Even when the purpose for travel isnt photography I bring something to make photos with when I can. For about five years this "kit" has been: camera body, 24-50, 75-300, polarizer, warming filter, ND grad, cable release, 3021S modified to go to ground level and an extra center column piece (that can be added to make a monopod on a tripod that almost reaches my eye level) and an Arca B1 head. I just wondered what others bring in these situations.

-- Pete Dickson (dickson.pn@pg.com), July 29, 1998

Answers

SLR camera body x2, 20mm, 24-120mm, 80-200mm, all lens fitted with Heliopan KR1.5 filters, Heliopan Circular Polarizers, cable release, modified Gitzo 340 w/short column & Arca Swiss B-1., two way level(s) that fit in camera hot shoe. Nikon SB-26, usually set at for matrix fill at -1.7 stops. Konica Hexar. All this (except the tripod) fits in one the smaller Domke shoulder bags, plus film and a Dynalite Jackrabbit hi-voltage battery for the SB-26.

-- Ellis (evphoto@insync.net), July 29, 1998.

Yashica T4, until I sold it; now either an old Rollei 35S, or an SLR with a cheap 50mm lens.

Sometimes I take a 4-inch tabletop tripod, but I never remember to use it. Instead I just jam the camera up against whatever is handy.

-- Eric Hanchrow (erich@microsoft.com), July 29, 1998.

When i am really serious, just the Hexar and it's flash, f/8 and be there.

-- Ellis (evphoto@insync.net), July 29, 1998.

Nikon FM2

20mm f/2.8 D; 85mm f/2 AIS; 80-200 f/2.8

Ilford HP-5 pushed to ISO 1600

UV Filters on all lenses

-- jr kaiser (glyph12@ktc.com), July 29, 1998.

I bought a Contax G2 kit for exactly this purpose after realising that many of my best shots were taken when photography was not the prime purpose of my trip.

I have a G2 body, 28mm, 45mm and 90mm lenses and the TLA200 flash. I carry this lot plus a Gitzo tabletop 'pod and Sekonic L308 meter in a small Lowepro OmniTraveler bag.

Results are superb.

-- Ian Trevers (ian_trevers@ldn.invesco.com), July 30, 1998.

Thanks to those who've responded! It occurs to me, as I try to read between the lines, that the question should have included "AND WHY?" my "why": one camera because it's never failed, those two lenses because they cover a great range and use the same filter size, A tripod because I'd waste too much Velvia without one, that tripod because it fits inside a carry-on bag.

-- Pete Dickson (dickson.pn@pg.com), July 30, 1998.

This is your "incidental" kit??? I use my Ricoh GR-1 as my incidental camera (no larger than a pck of cigarettes). When I am serious I take my Hassie, one or two lenses, not more!

-- (andreas@physio.unr.edu), August 01, 1998.

My incidental kit is an old Yashica Mat TLR 120 camera, a Pentax Spotmeter V and a Bogen 3021s tripod. I use this because I go to the mountains every chance I get, and 35mm just doesn't cut it for landscapes. When I'm serious about my photos I pull out the 4x5.

Call me jaded, but after the 10-thousandth time of saying to myself "This would be an excellent photo if it were on a larger original," I shelved the 35mm gear and moved up.

-- Darron Spohn (sspohn@concentric.net), August 03, 1998.

Smallest kit:

Canon T90, 50/1.4, Vivitar 283, long sync cord, Lumiquest Pocket Bounce, TMY, SG+ 800. This will get me some kind of image almost anywhere.

GP travel kit:

The above plus 24/2.8, 35/2.8, 90/2.5, 100-300/5.6, 25mm ext. tube, RG25, SG+ 400. For B&W: Mamiya C330 loaded with TMY, C330 with TMX, 55/4.5, 80/2.8, 135/4.5, 250/6.3, orange, yellow, polarizer filters, lens hoods, Bogen 3021 legs, 3047 tilt/pan head, Sekonic L308B, 120 size Ultra 50, cable release.

-- Tim Brown (brownt@ase.com), August 04, 1998.

Either an 8x10 Deardorff w/10" and 14" lenses, or a Leica M2 w/50mm f/2 Summicron. Throw in yellow, orange, red, ND, and IR filters, a couple of Bogen 'pods, and my trusty Sekonic Studio meter.

-- Peter Hughes (leonine@redshift.com), September 20, 1998.

Hi Pete,

here is my "travel-kit":

Loewe Off-Trail 2, body with built-in flash, lens AF 28-105 f 2.8, and lens (...if I think I might need it) AF 80-400 f 4.5-5.6, lens hoods, 2x converter, as much film as fits, binoculars and cleaning kit. Travelguide(-s), lighter, Leatherman-Tool, zip-loc bag and shower cap.

Tripod stays in the car or Hotel to be available; for the future I plan to buy a monopod with quick release. Eventually I would take my MF gear as back-up and leave it in a safe location, but that depends on the occasion.

If I don't want to be bothered by any weight at all, I just take my Minox 35mm f2.8 plus flash light.

Marcus

-- Marcus Erne (mcerne@evansville.net), October 05, 1998.

Ooops,......

I must have skipped the WHY-part. It is quite philosophical. Here is my "attitude":

The body-zoom combo evolved out of 10 years of travel throughout Europe (I am originally from Germany, you know where they get so much vacation days.....;-) ).

