I know.......... BLASPHEMY !!!
I’ve been blessed with an opportunity to travel in Europe for 20 days. Part of the trip will be a river cruise on the Rhine, but there will also be 12 days of car and foot travel following the cruise. This has caused quite a dilemma for me. I have some excellent photographic equipment in Nikon and Sony. The choice between the two has been strenuous and, excuse the pun, I had a lot to weigh.
The Nikon D800 is my premier camera and all the lenses that go with it are icing on the cake. It is a beast, in size and weight, but the quality of photographs is wonderful.
The Sony A7II was created for walking around with its IBIS stabilization. I have a good compliment of lenses for this camera too. While it’s not as heavy, it really isn’t that much less “bulky”.
In either case, I would be using the Lowepro 302AW. It’s a great bag with lots of room and a waterproof cover. I can fit either camera and the appropriate lenses with ease. Actually, there’s still enough room to add a change of socks and underwear, battery chargers, etc. I can sling that bag over my shoulder and I’m a walking photo studio.
One thing, that’s really great, as you get older, is that you start to get a little smarter. At 67, I’m far from weak, but the thought of lugging that huge bag full of equipment started to look far less attractive. Or worrying about theft if I leave the majority of equipment in my hotel(s).
Some years back, before I took up photography as a hobby, I was able to go to Rome. I had a small, and very inexpensive, Olympus point and shoot. I used it for hundreds of photos from the Roman Forum to the Vatican, and night shots at the Trevi Fountain. When I got home, I had those photos printed 4X6 and put them in an album. Over the years, I’ve shared that album with lots of folks. They are always amazed at the architecture and history displayed in the photos. They aren’t artistic works, but a recording of what I got to experience on that trip. Photos from my small Olympus P&S.
I enjoy taking fine quality photos with my Nikon and Sony. Sometimes I even amaze myself. But even with that amazement, I have accepted the realization that I’ll never be a National Geographic photographer, and I won’t win a Pulitzer. I’m OK with that. I enjoy every minute I’m out with one of my cameras and isn’t that what it’s all about?
But, I digress.
So, Europe.... Do I go to enjoy the opportunity, or become a slave to my hobby? I’ve chosen the former.
Another camera that I own is a Panasonic Lumix LX7. It has be relegated to glove box duty…. Until now. The LX7 is a fine camera, not a D800 or A7II, but far better than my Olympus. I’ve decided that the small LX7 will be my European travel camera. Not only that, but I’ll shoot in JPEG Fine and probably in the Program Mode. Yes, I know……. Blasphemy. When I get back from my trip, and I have my 4X6s printed and/or posted on-line, I doubt anyone will see less than what I experienced.
Well, that’s my story, and I’m sticking with it.
LX7 on LEFT.............
LX7 on LEFT.............
I’ve been blessed with an opportunity to travel in Europe for 20 days. Part of the trip will be a river cruise on the Rhine, but there will also be 12 days of car and foot travel following the cruise. This has caused quite a dilemma for me. I have some excellent photographic equipment in Nikon and Sony. The choice between the two has been strenuous and, excuse the pun, I had a lot to weigh.
The Nikon D800 is my premier camera and all the lenses that go with it are icing on the cake. It is a beast, in size and weight, but the quality of photographs is wonderful.
The Sony A7II was created for walking around with its IBIS stabilization. I have a good compliment of lenses for this camera too. While it’s not as heavy, it really isn’t that much less “bulky”.
In either case, I would be using the Lowepro 302AW. It’s a great bag with lots of room and a waterproof cover. I can fit either camera and the appropriate lenses with ease. Actually, there’s still enough room to add a change of socks and underwear, battery chargers, etc. I can sling that bag over my shoulder and I’m a walking photo studio.
One thing, that’s really great, as you get older, is that you start to get a little smarter. At 67, I’m far from weak, but the thought of lugging that huge bag full of equipment started to look far less attractive. Or worrying about theft if I leave the majority of equipment in my hotel(s).
Some years back, before I took up photography as a hobby, I was able to go to Rome. I had a small, and very inexpensive, Olympus point and shoot. I used it for hundreds of photos from the Roman Forum to the Vatican, and night shots at the Trevi Fountain. When I got home, I had those photos printed 4X6 and put them in an album. Over the years, I’ve shared that album with lots of folks. They are always amazed at the architecture and history displayed in the photos. They aren’t artistic works, but a recording of what I got to experience on that trip. Photos from my small Olympus P&S.
I enjoy taking fine quality photos with my Nikon and Sony. Sometimes I even amaze myself. But even with that amazement, I have accepted the realization that I’ll never be a National Geographic photographer, and I won’t win a Pulitzer. I’m OK with that. I enjoy every minute I’m out with one of my cameras and isn’t that what it’s all about?
But, I digress.
So, Europe.... Do I go to enjoy the opportunity, or become a slave to my hobby? I’ve chosen the former.
Another camera that I own is a Panasonic Lumix LX7. It has be relegated to glove box duty…. Until now. The LX7 is a fine camera, not a D800 or A7II, but far better than my Olympus. I’ve decided that the small LX7 will be my European travel camera. Not only that, but I’ll shoot in JPEG Fine and probably in the Program Mode. Yes, I know……. Blasphemy. When I get back from my trip, and I have my 4X6s printed and/or posted on-line, I doubt anyone will see less than what I experienced.
Well, that’s my story, and I’m sticking with it.
LX7 on LEFT.............
LX7 on LEFT.............
Last edited: