r22eng

<p>Rob,<br>

You might want to consider a wireless trigger/receiver set to allow you to move the flash off camera onto a light stand. This would allow you to be free of a cable to the camera.<br>

A Rogue Photographic Design ROGUEXLPRO2 Flash Bender 2 XL Pro Lighting System (Black/White) on a light stand softens the flash light on your subject(s). The wireless trigger and Vivitar 283 provides lots of flexibility for what you might want to photograph indoors. I have used this off camera flash, light modifier and wireless remote setup with great success. The Pocket Wizard wireless triggers work reliably. <br>

Ricky<br /></p>

<p>Leica M240, Summicron 50/2. Stairs.</p><div></div>

<p>Leica M240, Summicron 50/2 B+W.</p><div></div>

<p>Leica M240, Summicron 50/2.</p>

<p>Leica M240 50mm f2 Summicron.</p><div></div>

<p>M240 Voightlander 50mm ASPH.</p><div></div>

<p>I chuckled when I read proposed one for one trade in the article. He is offering to trade his sequentially numbered Leica M4s, and the 35, 50, and 90 Summicrons for a Leica M240, Leica M246, 35, 50 ASPH, and 90 Summicrons.<br /> Mr. Nelson is counting on a lot of goodwill to make up the difference in the value between his current and future equipment set. I doubt that I have any goodwill to bridge the gap for an even trade from my two Leica M4-Ps, 35, 50, and 90 to the new M240, M246, 35, 50 ASPH, and 90. It is worth a try I guess.<br /> Ricky</p>

<p>Sunrise.</p><div></div>

<p>Sunrise!</p>

<p>I usually find inexpensive Timbuktu and other messenger bags at Marshall's that work well for the Fuji XPro-1. a 23mm and 50mm. Timbuktu sells a camera insert that fit most of the messenger bags.</p>

<p>Take a look at Timbuktu messenger bags. They sell a camera insert that fits the bags. This allows you to carry laptops and equipment as needed.<br>

Wegner shoulder and messenger bags are pretty good for when you want to carry a point and shoot camera and a small tripod. You can find Wegner stuff at most luggage stores or Marshalls.<br>

Ricky</p>

Still using the Fuji XPro-1 with the 50 1.4 lens. For landscapes of beaches at sunset the Fuji produces good images printed to 12x18. ISO

was 400. I have not created an image worth making a 16x20 or 20x 30 print yet. I suspect the image quality will still be good.

The XT-1 should be pretty good choice unless you need speed for action and sports photography. For fast action stick with the DSLR.

Ricky

<p>Super Moon. Fuji X20, ISO 200, 118mm, f8.</p>

<div></div>

The Fuji X Series is a contender depending on your budget. I would consider taking the X20 and four spare batteries. The X20 can give

250 Raw pictures per battery. The upper limit on the zoom is 118. The other option is a film camera and ten rolls of 36 exposure

slide/film. This gets you 360 pictures. The problem with a Mamiya 7 is you won't even come close to the tele range you are looking for.

Enjoy the hiking!

Ricky

Emily,

The Bronica got less use as kids came along. The gear that goes with hiking and outing with infants and toddlers

eventually replaced the camera gear. When they were three years old II started to carry one camera with the 80mm. The

rest stated in the car or at home. The TLR was eventually replaced by a 35mm because the kids were doing too many

funny things that I couldn't t change film fast enough.

The equipment choice depends on what you need to do. I have some great 6x6 shots of the kids before they learned to

walk and run. Once they got into the running is fun mode, I switched over to using the 35mm. The TLR 6x6 still got used

for soccer, softball and basketball as the second camera.

The important thing is to capture the moments whatever equipment you use. Image quality is great, but sometimes the moment captured is once in a lifetime when it is your kid. My kids are always claiming the old photos must be of their sibling doing something silly.

Ricky

Robert,

When I was young I hiked carrying a Bronica SQ-Ai with the 50, 80, and 150 lenses, two 120 backs, tripod, and 25 rolls of chrome. The

backpack had a liter bottle of water and trail mix. This was a load to carry around on day hikes through the Grand Canyon and other hilly

terrain. I eventually carried just the Bronica, one or two lenses and the tripod after the third day.

These days, I would carry a TLR or Mamiya 7 with the 43 or 80 when hiking or biking. The main reason is I can use a lighter tripod or use

a rock or fence to steady the camera. A zip lock bag of trail mix works as good as a bean bag to level your camera.

Do you intend to print your images bigger than 16x20? If not consider a mirror less digital camera. Otherwise have a hiking buddy along

to share carrying the gear load.

