Camera Talk

When touring with the family or life partner, photography is probably a lower priority, but I guess that most members will carry something along. I am thinking of those special trips where you plan a lot and go to places where you probably will not come back again.

There are different ways of doing it , from the make-it-yourself gourmet trip where you rent a car and decide on everything, to the bus-group high efficiency trip (if today is Tuesday this must be Belgium, honey).

In any case, weight and convenience are important. You do not have much time for photography; tripods are out of consideration, and you cannot delay your family or group looking for the best composition for half an hour (as I would often do in other settings!). A small bag would be the most you would take along. Besides, in some areas you may have to worry about theft, and I do not want to be worried when I am trying to have fun on a trip, so I am reluctant to carry expensive equipment. Not that I have much of it, mind you.

Many of these considerations would also apply to those business trips where you get a few hours to fill in your schedule.

I am curious as to what are your experiences and ideas on the "tourism photography" issue.

I used to take along an Olympus XA, that has now been substituted by a Canon G-12, as main equipment. But I still take some film camera along, for the heck of it and also to get a different capture. I must use B&W in the film camera these days, because there is no good quality C-41 anymore in my area.

In the film role I have used a Pentax K-1000 (because of a zoom 18-28), 120 folders, good quality 35mm RF cameras, and once I even took a TLR. All of them worked for me. Always a single film camera (plus the digital advanced P&S), no room for more.

If you take a SLR or a 35mm interchangeable lens camera, the focal distances are another decision to make. In cities, I find myself using wide angles most of the time, typically 35 or 28mm lenses. Telephoto lenses are too large and heavy. It is not an assignment nor a job to do. I usually take a normal as well but I almost never use it.

More equipment means you can take advantage of more photo opportunities, but it also means more weight and inconvenience. I have found that two cameras total is the most I can handle with some comfort left.

What are your thoughts on this? what do you use on trips, especially with film?

Bag types or any other considerations?

I used to take a 35mm (rangefinder or SLR) and a medium format. Sometimes, I would also bring along a small 35mm, such as a point and shoot or maybe a Rollei 35, if I thought that I might be out shooting but not be able to bring my camera bag.

For 35mm, I usually was toting my Contax IIa with the 1.5 50mm Sonnar. I might also have brought the 35mm Biogon, but that also meant the turret viewfinder, and if I brought that, then I put the 135mm Sonnar into the bag, too.

For an SLR, lately, I've been bringing a Rolleiflex SL 35E plus 1.8 50mm Planar. I like that lens so much that I won't even bother with anything else, but if I do, I will bring the 85mm Sonnar and the 25mm or 35mm Distagon. The Sonnar is a very compact lens.

For medium format, usually a folding camera, such as an Agfa Isolette III or an older Super Ikonta A. If I think there might be something special, maybe a 6x9 folder or a Rolleiflex.

My bag of choice lately is the Lowepro Passport Sling III, I also have a Tamrac Velocity 8 that I like and two older Tenba bags from the 1980s. I also have some photo backpacks. I like the smaller bags.

It's been a while since we took a long trip, but I can report a combination that has worked for me. For capability and quality I would take a fairly light SLR (Minolta X-700) with 28, 50, and 135mm lenses along with a +2 close-up lens and a filter or two. Even today I would make the same choice except I might substitute a 35mm for the 28mm lens. For convenience and quick use, I have had good luck with an SLR point and shoot-- Yashica Samurai (half frame) or Olympus IS-10. I carry photo equipment in a canvas "briefcase" that I also use for maps etc. Today I might take a digital P&S rather than a film one. I think this is pretty conventional by older film standards. Maybe using only single focal-length lenses seems impractical, but I put them in their small cases and carry them safely in my canvas bag; I don't mind changing lenses. By the way, in the situations I'm thinking of we travel by train or bus rather than a car.

The one what I should have left at home.