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 p.3 #13 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy | |
rscheffler wrote:
Hi Rich, similar to you, my lens preference is a kit of M-mount 21, 28, 35, 50 and 90. I still find some value in the close 28, 35 and 50 spacing as those are what I use most, and all being M mount lenses, are very small. In your case, I could see some logic in 28, 40 and 50 because the 40 is so small. I once had the older VM35/1.2 and similar to the ZM, it was fairly large (for an M lens) and found I didn't bring it along or use it much. Really only in specific low light situations. But given the high ISO quality of current sensors combined with IBIS in the Sony cameras, I think you can get away with slower, smaller lenses given your work seems to be more of the stopped down type than shallow DOF bokeh-centric (of which you can still get to a lesser degree with your f/2 lenses).
Unlike others who prefer the minimalist one lens, one camera approach, I enjoy using multiple lenses and don't find lens changes to be burdensome. When I get into the flow photographing something that interests me, the lens changes are fluid and automatic. But I think a big part of that is that the M lenses are very small and I can easily access them from a small pouch at my waist. If I had to remove a backpack every time I wanted to change lenses, it would definitely kill the flow. I've been in those situations before where I'd skip a photo because of the hassle of accessing gear in a bag on my back... You want to make it as frictionless as possible for you, while still being safe in whatever environment you're working.
I like the look of the Backstory bag - it looks like a fairly ordinary (non-photo) daypack, but seems like you'll have to take it off fully to access gear, unless there's a way to sling it from one arm depending on which side of the back you want to access. I also wonder with small M-mount lenses, if they'll end up floating around inside unless you can get the partitions set up quite small. Something like the Backlight series could be better for access because you don't have to fully remove it to open the back, though the flap does seem to get in the way. But the appearance is more like a hiking backpack, for better or worse. 18L might also be bigger than you need/want. In terms of fluidly accessing gear, the Rotation series might be best, but IMO looks more dorky. And again, 22L might be more bag than you need/want (though could hold other things for your daily outings).
I can't say I've really answered the question of accessing gear in a 100% satisfactory way for myself, either. For urban environments, I converted a nice looking "murse" (men's purse) into a lens pouch with 4 slots to carry M lenses while shooting. It sits in front at my waist where I can quickly change lenses. When not shooting - in transit or environments where maybe I don't want it to be so visible, it will go into a small daypack or generic non-photo shoulder bag along with the camera.
You could probably rig something with the ThinkTank belt you mentioned, with a few smaller pouches for lenses. But then you're going to have a lot of stuff always attached at your waist, which could make moving through busy spaces less fluid.
For non-urban environments, I've been using a ThinkTank Turnstyle 10 sling as my 'lens changer' bag. I can configure it with 5 slots to accommodate the above-mentioned 21/28/35/50/90 lens configuration, plus hold a few batteries, polarizing filters, blower, etc. When I'm shooting, it's swung around to the front and sits against my chest. I do carry a second bag for other things like water, rain coat, etc. It remains fairly light, so isn't much of a burden not being a backpack. I just hang my tripod from the sling by sliding its strap under one leg.
I agree with other comments that without more info about what you intend to photograph, it's difficult to know how much usefulness lenses on the extremes of the range will be - i.e. 12 & 100-400. You mentioned church interiors, so I can see where the 12 would be useful.
My European travels were mostly within Germany, though some trips to northern Italy too. Some trips I brought a VM15 and/or the older Voigtlander 12/5.6 LTM (very small), but found I didn't use them that much. I guess it really depends on your style of seeing. I've been pretty content with the 21-90 range. For you, the WATE will probably be a very flexible option to have. Difficult to say about the 12. But it's also not that huge, at least compared to the 100-400...
My limited experience in Italy inside some churches was either no tripods allowed, or even no photography. Back in the film days, there were times I brought along a Manfrotto Super Clamp with small ball head to attach to pews, etc. Not sure I'd do that now with IBIS and bracing against something.
As for theft prevention: maybe some of the PacSafe products, such as their camera strap?
Otherwise, I think in this time when everyone shoots with a smartphone, anyone walking around with a camera will stand out more. Once it's out, it really doesn't matter what kind of bag you're carrying, as you've immediately become a bigger target for a certain audience.
Given you intend to travel primarily by public transit, you really need to keep the number of bags to a minimum in order to negotiation all the potential obstacles. For example, unlike much of urban America, there can still be a lot of cobblestone or other type of stone work instead of concrete and asphalt, transforming roller bags from effortless into a real chore. And I can't count the number of times taking the metro where the escalator in the direction I wanted (up or down) was disabled or at the other end of the platform, or the elevator was out of service. And this was in Germany/Munich where you'd think maintenance would be better. Just be sure to give yourself time, or take a taxi when it makes sense.
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Hi Ron,
Thanks for your thoughts and input. I do have other Think Tank and Mindshift bags that I can pack in the suitcase including the Think Tank URBAN ACCESS™ 10 SLING BAG and the Mindshift Gear Backlight 18L and 26L. The Mindshift Gear Backpacks are too large as a personal item, which is the reason to travel with the BackStory 13. I have 2 Manfrotto Super Clamps, but if I went with a clamp, I might consider something smaller. Though the Zeiss 35mm f1.4 Distagon ZM performs so well on the A7rII Kolari Vision UT sensor modified camera it is on the order of size and weight of the Leica M WATE which provides many more focal lengths. For size and weight, no question about the Minolta CLE MC 40mm f2 M-Rokker it might be OK though it is not the Zeiss; it does perform better with Kolari Vision modified A7rII as does the WATE. Also, since SK Grimes performed the work on the Voigtlander 12mm lens, the lens is even smaller than in the original form and can be used with an assortment of filters.
I also checked since I received a PM regarding the Kinesis Gear Multi- Pouch (M330), depending upon how I loaded 2 of them and stacking some of the small M-mount lenses, I could load 2 cameras with mounted lenses and up to an additional 3 lenses in the 2 pouches. 2 Kinesis Gear M330 pouches would be easy to pack in my suitcase especially if I do not pack a Mindshift Backlight Series Backpack and/or the Think Tank URBAN ACCESS™ 10 SLING BAG.
I am intending to take and wear a light weight Photography Vest which I can stuff some stuff in including batteries, battery chargers (if need be) and even some filters and adapters.
I know someone has suggested using a less expensive camera than the A1 and if I did, I would take my A7rIII in its place, though I would still prefer to bring the A1.
I will look into finding a "Murse" as an option.
As to cobblestone and such, I would not intend to use my Think Tank Roller except for the purposes of Air Travel and traveling normally from city to city as an example. I would normally expect that we were out for the day and for shooting there would be something on my Back and/or around my waist.
Rich
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zz wrote:
