p.2 #1 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
Sharona wrote:
Just back from two weeks in Paris. I took the 100VI, plus an XT5, 35 1.4 and a borrowed Siggy 56 1.4. That's all you need. I could have made do with just the 35, and X100, honestly. I did bring the wide screw on for the 100VI, but I don't think I bothered to use it.
Edit - I may have taken my 18-55! I can't remember. I just know most of my photos were with the 35 1.4 and the X100VI. :-)
The only thing I'd add is hat if you plan to photograph in tight quarters and/or interiors, something a bit wider could be useful. That's why I carry the 14mm f/2.8.
The 18mm of that zoom could do the trick, though it could still feel a bit tight for me.
p.2 #2 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
Just take the x100, a trip with you and your wife doesn’t require the xt5 and lenses imo.
I went to Paris a few years ago and only took an X-E4 and the 27 pancake and it was perfect.
p.2 #3 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
Jack Flesher wrote:
As long as you’re in Bordeaux, do not miss visiting St Emillion just a few km to the east. It is a wonderful little medieval city full of great photography opportunities. 👍
Very much appreciate the recommendation, I'm putting St. Emillion on our itinerary.
Sharona wrote:
Just back from two weeks in Paris. I took the 100VI, plus an XT5, 35 1.4 and a borrowed Siggy 56 1.4. That's all you need. I could have made do with just the 35, and X100, honestly. I did bring the wide screw on for the 100VI, but I don't think I bothered to use it.
Edit - I may have taken my 18-55! I can't remember. I just know most of my photos were with the 35 1.4 and the X100VI. :-)
Keep it simple and enjoy your time in France.
The X100VI is locked in, now just down to figuring out if the X-T5 comes, and what lenses. My European travel experiences up to now have usually ended up with me resorting to a standard zoom after I get tired of being constrained to, and juggling, primes. I like the X100 for on-the-go shooting wile we're traipsing about the city, eating at cool restaurants, environmental portraits to document the experiences, etc, but there are times where I want to be doing creative work: night cityscapes, long exposures, early morning solo walks etc, and for that I really like a zoom. Additionally, the wife will invariably want to do some environmental portraits, and I while the X100 is more than capable, it's not my first choice for this endeavor, so either the 16-55 II and/or 35 1.4 will be along.
- 35 f/1.4: if the X-T5 comes, this lens comes. It's my all-time favorite
- 16-50 or 16-55 II: on the fence, but I'm leaning towards including one of these zooms. If the 16-55 II turns out to be another dud, the 16-50 will re-enter the bag.
- 60 f/2.4 isn't coming. While I absolutely love this lens for portraits, I don't see using it much on this trip.
- 18 f/2 isn't coming. My favorite lens for capturing up-close interactions around the home, but the X100 does better for out and about shooting.
So, just need to decide if I bring the X-T5 or not
p.2 #4 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
MatthewK wrote:
Very much appreciate the recommendation, I'm putting St. Emillion on our itinerary.
The X100VI is locked in, now just down to figuring out if the X-T5 comes, and what lenses. My European travel experiences up to now have usually ended up with me resorting to a standard zoom after I get tired of being constrained to, and juggling, primes. I like the X100 for on-the-go shooting wile we're traipsing about the city, eating at cool restaurants, environmental portraits to document the experiences, etc, but there are times where I want to be doing creative work: night cityscapes, long exposures, early morning solo walks etc, and for that I really like a zoom. Additionally, the wife will invariably want to do some environmental portraits, and I while the X100 is more than capable, it's not my first choice for this endeavor, so either the 16-55 II and/or 35 1.4 will be along.
- 35 f/1.4: if the X-T5 comes, this lens comes. It's my all-time favorite
- 16-50 or 16-55 II: on the fence, but I'm leaning towards including one of these zooms. If the 16-55 II turns out to be another dud, the 16-50 will re-enter the bag.
- 60 f/2.4 isn't coming. While I absolutely love this lens for portraits, I don't see using it much on this trip.
- 18 f/2 isn't coming. My favorite lens for capturing up-close interactions around the home, but the X100 does better for out and about shooting.
So, just need to decide if I bring the X-T5 or not ...Show more →
My strategy might have been a bit different.
