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Archive 2021 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy

  
 
DaveFP
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p.4 #1 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


chez wrote:
I also agree with taking the best gear you have on your trip. Another thing many people do is get into "snapshot" mode during travels. Stay your course, look for enchanting compositions and light and don't try to shoot everything. Better to come back with a few great images than a boatload of mediocre images.


I still take snapshots to document certain moments/places but that's accomplished with my phone.

The heavy iron only comes out for images that are worthy of it.




Nov 24, 2021 at 06:49 PM
Slalom
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p.4 #2 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


Rich,
I have Travelled to Italy several times. I think in a month you can get to many places.

Buildings: Rarely allow a easy opportunity, I gravitate to a Canon 17L TSE to a little 18mm Fisheye.(OM 18MM)

Landscapes You know what you want to take these with.

Breaks, there are a huge number of small towns, with great atmospheres, plan a few rests.

Unless you have fixed arrangements, choose a number of places, work out how long each needs, Is a hire car a need or nuisance. Find Rail information, Check days anything you want to visit are closed. You may be able to sort out a hire car to a station, several rail trips to, a car hire to your return flight. This splits your plans in three.

With the plans you will know what you photos you want so this will create a list of lenses,

Rod



Nov 24, 2021 at 06:58 PM
chez
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p.4 #3 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


soarfm wrote:
Less is more.

My philosophy when traveling is the camera bag is to get your gear to the room from the airport. During the day, a camera with a lens and 2 other lenses in neoprene sacks stuffed into a rucksack along with jacket, snacks, water bottle etc… have a wrap for your camera and lens when you want to put it in the rucksack also. If you really want to guard against equipment failure, a second body in the room, just in case…

YMMV.


I use a beat up Osprey pack along with the neoprene wraps. I always carry all my gear as I don’t trust leaving anything of value in my room. Yes, a couple cameras and 3 primes is just right.



Nov 24, 2021 at 07:14 PM
DaveFP
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p.4 #4 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


soarfm wrote:
Less is more.

My philosophy when traveling is the camera bag is to get your gear to the room from the airport. During the day, a camera with a lens and 2 other lenses in neoprene sacks stuffed into a rucksack along with jacket, snacks, water bottle etc… have a wrap for your camera and lens when you want to put it in the rucksack also. If you really want to guard against equipment failure, a second body in the room, just in case…

YMMV.


I enjoy shooting a nice cityscape or landscape as much as the next guy but my greatest joy is "slice of life" images.

I want my camera in my hand or, at a minimum, on a PD clip.

Harder to do with wraps and rucksacks.

My idea of fun (Italy) :

Signura - Via Vittorio Emanuele by David F. Panno, on Flickr

Simone by David F. Panno, on Flickr

Palermo - 236 by David F. Panno, on Flickr

Palermo Streets by David F. Panno, on Flickr

Whatever works though.



Nov 24, 2021 at 07:59 PM
chez
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p.4 #5 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


DaveFP wrote:
I enjoy shooting a nice cityscape or landscape as much as the next guy but my greatest joy is "slice of life" images.

I want my camera in my hand or, at a minimum, on a PD clip.

Harder to do with wraps and rucksacks.

My idea of fun (Italy) :

https://live.staticflickr.com/7615/27315401971_fac81d2d91_b.jpgSignura - Via Vittorio Emanuele by David F. Panno, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/7346/27355855471_aee8067cdd_b.jpgSimone by David F. Panno, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/7346/27276162350_f9df791d7d_b.jpgPalermo - 236 by David F. Panno, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/7312/26881158103_04a27c3413_b.jpgPalermo Streets by David F. Panno, on Flickr

Whatever works though.


I have my camera on my wrist at all times...but my other camera and lenses are in my pack in wraps. I'd never walk the streets with my camera in a pack...just because of the moments I'd missed that you displayed.



Nov 24, 2021 at 08:05 PM
DaveFP
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p.4 #6 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


chez wrote:
I have my camera on my wrist at all times...but my other camera and lenses are in my pack in wraps. I'd never walk the streets with my camera in a pack...just because of the moments I'd missed that you displayed.


Yep; the punitive gods of photography are watching.

The minute you get lazy and put it away they'll make sure the photo of the day glides past you.

Ask me how I know...






Nov 24, 2021 at 08:17 PM
InFocus2014
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p.4 #7 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


1bwana1 wrote:
Rich,

Honestly the trains in Rome are a problem. It is a hunting ground and you are the prey. A bag will be fine for convenience items. But for valuables it is simply not safe these days. I won't even wear a camera on a strap that is outside my coat on the trains. If you carry any kind of bag, never on your back or side. Only across your front. None of the bags you show are secure enough in my opinion. They will cut the strap, take the camera and bag throw it to another person while others
...Show more

This is great advice. When I travel, particularly to Europe, where I am in crowds or on trains a great deal of the time, I always use "sling" bags. Not only are they convenient for switching equipment, you can quickly slide the bag in front of you (on your chest) when in crowds or when you sit down. My favorite is the Lowepro 302AW that can carry a lot of equipment, my raingear, iPad, etc. It has a nicely padded strap and is more comfortable than most other sling bags (I've tried them all). It also sits nicely on my roll-around luggage case when in airports.

I blacken-out the bag logo and put black gaffer tape on my equipment to cover brands, logo's and generally make the equipment look less desireable. I also attached a water bottle holder to the side of the bag.







Lowepro 302AW




Nov 24, 2021 at 08:54 PM
patotts
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p.4 #8 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


OK, I haven't read the entire thread but the first question is if you are going for a month to Italy on vacation with your wife or on a photo-trip? If the former, I'd bring as little gear as possible and focus on quality time with the family. Now if you have specific photo safaris and goals lined up, and you are going to do everything from landscape, city, nature and animal photography, then you'll need to bring more gear.

Personally, I'd bring as little as possible. One body, a couple of critical lenses. That's it.



Nov 24, 2021 at 09:04 PM
1bwana1
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p.4 #9 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


I think maybe we should take another look at travel and photography motivations.

Many seem to concentrate their attention on results. That means capturing the image, documenting events and places, and collecting family memories. For these things all you need are high performance, good IQ, convenience zoom lenses. You will get great results.

For me it is as much about enjoying the photographic experience as it the above mentioned things. One of the main reasons I enjoy shooting manual focus is the emersive experience. For me the process of image making enriches the whole travel experience.



Nov 24, 2021 at 09:33 PM
IndyFab
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p.4 #10 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


Take a look at the Mountainsmith Tanack 10L Lumbar Pack . You can wear it in front of you around your waist. You can easily keep two bodies each with a lense and an additional lens. You will even have 2 places on sides for water bottles

There is also a Day & Tour that may interest you

https://mountainsmith.com/collections/all-lumbar-packs



Nov 24, 2021 at 10:09 PM
Frogfish
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p.4 #11 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


IndyFab wrote:
Take a look at the Mountainsmith Tanack 10L Lumbar Pack . You can wear it in front of you around your waist. You can easily keep two bodies each with a lense and an additional lens. You will even have 2 places on sides for water bottles

There is also a Day & Tour that may interest you

https://mountainsmith.com/collections/all-lumbar-packs


I've looked at that before. It wouldn't suit me personally,a bit on the large side, but it looks great. There are others that are a bit smaller from Patagonia etc.



Nov 25, 2021 at 12:03 AM
Frogfish
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p.4 #12 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


As a photographer I know you will be kicking yourself, as I would, if you don't bring a couple of cameras (redundancy - one can always be hidden in the hotel bedroom) and 4-5 lenses (ditto - hide 1-2 in the hotel room, I don't always use the safe) to cover all your needs. You'll get lovely shots of the family too.

I know some people can get by or find it 'liberating' to just take 1-2 lenses, I know from your gear list that's not you and I'm certain it's not me either



Nov 25, 2021 at 12:06 AM
DaveFP
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p.4 #13 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


1bwana1 wrote:
For me it is as much about enjoying the photographic experience as it the above mentioned things. One of the main reasons I enjoy shooting manual focus is the emersive experience. For me the process of image making enriches the whole travel experience.


