This is a bit like the one camera one lens question but a bit more extensive. This is a bit of a game that we all play at my studio."What do you take " I am off to India with my wife and 4 year old so i can't take too much. The last time i was there was to shoot a fashion story and a travel story & i took in one bag:- M6 with 35 f2 loaded with tech pan .,Linhof 23b with 58mm,100mm,180mm.,Stereo Realist 3Dcamera circa 1953.,Contax T2 and a widelux.Total weight was about 15 kg all in a lowe pro bag. In North Vietnam with my family i took only the M6 with f2 35mm and the T2. This i found was still good enough to do a travel story. To choose from i have:- M6 with 21pre asp ,24 asp,28 pre asp,35 cron pre asp,35 lux asp ist one.,noct,75mm on top of that i have an X-Pan with 45 and 90mm,widelux,stereorealist,T2.Linhof 612,linhof 617,Linhof 23b,Linhof technica V,and the usual Blad and Mamiya Rz.OH I forgot about my R6 and 60mm macro and R3 Safari.Oh yeah and the Holga's. I'm thinking M6,24,35 and a T2 and Holga . What would you take?

-- Tim (timphoto@ihug.com.au), July 30, 2001

Answers

Tim, You appear to be an experienced traveler, hence advice to you would be redundant. I was in India earlier this year and carried M6 TTL, IIIF and 35, 50, 90. I used the 90 a total of 3 times, the 50 about 30 times and the 35 most of the time. I shot 45 rolls.

-- Jean-David borges (jdborges@home.com), July 30, 2001.

The 35 cron and T2 seem redundant, if you can't take too much stuff. I'd personally like to go with the M6, 24 or 28, T2, and the Linhof 23b w/58 and 100mm.

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), July 30, 2001.

Hi Tim

I've travelled India several times using hasselblad kit, usually with 3 lenses but obviously it is a serious weight burden - IMHO worth the results though.

From your outfit - I would take an M6 (or probably the Hexar RF as I have both) with 35mm & 75mm (i would prefer a 90mm) & 21 if sticking to 35mm. Otherwise a Hasselblad & 2lenses in a backpack + the M6 & 35mm.

India is remarkably tolerant of photographers - medium format cameras engender friendly curiosity and allow for some very nice portraits but India has some very packed environments where I've missed too many photos and an M6 with a wideangle (35/21) would be perfect.

Tapas

-- Tapas Maiti (tapasmaiti@aol.com), July 30, 2001.

You certainly have an embarrassment of riches as far as your gear is concerned! As usual, there is the disclaimer that no one else can tell you what lenses or cameras to bring, because you're the one making the photos....However, on my recent trips (China & SE Asia), I've been happy with M6 with 35 and 90, plus a Widelux. All fits easily in my little Domke F5X, and I never felt I was equipment-limited for the journalistic-type travel photos I like to make. For really light travel, I leave the Widelux and sometimes the 90 at home, but I know I'll miss them at some point. I usually pack a bean bag (actually filled with buckwheat) instead of a tripod for very low light situations. For me, simple is best, because in unfamiliar changing situations, fiddling with choosing lenses or cameras makes me lose pictures.

-- Tim Nelson (timothy.nelson@yale.edu), July 30, 2001.

Travel to

Netherland, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France one Contax 139 plus Planar 50/1.4, one 139 with Distagon 28/2.8, Contax T2.

• Spain: R5, VE 28-70, Contax T2, 2 Minox B
• Greek Islands: R5, Ve 28-70, Contax T2, Minox C, B
• Banff, Lake Lousis, Jasper : R5 VE, T2.
• Finger Lake USA: Contax 139 +35-135 zoom lens, T2
• Washington DC, Contax 139 , 35-135 zoom, T2
• Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic: Leica R5 + VE 28-70, Minox 35ML, Contax T2, Minox C, Minox TLX, Minox B
• Vancourver, Whistler: R5, VE 28-70, Contax 139 +Planar 50/1.4 Minox 35ML, Minox GT-E, TLX, C, B

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), July 30, 2001.