I found out that even with "sharp" images I felt "stressed" by switching lenses to often with my older MF gear and I even missed a lot of good shots because of this. Today, when I TRAVEL my photography is the 3rd import thing for my to do. Number 1 is having a nice vacation with my wife. Number 2 is the EXPERIENCE of the new or foreign place I am visiting. At this point photography is for me a medium of storing MEMORIES on a piece of paper or a slide I EXPERIENCED. (A nice but expensive medium though.....). Therefore I bought the formerly mentioned gear in AF version with 2 zooms covering a 28-400mm range with good results and I can cover almost every situation with it. Since I don't sell my stuff........!

I try to draw usually a clear defined line between a vacation or a real photo trip. On a REAL one I would take the usual "everything" and leave my wife at home !!! ;-)

Then their is one last argument for zooms, I feel it is a lot easier to travel with lots of gear here in the US rather than in Europe. Probably because this is the LAND OF THE AUTOMOBIL. In general sightseeing in the National Parks is done by car/camper rather than walking/hiking (speaking of the average....). A parking lot with a great vista is around every corner, just stop, open your trunk, take out what you need, set up your tripod and take that great scenic shot !!!! ;-) In Europe you have to "schlepp" it around, cover all the huge distances from the parking lots 3 kilometers away from the site. (I am exaggerating a little bit...)

In the far future I'll probably end up with some primes when I intend to go out just for the PICTURES or the ART of it, but I will definetly keep my zooms for travelling.

As for the REAL INCIDENTAL ops I'd probably carry my Minox, because it fits into any jacket/vest etc. without noticable weight and does not bother at all and it is capable of producing great pictures.

I hope this serves the discussion,

Marcus

-- Marcus Erne (mcerne@evansville.net), October 05, 1998.

my always with me kit -

600si, 3500 series flash, 50mmF1.7, 135mmF2.8.

What I'd like to add, a 24-50mm zoom. (although when I add this, the holster-style bag that I have won't hold this stuff anymore)

my other always with me kit

X-700, 50mmF1.7, 70-210F4, Vivitar 283 (will soon be a 433D from Sunpak for TTL flash)

to both kits, I'd like to add a GR-1 from Ricoh, or a Hexxar from Konica.

Now, to explain why... the 50mmf1.7s...I want to be able to take shots w/o having to resort to flash, when I can (should be noted, each camera has 400ISO B&W film loaded)

24-50...how else can I get 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm w/o a larger bag?

the 135f2.8..a nice fast telephoto, too bad it's not a zoom that comes down to 80 and up to 200...and stays 2.8 (anyone have one to donate to me?) Works VERY nice with the 3500flash for indoor shots.

th 70-210F4... it's fast enough for anything outdoors, and does okay with the 283 when I need indoor photos, but can't get close.

The flashes, well, sometimes you just don't have enough light, or would like a little day-time fill-flash when taking a portrait w/ the 135mmf2.8 or the 70-210 zoom set to the shorter end.

as for the Hexxar and the GR-1...come on..how else can you fit all that high quality firepower into a pocket? (I would keep these loaded with Kodak HIE... especialy the Hexxar w/ it's program to adjust focus!)

-- Roseblood (kyller@annex.com), May 12, 1999.

I take my Yashica T-4 Super everywhere there is a crowd...and I shoot it like Austin Powers. It just feels silly to actually look through the tiny little viewfinder.

-- Jim England (jrengland@osprey.smcm.edu), May 17, 2000.

Olympus Miu:II(Stylus Epic) because:

1)35mm focal length is not too long and not too short to facilitate both portrait and landscape

2)f2.8 is handy for night shot with ASA400 or 800 Fuji print film

3)spot metering is handy for difficult lit scenary shot

4)compact size is so convenient to put in your pocket without hassle especially when you hike to 4800meter altitude high

5)Sharpness of lens made me beautiful slides and occasional good enlargement up to 16'

6)night pub shot with it on table and flash off. Nobody notice you are taking pics!

Plus Sensia for day shot and ASA400 for low light

-- George.J.Q.Zhang (george.zhang@china.zeneca.com), May 18, 2000.

Being a writer I carry basic minimum equipment to help in the development of books/magazine articles later. Print film is a must for this, so I use 1/2 frame Olympus PEN-EES-2 (3 rolls in the bag, 1 in the camera = 288 clicks). The real work is done with a camcorder so I can bring in motion and sound and shoot in low, low light to go with the images. I also carry a Nikon 8008 with one lens, a 24-50mm, with UC & polarizer - usually shoot Provia, can get by without tripod so I can still try for the exhibition-type pics. Nikon is in backpack, Oly is in small fannypack, camcorder is usually around neck. Now, if I have car or my truck, I always use tripod and everything is different. John.

-- John Womack (pathways@earthlink.net), October 07, 2000.

For non-photo travel it depends on how I am traveling. If by car (my own or a rental) I will carry a good bit.

But for normal travel, T90, 20-35 L zoom, 35-105 f3.5, 100-300 L, 2x converter, 300TL flash, Velbon 530 CF tripod. I also normally throw in a 50 f1.4 for low light and a Canonet for light duty.

This will get most any shot, and fits well in a LowePro OffRoad bag. I would prefer primes, but when doing non-photo travel, it isn't worth the weight and setup time to use them.

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), October 09, 2000.

Initial kit: usualy X-Pan with 45 & 90mm loaded with Provia/SensiaII/Delta100/400 = GREAT image quality, small, reasonably low weight. Sometimes: add Nikon Coolpix990 for snapshots / Hexar for low light.

If I don't want to carry anything Olympus XA + A11 and 400iso print film.

-- Kaj Froling (saliki@mail.tele.dk), October 10, 2000.