[Leica] Re: Travel kit

["Paul T. Collura" <pcollura@epix.net>]

> John,

I agree with your reply to Jim completely.  I have just returned from the Charleston, S.C. Leica Photo Shoot and
had brought an M6  with 28, 35, 50 and 90 mm lenses and an R7 kit with 28mm, 60 Macro , 35-70m m zoom and 100mm
APO lenses - actually less that Jim's equipment list.  I did this in part as a  test for my European trip also
in September.  By the second day, I had left the R7 and R lenses in the hotel room as I was too fatigued by
carrying all that equipment around.  Worse, I was forever playing with equipment rather than being ready for
that decisive moment that we all strive to obtain in our pictures.  Talking with other LHSA members and LUGers
at the shoot  ( Tina Manely etc.) I realize that there are different styles for different photographers but few
desire to be so burdened with the equipment that Jim is bringing.  I am impressed with Jim's strength and
endurance!!  Tom Abrahamsson's suggestion of one M6 with 28mm Elmarit or 35mm  Summilix mounted  and another M6
with either 50 or 90 Summicron mounted  with the other lenses in the pocket is really all one needs for most
photography.  Both M6s should be around the neck and not in any bag.  I think the key to spontaneity is to be
essentially bagless.  That will be the heart of the system that I bring to Europe this September.

Paul T. Collura

Jim Brick wrote:

> Sorry folks, taking only a 50mm lens just won't cut it! Lame idea. Maybe as
> a local one day self assignment, ala Ted, but certainly not for serious
> photography.
>

John Mcleod wrote:

> With all due respect Jim, Mike Johnstone's intention to work with a 50mm
> lens for a while may seem "lame" to you, but it's not to Mike Johnston.  He
> probably has very good reasons for attempting this project.  Among other
> things, it will allow him to carry his small camera with him most of time.
> Second, he will be ready for almost anything he sees because he'll know the
> camera and lens so well after a while, and he won't have to dig it out of a
> big bag, change lenses, etc.  For the kind of work that you do, Mike's idea
> may make no sense (e.g. tripod, extenders, Velvia).  Admittedly, Mike will
> not be ready to shoot whatever it is that you would see and want to
> photograph.  But for what he sees and wants to shoot, it may work great.  To
> each his own.
>
> On a personal note, and given the kinds of things I like to photograph, the
> best photography I ever did was when I owned only a Nikkormat and 24/2.8 and
> 85/1.8 Nikkors.  I knew those lenses cold -- and they were cold ;-).  I
> carried the kit everywhere.  I didn't worry much about bumping the equipment
> around.  I developed film, printed pictures, showed them to friends, hung
> them on the wall, etc.  Now I have Leicas and Billingham bags too.  (I speak
> only for myself here Jim, not for you).  But now I'm too careful with my
> equipment.  It's so pristine and clean.  Each lens has been tested for
> sharpness, light fall-off, and bokeh.  I have Really Right Stuff plates and
> Linhof ball-heads.  And I LOVE all this stuff.  But ... my photography is
> probably worse.  Why?  Well, most important, I'm now married, with child and
> dog, and have less time for it.  But second, I'm in danger of caring more
> about the equipment than the photography.  I, at least, can't serve two
> Masters well (make it three, including my wife).  While I love the Leicas, I
> also miss the abandon and intensity with which I used to photograph.  I
> longed, not for the ASPH lens, but for the shot.  Now I come home and read
> e-mail about photography.  In the old days, I would be waiting for the light
> to be good ;-)  Again, speaking only for myself and not for you Jim, I
> believe my photography was more serious then than it is now, despite the
> fact that I know more now, have more invested, and carry more and better
> equipment.
>
>