I own 35mm, medium and large format but I would not think of travelling with more than one format as I prefer to have a full system with backups and that would be impossible with more than one format at a time. For travel photography other than that where lansdcapes or wildlife predominate, I prefer the most compact outfit which is Leica M. I would sell the 35/1.4 ASPHERICAL ("1st one") to a collector, take the proceeds and buy a mint-used current 35/1.4ASPH *and* a Tri-Elmar. Then I'd sell the 21 pre-ASPH, 28 pre-ASPH, 35 cron pre-asph, and buy a Konica Hexar RF body, 21/4 Voigtlander, mint used current 90/2.8 and E46-version 135 Tele-Elmar. That would give you a nice, full system with 2 bodies. Personally I don't care for 24mm so if it were me I'd additionally sell the 24 and buy the 21ASPH instead of the Voigtlander. If there was any money left over I'd get a third body, most likely a mint-used M6 0.72.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), July 30, 2001.

I'm with Jay for the most part... One system only, and it would be the M. Two M bodies minimum, the Hexar as a third back-up or P&S replacement. 21 or 24 - your preference, 35 'lux asph (Yes, sell your collectable and buy the second version and a tri-elmar as Jay suggested!), 90 APO asph if you like low-light and want the extra stop, or the lighter elmar, or even the thin tele-elmar for a very light-weight lens, especially if you don't use the tele's much. If you do a lot of low light shooting, I might add in a 50 lux or noct, and leave the tri-elmar on the Hexar for P&S convenience. What I would carry with me when: you're not out to shoot seriously - the Hexar/3E is easy to carry and use; when you're really serious - the two M's plus all of the above lenses less the 3E or 50 depending on availability of light; when you're doing both - the M with a few lenses and the Hexar/3E combo is sweet; and lastly, if you're a glutton for punisment, carry it all on your person at all times.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), July 30, 2001.

Two M6 bodies: an .58 and a .85. Four lenses: a 35 Summilux ASPH, a Tri-Elmar, a 90 and a 135/3.4.

What 90? Given that it's a travel kit, one lens I might favor in this role is the new CV APO-Lanthar. It's very small and light, and it may be better close up than the old thin Tele-Elmarit. For a Leica solution, I'd go with the 90 Elmarit-M. I'd leave the 90AA at home - it's too heavy, and I rarely need a fast tele when I'm travelling.

I'd throw the Hexar into a suitcase as a backup body or for use with the Tri-Elmar as has been suggested. I wouldn't take a superwide because I never use 'em. I wouldn't take a P&S because if I'm going to spend real money travelling, I want to bring back real photos made with real cameras ;-)

-- Paul Chefurka (paul_chefurka@pmc-sierra.com), July 30, 2001.

Leica AF-C1 with CL/40mm Summicron backup.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), July 30, 2001.

Sure does make a nice occasion to tell us all what goodies you have. :o)

-- Dave Jenkins (djphoto@vol.com), July 30, 2001.

Sometimes I wonder what the portfolio would look like if all I used were my Contax T2, and spent the rest on travel! I just got a Cosina- Voigtlander 21/4 that is so small it's going to be hard to leave at home. I like two bodies and the classic 21, 35, 50, 90 lineup.

-- Phil Stiles (Stiles@s-way.com), July 30, 2001.

My ultimate travel kit are M6 .72 with 35mm cron asph, 50mm cron second latest, 90mm elmarit and Rollei 3.5E2 Planar TLR plus a Gossen LPD. This is the outfit I took when vacation in France this year and I liked the results very much. The most used lenses being the 35mm cron asph and 50mm cron. Though I have a M3 as backup, I tend not to carry it as I like to keep things simple. When travel, I do not like using camera bag as it spells "cameras inside", so I have the outfit fitted unto a small Caselogic bag with custom made divider that divides the M from TLR. The outfit goes with me wherever I go without breaking my back. Nor did it attract much attention if any at all.

-- Gerald (hsus@netzero.net), July 30, 2001.

I've not been to India, so can only respond based on the equipment, not the country. For me, part of the answer would depend on just how pre-asph your pre-asph 21mm is. If it's the f/4 or f/3.4, I would consider leaving it home just because of not being able to meter with it. It would make more sense to bring that wonderful 24 asph. From there I would skip to the 35mm. I would find it hard to leave both the Noct and the 75 home. I'd bring one, but maybe not both, because of size and weight. I would also find it hard to leave the X-Pan home. I would at least bring it with the 45.

If you have the 21mm f/2.8, I'd be more tempted to take it, since you can meter with it. But, you know, the 24 is still a better lens, so I might prefer it even so.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), July 30, 2001.

