What Should I Take?

[Greg7579]

I was recently in India for a few weeks. I took one FF camera and two lenses plus a smartphone and I did not feel deprived in any way. The GFX stayed at home. Most pix would likely have been just as good on smaller, lighter gear like Fuji X or M43 - available light was rarely an issue - and next time I might try those. There were plenty of occasions too when a smartphone was the right thing to use.

It’s all about experiences and for me that means travelling light and not having to worry about weighty, sweaty backpacks.

I hope you have a super time. You’re going to some of my favourite places. But in my experience, much more than one camera and a couple of lenses just gets in the way and spoils the adventure. Bon voyage!

PS: Back in the day, in the 80s and 90s, I did quite a bit of travelling with a Nikon FE/FE2 and three lenses - 28mm, 50mm and 135mm. The classic combo. Still feel that’s the best travel kit I’ve ever had.

Thanks,

People are always telling me to leave my gear at home (which is not why I bought it).

Remember, my gear stays in the apartment, hotel or resort at wherever I am basing out of for that part of the trip. When I go out to shoot locally walking around, I just take the GFX camera around my neck and a small canvas Domke 803 shoulder bag with one extra lens. Or, I just go out with the Q3. When driving around in the rental car, I throw all of my gear in the car and take it all out that day.

When I hike, I take only the Q3.

I don't hump around with three camera bodies and 6 GF lenses when out shooting. I only do that on the airplanes to get to Europe (or wherever).

In that case, if you are OK to put your gear in checked luggage, why don't you buy a something like https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/air/1595, take a insurance and put every gear you got inside this case ?

It's almost indestructible, you can put padlock (even some big one) on each side, and if you look the construction you will immediatly understand it's not something you can open quickly with some small knife.

I never use it for camera but I have college who use them for shipment scientific equipment (very very expensive). And never got any issue.

Who need to use the foam inside and cut it to put the camera and all the lenses inside.

Some model got a trolley so you not going to suffer the weight.

Z

Thats my case! The Pelican 1615 Air WD Wheeled Hard Case with Photography Padded Divider Insert.

I drove 7,000 miles this past Fall all over the SE US with 8 GF lenses, 3 cameras, and lots of other stuff in it. I figured that case was holding about 45,000 dollars' worth of gear. I rolled it into the hotel room every night. Drove and shot all day for 8 weeks.

I could check it, but I'm not going to.

Here is one night unloading the case in North Carolina in the room....



--
Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139148982@N02/albums

 

[M Kitzman]

Hi Greg,

Late April I will be heading to Naples and short jaunt to Zermatt for a friend’s 60th. I’ll take 50r, 100-200 x1.4 and 32-64. Very light tripod and I will not be bringing a high fatigue factor and hugh anxiety for camera equipment that grows legs and walks off.

Naples is my home town and you don’t want to leave any equipment in your car, or as they in Naples, you’ll come back and find double the equipment.

Also, count on Spring showers and Ischia has been having big mudslides. Ischia is not known for great photographic vistas, enjoy the baths. Amalfi and Capri are photographic gold mines.

Unless you have a porter, my recommendation is scale back. Most of all enjoy the good, Naples will add a few more pounds to your equipment (body). Enjoy

See Sansevero Chapel Veiled Christ. The Count also found a way to preserve the arterial system and in a cabinet where his maid and butler lived, a lovely couple, showed just their skeletons and arteries and veins.. The butler’s heart looked fake to me 50 years ago, but I now realized it was just enlarged. Not sure if the couple is still there, there having trouble holding it together.

 

[Gandolphi]

would there be more room in the car if you left your better half at home?

Greg7579 wrote:

Thanks,

People are always telling me to leave my gear at home (which is not why I bought it).

 

[Gandolphi]

I have to admit, I look at your store of equipment and wonder why. I am feeling guilty for packing two lenses for my upcoming jaunt around Japan. I think, if I felt I needed such a wide range of focal lengths, it would be my Fuji XT-5 plus the 8-16, 16-55 and the 55-135 zooms.

