Which lenses for SE Asia trip?

[kentigern]

I'm off to Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia in Jan and Feb and

would like your input to my lens selection on the trip. I'm in the fortunate

position of having acquired quite a choice of gear over the years but that's now

causing me indecision in what to take - normally it's not a problem but two

months carrying stuff around in tropical climates is not my usual habitat.

 

Cameras - I have a choice of M2, M3, M7 or MP(0.58)

Lenses - CZ 25mm Biogon ; 35mm cron v4; 50mm cron; CZ 50mm Sonnar; 75mm cron;

90mm thin elmarit.

 

I will also be taking a D70 and a couple of lenses.

 

My requirements are to use the Leica gear for predominantly black and white of

people and street scenes rather than landscapes. I don't want to carry too much

as I'll be backpacking.

 

My thoughts are to just go for the MP with 25mm and 50mm sonnar only as that'll

give me a very wide for crowded streets and a very fast lens for night markets etc.

 

I don't want to take a second body with me - I'll have the D70 as well.

 

Open to other suggestions.

[Troll]

Sounds reasonable to me. Have fun!

[paul_neuthaler]

I did Italy with a 25mm V/C Color Skopar and 50mm Elmar -- both on my IIIF RD -- and did fine.

[michael_a._shapiro]

Gee David, you really have alot of nice equipment. I would take it all and be certain it is in a goodlooking camera bag.

 

Barring continuation of that scenario, take the M2, M3, a 35 lens for the M2, and a longer lens for the M3. Leave the rest at home.

 

Michael

[wai_leong_lee]

M7 if you want to shoot fast (ie AE).

 

35/2 IV-- bring that. It's so darned small, it can go in your wallet or bumbag when not in use. It's also a darned good lens for black and white, the classic Leica look.

 

In my opinion, 25 mm is too wide for streets. You'll have to be too close to your subject to fill up the foreground. But it's great for interior shots though, like in temples.

 

Bring ziploc bags and keep them in the bags with silica gel at night.

[Ian Taylor]

I don't think 25mm is too wide. Very useful when you want to show a scene behind your subject. Only you know how you shoot, so only you can really say what lenses you need. I lived in Cambodia for 6 yrs during the 90s and I got my best stuff bombing around the countryside with one body and one lens.

[m_.]

in all mentioned, if i were you, i'd take the m7 with 'cron 35 and be done with it.

 

enjoy the trip no matter what you take.

[david j.lee]

i think i would take the M7 and the 25, 50 and 75.

[vic_.]

This is funny:

 

http://www.asc.upenn.edu/usr/cassidy/leicaslacker/plug/travelfaq.html

[vic_.]

Some more articles:

 

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/travel.html

 

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/travel2.html

 

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/tool.html

[ralph_jensen]

Vic, that link to the upenn.edu site is priceless. Thanks for brightening a gray afternoon.

 

("Q. Do I Need A New Bag? A. You always need a new bag.")

[SCL]

Take what you suggested you were thinking of, and don't look back. Every ounce you add to a backpack is a pain in the a**, especially if you don't use it. Personally, I'd take just one camera and 2 lenses...that's enough to keep an eye on and capture a wide range of exciting pictures. You don't want to be standing around with your backpack wondering which lens to use, switching lenses, and thinking about it again. I spent 9 months in the Mediterranean sea area with 1 body and 2 lenses...and looking back that was the perfect combo. Since then, as I've planned trips I've agonized what to take, and often took too much. I vote for simplicity.

[kentigern]

Vic: thanks - lots of laughs. Good job I didn't mention my other gear:-)

[el_fang]

Anyone who has seriously and continuously photographed for a reasonable length of time - and I mean real photographing, not shooting newspapers or test charts - should have some sense of the focal length(s) they like to use, to capture the kind of subjects they like to photograph. Just because you're in a different part of the world, doesn't change who you are as a photographer or the way you see.

<p>I'd say forget you even asked, because every person's choice is a personal one. What do you normally shoot with? Bring that, have a backup, leave the rest behind. Shouldn't be much of a problem if you just think about it for a minute. Only the gearheads won't be able to figure this one out.</p>

[ilkka]

I would take 35 and 75. That's what I have anyway and it has worked well, also in Southeast Asia. 25 would be nice, but not essential, addition. If I wanted to take the 25, I think I would then go with 50 and 90. But I really like the 35 for general street shooting and 75 for occasional portraits without being too much to carry. It would also depend a bit on what you get with your Nikon.

[SolaresLarrave]

I would take an SLR with a couple of zooms. I'm serious. You'll be bombarded with new

sights and things all the time, so take a very versatile tool.

[pablito_pistola]

El Fang is on target

[Aoresteen]

I travel a lot. I normally take my 6x6 gear. When I take 35mm I take the 21 CV on a IIIf body with the Leicavit, an M4P w/motor with 28 Ultron, 50mm, and 90mm Tele-Elmarit.

 

Tale 30% more film than you think you will need!

[john_r._fulton_jr.]

David -- your inclination to take the MP, 25 & 50 is right-on. That's all you need. If that's too

much, then take the MP and 35mm. That's all you really <I>need</I>. Good luck with your

travels.

[g-man1]

m7, 25, and 90

[kentigern]

Thanks for your responses, it's helped consolidate my thoughts. I'll take the MP plus 25 and 50 lenses but I will also add the 35/2 as it is so small and light, as was pointed out and it is perfect for monochrome. Of course, I could leave the D70 at home and take the M7 for colour, with the 75 or 90 too...

[vic_.]

There have been many stories on this forum of people on assignment or holiday in exotic locations, with only one M body, and suddenly their beloved M ceases to function. If I were to go on a trip, I would ALWAYS take a spare body. You can always leave it in the hotel safe while you're out and about on your daily excursions. Also, having two bodies and two lenses precludes the need to change lenses in wet or dusty environments, or if your hands are not Solms clean.

 

Here are some horror stories of the "ONE BODY" genre to help you make your decision:

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DtXY

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00E8r0

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DxQS

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00HMU8

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=005fIt

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00I646

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00EBKR

 

Best of luck with your decision!

[nzdavid]

I've recently been to Europe with a M6, Leica mini compact and Ricoh digi P/S.

Undoubtedly the best results were with the M6, shooting slides. Lenses were 24 ASPH, 35

'cron, 50 'cron and 90 T/E. The 35 is very useful and compact. I'd say your planned combo

sounds bang on. But it really pays to travel as light as possible. Here's a test: place your

Leica gear on the sacles, then your Nikon gear, and compare. Walk around carrying the full

rig before you leave. I also found a leather waist pouch handy for extra lenses, but

sometimes I took just the one lens.

 

Have fun!

[charlie_chan2]

Take two bodies - MP and the M2 (no need for batteries) - with the 25, 35 and the 75/90. One lens only per body is great for shooting discipline. When I go abroad on short trips, I just take one M body (M6 or M2) and one lens, a 35 lux.

 

Charlie

[gadge]

<My requirements are to use the Leica gear for predominantly black and white of people and street scenes rather than landscapes>

 

Take a 90mm. 50mm will give you too much distortion on close (head/shoulder) portraits. Pair it with a 35mm for environmental portraits and general work

 

Leica choose 40mm F2 and 90mm F4 for their travel camera - The CL.

Hard to better it really.