Good travelling camera?

[Drewus]

Hey guys,

I'm planning on heading off on an around the world trip at the start of next year, and i'm wondering if you could give me some suggestions for a good, relatively cheap camera to take?

I currently own an M6, but i really don't want to babysit my camera gear for the entire trip, so i'd prefer to take a rangefinder that does the job, allows me to use my cheaper M-mount lenses, but doesn't break the bank or make me cry if it becomes lost or stolen.

I could always take a cheap point and shoot, but i've become so accustomed to manual focus and aperture that i need that kind of flexibility.

Film or digital, it isn't an issue. I also don't care about brands, but i would like the camera to be relatively easy to load. I could take my IIIc, but i really don't want to have to stop for 10 minutes while i load her up.

Thanks for any help.

[Bingley]

I have taken my Bessa T w/ me on backpacking trips and on longer vacations. It's performed like a champ. Easy to load, nice meter, the shutter is not battery dependent, and you can use your M-mount lenses. Slip the auxiliary finder off, and the camera is quite compact and easy to carry. And the Bessa T is pretty cheap so if it gets stolen or breaks you won't be out a lot of $$$ (for the camera body, that is, you may still be out a lot of $$$ depending on the lens you had on it).

If I were going around the world, I would take an M6 (if I had one) or a IIIc (which I do have), but given your criteria (cheap, easy to load, rangefinder, M-mount) the Bessa T fills the bill.

[ferider]

Take the M6. That's what it was made for. Or add an M2 and take that (or both).

No need to babysit. Just treat it like your passport, credit card or cell phone.

[KenR]

I agree - a trip of a lifetime demands the best camera equipment that you can afford and the lightest that you'll be able to carry. Insure the M6 and take it - but take a Bessa as a back-up.

[Livesteamer]

I just spent two weeks in the Rocky Mountains and since we drove and I'm a gearhead I took a bunch of old cameras. Nikon F, 2 M6's, Nikkormat, 2 IIIc's, Nikon S and a Leica 1a. Mostly used a IIIc just out of service with the 50mm Elmar and a Nikkor 35mm f2.5 and Nikon zoom finder. I'd take the IIIc and two small lenses but then that's just me. Light weight is Good. Have fun. Joe

[Drewus]

Haha, looks like i'll be taking the M6!

The main problem was that I could take it and chance it being busted or stolen, but have a great camera with me. Or not take it and totally regret not carrying it the entire time

[Frank Version Two]

I'd take the M6 and a Ziploc as its case, but that's just me.

I just got a Nikon N80 and 50/1.8AFD for $75. It's plastic but one of the most sophisticated and practical user 35mm cameras ever made, at least in my opinion. I can curse it's auto-plastic nature but the darn things work great and are hard to kill, and the film is consistently the most well-exposed and in-focus strips I've ever shot.

When I go to China next year I might just bring two N80s and make gifts of them at the end.

[Juan Valdenebro]

For such trip it seems impossible to be totally away from (a bit) dangerous (thieves) places, so a common (recognizable) Leica wouldn't be the best street camera... Bessas T with a small lens weigh nothing (got to feel it to believe it), and you have meter, fast loading and 1/2000th. With a 35 or 28 prefocused and stopped-down they're as fast as a point and shoot... And the external metering allows you to shoot without being noticed in front of lots of situations... I wouldn't bring just one camera to any trip, though, and much less to a world trip... Good luck deciding and during the trip!

Cheers,

Juan

[Vics]

Originally Posted by ferider

Take the M6. That's what it was made for. Or add an M2 and take that (or both).

No need to babysit. Just treat it like your passport, credit card or cell phone.

+one for the Leica!. Why own it if you're not gonna use it

[wgerrard]

Think about the availability of film, and processing, before you commit to film on a round-the-world trip. Also, the more film you shoot, the more space it takes up.

I'd go digital, well supplied with batteries, chargers, plug adaptors, memory cards.