But

I base my lens (and camera) choices on personal preference and past experience as do you and I am sure your holiday will be successful and pleasurable because that.

Enjoy.

I was recently in India for a few weeks. I took one FF camera and two lenses plus a smartphone and I did not feel deprived in any way. The GFX stayed at home. Most pix would likely have been just as good on smaller, lighter gear like Fuji X or M43 - available light was rarely an issue - and next time I might try those. There were plenty of occasions too when a smartphone was the right thing to use.

It’s all about experiences and for me that means travelling light and not having to worry about weighty, sweaty backpacks.

I hope you have a super time. You’re going to some of my favourite places. But in my experience, much more than one camera and a couple of lenses just gets in the way and spoils the adventure. Bon voyage!

PS: Back in the day, in the 80s and 90s, I did quite a bit of travelling with a Nikon FE/FE2 and three lenses - 28mm, 50mm and 135mm. The classic combo. Still feel that’s the best travel kit I’ve ever had.

Thanks,

People are always telling me to leave my gear at home (which is not why I bought it).

Remember, my gear stays in the apartment, hotel or resort at wherever I am basing out of for that part of the trip. When I go out to shoot locally walking around, I just take the GFX camera around my neck and a small canvas Domke 803 shoulder bag with one extra lens. Or, I just go out with the Q3. When driving around in the rental car, I throw all of my gear in the car and take it all out that day.

When I hike, I take only the Q3.

I don't hump around with three camera bodies and 6 GF lenses when out shooting. I only do that on the airplanes to get to Europe (or wherever).

In that case, if you are OK to put your gear in checked luggage, why don't you buy a something like https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/air/1595, take a insurance and put every gear you got inside this case ?

It's almost indestructible, you can put padlock (even some big one) on each side, and if you look the construction you will immediatly understand it's not something you can open quickly with some small knife.

I never use it for camera but I have college who use them for shipment scientific equipment (very very expensive). And never got any issue.

Who need to use the foam inside and cut it to put the camera and all the lenses inside.

Some model got a trolley so you not going to suffer the weight.

Z

Thats my case! The Pelican 1615 Air WD Wheeled Hard Case with Photography Padded Divider Insert.

I drove 7,000 miles this past Fall all over the SE US with 8 GF lenses, 3 cameras, and lots of other stuff in it. I figured that case was holding about 45,000 dollars' worth of gear. I rolled it into the hotel room every night. Drove and shot all day for 8 weeks.

I could check it, but I'm not going to.

Here is one night unloading the case in North Carolina in the room....

 

[brick33308]

I knew when I wrote this that someone would suggest going minimalist and to take only the Q3 and / or the 100 II with one or two lenses.

I get that and it makes a lot of sense. In fact, I have done that.

yup, were I going on that trip, I'd only take my Leica M10 (or the Q3 before I sold it). Why? Because I'm really only into street photography and already went on a 10 day trip to NZ schlepping 20 pounds of gear including tripod. BUT, I'm not you. So from what I've gleaned over the years from your posts, my recommendation is your Q3 plus your most current GFX (not the IR version), a lightweight tripod sturdy enough to accommodate your cam and heaviest lens (I brought the Ulanzi & Coman to NZ and it was fine for my A7RV), and 2 lenses - your widest angle, and then a mid range for street work. You could bring your 110 or longer but I wonder how much you'd use it and if you'd miss much without it.

--
https://brick.smugmug.com/Irwin-Photostream/IJF-Photostream/

 

[brick33308]

Sir,

I read your post two times before I decided to respond. Because you have been to Italy many times I assume you already have awesome photos.

Is the q3 the Leica q3? If so, take that and a small tripod and leave everything else at home. If it breaks you will have your smart phone or another small camera you sneak into your back. I bet you will return with the best photos you've ever taken on vacation.

Leica Q3.

People are always telling me to leave my gear at home (which is not why I bought it).