I'd just take the XT5. Rather than also carrying the X100vi I would bring my 27mm f/2.8 (though the 23mm f/2 "Fujicron" or alternative could work, too) for the times when I want to keep the kit as minimal as possible. If I thought I wanted a zoom (rather than a few other primes) I'd add my 16-55 f/2.8 or your 16-50 alternative. One body, two lenses, done.
p.2 #5 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
gdanmitchell wrote:
My strategy might have been a bit different.
I'd just take the XT5. Rather than also carrying the X100vi I would bring my 27mm f/2.8 (though the 23mm f/2 "Fujicron" or alternative could work, too) for the times when I want to keep the kit as minimal as possible. If I thought I wanted a zoom (rather than a few other primes) I'd add my 16-55 f/2.8 or your 16-50 alternative. One body, two lenses, done.
In my case, it'd then be the 18 f/2 and 35 1.4... makes for a nice, small, easy kit with my favorite lenses. One camera might just be the way to go.
p.2 #6 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
Got the new 16-55 II, and am shooting around with it over the weekend to see how it performs, but so far it's MUCH better than the last unit, the difference was immediately noticeable right out of the box. Going to try and take it out of the house and walk around with it some to gauge if the size/weight is irritating. Like many photographers, I've shot with a lot of different lenses over the years since I got into this hobby, and this was the first time in which I've experienced a truly bad copy of something. With how it's looking now, I think if I go the zoom route it'll be the 16-55 II.
Another wrinkle has emerged: the wife is set on bringing her X100VI as well (yes, we have two in the house, but she's also a professional photog who has her own gear), so the idea now may turn into me just bringing the X-T5, and with the X100 potentially out, the 18 f/2 is back in:
p.2 #7 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
MatthewK wrote:
Got the new 16-55 II, and am shooting around with it over the weekend to see how it performs, but so far it's MUCH better than the last unit, the difference was immediately noticeable right out of the box. Going to try and take it out of the house and walk around with it some to gauge if the size/weight is irritating. Like many photographers, I've shot with a lot of different lenses over the years since I got into this hobby, and this was the first time in which I've experienced a truly bad copy of something. With how it's looking now, I think if I go the zoom route it'll be the 16-55 II.
Another wrinkle has emerged: the wife is set on bringing her X100VI as well (yes, we have two in the house, but she's also a professional photog who has her own gear), so the idea now may turn into me just bringing the X-T5, and with the X100 potentially out, the 18 f/2 is back in:
p.2 #9 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
There is no friendly competition with my wife, I try to make myself lose at anything competitive with her
I'm not surprised you find your new copy of the 16-55 much better. I replaced my 16-80 with it and it was kind of weird making the switch. The physical size was close to identical, even using the same filters. But after shooting for awhile, I realized that it is a small improvement in every way. Of course IQ but also a little faster and more accurate AF. In fact, it is probably the fastest focusing X mount lenses I have used. My f2's primes see very little use after getting the 16-55II as its so little gain in DOF, and I'm not sure any IQ. The 1.4's still see a place in my kit. Its hard for me to fault the 16-55II, it is close to the IQ of my Gfx 20-35 and 45-100 while running circles around them in terms of AF and size.
p.2 #10 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
35 1.4 on your xt5 for morning and evening. If you're not doing land scape I'd park the zoom. If you need wider for a memory use the phone. The x100 for daytime walk around. That's what I'd go with. I used to carry around a bag with everything but I've found the travel photos I stop to look at 5 years later were taken with the 35.
p.2 #11 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
I did a 10 day photo workshop in Paris almost 20 years ago. The instructor, Peter Turnley suggested we choose one lens for the entire workshop and stick with that. Since this was spring 2006 and I had my full frame then new Canon 5D (original) I chose the 35mm 1.4 and I was happy to have used that the entire 10 days though once it was over I moved to the 24 -70 or 24-105 for a couple of days.
A few years later in 2011 the original X100 was announced in January or February and I was looking forward to getting it especially for my upcoming photo workshop in Venice in May of that year. Then in March the Tsunami hit Japan delaying for the most part international release of the X100. I did manage to find one new from Japan on eBay and paid a little more but I did get it a few days before I left for Venice. I would go out with my DSLR and a few lenses during the day and in the evening I would just go out the X100 and I still love several of the photos I took with it.
