Help in Paris - what to bring

[Traut]

I am visiting friends in Paris for a wedding at the end of June. I am traveling from Miami, staying in Paris for one week.

I plan on bringing an M4-P with 28 elmarit and either a 35 CV or 40 summicron for B&W work. Along with a D70 with a 28 -100 2.8 zoom and a 20mm for interiors/general WA. shots, etc. As well as a pocket s500 canon for snapshots, etc.

My quandry is twofold. Is this a good complement of equipment without getting bogged down? Should I bring a Hasselblad SW 903? I am traveling with my wife who keeps telling me "Don't bring all your crap with you". She's a sweetheart!

I treat this as a fun problem to have and enjoy musing over this rather as a diversion from the serious issues that confront us in the world.

All suggestions are appreciated as well as general insights to visitng Paris. Thanks all.

[Jeroen]

If you want to break your neck carrying all that gear, go ahead :-) I went to Paris with only my Mju/Stylus Epic, my Yashica 35CC and my Yashicamat. Don't bring too much when you're walking in Paris - or any city, for that matter.

[Gerold]

Your wife's right Traut. Bring the M4 and a (one) 35 and make pictures with it. Forget the rest. Switching between 3 cameras and even more lenses will seriously keep you from seeing save shooting anything properly.
And foremost: Enjoy Paris. It's great in June (actually all the time...)
Cheers Gerold

[peter_n]

I went on vacation to Madrid recently and my Domke F-2 carried a Canonet QL-17 and a Leica M6 plus 5 lenses from 21 to 135mm and a meter and film. There was other stuff in there but I carried this lot around all day every day and it was fine because it was all RF stuff and so by definition small and light.

I would say bring the RF stuff & the pocket digi and forget the SLR. Those things are way too big and heavy, and they take rubbish pictures anyway!

[SRMC]

Some years ago I spent a week in Paris. Coincidentally, I took a group of cameras similar to yours: G-III QL17, Canon w/ 28-80, and a Nikon p&s. I carried the three in small padded case stuffed in a knapsack. It was not enough to make me feel like a pack mule, but there were a few times I wished that I had only the Nikon stuffed in a pocket. If I had to do it over again, I'd probably take the same equipment again and just think ahead about what I expected to see on my various excursions. Unless you envision a specific need for it, I'd leave the Hassy at home, and possibly the SLR.

I would add two things to your list. First, a small tabletop tripod like the Ultrapod. Second, an increadibly comfortable pair of shoes. After a few days of constant walking (in what I thought were good shoes) I felt as though someone had beat the soles of my feet with a stick, and I could only walk short distances before I needed a break.

Have fun.

SRMC

[Roger Hicks]

Yet another in favour of Leica plus (if you must) digi snapshot. Do you REALLY want to haul all that kit around?

Tell your wife the entire forum so far agrees with her -- that'll make her feel better.

I live about 200 miles from Paris and go there quite often. In fact I'll be there next week-end. It is fairly expensive (though not disastrously so like London) but I have not found Parisians anything like as rude as their popular image as long as you ignore the most obvious tourist restaurants. There is less dog-**** on the pavement than there used to be, too; far less than when I first went there maybe 30 years ago.

Stay as centrally as you can, preferably in the 3rd Arrondissement. Place des Vosges is gorgeous; so are walks along the Seine; all the cliches are great (Tour Eiffel from the Trocadero, Palais-Royal, Tuileries, Arc de Triomphe, etc.) Walk a lot, supplementing Shanks' Pony with a carnet (bunch) of tickets for the Metro (underground railway) which is very good indeed.


Cheers,

Roger

[peter_n]

Good point about the tabletop tripod SRMC. I took one of those too. And I used it! I have a little Manfrotto with a cool Slik ballhead that has separate panning. I recommend this little kit for light gear like an RF - approx. prices from B&H/Adorama below:

Manfrotto 3007 Tabletop Tripod Legs - US $14.95
Manfrotto 3007X Extension for Table Top Tripod - US $17.95
Slik SBH-120 Compact Ballhead - US $29.50

[Traut]

Thank you all. I think the M4 and the S500 will do it. The wedding is on a barge cruising the Seine. We're staying at the Westminster which is as central as we can be. The D700 and Hassle stay home.

