I know.......... BLASPHEYM !!!

TedG954

Senior Member
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.............

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LX7 on LEFT.............

P1030356.jpg
 
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Dawg Pics

Senior Member
Sounds like a great opportunity. I would rather enjoy myself than worry about lugging equipment around. You made the right call. :D
 

TedG954

Senior Member
Does the camera allow you to control exposure at all?

The histograms are confirming there's significant over-exposure in most of those shots.

Yes, Paul. It has just about all the controls of good DSLRs. It will even bracket.

The over exposures could be a result of my PP. :chargrined:
 

RobV

Senior Member
That looks like a nice upgrade from my pocket camera (which I rarely bring out any more) - a Minolta Dimage G400.
 

Danno

Senior Member
That looks like a good plan Ted. No need for distractions on a trip like that. Sounds like an amazing opportunity.
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
You'll be proving that it's the photographer, not the equipment, that captures the moment and tells a story. Your test shots already show that.

Enjoy the trip and I can't wait for the stories you come back with! Lisa and I have talked about doing a river cruise, but adding on the extra travel time sounds like it makes this a dream trip that I'm a long way from being able to pull off. Enjoy!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

sonicbuffalo_RIP

Senior Member
Take the Sony......plueeeze! @TedG954

It's small enough.....but whatever you do, enjoy the trip! My wife and I were supposed to go to Germany this past fall, but she decided flying that far wasn't a good thing for her so we didn't go......I was looking forward to it, but such is life. Whatever camera you take will work fine I'm sure. I'd just take a smart phone if I was worried about size.
 
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Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
D800 with 16-35 and the nifty 50mm 1.8. At least you have a viewfinder and high iso IQ and stabilizer. Plus the battery that will outlast more than 3 hrs of shooting.
 
Well if you have any sense you will not be walking around with that camera bag screaming rob me .....more like one camera /lens with the Nikon bit taped over and a sombre black strap...just remember that millions have landed on the southern shores and in Germany displaced from the middle east .....If you are with a group don't walk at the back of the group and when at a pavement café don't sit on the outside tables.....Use the safe in you cabin.
 
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Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
Well if you have any sense you will not be walking around with that camera bag screaming rob me .....more like one camera /lens with the Nikon bit taped over and a sombre black strap...just remember that millions have landed on the southern shores and in Germany displaced from the middle east .....If you are with a group don't walk at the back of the group and when at a pavement café don't sit on the outside tables.....Use the safe in you cabin.

I was in eight countries in Europe in 2016, including Germany four weeks ago for the second time. A little common sense like you would use in any major city in the world is appropriate but there is no need to overreact.
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
I was in eight countries in Europe in 2016, including Germany four weeks ago for the second time. A little common sense like you would use in any major city in the world is appropriate but there is no need to overreact.
I travelled through 10 countries in Africa with my Nikon with no issues in a black and yellow lowepro back pack. Just use common sense, oh and I was in tents so no safe luxury.

Sent from my Sony Xperia XZ
 
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