Thanks to all of you for your travel tips. Its great to have a look in another photographers camera bag and if you only learn 1 thing then your better off. At the moment i am thinking :-24,35,50 and widelux sell the rest to pay for my hotel bills. To Jean David ,you have confirmed my thoughts on a 90mm. To Tapas,you missed shots with your blad! Try a Linhof. To Joe, I love my Linhofs but not with the family. To Tim Nelson ,thanks for the bean bag idea. To Martin, do you prefer minox or the T2? To Jay ,i wish the 35 asp was mine to sell but its only mine to use not to sell. To Jack.Believe me when i say "my bag is my pillow" To Paul,a P&S is good for the col neg snaps with flash. To Bill,Didn't you get your 2 cameras around the wrong way? To Dave,Access to it all not own it all.All the big stuff is owned buy a few of us. To Phil ,I am very much a 1 camera 1 lens person but as soon as a client is expecting some shots i then have to take a bit extra. To Gerald,Wow nice Kit.I love those TLR's To Bob,The X-Pan is a good camera but i find it is a second camera and taken aswell as something else.Its a better camera by far than the widelux but the widelux is very slim and can be shoved in somewhere.Also i quite like the distorsion from the swing lens.When shooting people with the widelux i find the second shot is usually the best because after the first shot everybody says" wow did you see that" and then they are all looking intensely into the camera for the second.

-- Tim (timphoto@ihug.com.au), July 30, 2001.

Tim, the R5 , VE 28-70, T2 are my must bring travel kit, I use use it more then Minox 35, only because the T2 flash is the only flash I bring for travel. For day trip around Toronto, I carry Minox 35 more often. Then I use Minox spy camera far more than any other cameras.

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), July 31, 2001.

Why does everybody want to bring so much gear along? If you travel make it simple! I just spent two months in SE Asia with a noctilux, a 90mm elmar from the 1960s, and a sekonic 308b. And I could have done without the elmar. Only problem with the noct was that it takes longer turn the lens to focus when compared with a 35mm summicron.
See, with one body and one lens like that you always have it with you even at night or parties, etc... With multiple bodies and lenes you can be sure you always have the wrong lens or camera ready.

-- Russell Brooks (russell@ebrooks.org), July 31, 2001.

Oh, and I used the space saved from extra bodies/lenses to bring along a small film developing kit. I could get feedback on how I was shooting and use my film developer from home. Also then I didnt have to worry about xray problems at the airport.

-- Russell Brooks (russell@ebrooks.org), July 31, 2001.

Holga

-- daniel taylor (lightsmythe@agalis.net), July 31, 2001.

Tim:

Have you considered the Cosina 12mm or 15mm in lieu of a dedicated pano-cam? They are plenty wide and obviously give you a smaller neg, but might be good enough for an occasional pano while travelling, and easier to carry than another system. Just a thought. The other pano I really find usefull, convenient and compact is a Plaubel 6X9 Pro- shift. Awesome negs and parallax correction to boot!

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), July 31, 2001.

Russell's complaint about people taking too much equipement with them really struck a chord with me.

When I went to Belize in February, I took my entire Leica kit, on the assumption that I didn't know what kind of photo opportunities I'd find there. This turned out to be a bass-ackwards way of looking at the problem. I took the same kinds of pictures there that I would take at home, and the equipment I usually used at home was what I used there. In fact I used less gear there than I use at home, because part of the point was the travel, not the photography.

As a result the majority of the gear that I took along just languished in the hotel room, waiting for the maid to realize what it was worth. I carried the Hexar and the 3E most of the time.

For me, the lesson is this: first figure out what it is you usually take with you when you just go our cruising for snaps at home. Take that. Take a wide-aperture lens for available light shots. Take the lightest short tele you can live with. If any of these categories overlap, so much the better, you get to leave stuff at home. Take one trustworthy body (or two if they're a dodgy marque like Konica :- ) If there's one really cool piece of gear that's essential to your personal style (Holga, pano etc.) take that. Then fill the rest of the bag with film, and stop packing.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul_chefurka@pmc-sierra.com), July 31, 2001.

what ever you take to your trip you will always find you missed something, and the more you take the less you do. I remember seeing in the news very often those photojournalist tring to catch the president hardly running after him with a 30 pounds bag of equipment on his back, wouldnt it be easier with a leica. I supose you are doing a diferent thing, I would recomend a M or two with four or five lenses, the widelux and a 6x9 plaubel or mamiya 7, in case you realy need a bigger format.

