Take an RB on vacation?

<p>Planning a trip to Cancun/Tulum next month and debating whether to bring along "the big camera" or not. We're flying, and bringing our 2-year-old, so there'll be other stuff to carry as well, but I just love shooting with the Mamiya and hate to think of the shots I'd miss by leaving it behind.</p>

<p>And really, if I take off the grip, use the waist-level finder instead of the prism, go monopod instead of tripod and decide between the 65mm and the 127, it's not *that* huge, right? Or should I be more worried about dings and jostles from the rigors of air travel?</p>

<p>I took a Hasselblad 500 cm to Europe one time and really regretted it. It was just too heavy. I ended up leaving lenses in my room, but the film was a pain as well. I would find a smaller camera. I ended up taking a Leica on my next trip, and it was much better.</p>

<p>I vote mono pod and both viewfinders and lens..... You don't actually have to carry everything at the same time. It will give you a choice.</p>

<p>Take the RB! I always take mine even when travelling with a Tachihara 8x10 set up. It is not always possible to use the big camera (rainy days, hurricanes, etc) and the little Mamiya RB 67 makes pictures as good as rollfilm can deliver.</p>

<p>I have gone to Cancun, Tulum, Isle Mujeres and Cozumel many, many times. Don't take the RB which I have by the way. Except for 1 trip when I took both a Rollie TLR and Leica M equipment, I have always taken the small Leica M and 3 lens. The RB is just too big and it will be diffficult to keep clean in the sandy windy conditions. If you want medium format go Rollei tlr which is actually a small camera. otherwis go small film or small digital.</p><div></div>

<p>I agree with Michael. If the 500cm was a pain, I am sure I'd be frustrated as all get out with my RZ67! It's way too big and bulky, and you're going to have to make sacrifices one way or another. There will be situations where you'll have to decide whether you're there to enjoy it, or you're there to photograph it.<br>

If you do decide to take it though, the RB has more than enough ruggedness to handle a flight!</p>

<p>Hi Colin,<br>

As a proud owner of 2 RB's (I love these cameras) DON"T take it along. You will enjoy your trip with your family much more. You think your two year old can be a handfull, think of your RB as "your other kid". Take everyone's advice, digital or much smaller film camera..Rollei, Yashicamat, etc...Enjoy your trip and post pics when you return!<br>

Mark</p>

<p>Will you be paying for luggage weight on the plane? Something to consider. I took my RB and tripod to Alaska on a cruise where it was conveniently access from my cabin. I also took it to Maine and Yosemite, the last two I was driving after flying in so the camera was ready on it's tripod but laying in the empty back seat ready for off the road shots. I also took a regular 35mm camera for "snapshots" of the trip, a definite requirement. But no kids and my wife is very patient with my hobbies for the most part. Not sure I'd do it with kids due to all the distractions but everyone gets different mileage.</p>

<p>With a wife and a two-year-old?! I would not want to bring an RB-67 across town, much less to Mexico, with that entourage. Also, if you aren't using a sturdy tripod for most of your shots, you're probably giving up a lot of what 6x7 has to offer. IMOPO, an amateur-sized DSLR and a couple of lenses is the maximum to take on vacation, and that's when driving. For a fly-there family vacation, it would be a compact digicam or else something like a micro-four-thirds or Sony NEX system.</p>

 

<p>Just for fun I took my RZ on past weekend for a short hike. Unless you were looking for specific results, I`d not take this camera for that task... waist level finder& monopod, a kid... it`s sheer madness.</p>

 

<p>I don't think I'd take my RB on holiday. I've been to Mexico and there's some great archeology. I'm planning a trip to India where I'll most likely take an XPAN and Nikon FM. The combined weight of these two outfits as about the same as a Mamiya 645 with a few lenses - making this a possible contender. Downsides would be only 15 shots per roll and limited abilities in modest light levels (dof considerations). Probably stick with 35mm.</p>

<p>I have an RB and I absolutely love it, however, speaking as someone whose logged quite a few extended out of the country trips as a USAF combat photographer, I'd say leave the RB home. In the Air Force we never traveled light and had to carry our gear everywhere we went. Oftimes I wish I could've carried less ir lighter gear and I think my images would've been better if I had. I honestly think it would be a much more enjoyable vacation if you took something smaller and easier to handle. I think the wife and kid would have a better time as well. But, whatever you do, have fun. Cheers.</p>

Hi, Colin, if, as you say, you "hate to think of the shots I'd miss by leaving it behind," take it! I took my Hasselblad 500C/M

to Scotland and had NO regrets regarding the weight or hassle, especially after seeing the photos. For my upcoming trip to

Ireland, I will again be packing the Hasselblad.

