keith_leonin

Where are you at? If you're in CA or the southwest, you might want to try going to Mexico City.

My wife and I were there a couple of week ago. Roundtrip to/from Mexico City from LAX + 6 nights at a hotel at the Zona Rosa was only $1200 for both of us. We had a great time.

Check out some of the photos I took: http://klix.smugmug.com

KL

I know that it is not required, and especially not for tourists. However, as

a street photographer, I need to be as inconspicuous as possible -- albeit

with a camera in hand.

My wife would prefer not to wear one, especially with the warm/hot weather

(we're be there in late May), but she'll agree to do it if I absolutely insist.

We're only there for a few days, and will only likely go to "touristy" areas --

i.e., some of the places described in the DK Eyewitness Guide.

My question is: would we stick out (more than we already would as non-locals)

if my wife were not to wear a hijab?

Thanks,

Keith

Well, for one thing, packing 2 different systems will certainly add to your load, so first advice would be to pick one system and stick with it, at least for the trip. Doing so gets you down to 2-3 lenses instead of 5 lenses.

2 bodies and 2-3 lenses would be manageable in a shoulder bag. A waistpack would also do the trick.

I personally prefer the Kinesis modular approach, and that's what I use to the exclusion of almost all other bags these days.

And why? Is it to get a certain look (if so, what look?). Is it for a

specific EI? etc...

I'd especially be interested to hear from those who use XTOL, HC-110 and/or

Diafine (which are the only 3 I ever use anymore).

Thanks,

KL

I used to have a 500/4 P, and used it with a TC-14e (modified) and a PK-13 extension tube, mounted on a Bogen 3421 gimbal head. Nice set up, and no problems manually focusing with a D200 (with Katz Eye screen). If you have time and the room to set up your tripod and gimbal head, and just shoot around you, this setup is a very, very good value.

Until a few days ago, I had an 80-400mm. What's nice about it is hand holdability, and the AF (albeit slow). It was definitely useful on my trip to Denali Nat'l Park last August, when most of my shooting was from within the bus. No way would the 500/4 P been as useful.

They're really two very different lenses for two very different uses. If you have the time to set up or are willing to carry with you the tripod and gimbal head, the the 500/4 P is probably a better choice. IMO, in absolute terms wrt IQ, it is a better lens than the 80-400mm.

However, if you're a hiker and/or would like to carry your body and lens in a holster and shoot on the fly, then the 80-400mm is the obvious choice.

BTW, selling bot lenses for me had nothing to do with either one's quality. I basically came to the conclusion that wildlife photography was not for me, and that for what I shoot, my 70-200mm is the longest lens I need.

KL

<i>I love to shoot B&W film in low light settings -- Dmitry</i>

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Does that mean you're already shooting low light B&W using film at EI's of 1600 or higher? If so, and given your preferences, I'd say your best bet is to get a film scanner.

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KL

Are you associated with the event organizers? If so, and assuming they have obtained appropriate permits, then as you said, a scissor lift probably works best.

If you are NOT affiliated with the event organizers, then I would think that parking such a thing in the middle of a street would require some kind of city permit, and depending on what you're shooting, may require other security clearances. Even a ladder in the middle of the street may be problematic with local law enforcement agencies.

You best bet may be to shoot from a 2nd story window, if available and if allowed.

KL

BTW, gear obviously depends on what and how one shoots, but if you look through my Mexico, Paris, London and Spain galleries, I shot those with my RF rig and a digital P&S. I left the DSLR at home.

http://klix.smugmug.com

<i>popular destinations in another country (like Paris or Yellowstone) = Maurycy</i>

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Well, what I bring to Paris will be very different than what I bring to Yellowstone.

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In any case, for a typical big city trip, I ALWAYS bring 1 or 2 RF bodies, 3 or 4 lenses, plus lots of B&W film, and a digital P&S. That sounds like a lot, but remember that RF bodies and lenses are relatively small, compared to DSLR bodies and lenses.

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My big decision point with each trip is whether or not, in addition to the above, to bring my Nikon D200 and 2-3 lenses (12-24mm and 24-85mm, and sometimes, an 85/1.4).

A polarizer is fine, but if you don;t typically use one, then bringing one on your trip is going to be something new (to you), and I, for one, won't recommend using something you're not used to on a trip. If you do want to try one, get it now, and take the next few months to get used to it.

The D50 and those two lenses should be fine for most of your needs, although a wide angle (down to 11 or 12mm) may be useful for those places. Other than that, you'd probably need a good p&s for backup (like a Canon G9 or another high quality p&s).

To those of you who use color film/slide for some/all of your street

photography, which one do you use the most?

Just curious.

KL

Which CV 35/1.4?

There are two kinds: a multi-coated version and a single coated version -- the "look" will be different. I just received the Sc version last night but have not yet had a chance to shoot it.

KL

Yeah, the main thing is that you're out there shooting... As others have noted, while a 70-200mm has its place, such as event photography:

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<img src="http://klix.smugmug.com/photos/178823591_5WsyG-L.jpg"</a>

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In general, shorter, such as 35mm, is better for street.

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<center><img src="http://klix.smugmug.com/photos/259013639_VVw6E-L.jpg"</a></center>

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Cheers! And keep shooting.

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KL

<center><b>Museo Nacional de Antropologia - Mexico City</b>

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<img src="http://klix.smugmug.com/photos/259011449_hk8of-L.jpg">

</center>

Michael, Vivek and Ilkka - interestingly enough, you hit the 3 biggest considerations I've been struggling with:

1) (Michael) Is buying the RD1s just like buying a cheaper tripod? Sooner or later, you'll be getting a Gitzo.

2) (Vivek) Shooting the 35mm/1.2 with a digital RF @ ISO 1600 gets the lowlight creative juices going, and that creamy ZM 50mm/2 signature shot wide open on digital at an AOV that's perfect for head and shoulders shots are 2 HUGE reasons pushing me toward the purchase.

3) (Ilkka) - a digital ZI is what I was hinting at as possibly being "just around the corner," positioned in the same price/performance niche that they have carved out with the film ZI body. I guess no one without an NDA knows if this is 6 months away or 6 years, but this is what I am hoping for. Just don't know how much longer I can wait...

... and given that an M8 is beyond budget: would you buy an RD1s right now?

I have a DSLR and a digital P&S for my current digital needs, and use CV bodies

(R4A and R3M) with a CV 21mm/4, CV 35mm/1.2, ZM 50mm/2.0 and Summarit-M

75mm/2.5 for my RF needs. For a sampling of what I like to shoot:

http://klix.smugmug.com

I realize this is a personal decision, and depends on personal circumstances,

etc... But being so used to the high turnover rate of DSLR models, I keep

thinking the Digital RF that I really want is just right around the corner.

So, would you buy an RD1s today?

Keith

Thanks to Keith B. and everyone else who provided some input. We had a lot of

fun, and at NO time did I ever feel unsafe, even when taking the Metro or

walking around the Zona Rosa at night. The Zocalo is somethnig else -- a MUST-

SEE for people photographers.

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I decided to take an RF body (and 4 lenses) and a digital P&S rather than a

DSLR -- no, not for fear of theft. I just prefer a small RF rig when I'm doing

street photography. I ended up shooting an average of about 5 rolls per day,

and only a few grab shots with the digital P&S.

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I still have a lot of darkroom work ahead of me, but if you'd like to check out

some of the ones I've already developed/scanned, they're at:

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http://klix.smugmug.com

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Here's a sample image (at the Museo Nacional de Antropologia):

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<img src="http://klix.smugmug.com/photos/259010879_SHdUu-L.jpg">

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Again, thanks to everyone who provided input. If anyone is planning a trip to

Mexico City and would like some insight, please feel free to send me an email.

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Cheers!

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Keith L.

I'm with Vivek -- I think you worry too much about gear. Shoot with what you have, then as you find deficiencies, evaluate whether or not it's your technique or your gear. Then act accordingly.

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Shooting macros is about 1) steady support, 2) maximizing DOF, and 3) "creating" light to bring you back from the darkness of shooting at small apertures.

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<img src="http://klix.smugmug.com/photos/78705442_4sKLT-L.jpg"></center>

It will be cold in mid-March, but you might want to check out the "left coast," specifically the province of Alberta, and especially if outdoor photography is thing. British Columbia is also very nice, and one of my favorite places to visit for a hort holiday.

As I said, it will be cold in mid-March, but here are some sample images of the Canadian Rockies (taken in late Spring)

http://klix.smugmug.com/gallery/1617164_XC3hD/1/78707901_D7AaP#78707901