Next month I am going to Maui where I have been many times and I am trying to travel light. I plan to bring the X-T50 18mm F2, 32mm Touit, 50mm f2 and 50-230 zoom for the occasion long shot and well as the X100VI and a GoPro 13 and Insta360 Ace Pro 2, plus iPhone 16 with waterproof case and tethered for the water where I spend a lot of time. I don't carry it all everywhere. I love to photograph sunrises and sunsets and this is actually a small kit for me to travel with but I think it will be fine.
p.2 #12 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
tgrantster wrote:
35 1.4 on your xt5 for morning and evening. If you're not doing land scape I'd park the zoom. If you need wider for a memory use the phone. The x100 for daytime walk around. That's what I'd go with. I used to carry around a bag with everything but I've found the travel photos I stop to look at 5 years later were taken with the 35.
The 351.4 is my all-time favorite lens, from any system, think I could probably do the whole trip with this lens, though at times the FOV feels a little narrow for urban walk-around.
treacle wrote:
I did a 10 day photo workshop in Paris almost 20 years ago. The instructor, Peter Turnley suggested we choose one lens for the entire workshop and stick with that. Since this was spring 2006 and I had my full frame then new Canon 5D (original) I chose the 35mm 1.4 and I was happy to have used that the entire 10 days though once it was over I moved to the 24 -70 or 24-105 for a couple of days.
A few years later in 2011 the original X100 was announced in January or February and I was looking forward to getting it especially for my upcoming photo workshop in Venice in May of that year. Then in March the Tsunami hit Japan delaying for the most part international release of the X100. I did manage to find one new from Japan on eBay and paid a little more but I did get it a few days before I left for Venice. I would go out with my DSLR and a few lenses during the day and in the evening I would just go out the X100 and I still love several of the photos I took with it.
Next month I am going to Maui where I have been many times and I am trying to travel light. I plan to bring the X-T50 18mm F2, 32mm Touit, 50mm f2 and 50-230 zoom for the occasion long shot and well as the X100VI and a GoPro 13 and Insta360 Ace Pro 2, plus iPhone 16 with waterproof case and tethered for the water where I spend a lot of time. I don't carry it all everywhere. I love to photograph sunrises and sunsets and this is actually a small kit for me to travel with but I think it will be fine....Show more →
EF 35 1.4L… classic! I shot Canon when I first started photography back in ‘07, and I absolutely loved the EF primes, and the 50 1.2 was my favorite lens for years. Fittingly, it was the aforementioned Fuji 35 1.4 that dethroned the 50L and prompted me to jump to Fuji.
I’d love to hear more about that workshop in Paris, and how the lead had you all pick & use just one lens. 10 days, that’s an eternity, bet it was an amazing experience though!
I took the X100VI out for dinner last night, and it’s just the perfect setup for such things. I’m back to just wanting to take it, and nothing else now.
p.2 #13 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
MatthewK wrote:
EF 35 1.4L… classic! I shot Canon when I first started photography back in ‘07, and I absolutely loved the EF primes, and the 50 1.2 was my favorite lens for years. Fittingly, it was the aforementioned Fuji 35 1.4 that dethroned the 50L and prompted me to jump to Fuji.
I’d love to hear more about that workshop in Paris, and how the lead had you all pick & use just one lens. 10 days, that’s an eternity, bet it was an amazing experience though!
I took the X100VI out for dinner last night, and it’s just the perfect setup for such things. I’m back to just wanting to take it, and nothing else now. ...Show more →
Peter Turnley still runs that workshop in Paris though I think now it is only 7 days he does several every year in May, September and over New Years as well as other workshops in Venice, New York and Cuba.
Shooting with one lens certainly made walking around Paris all day and evening for 2 weeks (because I arrived early and stayed on a few days too) much easier being light and small. At that time it was hard to go above 1600 ISO and not get a ton of noise so the EF 35mm 1.4 helped and it wasn't that big and heavy. Peter shoots Leica so his go to at the time was an M6 and 35mm or 50mm summicron I think.