On an above post in this thread, I talked about how I shot in Rome and Sicily for 7 weeks with nothing but the Leica Q2. I posted a thousand Q2 sots on 15 albums in May of 2022 while I was travelling. You can go to my Album page and go back about 30 albums, and you will see the Q2 Sicily May 2022 albums - nothing but Q2 shots.

It was nice to get on the plane with nothing but the little Q2, but once I got there and was in the rental car I wanted my gear.

And remember, my gear stays in the apartment, hotel or resort at wherever I am basing out of for that part of the trip. When I go out to shoot locally walking around, I just take the camera around my neck and a small canvas Domke 803 shoulder bag with an extra lens. When driving around, I throw my gear in the car and take it all.

When I hike, I take just the Q3. I don't hump around with three camera bodies and 6 GF lenses.

I'm curious. Assuming you take the Q3 plus a bunch of GFX gear, what would be your reasoning/motivation to go out one day with only the Q3 leaving the GFX gear in your room?

 

[zorgtool]

People are always telling me to leave my gear at home (which is not why I bought it).

Remember, my gear stays in the apartment, hotel or resort at wherever I am basing out of for that part of the trip. When I go out to shoot locally walking around, I just take the GFX camera around my neck and a small canvas Domke 803 shoulder bag with one extra lens. Or, I just go out with the Q3. When driving around in the rental car, I throw all of my gear in the car and take it all out that day.

When I hike, I take only the Q3.

I don't hump around with three camera bodies and 6 GF lenses when out shooting. I only do that on the airplanes to get to Europe (or wherever).

And you trust the hotel with your 40 000 $ photo equipment ? I will not for sure...

Z

 

[Rodenmg]

People are always telling me to leave my gear at home (which is not why I bought it).

Remember, my gear stays in the apartment, hotel or resort at wherever I am basing out of for that part of the trip. When I go out to shoot locally walking around, I just take the GFX camera around my neck and a small canvas Domke 803 shoulder bag with one extra lens. Or, I just go out with the Q3. When driving around in the rental car, I throw all of my gear in the car and take it all out that day.

When I hike, I take only the Q3.

I don't hump around with three camera bodies and 6 GF lenses when out shooting. I only do that on the airplanes to get to Europe (or wherever).

And you trust the hotel with your 40 000 $ photo equipment ? I will not for sure...

Z

I seriously doubt Greg stays at the Motel 6.

 

[Greg7579]

People are always telling me to leave my gear at home (which is not why I bought it).

Remember, my gear stays in the apartment, hotel or resort at wherever I am basing out of for that part of the trip. When I go out to shoot locally walking around, I just take the GFX camera around my neck and a small canvas Domke 803 shoulder bag with one extra lens. Or, I just go out with the Q3. When driving around in the rental car, I throw all of my gear in the car and take it all out that day.

When I hike, I take only the Q3.

I don't hump around with three camera bodies and 6 GF lenses when out shooting. I only do that on the airplanes to get to Europe (or wherever).

And you trust the hotel with your 40 000 $ photo equipment ? I will not for sure...

Z

There is risk involved in traveling with expensive photo gear, but so far (knock on wood) I've been lucky. They can get me on the street, they can steal it from the hotel, or they can break into the car if a have some gear in the trunk.

 

[Greg7579]

Hi Greg,

Late April I will be heading to Naples and short jaunt to Zermatt for a friend’s 60th. I’ll take 50r, 100-200 x1.4 and 32-64. Very light tripod and I will not be bringing a high fatigue factor and hugh anxiety for camera equipment that grows legs and walks off.

Naples is my home town and you don’t want to leave any equipment in your car, or as they in Naples, you’ll come back and find double the equipment.

Also, count on Spring showers and Ischia has been having big mudslides. Ischia is not known for great photographic vistas, enjoy the baths. Amalfi and Capri are photographic gold mines.

