In general, I like to travel light. That is, take just enough equipment to get the job done, whatever that is. I travel with just enough clothes, etc. As I prepare for my trip out west to visit with Anita, Bob, and hopefully, Ibarionex if his schedule allows, I find myself in a dilemma. What should I take?
The part of me that loves to travel light says: Just take the Nikon P-510. It has a 24-1000 mm lens, is lightweight, and can do whatever you want it to do. It takes pictures! Also, if you want to go early morning, take your lightweight aluminum tripod with you and have at it, just be patient with the auto focus. 
The other part that likes ‘equipment’ and such says: So, you have that D700. Why not take it and use it? Grab that tripod and heavy ballhead and get you some sturdy pictures on those two or three mornings that you’ll be in the desert! (Saturday and Sunday morning, possibly even Monday morning.)
I was reading Earl’s posts before he went to Italy and he was taking his Olympus EM-5, a pretty lightweight camera that got the job done. Tom also was making similar considerations before embarking for the wilds of Alaska. Of course, to those of you who have multiple types of cameras, this dilemma is familiar.
I guess that I could break it down in to categories, or shall I say ‘intent’. It’s a no-brainer if I’m going to meet other photographers for the express purpose of taking lots of photos, as I did when I went to New Mexico a few years ago with my friend Kate, or when I met some friends in Asheville. Yep. Bring the big guns; however, if I am going on vacation, for example, with Deb, then lightweight it is. I just want a few snaps of where we have been and maybe a few early morning walking around shots. Heck! I went all the to Australia with only the M9 and one lens and survived!
Funny, while writing this post, I made a decision. I am going to travel light as I would only be using the tripod and ‘heavy equipment’ for 2 mornings out of 7 and, quite frankly, that’s not enough usage to haul it here and there, even though it would be sitting most of the time. I’m sure that the P-510 will do a stellar job. Of course, I’ll take a back-up, the S90, just in case. Or should I take a film camera … LOL
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Ah, yes. The equipment dilemma. I’m finding that the one camera-one lens approach works pretty well for me, even if it is the bigger camera. In fact I’ve gotten to the point lately where I leave the G12 in the car, but any time I go out to actually shoot I pick up the 5D. Seems that the pendulum for me is swinging back to the “if you’re shooting, why not use your best stuff?” end of the spectrum.
The tripod is one of those things that, when you need it, you need it. I understand the idea of leaving it behind, but I’ve generally been willing to make room for it and have been happy to have it when I wanted it. Your mileage may vary, as they say!
That reminds me that I need to go back and finish my post about the gear breakdown from my Alaska trip.
Like the new blog template by the way. It seems to load faster than the old one, and I like the look.
Tom Dills recently posted..Just One Shot
Tom: I most certainly understand about the tripod and the ‘best’ equipment, but sometimes, you just want low hassle. Also, looking at it from a more practical point of view, for me, I just wonder what difference it will make for the images, considering that all that I do, primarily, is post them to the web and print very few … of course, that opens up a whole other discussion – and I don’t even want to go down that path. LOL
Been thought this same decision process. No matter which way you go there are trade-offs.
For me, the Olympus E-M5 performed wonderfully during our recent trip to Italy but there were times when I thought my D700 would have done a bit better job or would have allowed me to use selective DOF to a greater extent. Yet the difference is not enough to make me to want to carry a full DSLR kit with me for pleasure trips…especially if it involves air travel.
After 10 days and 2200 photos I’m convinced taking the E-M5 was absolutely the right call for traveling. It’s one of the best smaller cameras I’ve ever used and it has exceptional IQ for it’s sensor size. While a D800 still wonders through my thought processes every once the E-M5 is a pretty good argument against it.
I’m sure there are other smaller cameras including the Nikon P-510 that provide many of these same benefits.
Earl recently posted..Venice, Italy
Earl, as we know, there is no one size fits all, unfortunately. There will always be trade-offs – and, as discussed before, weight. It’s no small feat carrying around 15 – 20 pounds of gear on your back, etc, changing lenses, setting up tripods, etc. Mind you, when I’m shooting locally, or traveling by car, the D700 or D300 gets the nod every time, unless it’s zoo time, then the P-510 wins; however, with air travel, I think that the P-510 wins, as does the MacBook Air!
Light is right … in my mind!
We’re heading to California on vacation in a couple months and I’ve toyed with the idea of just taking my Nex-5n along instead of the D7000. I’ve decided I want the best I have with me, so it’s the D7000 along with five lenses (maybe four). And a tripod, of course. This will no doubt be out of my comfort zone with all the equipment, but you have to take advantage of a situation when it arises. I guess it all depends on what the expectations are from a trip. To maximize the vacation part of it, I’d drop the heavy camera and take the Nex, but I want to maximize the photographic potential. Nuts…now you have me thinking about it again!
John recently posted..Fine Art Printing
Not to worry, John. I’ve not exactly put the D700 back into the closet, nor the tripod. I still have a few hours to make the decision. It is a tough one and, you are correct, it depends on what I intend to do, mostly. So, I’m still thinking about it, too! LOL – I’ll have a final decision when I’m on the way out of the door, heading to the airport.
For me it depends on where I’m heading, how long I’ll be there and the subjects I’m wanting to capture. A drive out east for a morning sunrise or an evening sunset will require the D300 and two lens. A bike ride to Old Town or an overnight in Santa Barbara calls for the G12. However, there have been those times I wished I had the other camera with me and sometimes even one I don’t own. Weight is probably the biggest deal for me, thus the DX format and the G12. We all know the best image is always made by the photographer. in my opinion you’re a good enough photographer to bring back great images with any camera.
Monte Stevens recently posted..I’ll Be Back
Having just one camera and two lenses in my pack, this is a dilemma I never had to face. I do have a small sling bag that is very ergonomic and i can carry it all day without a problem. The Sun Sniper strap takes the weight of the camera off your neck and makes carrying a moderately heavy camera very easy for long periods of time. One way to look at it is that there are no vacations for a photographer, only busman’s holidays.
ken bello recently posted..Butterflies are Free to Fly