But man you are a photographer with experience, and we are curious fellows, so please lot us know your choice.

bon voyage!!

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), July 31, 2001.

Tim, Just a quick response to your summary of the various contributions here. Re: 90mm lens, I know this is very much a personal style issue, and some Leica photographers find little use for them. If the subject is entirely street photography, I'd probably not use mine much, either, but I generally end up at some cultural performances like music or dance concerts when I travel, so I find the 90 an essential. Re: Widelux vs. XPAN, perhaps you were being a little glib when you stated that XPAN is the "better" camera of the two. I think comparing them is comparing apples and oranges--I'm sure you'd agree they are quite different beasts altogether. I'd not say either is better as an accessory to a Leica kit. I agree it is very fun to distill things down to the essential kit for extended travel, then evaluate how well it worked. Another small point--one reason I like using the Domke F5X bag is that it has a zipper top that I can use when the bag is put through airport security machines or during transport without things tumbling out.

-- Tim Nelson (timothy.nelson@yale.edu), July 31, 2001.

Tim, I don't know if you'll be in Bombay in the second half of August, I'll be there. Get in touch if you'ld like to meet up. I envy you going with your kid, I spent a year in India a while back with my wife and two year old daughter, it was wonderful. But of course, India _is_ wonderful.

FYI, I'm taking the 2 M6's, 24/35 and a Metz 54MZ flash. I'll be working on my Dharavi book.

If you want to / are able to meet up, mail me at this address.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), July 31, 2001.

Here's a shocking suggestion - Go digital! read on...

First - I've been a reasonably competent 35mm photog for nearly 40 years - started in the mid 60s with Nikon/Canon etc, etc. Develop/print my own stuff. OK, on with the story...

I got back from Venice a week ago. Camera equipment - M6 w/24asph, 50mm 2.8, 90mm 2.8 AND a Nikon 950 digital camera (Left the F-100 at home). Shot 35 roles of Astia slide film and ended up with (kept) 51 digital pictures. Shot lots of duplicate pictures of scenes to compare slides/digitals.

EVERYBODY, me included, preferred virtually every digital image to the slide image - on the computer screen and printed on paper. The digitals appeared sharper, and the color was more faithful to the original. I was totally blown away - I expected the digital to be an interesting "fun camera." But the results were quite the other way.

I scanned the slides on a NIKON LS30, and printed using Picture Window Pro 3.0 and a Epson 1270 printer on Epson glossy photo paper. Certainly, if you print beyond 8x10, the slide is better because there is a lot more information. But at 8x10 and smaller, at normal viewing distances, the digital picture is sharper. This is with a 2.1MP digital camera which is obsolete now.

I just (today) purchased a Nikon 995 (3.3MP). We leave for England in September. I'll take the M6 as a backup but I don't plan to use it but I'll keep the M6 for the great piece it is.

I'm still shaking my head over the results...

-- mike pumphrey (mike996@optonline.net), August 01, 2001.

Hey, Mike: Maybe you left much more people than only me thinking hard . . .

-Iván

-- Ivan Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), August 01, 2001.

Hey, we're not interested in the quality of the images, only the hardware...:-)

-- Simon Wong (drsimonwong@hotmail.com), August 02, 2001.

Tim, in a situation of plenty cameras and when I get ready to India I obviously choose something like a bottle of Glenfiddich. Then at night I pack at least a half of what I have, then early morning I unpack it, and took what I see at first :^)

But always I take with me in India one MF camera with normal and SWA lenses & 2-3 backs (when Hassy), and any Leica (M or LTM) and 20(28), or 35 (50) mm lenses. Sometimes I go in India with one camera only. It depends on what camera I love that day.

Cheers.

Victor

-- Victor Randin (ved@enran.com.ua), August 02, 2001.

Russell, in response to your question of why so many cameras, my answer is back up and backup.

I was burnt several times before, with only one camera- it failed on me when I need it most--- Murphy's Law.

Therefore, I make sure I have backup camera of everything, from camera to film to battery.

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), August 02, 2001.