New to RF - Going to Italy

childers-jk · 04-07-2005

first let me say "Hello" to everyone and I am glad to be a memeber!! I just bought a Yashica GTN off of Ebay, not knowing a lot about the model itself. The main reason is that I am planning a trip to Italy in May, and I did not want to lug around my SLR outfitt, or any of my digital equipment.

I was wondering if I could get some ideas from some of you about what to look for when I get the GTN. Also, if anyone has experience in traveling, especially to Italy, and the concerns with theft.

Any help you can offer would be appreciated.

thanks,
Jeff

jon_flanders · 04-07-2005

Hi Jeff,

I guess I can elect myself for this one, since I went to Italy in February, and one of the cameras I took was a GSN.

First of all, make sure the GTN works! Does it have the Yashica clunk? Do the over and under lights seem OK? Does the shutter seem to fire correctly? Set it to f16 in a room with just one light, and turning slowly from dark to light, see if the shutter speeds gradually increase.

Then, if all seems well. Shoot some test rolls.

As for Italy, it is a paradise for photography. Spectacular art and architecture everywhere.

The GTN's low light capability will come in handy inside churches and museums. The one weakness of the lens is picking up flare when pointed towards the sun. So get a good lens hood.

If I were you I would bring another camera, a small one for your pocket, with a 35mm lens for wide-angle shots. The Yashica won't quite cut it in some situations, particularly for shots of those cathedrals and palaces, like the Palazzo Vecchio.

You can see my Italy pictures from the link below in my signature.

One final suggestion. Read a few books ahead of time. If you are going to Tuscany, read Hibbert's history of the Medici.

jon_flanders · 04-07-2005

Oh, theft. I doubt the GTN will be a target for theives. Most tourists today use digital. That is what is going to sell.

Dirk · 04-07-2005

Hi Jeff,

Welcome to RFF! You got yourself a nice camera with a superb lens and an accurate metering system. There is a ton of information available on the 'net, especially at yashicaguy.com. He also has the battery adaptor, in case your camera doesn't come with one and you want something more secure than jamming aluminum foil in the battery compartment in order to hold the battery in place. As you may or may not know, the GTN was designed to take a long-since outlawed mercury battery. But you can use a current battery with said adaptor or other, homebrewed, methods.

As far as theft in Italy is concerend, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I never had anything stolen, and I've been a few times. You just have to be alert and use common sense. And, er, you may want to stay away from the begging gypsies. Use a lens hood at all times, the Yashica's lens is only single-coated and is a little susceptible to flare. So, I wouldn't recommend shooting directly into the sun, for example.

As far as film goes, for general purposes anything up to 400 ISO (the camera's top speed is 1/500 and F16 is max). You're also going to be inside museums, churches and other interesting buiildings. They don't allow flash, so here you could use film up to 1600 ISO. The camera settings top out at 1000 ASA, but you can shoot most 1600 ISO negative film at 1000 ASA with no ill effect.

Enjoy your camera and your trip. Post photos when you come back!

childers-jk · 04-08-2005

Jon / Dirk,

thank you both for the information.

Jon, part of the reason I joined RFF was to ask you about your trip to Italy! I really enjoyed those pictures, and I hope to post some when I come back. One question though, you mentioned a 35mm lens? What are you suggesting? Isn't the GSN/GTN a fixed lens? Should I buy another RF with a 35 MM lens? Is there another option?

Dirk,

If I shoot 1600 at 1000 do I need to process it at 1000? I am not very familar with this method. Is there more info on the net somewhere? Also, I went the yashicaguy website and found a lot of great information. Thanks for letting me know.

As for theft, I will probably be low on the list of targets like Jon said, so I will just enjoy my time and not worry. At least I won't be concerned with $2000 worth of equipment strapped to my back!!

Jeff

Kin Lau · 04-08-2005

Don't worry about the camera, watch your wallet, beware of the gangs of kids with the pregnant mother. They can be very brazen, even in front of the polizia.

I'll 2nd the recommendation to carry another camera, especially one with a wide angle.

There's just _so_much_ to see and absorb in Italy, from history to architecture, naturescapes to landscapes to cityscapes. You've got the Alps to the north, Tuscany in the middle and Amalfi to the south, and every little town looks like a postcard. Old Rome is very much worth seeing, and my wife & I felt quite safe walking around after midnight.

Doug · 04-08-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by childers-jk

If I shoot 1600 at 1000 do I need to process it at 1000? I am not very familar with this method. Is there more info on the net somewhere? Also, I went the yashicaguy website and found a lot of great information. Thanks for letting me know.

Jeff, not to worry, and best not to tell the people at the lab anything about how you used the film. That would just confuse them, because they have a standard processing procedure, and no adjustments are necessary.