Ricky

Emily,

In terms of budget and weight I would select a TLR as my first 6x6 camera. The are light weight, compact, inexpensive, and simple

mechanically. Both the Yashica and Rollieflex have good lenses. If you are just shooting the kids the TLR will be just fine.

If you need wide angle and telephoto capabilities it might be worth going with the SLR. I hiked the Grand Canyon carrying a Bronica SQ-

Ai with lenses. Not doing that again!

The 6x6 SLRs are versatile, but are heavier than a TLR and harder to hold steady below 1/30. If you are photographing anything that

moves, like a 2 year old, I suggest using a strobe and taking advantage of the leaf shutter on the TLR.

The Mamiya 6 is a nice camera. I have the Mamiya 7 and have used it for a while. The Mamiya and SLRs are five times more expensive

than the Rollei you mentioned. Is it worth it? To me the camera is another gadget to take pictures with. I used a Yashica TLR for many

years and was happy with the images. I even photographed weddings using the Yashica. You will need to be more selective

photographing with the 6x6 since you only get 12 exposures. The large 6x6 negative or chrome is fantastic compared the the 35mm

image. The one thing the TLR lacked was wide and telephoto attachments. This was because I never bought them.

Best of luck deciding.

Ricky

<p>Fuji X20 at 50mm ISO 400</p>

<img src="file:///Users/r22eng/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library.photolibrary/Previews/2014/04/04/20140404-220222/C5pLm5WfSJODvuIduIV7tQ/DSCF0106%20-%20Version%202.jpg" alt="" />

My choice would be to go with the Fuji system. The XPro1 or XE series is very good. The optics are pretty good too.

 

I am traveling with the Fuji X20 as my "pocket" camera. It covers the 28 to 118 range for me. So far I am satisfied with

the trade off between image quality and easy to carry. The battery life is only 200 images so far. I just carry a spare

battery and charger.

 

I noticed that your site has mostly scenics and the X series or the X20 would be fine.

 

I am waiting for the next XPro to show up before deciding on the next major purchase.

 

If you are just starting with the system consider the XT-1 or an inexpensive XE1 and 35/1.4 just to try it out. You will be

happy with that image quality.

<p>Hi John. I started with a Kodak Brownie years ago. In grad school I had a ten day trip through Asia and packed my two used Nikon FMs and two zooms clothes, textbooks, laptop, etc. in a backpack. Lifting up the backpack, I switched over to carry an Olympus Stylus and a Contax T4 to save space and weight. I carried a light tripod on the trip for low light landscape shots. My sister commented that the Japanese tourists were staring at me taking pictures at the Great Wall of China using a dinky pocket camera on a tripod. I was using ISO 50 and 100 Fujichrome for landscapes.<br />The Fuji XPro-1 and Leica M2 rangefinder have replaced the SLRs. I use the 50, 35, and 21 focal lengths most of the time. I use a 90mm once in a while. The Fuji does a great job and is easier going through airports. My Olympus XA and Contax T4 were replaced by the Lumix LX3. The Lumix LX3 was a good carry everywhere camera. I just put a 50mm external finder on the LX3 and used it all the time. <br />My kids have the LX3 now. I have been thinking about getting the LX7 or Fuji X20 as the replacement kick around "pocket" camera. The Fuji X20 is bigger and won't fit my pocket as easily. Both cameras allow me to control ISO, shutter and apeture. <br />If you are looking for one main camera consider the Fuji XE1/2 with the 35mm and 18 to 55 equivalent zoom. The Olympus OMD is considered very good and gives you lots of options in terms of lenses. I just felt that the Olympus was more than I needed.<br />Looking at photographs done by others, I am learning to appreciate the composition and expressions more. Image sharpness is not the only thing that makes a photograph interesting and memorable. Some of the old classic images had lots of grain and artifact compared to modern film. Yet those photographs are still interesting.<br />Your selection comes down to how you plan to use the camera. If I want the best image quality I still reach for a 6x7 film camera. Best wishes on your selection.</p>

Happy New Year to all. Looking forward improving my craft this coming year - both film and digital.

Ricky

The Fuji XPro, XE-1, and the XM will take Leica mount lenses with an adaptor.

No one has ever asked me about my Fuji XPro-1 when I walk around. Guess the XPro-1 is lower profile than my M!

 

Ricky

Most people think the M is an old camera. Some will ask what kind of digital camera my M2 is. The people who are into photography will

stop and talk about their Leica M. My wife is always amazed at the "Leica fraternity" that we encounter while traveling. Absolute strangers

coming up and talking about the Leica M.

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