Re: [Leica] Travel kit. More than two lenses.

[John McLeod <johnmcleod@worldnet.att.net>]

Jim wrote:

Sorry folks, taking only a 50mm lens just won't cut it! Lame idea. Maybe as
a local one day self assignment, ala Ted, but certainly not for serious
photography.


With all due respect Jim, Mike Johnstone's intention to work with a 50mm
lens for a while may seem "lame" to you, but it's not to Mike Johnston.  He
probably has very good reasons for attempting this project.  Among other
things, it will allow him to carry his small camera with him most of time. 
Second, he will be ready for almost anything he sees because he'll know the
camera and lens so well after a while, and he won't have to dig it out of a
big bag, change lenses, etc.  For the kind of work that you do, Mike's idea
may make no sense (e.g. tripod, extenders, Velvia).  Admittedly, Mike will
not be ready to shoot whatever it is that you would see and want to
photograph.  But for what he sees and wants to shoot, it may work great.  To
each his own.

On a personal note, and given the kinds of things I like to photograph, the
best photography I ever did was when I owned only a Nikkormat and 24/2.8 and
85/1.8 Nikkors.  I knew those lenses cold -- and they were cold ;-).  I
carried the kit everywhere.  I didn't worry much about bumping the equipment
around.  I developed film, printed pictures, showed them to friends, hung
them on the wall, etc.  Now I have Leicas and Billingham bags too.  (I speak
only for myself here Jim, not for you).  But now I'm too careful with my
equipment.  It's so pristine and clean.  Each lens has been tested for
sharpness, light fall-off, and bokeh.  I have Really Right Stuff plates and
Linhof ball-heads.  And I LOVE all this stuff.  But ... my photography is
probably worse.  Why?  Well, most important, I'm now married, with child and
dog, and have less time for it.  But second, I'm in danger of caring more
about the equipment than the photography.  I, at least, can't serve two
Masters well (make it three, including my wife).  While I love the Leicas, I
also miss the abandon and intensity with which I used to photograph.  I
longed, not for the ASPH lens, but for the shot.  Now I come home and read
e-mail about photography.  In the old days, I would be waiting for the light
to be good ;-)  Again, speaking only for myself and not for you Jim, I
believe my photography was more serious then than it is now, despite the
fact that I know more now, have more invested, and carry more and better
equipment.

John McLeod