) and I'd take an extra battery too, if only in case your battery gets fried or something. I think your post has prompted good discussion. Anything is better than another rumor thread... I always carry my 24/50 combo no matter where I go. I've done work in Brazil lately with this combo, some of it is on my website and more will be added soon under the 'projects' section. Markus--I'd love to see your Brazil work too--is it online? Anyway I plan to take the same setup to India. Ike if you've got a site I'd love to see that too. Will be back in Sampa likely in Sept. Noah, I am off to Chicago tomorrow and will use mainly a 24mm/60mm combo on my M8. My 24mm is an Elmarit though and not a Lux. I also plan to take the 35mm Lux for low light. I just wonder what you used for low light before acquired the Lux, the Elmarit or another lens ? I find 2.8 to be to slow, especially for street once the sun disappears. Shiva, have a great fun in your trip. India is also a destination that I plan to visit in a close future. Couldn't travel with one lens only, I need at least two, though I find your experiment very tempting Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WPalank Posted August 25, 2009 Share #24 Posted August 25, 2009 Are there others in my boat? Who shot digital with care? SY That would be me. My friends say I shoot as if I had film in the camera. On a recent shoot in Tokyo a fellow Forum member who shoots only film asked if my camera had a dead battery as he had been through about 3 rolls in the time I took maybe 5 images. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted August 25, 2009 Share #25 Posted August 25, 2009 A nice new Billingham Alice bag... will stick out there.... Great bag.... but not for India... some old canvas bag, beat up... torn. faded. Left mine at home, and glad I did. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootinglulu Posted August 25, 2009 Share #26 Posted August 25, 2009 I shoot less and less and try to think more and more. I remember someone saying 'you don't have to press the shutter'. I know that sounds obvious, but that's how i used to be, even when i knew in my heart that i didn't even really want the shot and probably wouldn't have taken it with my film camera. Now i tell that to myself quite often. As a beginner i find it demoralising to look through reams of borring photos that are a million miles away from catching the moments. I went to Nepal last year for 5 weeks and didn't take my camera because i knew i would spend my whole time behind it, clicking crazy i was, like i couldn't trust that i would see the moment and had to click everything in case i missed something! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted August 25, 2009 Share #27 Posted August 25, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Noah, I am off to Chicago tomorrow and will use mainly a 24mm/60mm combo on my M8. My 24mm is an Elmarit though and not a Lux. I also plan to take the 35mm Lux for low light. I just wonder what you used for low light before acquired the Lux, the Elmarit or another lens ? I find 2.8 to be to slow, especially for street once the sun disappears. I could get by with F/2.8 if necessary, or sometimes I'd switch to the 28/2 or 35/1.4. Mostly, though, I just go to a slower shutter speed. I don't mind some blur in my photographs, it can add depth if done right. The 24/50 combo is amazing on the M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yanidel Posted August 25, 2009 Share #28 Posted August 25, 2009 I could get by with F/2.8 if necessary, or sometimes I'd switch to the 28/2 or 35/1.4. Mostly, though, I just go to a slower shutter speed. I don't mind some blur in my photographs, it can add depth if done right. The 24/50 combo is amazing on the M8. Indeed, the M8 + 24mm Elmarit fit perfectly my hand therefore I get decent results at 1/8 or even 1/4 handheld, of course assuming there is not excessive movement. Apart from the speed, do you feel the Lux is a significantly better lens than the Elmarit and it justifies the extra price ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted August 26, 2009 Share #29 Posted August 26, 2009 [quote name=yanidel;1007534 Apart from the speed' date=' do you feel the Lux is a significantly better lens than the Elmarit and it justifies the extra price ?[/quote] Apart from speed--definitely not. The Elmarit is a wonderful lens and if I were only going to shoot at F/2.8 or higher I wouldn't even consider the 'Lux. However the larger aperture does make a huge difference. And it's great that I can shoot on the street then duck into a dark home and still be able to shoot without compromise, often still at iso 320 where the M8 shines. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WPalank Posted August 26, 2009 Share #30 Posted August 26, 2009 ...often still at iso 320 where the M8 shines. Mine is stuck on 320..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMyers Posted August 26, 2009 Share #31 Posted August 26, 2009 If you're traveling half way around the world, the biggest problem is that something might go wrong, and you've got no way to fix things. Taking multiple memory cards and at least two batteries is obvious. A spare charger might be good, and for that matter, a spare camera that can remain in your suitcase would be good insurance as well, even if it's not all that great a camera. If you're taking a train while there, get one of those metal cables that allow you to lock your suitcase to something permanent. All the other travel warnings apply as well (if someone offers you drinks on a train, don't). Having an old beat-up bag to hold your camera gear is a good idea, as it doesn't attract attention, and if you're bringing a computer, don't bring one of those obvious black computer cases that just attract attention. I've been spending six months of every year for the past several years in South India, and I could go on with lots of other suggestions for staying safe and healthy, but maybe you're already aware of them all. As to lenses, if I were you, I'd want more than just one lens. I've found a good wide-angle lens to be essential, much more so than a telephoto, but I guess this depends on what you're planning to shoot. Most people in South India love to have their photo taken, and the bigger the camera, the more attention it gets. The Leica should be good in this regard, as it doesn't look big and fancy, and it's quiet. Get yourself one of those simple electrical adapters that plugs into the Indian sockets, and allows you to use your standard charging plugs and so on. If you bring a 3-way adapter to plug into it, you'll be glad you did as then you can connect several devices at the same time. If you have a quad-band mobile phone, you can get an inexpensive local SIM card which will work both for calls within India and also calling home. As was said earlier, many temples simply don't allow photography at all. Others, such as the wonderful temple in Madurai, just require you to buy a camera pass (very inexpensive). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kully Posted August 26, 2009 Share #32 Posted August 26, 2009 I'll be in India (North) in September too (just two sleeps to go!) I'm taking my M8 with ZM 28/2.8 + 50/1.5 and two spare batteries. And a Panasonic LX3 as backup / for video. I'm sure you'll have a grand old time, away from the tourist hell-holes it's lovely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted August 26, 2009 Share #33 Posted August 26, 2009 And? is this a question? asking for opinion? a press conference? How can we help you? How charming. I liked someone calling my choice a 'starter set' - akin to a child's chemistry set. Yes, I noticed that too. There seems to be an unofficial competition in this thread to see who can be the most patronising. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
