How many cameras do you take on a long trip?

How many cameras do you take on a long trip?

  • 1 camera

    Votes: 93 14.4%
  • 2 cameras

    Votes: 313 48.4%
  • 3 cameras

    Votes: 173 26.7%
  • 4 cameras

    Votes: 39 6.0%
  • 5 cameras

    Votes: 13 2.0%
  • more

    Votes: 16 2.5%

  • Total voters
    647
One main camera (Bessa R2) three lenses at most, + one fixed lens (Leica Mini3 or Arette) I used to load up like a Sherpa, no fun, and I now have a dodgy back as a result.
 
Highly depends on the type of the trip and expectations.
Up until very recently I was a heavy SLR user equipped with EOS pro gear, so for general trips (be it family vacations of business) my heavy backpack loaded with Canon (single EOS3 body + booster, two large L zooms, flash, accessories) + heavy tripod in luggage. This is provided mixed in-cities waking/inter-cities rented car traveling. Made my back sore, but managed.
For dedicated nature trips - only my LF (4x5) goes with me - still take a lareg backpack but surprisingly not heavier that my previous Canon.
Now converting to RF (Leica M6 with current 50mm/2 'cron coming...) so here is how I can lay it down:
1. Business trips - Leica only (single body) with 1-3 lenses (for teh timebeing will only have single one - 50mm, so will me Leica with single lens).
2. Family trips (abroad vacations) - most certainly Leica only (single body with 1-3 lenses). If there is a large part of the trip that is nature - deicated (out of cities and any lareg population) and provided rent a car - my large backpack with 4x5 goes (+ 10 holders, a pack of 50-100 sheets, changing tent, meter, etc), Leica will also be the companion serving as main tool in general shooting.
3. Dedicated photo trips (so far did only few short ones) - used to go with LF only, now will probably take Leica as a backup.

As was mentioned - all depends on planning and expectations.
 
When I went to Moscow for a week I took an M6 and an M7 and a bunch of lenses. When I went to Japan I took an M6, M3 and a Fuji 645 (the older MF version of this is a great travel camera -- lightweight, w/internal lightmeter). If I am traveling by car, I tend to take more, by plane -- less. I haven't taken a long trip since the current travel restrictions went into effect. I'd hate to have to check a camera or anything delicate, although I have put a Bogen 3001 through checked baggage with no ill effects.

Ben Marks
 
At least two cameras should be bought along. In case of failure, you won't suffer for having no photoshooting chances during the trip.
 
These days I take one only...either my Nikon system or the G2...I used to take 2 but the backup cameras were the only ones that ever failed...or got damaged because I was swapping camreas in the heat of the moment... :)
Never had one of my primary cameras fail, go faulty or run out of batteries on a shoot...
 
On the run I'm currently on I have two - my Miniature Speed Graphic & the ZI Contessa. Perfect complements to each other :D

William
 
DavidH said:
These days I take one only...either my Nikon system or the G2...I used to take 2 but the backup cameras were the only ones that ever failed...or got damaged because I was swapping camreas in the heat of the moment... :)
Never had one of my primary cameras fail, go faulty or run out of batteries on a shoot...
Funny that isn't it? I needed my backup M6TTL a few weeks ago when an M7 was in the shop being calibrated, and it failed...
 
In theory I should take two OM bodies, 2 zooms and the 50mm.

In practice last time I carried 5 cameras including a panoramic Horizon and 3 Kievs, which made my wife crazy in the wait for each pic.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
It really depends...since there is no universal type of camera. My set up is the following:
1) If I travel by car to rural area to shoot landscapes: I take my Contax 645 AF with 2 lenses: 80/2 and 45/2.8 and a couple of magazines (one with color slide film, one with BW film - in case I will have a chance to shoot portraits).
2) If I travel abroad on holidays: I will take Leica M7 + 50/1.4 and Hexar AF with 35/2
3) If I go on a business trip, or to the office in Moscow, my Hexar AF is always with me, just in case....
4) For taking pictures of my family - Leica M7 + 50/1.4
5) Portraits - Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Expression.
 
Just two. It's usually an Ebony SV810 for the 8x10 work and a film 35mm for the fun stuff.
I did shoot for Doctors Without Borders years ago and always worked with two M6's. A black one for B&W film and a crome for Kodachrome.... but that was a different time.
-Rob
 
I used to take 2, bronica etrsi - 75mm, fm2n -24mm, which was my travel kit for many years and was great until I discovered rangefinders! Shooting 35mm and 120 on vacation can sometimes be a hassle, so now I only take the xpan and get MF quality on easy to find 35mm film....best of both worlds.

Back up camera is my wife`s panasonic FX9 P&S!:eek:
 
If it is going to be along trip, always two F2 Nikons, with 24,50,135 & 300mm with 2x converter. Sometimes I`ll take my M4-P with 21,50 ,90mm & leave one of the Nikons behind. For day trips I only take one, the M4-P as above, but lately I`ve been takeing just one of my GSN Yashicas, a lot lighter less worries.
 
I like to travel light - one camera and lots of film. But to be fair, my wife will usually carry her digital p&s, so we carry two. But if I'm going on my own, just one and probably just one lens too (although I might bring a second lens).

Cheers,
Alex
 
I voted 4 cameras, but I think 3 is usually more realistic for me. I usually take my G2, Voigtlander R2 and my Leica D-Lux 3 for snap shots. Soon I'll be taking my M5 and M6 along.

Finally bought an M6 for a little over a $1,000, still waiting for it to arrive.
 
I take three: A Bessa with panoramic head and four lenses (including 12mm).
A real panoramic camera (Noblex 35mm). Pictures taken with this have a unique "look" which I favor for certain uses.
A Pentax 67 for landscapes and similar subjects where I want to be able to make big prints.

All three cameras, with some filters and film fit into one backpack camera bag which ends up weighing 15-20 lbs. I usually carry a smaller bag that I can put a single camera in if I'm going to be walking around in a city for an extended period of time. I make it fit into my suitcase and fill it with clothing so it really doesn't add more bulk.

When I was younger and more fearless I carried a 4x5 instead of the Pentax. I still carry a tripod which also fits in the suitcase.
 
RD-1 and lenses, usually 35 f1.4 pre asph summilux, 50 f2, and the VC 21 f4. Sometimes the 90 f2, but it is a bit large for traveling, and I don't find I use it that much.
 
It was insane but I took 5 cameras on my last trip to Beijing and Mongolia.
Contax T, Contax T2, Contax G2 and 28, 45, 90. XA and the lumix FZ5. I managed to shoot some stuff in Beijing, but I caught a nasty cold in Ulaanbaatar and it was -25 celsius every day so I mostly stayed indoors. I figured I needed the G2 and the T for film and the FZ5 is pretty small, and then what the heck how heavy is a T2 and an XA? All the cameras worked well in the fierce cold, but the G2 felt like a block of dry ice.
 
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