[SolaresLarrave]

For all that's sacred to you... never carry ALL your gear with! Pick a Leica day or a Canon day, but just don´t carry all around.

Right now, I'm in Costa Rica. When I'm checking places out, I carry one Leica body and a couple of lenses or a lens & flash. When I go to work, I carry my Nikon SLR to document what's going on. In other words, think of enjoying the trip.

BTW, I may go to Paris next year... And I'll take my Leicas along. Only! Europe is a RF country. Last year in Barcelona, I did perfectly well with my 35/50/90 combo.

Good luck and enjoy "la ville lumiére"!

[Gabriel M.A.]

OK, here it goes: last time I was there, I brought: Canon 10D, Elan IIe, and four lenses (17-40 L, 50 prime, 28-135 and Sigma 15mm). The first time I visited I hauled everything. I don't regret it. The last time I brought the same gear, but I didn't haul everything with me, mainly the 10D with the 17-40 L, and the 28-135 in a Tamrac case with the lens case attachment.

After four days I said to myself, literally, "I've *had* it!", and during the last two days I only carried my Elan IIe with the 50mm prime, and three rolls of B&W film. I took 4200+ pictures in about 6 days (yes, I'm legendary within my circle of friends), but during the last two days I only shot a roll and a half. It was my vacation within my vacation.

You may want to haul your D70 around all the time. It is so much to take in. I am in love with Paris; you may have another perspective. In my experience, I would have probably kicked myself for not having done what I've done. For my next trip, I will bring again with me my 20D, and up to two lenses, and my Leica gear (it all fits nicely in one compact bag).

For the next part: do bring with you your wideangle lens(es). Your telephoto may be useful a handful of times, but your normal and wideangles will be indispensable.

Do not bring your Hassie I own one, and trust me, you do not want to carry that thing around in Paris. It is not worth it, not unless you're going to spend more than a couple of weeks there. There is so much to do, so many places to walk to; the Metro is essential, and you don't want to haul that thing (unless you like to be adventurous).

And, by the way, if you want to have a nice treat, although there are many many great restaurants in Paris, but this one is great and the price is right (for Paris): Chez Bibi. It's on 5, Rue Mandar, in the 2nd Arrondisement, not too far from Sebastopol. Try the canard confit; if you've had it before, you'll never think of duck the same way again. The next best thing is actually going to the south of France.

Do listen to your wife! Paris is for ze lovers, yes? Yu don't want to spoil eet. Have a great trip!

[Traut]

I have a small minolta tabletop tripod which is the same as the Leica. Thanks again

[FrankS]

Just to offer an alternate view, perhaps all you should take with you IS your Hasselblad. It's about the same weight as a Leica with a couple of lenses, and you'll end up with beautiful big B+W negs.

[Traut]

Frank,
A totally different perspective in more ways than one. That is an interesting challenge and viewpoint. I took a SWC as my only camera to the Bahamas many years ago when I was 15 years old I remember the look I received when I walked into John Bull with it around my neck.

[john_paris]

I agree :

Do listen to your wife! Paris is for ze lovers, yes

It's ok to have a sharp 35 or 28mm for my beloved Paris. I use to shoot having only my 50mm with.
btw Paris does not look like the sahara desert so b/w and high speed color might be usefull shooting Paris by night.
wish u a nice trip!

[Stephan]

Oh and bring lotsa cash, you can pay 5E for a coffee in the more touristy areas... If you want to take some good pictures have a walk around the village at the top of montmartre, nice place.

[FrankS]

Originally Posted by Traut

Frank,
A totally different perspective in more ways than one. That is an interesting challenge and viewpoint. I took a SWC as my only camera to the Bahamas many years ago when I was 15 years old I remember the look I received when I walked into John Bull with it around my neck.

Wow, Traut. A Hasselblad Wide shooter at age 15! Truly impressive.

[Traut]

My Dad would have fit in well here. He was a camera and car "nut". He was 41 years older than me and indulged my brother and me.