Agree.

One of the reasons I MF my AF lenses whenever time allows.

I have the "down wheel" set to switch AF/MF focus modes for that very reason. Works great when the lens lacks its own switch.






Nov 25, 2021 at 12:10 AM
rscheffler
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p.4 #14 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


naturephoto1 wrote:
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.


Sorry, I meant for when you're in transit with your family going to your next destination on the trip. Depending on how many places you plan to visit, you'll have to haul everything you brought with you. If you're using public transit, you'll be the one schlepping it rain or shine. You'll be handling a 27" suitcase along with the TT roller and your second carry-on bag. Anything other than smooth surfaces will become a PITA. Wondering if there's a way to ditch the TT roller in the first place?

Regarding the personal carry-on item. I've never experienced a situation where a representative of a US carrier challenged this. I think if it's within a few inches, it'll pass. I'd be really surprised if a half-inch became an issue. Maybe with the bigger bag.

Back before Canada removed the carry-on weight limit of 10kg/bag, I found it was usually at check-in where the issue would arise with overzealous airline staff. But that was also before the self check-in kiosks where you can now conveniently avoid most contact with airline staff. Sometimes I would leave my carry-ons in the car (parked at the terminal), then retrieve them from the car to proceed to security and the gate (and on longer trips, move the car to an off-site discount lot). At the gate, sometimes airline staff would 'sweep' the area for passengers with potentially excessive carry-ons. So instead I'd sit at a nearby empty gate until it was time to board. But honestly, I don't think you need to worry about this aspect of your trip.



Nov 25, 2021 at 01:13 AM
fjablo
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p.4 #15 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


I was actually thinking about a similar topic last summer while being a bit bored and sipping an espresso on Sardinia

In general, I would also recommend going as small and light as possible, esp. in the cities. Italy is not Japan and carrying massive lenses like the 100-400 or big camera bags will make you stand out and not in a good way. And I don't mean safety - I feel that topic is only ever brought up by Americans and doesn't match my experience in Italy at all (maybe luck, maybe I'm too young) - you will just look like a weirdo to all the locals

I noted some thoughts on focal lengths I'd bring to Rome, Florence and Venice based on various own trips to these cities and compositions from other photographers that I liked. Everyone has different preferences though, so not sure how useful they will be to you.


Rome:
- used a lot of wide-angle esp. 35mm, 20mm and occasionally 15mm
- also relatively often used moderate telephoto around 75mm to pick out details
- there are a few cool shots from the hills and bridges where you actually need a long lens 200-300mm

Venice:
- doesn't need ultrawides at all in my opinion, rather moderate focal lengths 24, 35, 50mm
- some really nice telephoto opportunities between 75-105mm
- seems darker at night than most cities, f/1.4 very welcome for handheld shots or f/2 + IBIS

Florence:
- mostly moderate focal lengths again 24, 35, 50mm, I don't see a need for ultrawides
- there is THE shot of the cathedral where you need a telephoto of at least 85mm and it also works very well with 135mm


In conclusion, I would bring the following from your set of lenses:
- Leica WATE, though it can probably stay in the hotel often
- Leica 24mm or CV28mm, depending on whether you bring the 35 or 40/50
- Zeiss 35mm or Minolta 40mm / CV 50mm
- CV 90mm
- Leica 180mm, but only bring it for some planned shots



Nov 25, 2021 at 02:51 AM
freaklikeme
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p.4 #16 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


I'd go 12, 24, 50, 90, 180. I wouldn't bring the 100-400 unless you're positive it will be useful. I never take anything that long if I'm not hiking. I'd also skip the WATE because the CV 12 is your new baby, and I'm thinking it's going to get more of a workout. Plus, you'll have the safety net of the tried and true 24. If I could change anything about that kit, I'd sub out the APO-Lanthar 50 for something fast and fun, like the 7Artisans 50/1.1. Assuming the 90 works out the way we hope, you'll have a strong kit, but adding in a fun, fast lens might push your creativity in dark spaces.

