Have a great trip to Cuba. After decades of communist rule and sanctions the poverty is astonishing, but the people we met were all super friendly. Best to stay in a group or with a knowledgeable guide. And make sure to do a lot of research before leaving, the modern conveniences we take for granted such as cell coverage and wi-fi, and even consistent electricity, are spotty at best. And you can't just run down to the convenience store to get toothpaste if you forget to bring some. We were on a humanitarian mission and brought a lot of daily essentials such as Tylenol, toothbrushes, etc to distribute to those in need.

@@gregspov thank you very much for the information. I’m still learning as much as possible before the trip. Will take notes and be mindful on this trip.

@@streetinvertphoto963 I added some more Cuba travel tips to the blog entry that I wrote to accompany this video. You can read it at www.gregspov.com/articles/cuba-with-one-leica-camera-and-lens

20 years ago I carried a ThinkTank photo backpack stuffed with pro DSLRs and zoom lenses over a mountain pass in the Andes. There is no way I could physically ever do that again. So I'm grateful for the smaller lighter kit.

100% well said!

Yes, completely agree. I often switched between my 50 summicron and 28 elmarit when I was on vacation in Greece. The key to avoid doing too much lens switching is to decide ahead of time what is most appropriate, For example, the day we walked around the center of crowded Athens I kept the 28mm on the camera, versus walking along a ridge trail in Santorini with ocean views where 50mm was a better choice.

Leica is ridiculously expensive. I have a journal where I wrote my desire to try a Leica camera.... it's from 1998! So it took me 25 years before I could afford to buy into the system. But I feel like the lenses I have will last me the rest of my life, so in that perspective they are actually a good value.

Thanks! I tried a Voigtlander 35mm when I bought my first Leica rangefinder. They really are great lenses at a great price. I decided to go with Leica glass (barely was able to afford it) but that is a strictly personal preference. At the end of the day either lens is capable of amazing photos.

They do. My 50mm Summilux gives a completely different look. But when I want to travel light I don't mind the tradeoff.

No one wants to be “convinced” of something that removes the “this shot would have worked better if I had ” reasons / excuses. Restricting choice means mastering and deeper thinking about capability of gear, but more painfully - personal capability… (For me, I’m looking at going fewer lenses but more film backs)

I've never been to Japan, my goal is to visit Tokyo and Kyoto sometime in the next few years.

@@gregspov Tokyo is fantastic and huge and the exchange rate is awesome right now. My Leica gear was ~20% cheaper than in the U.S. I'm hoping to return in the next year or two.

Good point. But for commercial work I’ll be using my R5 anyway. The Leica, for me, is only for personal work.

I agree. If Ricoh put stabilization in the tiny GRIII years ago I don’t see why not in the much larger M body.

It’s true the buy in price to Leica is insane, only saving grace is that the value holds historically. So I guess I can do mental gymnastics when I bought my QP that if I ever need the cash back I can mooooost likely recover that 3k. That being said digital Leica bodies probably won’t last as long as the film era bodies. Still the M11P with that Lux - I would have extreme anxiety walking around ANYWHERE unless it was fully insured.

Yep, buy-in is insane. But I am considering finally selling my M10-R to fund some new lenses and right now the used M10-Rs are selling for more than what I paid for mine two years ago.

Yes, you can. People often confuse good photography with good/expensive equipment. I am fortunate to be able to afford a Leica system, but I can take just as good photos with my Canon kit. For me it is about the process and other factors. But at the end of the day it is a personal choice. There are plenty of artists who create amazing work with a Holga.

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48" I'm over six feet tall so it's the only option. Really like it though.

I am from the US. Probably should have mentioned that in the video. Having grown up in the US, Cuba was always off limits. Only the past few years things opened up. It's amazing that now you can fly to Havana direct from Florida on Southwest Airlines. Citizens of other countries have always been able to go there.

@@gregspov I asked because Cuba is still banned by USA but y are allowed to visit. I visited Cuba before USA banned. Interesting but shame since lots of colonial houses need repair etc..

I actually agree with you. My all time favorite photo I took with a used Canon TX that I bought on eBay for $45. However, there are a lot of other reasons why I like to shoot wit the Leica rangefinder. I tried the Fuji X100 but it just didn't work for me. When I bought my first Leica rangefinder it brought back joy to the process of photography that had been dulled by the auto-everything of modern cameras. At the end of the day these are all personal decisions. Similarly, a used Toyota Tundra pickup will do the same job as a $100K King Ranch, but some people like to drive nice trucks. Photography is a big tent and there is no "best" or "right" way to do things, we all have our own journeys.

@@gregspov Yep, totally agree, and funny how car analogies work their way into photography time after time. I'm not advocating in any particular direction because my own gear cabinet is a madman's collection. Sometimes it's just as important to leave the house and experience life than what gear you have.

Haha yeah his setup here is close to $20,000 USD. Still has a good message about focal length anxiety that can be applied across platforms. One small body like an X-Pro2 with a 23 or 35mm 1.4 could be a perfect option around 1,200 dollars tho. Fake rangefinder style

You are right, Leica is not for everyone. I'm fortunate that at this point in my life I can play with Leica gear. But 30 years ago I was using a cheap Nikon 35mm film point and shoot, and it took great pictures, then for the past 20 years I've been using Canon digital. For a long time my primary camera was a Canon 5D Mark I that I bought used for $600, and again, it took great photos. Photography is all about the process and the experience. Expensive gear can enhance the experience, but is definitely not a substitute for taking good pictures.

I was out yesterday with a Nikon D2x (2005) and a 24mm f/2.8D (35mm lens equivalent on an APS-C camera). Much of what Greg says about one lens applies to any camera with a 35mm equivalent lens. Not worrying about which lens to use and being able to shoot at f/2.8 was enjoyable. And the D2x is a heavy old thing, so having a small light lens on it was a help. Very little stealthy about a D2x though. Thanks for some of the ideas here.

I did :) but then again I'm not normal. TBH if I even went back there I'd take only my trusty old Ricoh GRIII.

I would