devils-advocate Posted August 26, 2009 Share #34 Posted August 26, 2009 [Quoe]Are there others in my boat? Who shot digital with care? I would be surprised if I filled my 8GB card - that is 734 RAW images! I'm going for 28 days - that would be like shooting a roll of 24 exposures every day. Not my style. SY Wow - you are very sparing with the trigger finger! I would have thought 200 frames a day on a trip like that would be conservative, but everyone has a different approach. For what it's worth, try shooting more. Never ask yourself "is this worth a picture". Shoot every time you even have the thought that you might want to. Then edit later. I guarantee you will come home with at least one more true keeper. With 16GB cards going for about $40Cdn, take two or three. And also, take a Hyperdrive storage device and BACK UP your images. The older models are dirt cheap, and one charge will do the trip. They are small and light, and your prescious photos won't be lost when your card crashes or yoru camera is stolen. Seriously. Safe travels and happy shooting! - N. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShivaYash Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share #35 Posted August 26, 2009 Dear Ian, Many thanks for your observations! Perhaps it has something to do with cultural differences? The English, (myself included) like to talk, hence being members of such a forum, and are generally polite chaps. I often am intrigued as to the motive of such posts... but life is too short to get involved and take things too personally. On a semi-related note, I do think often that some members of this forum celebrate mediocrity, praising those who they are chums with, and ignoring newer members. I fell into this circle, desperately waiting for praise from regular posters, however then soon realised that there work was pretty budget. I now only really post to meet and talk to like minded individuals, instead of those who simply are what I call, 'armchair photographers' and/ or kit hungry souls, more concerned with whether a Leitz lens was made in Canada instead of Solms. Apoligies for the pseudo rant! Best wishes, ShivaYash PS> Your work is excellent, I really mean that, a good selection of images. Are you London based? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted August 26, 2009 Share #36 Posted August 26, 2009 Yes, my tiny Billingham Alice bag hardly ever leaves my shoulder, it light and holds essential kit other than my camera. This discussion has raised an interesting point for me, maybe for others too. I certainly shoot digital as if I were shooting film - during previous trips to India, I have shot about 10 rolls, meaning 360 shots. I absolutely hate having millions of images when I get to my computer. I am not a happy snapper - almost video like footage. I'm not saying that I'm an amazing photographer, I guess I'm just lazy, I hardly even do masses of post processing. Are there others in my boat? Who shot digital with care? I would be surprised if I filled my 8GB card - that is 734 RAW images! I'm going for 28 days - that would be like shooting a roll of 24 exposures every day. Not my style. In any event, I'll report back. SY I hope that you have a most enjoyable trip. I fully agree with you regarding the lack of need to make thousands of exposures. When I was young, and learning about photography, I was allowed 3 (24 exposure) films for the whole summer. So every shot had to count. Even today I take far fewer actual photographs than most people I know. But I do tend to waste very few frames, and my post-processing is limited to a bit of cropping, and also with my M8, to a bit of treatment for unwanted colour moire. Maybe it's too many years of using manual cameras and film, but I still try to ensure that I've got everything right before I press the shutter. Of course there are exceptions to this, but I very rarely even look at the LCD on the camera. Having said all of that, I would suggest that you take a spare battery and a couple of spare cards with you, just in case something fails. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMyers Posted August 27, 2009 Share #37 Posted August 27, 2009 My experiences in India are that if you're shooting a "scene" you can take your time, get things right, and take one shot and be done. (I'd suggest taking two, in case something went wrong with the first image.) However, when shooting people, there usually are so many people that end up in the photo, that I find it hard to capture just the right image I want. Taking several shots increases the probability of getting one the way I wanted it, with good expressions and so on. I don't have the ability to watch everything and find the perfect moment to press the shutter button. It's true I didn't do this when I used to shoot film, but it's equally true that when I got home, and looked at my prints after getting them developed, I'd sometimes find something annoying in a photo that maybe wouldn't have been there had I taken a few more. If I'm shooting people moving around, maybe a group shot, maybe dozens (or hundreds) of people in the photo, my tendency now is to press the shutter release any time I "think" there might be a good photo. I find if I wait and think about it, it's too late. To me, that's one of the biggest benefits of digital. Sometimes, these "grab shots" come out really nice, better than the ones I've "planned". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShivaYash Posted August 27, 2009 Author Share #38 Posted August 27, 2009 I'm guessing a leather case is not a good idea in a humid climate? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpattinson Posted August 27, 2009 Share #39 Posted August 27, 2009 One thing that is useful to have is a multi-plug powerboard. In India (also China) you can buy powerboards which will accept most international plugs which means that if you have a home base - you won't need adapters at all Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted August 27, 2009 Share #40 Posted August 27, 2009 After looking at tonight's news. I'd likee to suggest that a brolly and a pair of wellies might be a good idea too! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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