Just my two cents. I hope you enjoy your trip and happy shooting.



Nov 25, 2021 at 05:15 AM
naturephoto1
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p.4 #17 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


rscheffler wrote:
Sorry, I meant for when you're in transit with your family going to your next destination on the trip. Depending on how many places you plan to visit, you'll have to haul everything you brought with you. If you're using public transit, you'll be the one schlepping it rain or shine. You'll be handling a 27" suitcase along with the TT roller and your second carry-on bag. Anything other than smooth surfaces will become a PITA. Wondering if there's a way to ditch the TT roller in the first place?

Regarding the personal carry-on item. I've never experienced a situation where
...Show more

Hi Ron,

Here in lies my problem. I have to pack and carry my Leofoto ls-284c tripod that collapses to 17 1/2" alone or 18" with QR clamp in some way. It has to carried on-board in some way, or it has to be in the checked 27" hard sided rolling checked bag in the Think Tank telescoping Bazooka Tripod case. It could be carried on as my carry on in the Bazooka Tripod case. Otherwise I need to carry it onboard in a piece that fits the 45 dimensional inch restrictions. Also, the Think tank BackStory 13 Backpack basically fits the Personal Item requirements for United Airlines. But, I can not fit all of my camera gear and incidentals including batteries, chargers, filters and adapters, memory cards, tripod head, table top tripod, clamp, medications for a month and, sunglasses, cell phone, Computer Backup system with external HD, jacket, hat, etc. into that bag. I do have as mentioned the Mindshift Gear Backlight 26L and Backlight 18L Backpacks that I could use as my Carry on or packed in the checked 27" rolling suitcase. But, then I have 2 backpacks and still no way to carry the Leofoto tripod unless it is in the checked 27" rolling suitcase.

Additionally, at present I also have the Think Tank URBAN ACCESS™ 10 SLING BAG that I could take onto the plane or pack it in the rolling 27" suitcase. I am able to pack 2 Sony bodies with mounted lenses and 2 additional M-mount lenses in this bag.

https://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/urban-access-10-sling-bag

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0532/0233/products/a_0031_Urban-Access-Sling-10-Hero-Right-Gear-068.jpg

Again going this route there is still no option but to stow the tripod than in the checked bag.

I also know that we are struggling with the idea of carrying the Sony 100-400mm GM lens. Yes it is large and heavy. I could substitute the substantially smaller and lighter Leica R 180mm f3.4 Apo-Teyt or the Leica R 80-200mm f4 Vario Elmar lenses in my carry on bag. They are both not only substantially smaller but also substantially lighter than the Sony. But, here is the rub, I loose the extra focal length. But the A1 in particular at 50 MP gives substantial cropping capability. Not that the A7rIII or A7rII Kolari Vision UT sensor cameras have small cropping capabilities at 42 MP.

Still more things to consider are as mentioned using the Think Tank Belt which I intend to use, I have the mentioned Kinesis Gear M330 Multi Pouch and an older and larger Kinesis Gear pouch that can carry between them 2 cameras with lenses, and I believe 3 additional M-mount lenses.

So at this point, I am pretty settled on carrying 2 camera bodies, one of which is the A7rII Kolari Vision UT sensor modified camera used for WA M-mount lenses including the Voigtlander 28mm, the Leica M WATE as well as the Minolta 40mm M-Rokkor. The other camera body, either the A1 or the A7rIII would be expected to be used with the other lenses.