 

It will take a lot of shuffling of stuff and maybe more planning with the baby and baby stuff, but if you feel you'd regret not

taking it, take it!

 

Pre-planning: could you pack up all the stuff you'd need for the camera and the baby, see how much hassle it will be, what

can be left behind, see how practical it would be? Good luck. --Sally

<p>Is it a matter of<em> horses for courses </em>or <em>going down the slippery slope? </em>I have Hasselblad and RB SD outfits, and a Nikon D700. Recently, I bought a Lumix TZ65. It gets much use.</p>

<p>Does the Lumix provide the sheer image quality of the others? No, it doesn't, but it still produces excellent pictures, provided I apply some manual override. Moreover, it has a 12x zoom, weighs nothing, and fits in my pocket. </p>

<p>I like to think it is horses for courses rather than the slippery slope to automation and poorer quality results.</p>

<p>I'm with Sally Mack. I have both Hasselblad and Leica M systems. I've travelled Europe, Scotland, Havana and Tulum Mexico, all with the Hasselblad and never regretted it. The Leica is a lot easier to carry and the image quality is superb but that larger negative is hard to beat.</p>

<p>Hmm. Good points, all. I'm counting 3 in favor, 11 against, though Sally and Bill do make a compelling argument. And, as suggested, I could always just pack the minimal kit and see how bulky it really is.</p>

<p>Still, if most folks who've done it before say it's a regrettable decision, I'm inclined to take their word for it. My Yashica 35mm (and the Pentax DSLR, and the Elph 300) will probably suffice just fine... especially if I make it to the shop and get some Velvia before we go.</p>

<p>Thanks, everyone, for weighing in.</p>

<p>For the past couple of years, I've taken a medium format kit on ferry-drive holidays from Ireland to France with my wife and two daughters (first aged 3 & 5, then 4 & 6). The kit has been a Mamiya 645AFD, digital back, backup film back, 5 or 6 lenses, and tripod. I left the tripod and some of the prime lenses where we were staying, and used them for night/astro shots. But I took the rest of the kit with me, on our excursion days.</p>

<p>I've never taken so many photos in my life!</p>

<p>Perhaps this is because my MF kit can be considered a "bulky DSLR". The RB67 is bulkier still, but more importantly is slower to operate, and film changing is another slow-down/hassle factor. It might work for you...but if you go for it I would recommend bringing a second small automatic camera, just in case.</p>

<p>Just to add that the size&weight of a RB is not comparable to Hasselblad. Same operation and procedures, though.</p>

<p>Meant to attach this to my last message...</p>

<p><img src="http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/4866/47fb4598cropt765pix.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Can small kids, overseas vacations and Medium Format mix? Yup!</p>

 

<p>I was in Tulum (and Coba, Chichen Itza and Cozumel) few years back. All I had was a small DSLR with one lens - got same great photos. But this year for trip to New Mexico (ancient and modern pueblos) I took Mamiya C200 TLR with just one 80mm lens and shoot exclusively B&W film. The mamiya TLR was fast and easy to use, having iso 400 film allowed me to shoot handheld (I did not take tripod nor monopod). I was also very happy with the results on film. </p>

<p>Thomas and Ray: Absolutely. If I could make a best-case-scenario kit to bring along, a 645AFD would probably be my first choice (wait, probably a Mamiya 6 instead), followed by a nice TLR. Maybe someday...</p>

<p>I take my RB on holiday. No problem. Body, WLF, meter, lots of film, 2 lenses and 2 backs weighs about 6 or 7kg I think. Fits in an overhead locker on the plane and isn't that hard to carry round. I never regret taking mine on holiday that's for sure.</p>

<p>I'm in the "take the RB" camp. I've lugged mine all over the place (like Montenegro in the summer - very hot!!!) and don't regret it a bit. In fact, it's part of the vacation trade-off i make w/Mrs. Me. I get some camera-time while she watches our (not-so-young-anymore) kids then we 'trade-off' and she gets some time to herself.</p>

<p>I use a 'regular' dayhike-type backpack (think largish book bag) and it easily accomodates film, camera, WLF, 2x lenses (65mm C and 180mm C), back, light-meter, etc. I've recently bought a light-weight CF tripod i can carry and it will get strapped on the outside of my pack.</p>

<p>As suggested, take your 'bare-minimum kit', load it up and see how you manage (with the extra stuff young children need). Incidently, i also take a small digi p&s for the quick "group grab" shots and wifey has her dSLR for the upscale digi grabs. Keep in mind that strollers are *natural* gear carriers!!!</p>

<p>Don't forget the forklift!<br />Hand inspecting the equipment and film as carry on, not only thru the TSA, but Mexican Customs...are you kidding?</p>

<p>Ray: Your girls are dolls. Nice shot. Alan.</p>