[Joe AC]

Originally Posted by ferider

Take the M6. That's what it was made for. Or add an M2 and take that (or both).

No need to babysit. Just treat it like your passport, credit card or cell phone.

I Agree 100%

[Colin Corneau]

Take an M2 or M3 as a backup or your main. I'd feel more nervous with only 1 camera (worrying about a mechanical problem, etc) than I would about theft.
If you're going to get jacked, it'll happen regardless if it's a Bessa, a Leica, or a Holga...just be mindful, it's all you can do.

Film can be packed, and bought on the road too. Or you can mail/courier yourself film, if you know where you'll be.

The only unacceptable option is to be a guy wishing you'd done something, after it's too late.

[Colin Corneau]

There's a Konica Hexar AF for sale in these classifieds tonight...great camera at a good price. Might be an idea for you

(I have no connection or interest in the sale)

[andredossantos]

Get an insurance policy and take whatever gear you ENJOY using.

[Austerby]

I think the fact that you have an M6 means you really should use it.

As a backup, what about a Sony NEX-3 with the M adaptor. Manual focus, takes your rangefinder lenses but is a cheap digital for those times you don't want to use the M.

[David_Manning]

Contax T3

[ajmartinez]

I took my Kodak Retina IIa with me to Scotland in June and did not regret that one little bit. My Mamiya C3 came with me as well, but some of what I'm most keen to print came out of that little sub-$200 rangefinder with the lovely 50/2 Schneider.

[Bingley]

I'll pipe up one more time. Recently returned from a multi- week trip in which I traveled by train, plane, boat, and car, w/ a lot of walking too. Took an M2, a Bessa T, and three small lenses. The kit was compact, worked perfectly, and the M2 was a joy to shoot w/ every day. Like Roland says, travel is what Ms are made for. If you're worried abt the cost of replacing the M6, you can buy a user M2 for not very much and take that instead. Just sayin'...

[Roger Hicks]

Yet another vote for the M.

Cheers,

R.

[Drewus]

I think i'll end up going with the M6 and my Nokton 40/1.4

I'll stick with the Nokton because it's relatively cheap, fast, and the quality isn't too shabby.

I also have a full leather case for the camera to keep her nice and protected.

[Jamie123]

How much is an M6 these days? $1k? It's not exactly cheap but it's not a fortune either. A trip around the world seems well worth the risk, IMO.

[Chris C]

I'm another to add to the "take the M6" voice. Traveling is pretty much the only time I don't mind if I get a couple of dings and scratches on my stuff. You'll look at any blemishes in a few years time and most likely be quite proud of them. I've got a watch that's been literally everywhere I've been. It's scratched up all over the place and I love it. It would be the same with an M6 if I had one to travel with.

[btgc]

Do not listen to me - I suggest Yashica Electro 35 MC. Classic focal length of 40mm, f/2.8 max. aperture helps to keep size small instead of sub-f/2 lenses, Av AE is excellent choice for trouble-free travel type photography. Do this sounds like text from brochure? Small size is reason you'll find this camera hanging from your wrist instead of sitting in a bag or hotel room. Above-the-lens metering cell lets you use filters without any exposure correction. Smart. Small. Super. Snap!

[shootodog]

i would say use your leica.

BUT i would suggest also the XA. small. relatively cheap. wide. and fast enough.

OR

you could get an old CL or CLE.

again, i say use your leica.

[Don Parsons]

Originally Posted by wgerrard

Think about the availability of film, and processing, before you commit to film on a round-the-world trip. Also, the more film you shoot, the more space it takes up.

I'd go digital, well supplied with batteries, chargers, plug adaptors, memory cards.

I go 'round the world .on a monthly basis. I take a LX-5 and a cheap Sony PnS. The chargers ride in a plastic bag along with my power converter adapter and netbook powercord.

They're light, take great shots and I can share them that night.