I like the 35mm field of view and prefer it to 28mm or 50mm as a normal lens. Since 23mm is the APSC equivalent of the 35mm I do have the Fujifilm 23mm 1.4 but compared to most of my other Fuji primes it is much bigger and heavier and between the image stabilization of modern cameras and the fact that you can shoot at high ISO if needed I don't use it much. I also have the 23mm 2.8 on order with the X-E5 body. I currently have the X-T50, 18mm f2, 32mm touit, 50mm f2 and the 50-230 in a small sling bag and though I wouldn't carry it around all at once it's amazing that it all fits in there. Then there's the X100VI for really going light and small.
p.2 #14 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
treacle wrote:
Shooting with one lens certainly made walking around Paris all day and evening for 2 weeks (because I arrived early and stayed on a few days too) much easier being light and small. At that time it was hard to go above 1600 ISO and not get a ton of noise so the EF 35mm 1.4 helped and it wasn't that big and heavy. Peter shoots Leica so his go to at the time was an M6 and 35mm or 50mm summicron I think.
I also generally prefer to shoot go around with a single small lens on my camera what shooting street in Paris or places like it. There’s a sort o fast and light feeling about working this way, and eventually you learn to “see with the lens you have on the camera” most of the time. Two slight differences though…
1. I happen to like the 27mm focal length on Fujifilm APS-C. It sort of splits the difference between equivalent of he old-school full-frame “normal” 50mm-ish lens and the wider 23mm and similar lenses. Fujifilm’s version is also extremely small and a quite good lens.
2. Even though I do the great majorly of my street/travel photography with that lens, there are situations where I want/need something else. So I usually carry a 14mm f/2.8 and/or the 50mm f/2 and pull them out for a few shots when necessary.
I like the 35mm field of view and prefer it to 28mm or 50mm as a normal lens. Since 23mm is the APSC equivalent of the 35mm I do have the Fujifilm 23mm 1.4 but compared to most of my other Fuji primes it is much bigger and heavier and between the image stabilization of modern cameras and the fact that you can shoot at high ISO if needed I don't use it much. I also have the 23mm 2.8 on order with the X-E5 body. I currently have the X-T50, 18mm f2, 32mm touit, 50mm f2 and the 50-230 in a small sling bag and though I wouldn't carry it around all at once it's amazing that it all fits in there. Then there's the X100VI for really going light and small....Show more →
I think my experience is somewhat similar to yours. Some years back I usually went out with the 35mm f/1.4 and the 23mm f/1.4 (and the 14mm f/2.8). While the 35mm is quite small for a f/1.4 lens, the 23mm is quite a bit larger. I like the 23mm lens a lot, and I made good use of it in low light and night photography situations, but over time I realized that I rarely need f/1.4 in urban shooting, and I now do the low light stuff with the 27mm f/2.8. With that in mind, assuming tha the new 23mm f/2.8 is of at least equal IQ, it should be a good option for those who prefer something just a bit wider.
p.2 #15 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
I've always professed to being a 50mm guy, but once I get out on the street or travel, 50mm begins to feel a little restrictive, so I end up preferring 35mm more.
Leaving for the trip tomorrow, and I think I'm set on the X-T5 + 16-55 II, and the X100VI. We have a family beach trip for a few days before the wife and I gallivant off to Paris without the kids, so the 16-55 will be clutch for that leg of the journey. Then in Paris, intend on relying on X100VI for most days, and the zoom kit coming out when I want to do any sort of cityscape or portrait shooting. The purist part of me is scoffing, disgusted because I'm not brining my primes, but the practical traveler in me knows this is a great setup that won't leave me wanting.
You know what this thread is missing? Bag talk
For the X100VI, I have the Bellroy Venture Ready 2.5L sling, a perfect size for just the camera, phone and some sunglasses. Very minimal and sleek, but it it's nowhere close to fitting the X-T5, so I snagged a Peak Design Everyday 3L this past weekend. It's tight, but you can fit the X-T5 + 16-55 II w/ hood if tilted on its side, or if you reverse hood it can sit upright and you can fit the X100VI or another small 35 f/1.4-sized lens in the remaining space. It's a perfect minimalist setup, prevents you from carrying more than you should
p.2 #16 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
MatthewK wrote:
I've always professed to being a 50mm guy, but once I get out on the street or travel, 50mm begins to feel a little restrictive, so I end up preferring 35mm more.
