Hi Paul,
Very much off topic, but this whole thread is off topic, anyway…
Yes, I spend one to two weeks in the Dolomites each year. But I also fly to Austria and have been frequent flyer to Idaho in the US in work and want to go back. Iceland is another place I want to visit again.
I have firm plans to go on Hans Kruses "Dolomites East" workshop end september next year, and I would recommend Hans Kruse's workshops if you want to see the Dolomites. I was taking part in Dolomites West 2013, and it was very nice, but a bit strenuous. We started 4am each morning shooting till nine oclock, breakfast at the hotell, time off until 2 oclock (or was it twelve?), lessons until 4 pm and than off in the mountains again. Back around 9-10 pm, five course dinner and good local wine.
Cost, around 1200€ but you are half expected to come with a rental car. Other than that all inclusive. Actually, you can join the workshop two days early, you need to pay for the accommodation but Hans's time is free.
There are two workshops, Dolimites West is Rosengarten area and base is Welschnofen/Nova Levante. The East workshop is around Drei Zinnen/Tre Cime de Laveredo and is based in Pocol near Cortina. In 2015 there will be a combined workshop, too, half east half west.
In general, there will be no long hikes I guess. I would think < 2km and mostly significantly shorter. Altitude is around 2200 m.
On my trip we had a great team.
Sorry for the plug!
Technically, I carry the Hasselblad 555/ELD and P45+ and five lenses. Now I also have a Planar 100/3.5, making it six lenses, but I think about getting rid of the Planar 80/2.8 and the Distagon 50 and getting a Distagon 60 instead. But I need to do some testing and strength/weakness analysis to find out what works for me.
To that I add the Sony with 24-70/2.8 and 70-400/4-5.6 and either a Sigma 12-24/4.5-5.6 or Sigma 10/3.5 fisheye. To that comes the tripod. So I end up with around 18 kg. For longer walks at altitude some things are left behind.
Best regards
Erik
Hi Eric
Was your trip to the Dolomites? I have wanted to get over there for years.
Weight does matter as you get older. I can remember when I used to try and carry everything . Those days are gone.
I still backpack the tech kit but I carry only 2 lenses. I have a Fuji XT-1 which I love and will carry it on all trips I carry the Phase One kit. This enables shots that I just could not get with the tech camera.
Paul