Unless you have a porter, my recommendation is scale back. Most of all enjoy the good, Naples will add a few more pounds to your equipment (body). Enjoy

See Sansevero Chapel Veiled Christ. The Count also found a way to preserve the arterial system and in a cabinet where his maid and butler lived, a lovely couple, showed just their skeletons and arteries and veins.. The butler’s heart looked fake to me 50 years ago, but I now realized it was just enlarged. Not sure if the couple is still there, there having trouble holding it together.

Thanks for the tips. We were last in 4 years ago for a week. We won't have a car in Naples and will be in an apartment. When I'm walking around, I'll have a camera and maybe one other lens and try to be careful.

Do you think we should venture over to Ishia? We were in Capri 5 days about 3 years ago and drove up and down the Amalfi coast a bunch.... Might again this trip.

 

[darinb]

I have not read this surprisingly lengthy thread. So there.

My advice:

First, remember the rule. No selfies. We talked about that.

Two, of course you might bring a ton of gear but you won't be *carrying* all of it all at once. Of course, in that earlier thread where you did post a selfie, I believe, before I averted my eyes, that you were *loaded down" with multiple cameras and--did I see this correctly?--multiple tripods??

Three: You listed the 20-35, 35-70, 45-100, 100-200 and 45 in an earlier post. Why the 45?

Four: That 250 is calling to you like Sauron calling to Elesar via the Ring of Power at the breaking of the Fellowship. Don't give in, be strong. It's the ultimate test of your character.

Five: You know that the 250 is a truly extraordinary lens. But it's so heavy. But it is such a great lens...don't they have burros for hire in Italy?

Six: Good god, buy a Fuji 100vi and the two adapter lenses and be done with it.

Seven: Carry the Fuji x100vi around your neck during your every waking hour, along with (at the same time) two GFX bodies and the lenses and the tripods. The x100vi is for candid shots.

Eight: You will be gone a while. Is there a way to sneak that hi-res monitor into your luggage?

Nine: Apple Vision Pro. To many problems the solution is "Apple Vision Pro," albeit version 2 or 3 of Apple Vision Pro.

Ten: Remember--and this is important. No selfies.

--Darin

 

[M Kitzman]

Hi Greg, good to hear that you are aware of needing to protect your gear. Ischia has a scenic port but as for the rest of the Island to me it is a big clump of dirt. None of the rock cliffs of Amalfi and Capri. Tiberius chose Capri and not Ischia as well as great artists and rich and famous. Ischia has the thermal baths which is a big draw for many. Mudslides in Ischia Werner in 2022, none recently

Axel Munthe villa in Anacapri has an interesting history. Villa Rufolo on the Amalfi coast. Then there is always Paestum for Ancient Greek temples not too far from Amalfi coast.



I'm sure you already have been to the Museo Nazionale in Naples that houses most of the artifacts of Pompeii. Splendido.



Hope you have a great trip.

 

[Greg7579]

Hi Greg, good to hear that you are aware of needing to protect your gear. Ischia has a scenic port but as for the rest of the Island to me it is a big clump of dirt. None of the rock cliffs of Amalfi and Capri. Tiberius chose Capri and not Ischia as well as great artists and rich and famous. Ischia has the thermal baths which is a big draw for many. Mudslides in Ischia Werner in 2022, none recently

Axel Munthe villa in Anacapri has an interesting history. Villa Rufolo on the Amalfi coast. Then there is always Paestum for Ancient Greek temples not too far from Amalfi coast.

I'm sure you already have been to the Museo Nazionale in Naples that houses most of the artifacts of Pompeii. Splendido.

Hope you have a great trip.

Thanks!

Ischia is off the list.

We might go to Capri again. I have been to all the other places you mentioned, but as you know, Italy would take 5 lifetimes to see everything of interest and then you would want to spend 5 more lifetimes seeing it all again (eat the food and drink the wine).

That's why we keep going back there when we could go anywhere.

 

[themediocreenthusiast]

I'm so confused and torn. I need help.... I don't know what to do.... LOL. I know exactly what I want to do to the 85% level, but I wanted to share some thoughts and ask what you would do and use.

