Travel Camera - Rangefinder?

<p>I'm currently a DSLR owner, but have found that as a camera it's too bulky for travel - so I am looking for something small with good photographic qualities - low light etc. I'm even willing to go film if necessary - but I don't want to break the bank with Leica. <br>

Are there other options out there for a small camera with rock solid image quality?</p>

 

<p>Have you ruled out the digital mirrorless systems like Nikon 1, Sony NEX, Olympus/Panasonic Micro 4/3, etc?</p>

 

<p>From your description, it appears you can be happy with a fixed lens camera. In that sense, the Fujifilm X100 is a high quality mirrorless digital with a 35mm (effective) f2 lens, a reasonable sensor size (APS) and both optical and electronic VF. Perhaps its film equivalent is the discontinued Konica Hexar camera with excellent and fixed 35mm f2 lens, and is a relatively compact and quiet operation RF camera. If you need f1.4 capability, the film V-C Bessas with their 40mm or 35mm f1.4 lens might be an option, and you also get lens interchangeability. All these are very high picture quality compact cameras offering flexibility (aperture-shutter speed-focussing), although the Hexar is limited in its top shutter speed (1/200 or 1/250), which may or may not be an impediment for you.</p>

<p>If you're "willing to go film" you might want to consider a Contax G1/G2 or even a Nikon 35Ti. If you'd rather have a camera that doesn't depend on batteries, used with the right lens, the Voigtländer Bessa R is a pretty decent tool for travel photography too.</p>

<p>I am looking at some of the offerings from Fuji like the X100 which is supposed to have great image quality, dynamic range and automatic white balance. But for me the best bet for a relatively small and capable digital camera for carrying when I want to go small is the new Canon G1-X with a larger size 14.3 mp sensor and 4X optical zoom from 28mm equivalent to replace the Canon G10 I currently use for this purpose. <br>

http://www.adorama.com/ICAG1X.html<br>

If I wanted to go even smaller and pocket size I would probably get the Canon S95 or S100. Good luck!</p>

<p>What do you mean by "break the bank"? The one nice thing about Leica, especially the lenses, is that they do not loose their value as do digital. As a matter of fact the Leica and for that matter Zeiss lenses have appreciated of the last three years since the introduction of the M9. As for what to travel with for film a Leica M6 Classic or TTL. There is not much difference between them. The true difference is the choice of viewfinder. Do you want the standard .72 with 28,35,50,75, 90, and 135 framelines? The other choice is the .58 or .85. There is enough information on the web for you to read about the differences. The best travel combination depends on whether you like the 35mm or 50mm lens. The 35mm f2.0 Summicron is quite expensive, currently used running in the 2k area. (There is a shortage of Leica lenses & Zeiss with the earthquake in Japan has been having problems.) As for the 50mm the smallest is the 50mm Elmarit-M f2.8. This is a collapsible lens only available on the secondary market as Leica no longer produces it. Collapsed on an M6 it will fit easily into a bomber jacket sized pocket. Combine the 35mm or 50mm with a 90mm Tele-elmarit and you have a very small traveling camera. Ultimately the smallest traveling camera lens combination IMHO is the M6ttl 0.85 viewfinder with a 50mm Elmarit-M and film rolls of 36 exposures. Complete it could run around $2500. But if you are not satisfied you can easily sell those items.</p>

<p>Have you considered a small point 'n shoot on the digital end? On the film side I like a number of small 35mm fixed lens RF cameras from the 1960s.</p>

<p>If you want to go film and do it cheaply the Contax G series is hard to beat. If you want to go Leica the up front cost is high but you will not lose money. If you just want small size get a M4/3, compact like Canon G series or Fuji X100. Rangefinders are a very different but rewarding experience.</p>

<p>Just carry the camera you bought. However a Nikon D90 DSLR is close to the same weight as a Leica M9. </p>

<p>There's always the Olympus XA. With Portra 800 in it the f/2.8 lens isn't a big limitation. Small as all get-out. I've traveled with one and been happy with the results. Mostly with Kodachrome 64, which is pretty fussy stuff. Print film is a better choice now, however. But you might want to bring a spare, they're getting long in tooth.<br>

I was also quite happy with the Olympus Stylus 35-70 Zoom. Not the ridiculous later ones with absurd zoom ratios, the first model, more compact, reasonably sharp.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>"I am looking for something small with good photographic qualities - low light etc." </p>

