Re: [Leica] Travel Photography Made Easy

[Godfrey DiGiorgi <ramarren@bayarea.net>]

Anthony wrote:
> > I will be leaving shortly for about three weeks in
> > Europe.  Each year I try to take a little less
> > equipment.  This is what I have it down to this year.
> >
> > M6
> > 90f2,8
> > 50f2
> > Nikon F5
> > 28-70f2,8
> > 80-200f2,8
> > 105f2,8 macro
> > Metz 32 flash
> > and UV filters since I will be on a sailing ship for
> > about a week.  I am also taking circular polarizers
> > for all of the lenses for haze and smog.

That's a lot of heavy equipment but not unheard of. 

I usually travel as lightly as possible with respect to photo gear: I 
hate carrying all the equipment and prefer to have it with me at all 
times, which you cannot do when you carry so extensive a kit. Interacting 
with people and seeing things are the important things to me ... I often 
carry nothing but a Rollei 35S or a Minox subminiature.

That said, I have two travel kits when I'm planning to do a lot of 
photography and want to carry a more flexible camera for high quality 
results. 

SLR kit: 
- --------
Nikon F3 body (fitted with type E screen)
 [optional MD-4 motor drive]
20/3.5, 50/1.8, 70-300/4-5.6 lenses
 [optionally an 85/2, 105/2.5 and/or 135/2.8 lens as well for more speed]
Nikon SB-15 Speedlight flash unit
Lens hoods, B&W filters, Sky 1a filter, DW-3 waist level finder, type R 
screen
Spare batteries
 [optional table top tripod, full tripod, cable release]

RF kit:
- -------
Leica CL body
Summicron-C 40/2 lens
Heliar 15/4.5 lens
[optional 90mm lens]
Small auto flash unit
lens hoods, B&W and Sky 1a filters
Spare batteries

The RF kit weighs in at about 2lbs. The full SLR kit weighs in at between 
6 and 12 lbs. I will carry one or the other of these kits normally, the 
last trip I went on I needed both. I also always carry a Minox submini - 
most usually an EC with flash unit and spare battery. Fits in a pocket, 
weighs less then my wallet ... for when you really really don't want to 
carry anything at all. :)

Godfrey