Off Topic: Do Any of You Also Include a Med. Format in Your Kit?

[sven_sampson1]

It depends... :-)

 

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For overseas travel I generally carry some combination of a Mamiya M7

(65/150), M4-P (35/50/90) or a Contax TVS. I once hauled along a 4x5

to Mexico. It was far too much work to manage.

 

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For travel in the U.S. my travel kit consists of anything from the

Contax TVS, Leica, Pentax 645, Mamaya M7 to 4x5 and 8x10 kits. What

I take depends on what I want to accomplish, where I'm going, how I'm

getting there and how much time I have at that location.

[msitaraman]

Ever since I got it last year, my Plaubel Makina 670 is part of my

travel kit. It folds flat and I don't think twice before packing it.

[robert_ardinger1]

I use a limited Hasselblad kit to augment my Leica M. However, I

added a SWC/M and really like the camera but I bought it before Sept.

11 (actually was sending a money order for the film back in the AM of

Sept. 11th) and find little joy in trying to bring an extensive

amount of camera equipment through air security nowadays. I used to

use a 4x5 but the bulk (not really the weight) was getting a bit much

for the hiking I like to do so I converted to the 2 and 1/4 system. I

picked up a 501c/m with an 80 and a 160 and added the SWC. The

outfit fits in a modest pack (lowe pro minitrekker) for day hikes and

provides about the right amount of diversity for my usual

hiking/landscape photography.

 

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I used part of the kit on a post 9/11 trip and was amazed that at one

airport it did not raise an eyebrow (and I did see it on x-ray and is

looks odd to me, I cannot believe that the screeners know what a SWC

is) but at another I might as well have been a terrorists first

cousin.

 

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I have had better luck traveling with a modest leica set but asking

for a handcheck of film is another thing. Since I designed the MF kit

for air travel to areas with mountains (as opposed to Kansas City

where I am) and since I am still wanting to fly to these areas and

want as little hassel as possible in doing so I am thinking strongly

about just using my leica set and eventually converting the MF set to

leica stuff. I like the tonal range of the MF film but I like my

35mm results also.

 

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If any of the folks on this topic want to inquire about my MF items I

could be talked into parting with them I suspect.

 

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RObert

[alfie wang]

I shoot medium format using a Holga. No complaints so far.

[ilkka]

As far as I know, the 905SWC optical design is unchanged, but the new

glass type is different. Also, the new main shutter spring is more

durable. Probably lasts for 100 years instead of just 50. I am still

dreaming about SWC but am contemplating about the cost. I bought a 15

mm Heliar for the Leica to try whether I really like the ultrawide

view before spending my life savings on SWC.

 

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I often use either XPan, which is kind of MF camera, or Fuji 645.

The reason I bought the M6 was precisely to have a mechanical back up

for these otherwise wonderfull, but fully electronic cameras.

 

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Last time I travelled around Malaysia I carried a 4x5" field camera

in addition to the M6.

 

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Ilkka

[stuart d]

I got into MF a couple of years ago with the Yashicamat 124G, and

switched to a Bronica ETRSi last summer. Used, they are great value

in the 645 format. Image quality is excellent. Perhaps more suited

to landscape photography than a rangefinder. But it has languished

in the cupboard since I took the plunge into Leica ownership. It's

still pretty big and clumsy. Definitely noisy. Absolutely necessary

to use a tripod and mirror lock-up. But I haven't written it off

yet. I'm not sure whether the marginal increase over 35mm format

compared with 6x7 is worthwhile. Now I'm comfortable with using a

rangefinder, the Mamiya 7 looks more practical. But I don't think I

could justify 2 sets of $$$ lenses to the better half!

[stevierose]

I used to travel with a Mamiya 6 with all three lenses. It really is

the MF equivalent of the Leica M6. Great camera and very sharp

lenses. Later I realized that MF really added no advantages for me

over 35mm for my style of photography so I sold it. I kind of wish I

had kept it (sound familiar?).

[Rob F.]

I also use the SWC (non-T*); 500CM with 60mm, 100mm, and 150mm

lenses. I like it mostly for black & white; though with my newer

Leica lenses I can do an 11 x 14 that rivals the results I get with

the Hassie. I like to use the Hassie hand-held, but will use it on a

tripod prn. I like it with the chimmney finder or the 45 degree PME

prism.

[ken_prager]

I sold ALL my MF gear (Hassleblad & Pentax 645) after I started using

a Leica M again. And, I have no regrets!!!

 

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I do love the image quality that comes with those nice big MF

negatives, but I don't like using tripods enough to maximize the

format. So, the Leica M seems to be the best gear for my approach to

photography.

[john_elder1]

When I go shooting I either shoot My Leicas OR Medium format, not

both. For me they are different types of photography requiring

different states of mind and very different technique.

However when traveling I take both medium format, usually a Rollei

TLR 3.5E, a Brooks Veriwide 100, and my Leica gear. Then when I get

up and go to shoot I choose 1 system or another. Recently I have

felt "Guilty" about not choosing the leica, but rather the Rollei TLR.

Anybody know a good shrink!

[tse_sung_wu7]

Here's another Rollei shooter. Just got back from 2 wks in China, and in my

Domke F6: M6TTL, 90/2.8, 35/2A, Rollei Automat (Xenar 3.5), Hexar AF, some

old flash (never used), table top tripod (used 2x), extra battery, filters, cable

release. And a bunch o' film. The Rollei was for scenics. The bag was a bit

heavy for my taste, but overall I think it was a good kit... depending on how

everything turns out, I'd probably go with it again.

[hans_berkhout]

No. I travel with an extra M body, tripod and slow film instead of

carrying a second system and film.

 

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For hand-held "candid" stuff an M body with fast film.

 

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Close to home if I go hiking in the Rockies, I use 4x5 just for the

hell of it, a change is always good. I appreciate and enjoy both

formats, as well as the different subject matter.

[emile_de_leon9]

I like em small,quiet,all mechanical when traveling.That means

Leica,Brooks veriwide (6x10 ultrawide which is not much bigger than

an m6),And of course ..All TLR's!Maybe next time though a Anba

5x7...only 3.5 lbs!

[raymond_tai]

I use a Superwide and a Rollei as well but I only travel with them

when I know what where and when I am going to shoot and they are

always on a tripod. For the walk around with a Lonely Planet guide

book type of photography I use an EOS 3 with a sole 28-135 IS zoom,

M6 and two lenses.

[Allen Herbert]

I used to carry either a Hassy or Bronica.I never hardly used them

too much fussing.Unless you a really going super large i cannot see

much point.

[chris_chen]

As I am technically homeless (home is where the hard hat is), I

either take what I MAY need or it gets put into storage. I have only

spent one week in Houston the last 1.5 years and didn't want to

unload my storage unit to get to the e tool box in the center where

my photo equip is located. So, I don't have the option of customized

kits "depending" upon the situation of what/where/why/when/how I am

going to shoot.

 

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I NEED:

 

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SWC

 

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M6 + 35

 

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M3 + 50

 

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90 TE

 

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Handheld Meter

 

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Misc. Access.

 

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At Least.

[Allen Herbert]

Why Chris

 

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Just why,what are you really doing that needs all that gear.I am just

q.

[chris_chen]

Two M's three M lenses and a SWC + meter is A LOT of equip? I don't

think so.

[chris_chen]

I also subtracted M4 + 21 SA because I can't find rear cap for the

lens and the M4 broke. It also "duplicates" the SWC coverage.

 

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I need two M's, see comment above.

 

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Added the 50 and 90 because of some missed opportuntities. 50 on M3

fits solo in a small strapped pouch, 90 doesn't, it goes in my pocket.

 

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SWC is a MUST HAVE for me.

[Allen Herbert]

Okay got the point but you did say......At Least.

[andy_piper2]

I'm glad someone mentioned the Plaubel Makina cameras - sort of very

small (c. 1980) versions of the present-day Mamiya 7 with fixed lenses.

 

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I just wish there was a Makina-sized SQUARE camera, with a normal or

wide-angle lens. I just like the feeling of the square image (Irving

Penn, Diane Arbus, Ralph Meatyard). The 6x7/6x4.5 ideal formats just

doesn't send me - I prefer the dynamism of 24x36 or the perfect

symmetry of the square.

 

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The Mamiya 6 was just a little too big - and while the old Zeiss Ikonta

Bs are the right size, I'd just like modern lens design/coatings and

repairability.