</blockquote>

<p>With a very fast f/2.0 <strong>Leica lens</strong> that equals 24mm wide to a mild portrait 60mm. <br>

Buy a Leica D-Lux4 or it's cheaper "fraternal twin" the <strong>Panasonic LX-3</strong>.<br>

<br /><br>

From Jim Radcliffe's review of this do everything camera: <strong>"The <a href="http://www.boxedlight.com/dlux4/">Leica D-Lux 4</a> is very impressive" </strong><br>

(Check out <strong>the stunning images</strong> in his review by clicking the link just above)</p>

 

<p>Arthur,<br>

Konica Hexar with fixed 35mm f2 is not a rangefinder, it's a high end P&S (AF) camera called <strong>Hexar AF.</strong> There is also an excellent Konica rangefinder called <strong>Hexar RF</strong>.<br>

For a trip one fixed lens is not enough... Even if it's nice, universal 40mm lens...<br />I think You need camera with at least 28mm + 50mm. Or high quality zoom camera...<br>

My choice would be film camera, SLR with 28mm + 50mm but since you need something smaller... probably high end zoom camera:<br>

<strong>Fuji Natura Classica</strong> <strong>28-56mm lens </strong>(starting from f/2.8)<br>

or<br>

<strong>Contax TVS II 28-56mm lens</strong> (slow, starting from f/3.5)<br>

John mentioned above <strong>Olympus Stylus 35-70 Zoom</strong>, very good camera...<br>

</p>

<p><strong><br /></strong></p>

<p>Michael, </p>

<p>For travel, I'd recommend a compact digital camera, as opposed to a film camera. I travel often, and I've traveled with a D90 kit (50mm 1.4, 18-200mm, 80-200mm 2.8, flash, etc) and Leica R (R4s, R8, 24mm, 50mm, 80-200 f4). Needless to say, those are very heavy kits, and the lenses take up a lot of space. </p>

<p>Even if the bodies/lenses weigh the same (e.g. D90/M9), the smaller size is still more portable, and the weight is distributed better in a bag + the M lenses are generally smaller. <br>

If you're going to be traveling often, I suggest sticking to digital. You'll probably end up carrying film with you (buying a bunch, and bringing it to your destination, and possibly only having it processed upon your return, depending on where you'll be) - the security checks are quite the pain... </p>

<p>For that reason, I sold/traded all my stuff, and got an X100, which is a wonderful camera. The only gripe I had with it was the slow(ish) autofocus. But loved it nevertheless. </p>

<p>However, I caved in and got an M6 TTL with 0.85x VF, and some lenses. I also got a Nex-5n for digital and video. With an adapter, I can use all my M lenses on the 5n (I have 35 & 50) if I want digital. I'm in love with the combo. The size, the feel, the combination... love, love, love it. I'm willing to sacrifice an extra few minutes at the airport security check just to be able to shoot film, and won't give up shooting film any time soon. So, if you love film, check out the rangefinder suggestions, as I'm sure they're all excellent. If you just want portability and a lighter kit, get one of the mirrorless cameras (and start buying M glass for them).</p>

<p> </p>

<p>It depends on how long your trip, and your main interest. I have been taking month long vacation travel trips to Europe and China every year since 1997. With film cameras until 2006, average<br /> 40-50 rolls of 24 exp film per trip, the film along takes up quite a bit of space. After going digital, from 2007, I took average 4000-5000 exposures per trip, hence film cameras is out of question. For the last few years, my gear include Canon 5d ii with Elmarit 19R for architecture, and Lumix FZ35,FZ40,</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Lumix LX3/LX5. With these bag full of gears I accended Wudang mountains, Taishan Mountains, Lushan mountains, Wuyishan Mountains, never thought DSLRs too heavy. <br /> LUMIX LX5 has Leica Summicron F2, 24mm-90mm eqiv. lens, with built in flash, I use it as backup only as I found 24mm is not wide enough. Hence I must carry my Canon 5dii with19mm wide angle lens fiixture, compliment with a long reach lens for architecture details, such as the wooden bracket structure of Chinese traditional building, I need FZ40 type superzoom camera. I don't think I can go with only one compact camera, for visiting places only once for a life time for me.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Just able to cover this German Administration office in Qingdao with Canon 5dII +Elmarit R19<br>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/14567152-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="418" /><br>