It's generally true that color negative film (and those b&w films that use the same C41 processing) do actually benefit from being given a generous exposure. These films are very tolerant of overexposure, but not at all happy with underexposure. A bit more exposure smooths out the grain and richens the color, especially noticeable in the darker/shadow areas of the pic.

In my use an extra 2/3 stop more than the advertised film speed is just about right. As it conveniently happens, ISO 1000 is 2/3 stop less film speed than 1600 (with 1250 in between). Just set your camera to ISO 1000 for a 1600 speed film, and you'll get great results!

gabrielelopez · 04-09-2005

Hi, I think that traveling with a RF camera around the world is really nice, cause you live the trip with an easy, light and discrete camera ready to be with you anywhere to document your days.
About Italy, many theft alerts that you've received are too big to be true, for the opinion of someone who lives in Italy from 30 years. Like someone said, the common sense is enough, like anywhere. Naples can get risky if you get into the old-little streets of the old-zone...but not more than any other city that you don't know.
In my signature you can get to my site, just full of RF shots of Italy, I don't know if the style fits your needs.

Where are you planning to go? Italy can look like NY or Like the most relaxed country, you have sea or Mountains...just adding some information on you trip could allow me to give you some tips.

Have a nice trip!

jon_flanders · 04-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by childers-jk

Jon / Dirk,

thank you both for the information.

Jon, part of the reason I joined RFF was to ask you about your trip to Italy! I really enjoyed those pictures, and I hope to post some when I come back. One question though, you mentioned a 35mm lens? What are you suggesting? Isn't the GSN/GTN a fixed lens? Should I buy another RF with a 35 MM lens? Is there another option?

Jeff

Yes, the GSN/GT is fixed lens.

I used an Olympus XA2 with a 35mm lens as my second, grab shot cam. It did pretty well, except with backlight situations, where it misread the light and left the subject dark.

I understand the XA3 has backlight compensation,if you can find one.

Otherwise I would look for a small, pocketable point and shoot with a 35mm lens and put some 800 or faster film in it. Then don't use it for any backlight shots.

childers-jk · 04-11-2005

doug - Thanks for the film lesson. I will give this a try as soon as I get the camera and some time to shoot! I do remember learning somewhere about over exposing color film, thanks again.

jon - I think the Olympus XA2 is a great idea. I don't know if the wife is going to want me carrying two cameras along, but we'll see. She's trying to keep me in a lower profile, ie. no SLR outfit this trip, and no digital! So we'll see. Thanks for the input.

gabriele - I looked at your gallery, WOW! I really like the street stuff. Thats my favorite style. We will be going on a tour and will be in Rome, Florence, Vience, and Milan. This is our first trip to Europe, and we are very excited. We will have a guide for many of the attractions, and we will have time on our own as well, so any tips you might have would be great!!

thanks to all of you for all of your input.

ray_g · 04-11-2005

Jeff,

You will have a blast. There are so many things to shoot in Italy. For some reason, the quality of the light is so beautiful. I would suggest shooting in color for this reason, and converting to b/w if you prefer, on PS.

And be sure to bring the camera around at night. Low light shots with the Yashica (or RF's in general) are great. I love these shots the most. I have some low light shots from my recent trip to Italy in my Gallery, if you're interested.

Have fun, and burn lots of film!!

JoeFriday · 04-11-2005

I'd highly recommend the Olympus Stylus Epic (the non-zoom version).. it's a 35mm f2.8 lens that's very sharp.. but best of all, the camera is tiny and has metering that can adjust for just about anything, including backlighting.. they can be found online for under $50, brand new

I'm not sure about this, but I think I read somewhere that it's basically a modern XA

Flyfisher Tom · 04-11-2005

I second the olympus stylus epic (fixed lens), very sharp, very small. Would really make a good 2nd body. The only annoying thing is you have to deactivate the flash from default every time you turn it back on. Have fun on the trip.

pabaker34 · 04-11-2005

Well, I am also fairly new to RFF and I now am the proud owner of a Yashica GSN! I bought one off Ebay today for a grand total of $19.49. I hope everything works on it. I was wondering, Jon, in your pics of Rome and Florence what kind of film were you shooting? I'm thinking of using this as a travel camera and shooting slides with it.

Paul

chug · 04-11-2005

If you are going to Italy.. I say take lots of money and look out for those mint looking M3's. I saw 5 in a window of a camera shop in Florence when I was there!

Jeroen · 04-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyfisher Tom

I second the olympus stylus epic (fixed lens), very sharp, very small. Would really make a good 2nd body. The only annoying thing is you have to deactivate the flash from default every time you turn it back on.