My lens kit at this point would be the Leica M WATE (though Brad [freaklike] me is now suggesting the Leica M 24mm f3.8 Asph and the Voigtlander 12mm f5.6 VM which would then also eliminate the Voigtlander 28mm f2 Ultron II), Voigtlander 28mm f2 Ultron II Asph VM, Voigtlander 50mm f2 Apo-Lanthar Asph, FE mount, and the Voigtlander 90mm f2.8 Apo-Skopar VM (unless people push me to substitute the Voigtlander 110mm f2.5 Macro Apo-Lanthar that is substantially larger and heavier). To those lenses I am almost positive that I would add the Minolta CLE MC 40mm f2 M-Rokkor because it is so tiny and light (I weighed it again this morning with Minolta caps, UV filter, and Heliopan collapsible lens hood at 5.2 oz). I am also leaning toward including the Voigtlander 12mm f5.6 Heliar III VM lens as well. The big question comes down to the long end of the equation with 3 possibilities for lenses that I presently own, the Leica 180mm f3.4 Apo Telyt, Leica 80-200mm f4 Vario-Elmar, or the Sony 100-400mm GM lenses.

freaklikeme wrote:
I'd go 12, 24, 50, 90, 180. I wouldn't bring the 100-400 unless you're positive it will be useful. I never take anything that long if I'm not hiking. I'd also skip the WATE because the CV 12 is your new baby, and I'm thinking it's going to get more of a workout. Plus, you'll have the safety net of the tried and true 24. If I could change anything about that kit, I'd sub out the APO-Lanthar 50 for something fast and fun, like the 7Artisans 50/1.1. Assuming the 90 works out the way we hope, you'll have a
...Show more

Thanks Brad. I am quite reluctant to take out the WATE as I believe that it will be used substantially more than the Voigtlander 12mm. The Voigtlander will certainly potentially create images that may be a bit more extreme and possibly more dramatic, but it is much much more difficult to control keeping the lines straight without some very interesting effects. Also, I have found that for a lot of landscape work because the lens is so wide that there is so much sky that I believe that I will need to use Grad filters more often than with the WATE which offers 3 focal lengths. As to using the Leica M 24mm f3.8 Asph, yes, it is a nice lens that will need to be used on the A7rII UT sensor modified camera and for best performance will need to be stopped down to f5.6 to f8. I am not sure how much difference I would see between f6.3 and f8 but that is minor. Also, going that route would knock out the new Voigtlander 28mm f2 Ultron II. As to the question of removing the Sony 100-400mm GM, you have suggested the Leica R 180mm f3.4 Apo-Telyt. But, I also have the Leica R 80-200mm f4 Vario Elmar. The zoom is more flexible, larger, and heavier than the 180mm f3.4 Apo-Telyt and not quite as sharp as the Apo-Telyt. Besides being a bit sharper, smaller, and lighter, the Apo-Telyt can load vertically in the Think Tank roller without the Novoflex Leica R to NEX adapter. For either the Apo-Telyt or the Vario-Elmar either with or without the Novoflex adapter the lenses must be laid on their side in any of the Mindshift Gear or Think Tank Photo Backpacks.

Rich



Edited on Nov 25, 2021 at 04:59 PM · View previous versions



Nov 25, 2021 at 05:37 AM
Frogfish
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p.4 #18 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


I have the Leofoto 284c. I don't see why you wouldn't check it No point carrying that in Hand Luggage.

As I said earlier - if you are going into the mountains (Dolomites) then the 100-400 is definitely the most useful lens I took. Aside from there I don't see a major use for it and a 135 / 80-200 or in your case the 180 might be more useful. I would think the flexibility of the 80-200 better than a fixed telephoto.

I love using an UWA in cities to get unique perspectives rather than just another of 1 million shots of the same subject. That said the WATE (3 focal lengths of prime IQ) can't be left behind. The 12mm is tiny though so surely you can find a place for both?



Nov 25, 2021 at 06:42 AM
IndyFab
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p.4 #19 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


Frogfish wrote:
I've looked at that before. It wouldn't suit me personally,a bit on the large side, but it looks great. There are others that are a bit smaller from Patagonia etc.


That's why I also mentioned Mountainsmith Day & Tour which are smaller



Nov 25, 2021 at 09:06 AM
Laslo Varadi
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p.4 #20 · Photo Equipment for a month long? trip to Italy


The new Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 lens.


Nov 25, 2021 at 09:42 AM
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