Details in in Yungang Grottos cave , with FZ30 long zoom lens<br>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/8506090-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="452" /></p>

<p>With Film camera R5 +Elmarit R19, after 4 hour taxi trip from Xiamen, famous earth building in Yongding county<br /> <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/7367630-md.jpg" alt="" width="679" height="458" /><br>

A UNESCO World Heritage</p>

<p>I'd like to thank everyone for all the responses - there's a wealth of options out there, and it's time to start taking a look at them in detail.</p>

<p>Just as a little background, since this is a family vacation, I'm actually looking to shoot a lot of the family, as opposed to architecture/landscape/etc. I also want to be able to switch between observer (photographer) and participant quickly, by putting the camera in my pocket.</p>

<p>Again - thanks all!</p>

 

<p>You can get more than adequate to very good images from the current crop of mirorless cameras. The better ones produce excellent images. None are full frame. If you want a light full frame digital camera get an M9, even if you have to break the bank. </p>

<p>Decided to travel with a X100 instead of my usual 5D2/7D plus multiple lenses last June. It takes a little while to get used to the fixed lens but then that is no different from travelling light with just one prime on your SLR.<br>

The rangefinder type viewfinder is very similar to working with a SLR, just much brighter. Love the small size, low weight (I can walk around all day), but most of all I love the crisp images. Even at F2 that lens is sharp!<br>

The 35mm POV works very well as it is slightly wider than normal eyesight, so what you see is roughly what you get.<br>

A bonus is the high ISO IQ...arguably better than that of my 5D2.</p>

For people get a Leica. While the manual rangefinder focusing takes time I find that I get better people shots with the

Leicas (or my Contax G bodies) than I do with a DSLR. This year I plan to travel with my Canons and will probably use

my 5DII with 17TS and 35TS (Mamiya on adaptor) plus a fisheye or two and 70-200 F4 for buildings and landscapes but

my M8 will be the main body for family and street shots. My M8 is new but I am impressed with it and it will will be the

body i travel with. I did not want to get an M9 as I feel that the replacement will arrive in the next two years and will be a

significantly better camera. If the Leica was my main body I would just get an M9 but for me a $2600 used M8 looked like

better value than an $8,000 M9.

<p>I still take my film "point&shoot" -- my Hasselblad SWC/M.</p><div></div>

<p>Adding to Steve Bellayr's comment above, when I bought my one-owner, like-new M6 three years ago, two different professionals, each with his own M6, advised me for starters to get a 50mm Summicron f/2. I found one, mint-in-box, in a Shutterbug magazine ad. No question, the bucks stack up. But the "stack" (value) doesn't fall. Meanwhile you have the satisfaction of knowing you're traveling first class.</p>

<p>I have done such 'old school trips" - Leica M4, two to three lenses. It really depends what you want to get from it - large prints for your wall or something to view online.<br>

You can probably be a trip with a M6/35mm Summicron and be happy. On the other hand, somethign like the LX5, XZ-1 or other high end compacts to a good job, too.</p>

<p>I would think that either the Fugi X100 or the new Canon GX1 would be ideal for travel. The Fugi has fantastic IQ and low light capability but a fixed lens. The GX1 has a zoom and has a sensor larger than a four thirds and smaller than APC which the Fugi has.</p>

<p>Hi Michael,<br>

I think the new Canon will be a nice camera but if you consider a rangefinder as a possible choice the X100 would be closer to that than the G1 X, as this one has a zoom you can't operate on the lens, doesn't change focals in a continuous way, and the same goes for focusing and aperture adjustments.<br>

IF you need several lenses, maybe the new Fuji X Pro 1 has something to offer you at a much lower price tag than the Leica.<br>

About film cameras for traveling abroad you shall take present security controls into account, as the use of X rays scanners can ruin your films. By the, way this was said to be the main reason that made Sebastião Salgado switch to digital MF, as I read in an interviw.<br>

Last year I took the X100 plus a G10 (just in case I would need a zoom) for a 12 days holiday, leaving the DSLR and lenses at home. I only used the G10 twice (a couple of shots each time) and the main reason was to "justify" myself for carrying, not because I couldn't do it all just with the Fuji. </p>

<p> </p>