A week from today Teresa and I get on a plane in San Antonio and fly to Dallas and then direct to Rome. I rented an apartment for 11 days a block off of Campo di Fiori. I love Rome and know most every inch of it. The sites, food, wine, museums, walks, architecture, Vatican, forums, medieval streets.... I love it all and most Americans just go there for 2 nights on their Italy tours and usually go when it is burning hot. Teresa and I walk around Rome all day every day in the nice cool Spring weather, and I shoot. We do it for fun.

Then we plan to hop in a taxi, go to Termini Station and take the fast train to Napoli. I rented an apartment right in the middle of the old town for 6 nights. We get off the train and take a taxi to the apartment. Then we walk around Naples and shoot and eat and experience that awesome scene.

Then we take a taxi to the ferry terminal and hop on the ferry to Ischia where we pick up a rental car and hang around that beautiful island for 4 days. We stay in the main town and explore the island. Or maybe we don't rent a car and I just take taxis around the island. Not sure yet.

Then we Ferry back to Naples and I rent a car and we drive around Italy for a few weeks. North to Tuscany or South to the boot and maybe Sicily again. If we get bored, I'll turn in the car and fly somewhere like Zagreb or Vienna, or maybe to Rodos or Sevilla. Somewhere in the Med. We plan to be gone just under 3 months.

I told you all of this so you could get a feel for how we flow so I can get some thoughts on gear. We have a pretty big load but can walk at least a half a mile with it if we have to. Teresa and I each have a mid-size suitcase on wheels that check on flights and pull while walking. We each have a Peak Design Everyday Backpack on our backs. Mine is the big Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L and Teresa's is the smaller 20L. Those are beautiful backpacks that are great for carrying camera gear and other stuff on planes and trains, and we use them for day hiking on these trips too. I also carry on the plane a Peak Design Everyday Messenger 15-inch on my shoulder. So here is how we do it:

Peak Design Everyday Backpack V2 30L (on my back): 4 GF lenses: 100-200, 20-35, 45-100 and 45. Dell XPS 15.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack V2 20L (on Teresa's back): GF 35-70 with the IR Converted GFX 100s body.

Peak Design Everyday Messenger V2 15 inch (on my shoulder). GFX 100 II Body, Q3, batteries, Tablet)

In the checked suitcase I put the RRS 24 TFC Mk II Tripod w BH-40 Ball Head.

Here is the thing: Once we get there, it is great to have all of that equipment, meaning you have to get on the flight with it. I can do that and have many times. Once we are there, it's taxis to apartments or hotels and we can base out of that. I don't have to move around much carrying everything. It's from base to base, and of course, once I'm in the rental car it doesn't matter how much we have.

That is two GFX camera bodies, the Q3, 5 GF lenses, laptop and the RRS Tripod.

The questions is.... I want that 250 badly. But it's just too much. I could do it.... But I think not on this trip.

I could throw in the 30 or the 120. I don't want the 110 really. The 120 would allow me some flower tripod shots and some nice landscapes at 120, but I have the 100-200.

I am not going to get the 30TS in time or I would add it to the load.

To sum it up, I'm for sure bringing those 5 GF lenses: 20-35, 35-70, 45-100, 100-200 & 45.

I could put a 6th lens in my suitcase - just stuff it in with the clothes and take a chance. It could be the 30, 50, 120, or 110, but not the 23 (the 20-35 kills it) or the 250 (I want it though).

Thanks....

 

[zorgtool]

People are always telling me to leave my gear at home (which is not why I bought it).

Remember, my gear stays in the apartment, hotel or resort at wherever I am basing out of for that part of the trip. When I go out to shoot locally walking around, I just take the GFX camera around my neck and a small canvas Domke 803 shoulder bag with one extra lens. Or, I just go out with the Q3. When driving around in the rental car, I throw all of my gear in the car and take it all out that day.

When I hike, I take only the Q3.

I don't hump around with three camera bodies and 6 GF lenses when out shooting. I only do that on the airplanes to get to Europe (or wherever).