I had the original 1600F, a new contax 1, twin lens contaflex, too many leicas to list. Most of the stuff he received after WW2. His stories were amazing as to how he traded etc. He was always amazed that American GIs would stomp over Leica and Zeiss equiptment looking for Lugers.

The SWC was $300 with compartment case and extra backs from an interior photographer in 1965 or 1966. (but then again a new E-type was $5,800)I picked up an original manual cocking Superior Wide one for $175 over the years as well.

But he left me something much more valueable than cameras and cars.

[Mike Richards]

The wider the angle of your lens, the closer you can get to your subject and eliminate fire hydrants, street signs, tourists, and the like. At the same time, I like to catch architectual details from street level, and a long lens works better for this. If it were me, i'd take a Leica M body with 21, 50 and 135 lenses -- maybe a few in-betweeners depending on what I want to do. You can get all day or multi-day tickets for all museums and monuments at metro stations. And I second Roger's recommendation for Place de Vosges. Nice street shooting with buskers and other interesting people.

[Jan Cornelius]

What to bring is always a difficult descision .... in your case I would seriously ask myself if you want to change lenses and cameras all the time or take pictures ....

[peter_n]

Nice quote about your dad Traut!

[Bertram2]

Originally Posted by Traut

I am visiting friends in Paris for a wedding at the end of June. I am traveling from Miami, staying in Paris for one week.
l.

Traut,

I'll be in Paris too this year and so I have been in 2004, 2003, 2002.........
It's the standard birthday present of my wife, and I don't get tired of it.

There are some experiences of course, the first time I took two Bessas with 3 lenses and a SLR plus 28-300 zoom with me, this turned out as MUCH too heavy.

Paris is a city you have to explore by feet and I feel usually totally knackered when I go to bed, everthing hurts, feet look like pancakes. So the longer I walk around there the less weight I want to accept.

Meanwhile I use a L plus 4/25 plus level (architecture) mostly during the day, at night the R plus 1,5/50 Nokton plus monopod plus light meter.

I very seldom have both cameras with me, I must be SURE that I need them both during the day or at night.

The SLR plus zoom stays at home since two years and so does the Mat124.
One has to decide about the format at home. So far Franks's suggstion is well thought , the Hassie plus a 40-60mm and a 80mm lens would be a challenge too.

Important: You NEEEED a wide lens ! 28mm is a minimum, 25 is better, 21 plus 28 is best. The 50 is mostly used for details only or for people.

If you have a nice clear evening with blue sky go to the top of the Montparnasse building ( 200 meters high) and watch the sunset, the roofs get rosared first and then blue all over befor the darkness comes. Unforgattable view, and a dream for photogs.

Have a nice time travelling light,

Bertram

[Koolzakukumba]

I've come to this thred a bit late but I was in Paris for a week in April and I can tell you that it's one spread out city. I don't think I've ever done as much walking as I did that week. Thankfully, it's not hilly but many of the attractions are quite a distance from each other and it's not always possible (nor desirable) to take the Metro everywhere.

I had my Minolta A2 digital camera with me which was nice and light and brilliant but, if I were you, I'd just take the D70, zoom and 20mm. That will cover you for most things. It's tempting taking the Leica but a tele lens comes in handy for picking out details from the top of the Montparnasse and Eiffel towers.

I also like the confirmation available from the digital camera that "I've got the shot" - although don't put all your images on the one card!

Cheers,
Bruce

[Nikon Bob]

Another for the "your wife is right" crowd. My vote would be for the 28mm and one of the other two lenses that you have. A short tele might be useful too. I like to keep it light and enjoy the trip for reasons other than photography. Carried too much once and never again.

Bob

[Little Prince]

Traut, looks like what you need is a MF rangefinder . The mean path.

Can't advise you about stuff that you already have. I make poor decisions myself. But one thing I've felt often is it's better to just choose one out of all the stuff you have and be at peace with the choice. Chances are, your output will be as good regardless of what you take, but not having too many choices you will see and function better.

[Gabriel M.A.]

Originally Posted by Nikon Bob

Carried too much once and never again.

I second that! But I don't regret it; I won't do it again, but I don't regret it. 'tis better to walk the path yourself than being told what it's like, at least in this case.