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 p.2 #1 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy | |
1bwana1 wrote:
Rich,
You have an amazing assortment of wonderful lenses. I am sure that you know way more than me what you like and how you like to use them. So, I won't try and address that.
Since, I am dual American/Italian citizen, with business interests in many countries I have spent a lot of time traveling, and a great deal of time in Italy. Except for the last two years, I am usually in Italy 3 times a year. The lenses you will want will vary a great deal depending on where you go.
In general I like to keep my travel kit to a reasonable size and weight so I don't burden myself and those around me with my photographic hobby.
Italy provides an unlimited breadth of photographic opportunities.
The historical ranges from the classic landmarks, the quaint, the culturally significant, markets, streets, interiors, and yes interesting people. For these you will need a good FL range from vey wide, to normal focal lengths. Say 12- 85mm. Because light levels are often low in these circumstances, and you will be walking around sight seeing, these should be fast glass with wide apertures, and as small as possible. Your collection of MF primes will serve you well here. I would limit myself to a max 4 small primes for this use. I like the dual personality of the fast Voigtlanders that can be full of character wide open to capture mood, and crisp stopped down to record the amazing details. For sure I would take my CV 40mm f/1.2, and my 75mm f/1.5, and pick your two wide angles. The big challenge with the wides is to keep them small as well as wide and fast. My MF kit for these situation easily fits in my jacket pocket.
Italy is also a geologically (and therefore geographically) interesting area. I know as a fellow Earth Scientist you know what I am speaking about. The amazing mountains and lakes of the North. Including my favorite photogenic mountains, the Dolomites. The rolling hills of Tuscany. The fantastic coastal villages, and the ancient hilltop cities down the central spine all the way to the boot.
This geography has been continually occupied for many thousands of years. However, the Italians have done a fantastic job of curating, and preserving their environment. You will find immaculately groomed farm, mixed with well preserved woodlands, and coastlines. The cities and towns are concentrated and dense. But this allows for lots of open and green spaces surrounding them.
The same kit you use for walking around the cities will serve you well for the landscapes. But, to maximize the mountains, coasts, countryside, you will want some long glass. 200mm at a minimum, but I prefer longer as well so my choice here is the Sony 100-400 GM. Trust me, it will see plenty of use to justify the size and weight. Also, most of the long landscape opportunities will be close to your car, so you won't be carrying it on long walks.
It sounds like your Wife has mobility issues. I often say that Italians are "goats". They like to live on top of hills. They save the flats and valleys for farming. The towns and cities are also mostly paved with stones in one configuration or another. Elevators and ramps are rare. You will need to plan your outings carefully to accommodate her. The good news is that the roads in the countryside are very smooth and very well maintained. She will do well in those areas. But a good number of the costal areas will end up being all but impossible for her I fear.
Also keep in mind that security can be an issue in Italy. There are groups of people who make their living stealing camera gear and other valuables from tourists. This is mostly in the big cities. Walking around in these areas with a camera bag or backpack is likely to draw their unwanted attention. Even the camera around your neck will be a target. They are experts at cutting straps and taking you gear before you even know it is happening. You will want to get "uncuttable" straps for your camera, and keep your lenses in your zippered or buttoned pocket while walking around.
As you get closer to the trip, and begin to refine your equipment choices, keep us posted. I will be happy to help where I can.
Steve...Show more →
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the input. My wife and her daughter are of Sicilian background and we will be visiting there for a fair portion of the time. So, we are going to have to think through where we visit. My Step Daughter is frustrated at this point still trying to get her dual citizenship which is on hold.
As to the fast Voigtlander lenses the fastest I have are the Voigtlander 50mm f2 Apo-Lanthar FE mount and the Voigtlander 28mm f2 Ultron II Asph VM lens. The 12mm f5.6 Heliar III is anything but fast, but I can see a need for it for instance the interiors of some cathedrals that we could visit. As to the Leica M WATE, though only an f4 lens, it will be invaluable as far as I am concerned. I am not sure if 16mm would be wide enough in some of the cathedrals as an example. My only faster lens being the Zeiss 35mm f1.4 Distagon ZM. If I could only take 2 wide angle lenses they would be the Voigtlander 28mm f2 Ultron II VM and the Leica M WATE. At least in outdoor situations I could use a nodal slide with the WATE and at least approximate things for taking wider images than is possible with the lens alone. But, I would pop the Minolta CLE 40mm f2 lens into the roller because it is so tiny and light.
So, if push came to shove, if I only took 4 MF primes, they would be the Leica M WATE, Voigtlander 28mm f2 Ultron II VM, Voigtlander 50mm f2 Apo-Lanthar Asph VM, and the Voigtlander 90mm f2.8 Apo-Skopar which I should have early in December. To that I would add the Sony 100-400mm GM lens. As to car, I doubt we will be driving as I question driving while in Italy and certainly not in Rome.  I would expect that most of our travel will be via public transportation- busses, trains, ferry to Sicily, etc.
As to the question of thievery, hopefully the Think Tank Backstory 13 will deter this as the camera equipment would be against my back and can not be accessed unless the pack is removed. The dimensions of the Backstory 13 is 10.2” W x 16.9” H x 7.1” D (26 x 43 x 18 cm). I will have to then put my Back-up system into the interior of the pack or leave it in the hotel and hopefully that is not stolen and/or left alone. When not carrying the 100-400mm GM lens, I would try to either leave it in a safe or locked in our rolling hard sided luggage. I hope that will keep the lens safe from prying eyes and fingers and away from thieves.
As to the Kinesis Gear pouch which pictured above it can be belt mounted and would then be held around my waist with a Think Tank belt.
Rich
Edited on Nov 24, 2021 at 11:46 AM · View previous versions
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