And you trust the hotel with your 40 000 $ photo equipment ? I will not for sure...

Z

I seriously doubt Greg stays at the Motel 6.

Me too .

But I'm not even sure they are big difference about thieves ? Without any statistic I would not say they are more thieves in cheap hotel than expensive one. After all they are much more thing to take from the guest in expensive room than cheap one

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/tom-cruise-bmw-thieves-never-24672540

I'll agree with you if you forget a 10 000$ camera on the table of the diner room they are more chance you get it back in the expensive hotel than a cheap one. But active thieves...

Z

 

[Greg7579]

I have not read this surprisingly lengthy thread. So there.

My advice:

First, remember the rule. No selfies. We talked about that.

Two, of course you might bring a ton of gear but you won't be *carrying* all of it all at once. Of course, in that earlier thread where you did post a selfie, I believe, before I averted my eyes, that you were *loaded down" with multiple cameras and--did I see this correctly?--multiple tripods??

Three: You listed the 20-35, 35-70, 45-100, 100-200 and 45 in an earlier post. Why the 45?

I always take the 45. I have 45 covered for day walking around with the 45-100 and the 35-70, but sometimes I just go out with the 45. I also like the F 2.8 for indoor museum and church shots.

Four: That 250 is calling to you like Sauron calling to Elesar via the Ring of Power at the breaking of the Fellowship. Don't give in, be strong. It's the ultimate test of your character.

I'm thinking about it. But I probably won't.

Five: You know that the 250 is a truly extraordinary lens. But it's so heavy. But it is such a great lens...don't they have burros for hire in Italy?

Six: Good god, buy a Fuji 100vi and the two adapter lenses and be done with it.

I have a Q3 for that.

Seven: Carry the Fuji x100vi around your neck during your every waking hour, along with (at the same time) two GFX bodies and the lenses and the tripods. The x100vi is for candid shots.

Eight: You will be gone a while. Is there a way to sneak that hi-res monitor into your luggage?

Nine: Apple Vision Pro. To many problems the solution is "Apple Vision Pro," albeit version 2 or 3 of Apple Vision Pro.

Ten: Remember--and this is important. No selfies.

I thought you said I was a good lookin' guy? Haha.

 

[Greg7579]

Several responses about theft possibilities. Yes, there is always that possibility.

I sometimes leave some gear in the car trunk when we are out driving around all day and I walk around a town our village with just part of the gear I brought in the car that day. The real danger is when we are changing locations or towns, and all my gear is in the car, and we stop somewhere.

Every day the entire trip, I will leave gear in the hotel or apartment. There is no avoiding that. I Rome and Naples I have an apartment with a strong door and in a locked building, but anything is possible.

In hotels, I always leave gear and my laptop in the room every day. So far, so good. I've done that for years and been lucky so far.

On the street? I've been "mugged" twice in my life on bag snatches - both times in Barcelona. Once in 1985 and the last time about ten years ago. Ten years ago some metro thieves surrounded me and tried to grab my camera pack off my back. The undercover cops were following me and stopped it by blowing a whistle and the team of 4 young men surrendered immediately. I walked with them to the police station. It was amazing.

I think there is less risk now than before because cameras are less attractive than before. No one wants them. LOL. Actually, that is sort of true.

 

[brick33308]

I think there is less risk now than before because cameras are less attractive than before. No one wants them. LOL. Actually, that is sort of true.

except for Leicas



--

IJF Photostream - Irwin

This gallery hosted by SmugMug; your photos look better here.

brick.smugmug.com

 

[Rodenmg]

If traveling with a Leica I would definitely put a piece of electrical tape over the big red “please steal me” dot.!

 

[Greg7579]

If traveling with a Leica I would definitely put a piece of electrical tape over the big red “please steal me” dot.!

There have been a lot of threads on that "cover the dot" topic in the Leica forum over the years. Few people do that anymore. Very few people outside our small surviving photography community know what the Red Dot is,

Thieves don't. They are clueless.