Leaving for the trip tomorrow, and I think I'm set on the X-T5 + 16-55 II, and the X100VI. We have a family beach trip for a few days before the wife and I gallivant off to Paris without the kids, so the 16-55 will be clutch for that leg of the journey. Then in Paris, intend on relying on X100VI for most days, and the zoom kit coming out when I want to do any sort of cityscape or portrait shooting. The purist part of me is scoffing, disgusted because I'm not brining my primes, but the practical traveler in me knows this is a great setup that won't leave me wanting.
You know what this thread is missing? Bag talk
For the X100VI, I have the Bellroy Venture Ready 2.5L sling, a perfect size for just the camera, phone and some sunglasses. Very minimal and sleek, but it it's nowhere close to fitting the X-T5, so I snagged a Peak Design Everyday 3L this past weekend. It's tight, but you can fit the X-T5 + 16-55 II w/ hood if tilted on its side, or if you reverse hood it can sit upright and you can fit the X100VI or another small 35 f/1.4-sized lens in the remaining space. It's a perfect minimalist setup, prevents you from carrying more than you should
I have several of the PD bags... and that 3L bag is quite small.
For travel these days I use a PacSafe should bag that doesn't look like a camera bag. I prefer, also, to b able to fit a few other important thing sin the bag along with the camera — wallet, passport, phone, sunglasses, etc. And with all that stuff fin there, the extra security features of the PacSafe (or other brand alternative) Appel to me.
p.2 #17 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
Oh, don't get me started talking about camera bags...I must have 50 if not 75 camera bags. I did mention my sling bag that I currently have the X-T50, 18mm F2, 32mm Touit, 50mm F2 and the 50-230 in, it's a Pelican AEGIS Sx5 Access Sling. When I travel especially in Europe I have a PacSafe waist pack that they don't make anymore (I've probably had mine for 15 years) but it is large enough to carry the X100 or the X-T50 with a small lens and another small lens too and still have room for my iPhone, a memory card wallet and other stuff too.
p.2 #18 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
Ah bags…. There is no ideal travel solution. I know, I’ve been looking for 50 years. 😎 I currently use two systems I like a lot. First is a Domke Journalist J801 satchel bag which is bigger than the regular 801. The other is a technical day pack.
In the Domke I can get 2 XH2 bodies, one with 16-55 attached and the other with either the 10-24 or the Tamron 11-20, plus have just enough room for the 70-300 and a small prime. Pockets hold extra batteries and wrist straps. I generally carry this more relaxed with one of the cameras over my shoulder instead of inside the bag. At lunch the camera goes into the bag and the bag strap around my leg to avoid a snatch and run scenario. This satchel packs flat in my luggage and cameras travel with me in one of the packs below:
My day pack choice is either my Mystery Ranch “2-day” or Eberelstock “Switchblade.” The MR is a little larger and has a tri-zip entry for easy access; the EBS is a bit slimmer, less aggressive looking top to side loader. Both will hold the cameras and lenses above, plus a lot of extras like rain gear and light weight jacket, but here I wrap the cameras and lenses in padded self-stick wraps. I use the Pygtech wraps and like them a lot.
p.2 #20 · Upcoming trip to Paris: what am I bringing?
Jack Flesher wrote:
Ah bags…. There is no ideal travel solution. I know, I’ve been looking for 50 years...
I agree. The setup I use works for me, but it isn't perfect. It is excellent on the security front, fine on the carry front, but not as good s I'd like on the "fitting the camera and gear in the bag" front.
I've travelled with various PD Sling bags in the past, and they work pretty well. They have a _little_ bit of extra security, with nothing like the PD bags, and in order to get one large enough to swallow my iPad Pro (which fits into my PacSafe bag) you have to get one that is larger than I need.
I suspect that my ideal might be a slightly deeper version of the 6L PD bag that (I think) I have, but with some added security features — a more secure shoulder strap, some catchable closures, and easy ways to lock all the zippers.
Also, for the person commenting on bag discussions, they follow pretty directly from the lens choice discussion. In fact, as a photographer who travels, I'd say that they are almost different facets of the same questions.