Someone really should have thought about that! But one gets used to it after a while. When opening my Stylus Epic/Mju 2 I tap the buttons to spot mode without thinking...

ijonas · 04-12-2005

Bring a red filter! It really makes the Italian landscapes looks punch and rich.

As an example check out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijonas/sets/50859/

Enjoy,
Ijonas.

gabrielelopez · 04-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by childers-jk

doug - Thanks for the film lesson. I will give this a try as soon as I get the camera and some time to shoot! I do remember learning somewhere about over exposing color film, thanks again.

jon - I think the Olympus XA2 is a great idea. I don't know if the wife is going to want me carrying two cameras along, but we'll see. She's trying to keep me in a lower profile, ie. no SLR outfit this trip, and no digital! So we'll see. Thanks for the input.

gabriele - I looked at your gallery, WOW! I really like the street stuff. Thats my favorite style. We will be going on a tour and will be in Rome, Florence, Vience, and Milan. This is our first trip to Europe, and we are very excited. We will have a guide for many of the attractions, and we will have time on our own as well, so any tips you might have would be great!!

thanks to all of you for all of your input.

Well, thank you..
The cities you mentioned are all very big. If these are the target you'll make a lot of street photography. Milan can really be NY style sometime, Rome and Florence are way quieter, but alway crowded with a lot of people, expecially tourist that are used on cameras pointed around..that can give many possibilities to expression with a RF..
Venice is a big classic, just avoid too many classic monument shots (buy for some euro a kit of postcard for that) and try something different. Probably you'll leave your car and will have to do a little trip by boat to reach the centre. If you'll arrive by train you'll go down straight in the centre..Those boats (ferry) often offer crazy old-style situations. A friend did half roll on one of those that are really reminescent of the Gianni berengo Gardin venice ones, and are probably the best venice shots i saw my entire Life. Bring a 50mm and keep eyes opened on people that lies on windows while you're there.

Rome: visit the centre (around the river) late at night..people stays around all nigt like it's daytime..

Milan: visit the Navigli (rivers) zone at night, pubs get in the streets, and the zone is for all kind of artists...the usual centre trip. If interested in some street get two (working) days around Buenos Aires Road, the crowd never stops. Depending on how much days you'll stay here there are many other options..

Florence: get the usual monumental trip on Saturday..lot of people, horses around...one street shot after the other...

Hope it works enogh...let me know!

jon_flanders · 04-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by pabaker34

Well, I am also fairly new to RFF and I now am the proud owner of a Yashica GSN! I bought one off Ebay today for a grand total of $19.49. I hope everything works on it. I was wondering, Jon, in your pics of Rome and Florence what kind of film were you shooting? I'm thinking of using this as a travel camera and shooting slides with it.

Paul

I used Kodak Gold 200 for outside, and Fuji HQ 800 for inside. The churches are pretty dark.

I didn't shoot inside with the Fed for obvious reasons. The Fuji's ok for outside too, though.

nervousfede · 04-13-2005

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and to RF cameras. I have a Fed 5 and I'm waiting for a Yashica 35 GS purchased on ebay. I'm impressed! nowdays you can get a 35mm rangefinder with f/1.7 lens at the same prize as a pack of rolls.
I can't advice you about photography but I'm shure.... Italy is not so full of thieves!

Nice forum and nive old cameras!

Thaks bye,

Federico

Doug · 04-13-2005

Welcome, Federico! Film cameras can be very inexpensive these days. About thieves, I think every large urban area has more thieves than it "needs"... And even in smaller cities it's wise not to tempt others too very much.

childers-jk · 04-14-2005

I would like to thank all of you for your feedback!!!

Unforturnately I am still waiting for my package (the infamous brown people don't like me)

So until I do, I will be researching the Oly XA. I am looking to touch one first, and make my decision then. As for the trip, I don't know which camera to take, or if I can sneek both pass the boss

. I will take at least some 200 and 800 film, mostly color, as I like to do the B&W in PS.

Once I get the Yashica I will run out and take a roll, then post them. I really appreciate all the information. Where else could you find this type of information. People who have just been where you are going (Jon). People who have travel extensively (gabriele), and all the different approaches to travel photography (Dougs film lesson). I will continue to read and post my experieces, and when I get back I will try to find a couple of decent pics to post.

thanks again all of you!!!

Jeff

childers-jk · 04-15-2005

Its here, its here!!!!!

It is a little beat up, and the original battery is still in it!! I will run out and get a new battery at lunch and see if I can get the meter to work. The shutter is awsome and the lens is super, no scratches. I have a hood that will work on it, and hopefully this weekend I will get some shots.

Thanks again for all of your feedback!!!

Jeff