Waterproof, indoors, landscapes and compact
Discussion
On the trip to NZ in the new year I could take the 300D and a couple of lenses, buying a speedlight in Hong Kong on the way so I've pretty much got it all sorted for some quality shots on the trip.
But that means quite a bit of kit to carry/get stolen and I wondered if anyone could advise of a compact camera I could buy in Hong Kong and leave the DSLR at home.
As its compact it will need to be good indoors at partys etc. because that would be what it was used for when I got back, but I would also want it to be good at landscapes etc while we are in NZ
And since we'll be on a boat for 10 days it would be great if it was waterproof so it doesn't get damaged and I might even drop into the sea every now and again and go fishy spotting so proper waterproof rather than splash proof would mean I could get pictures of the sharks too!
It sounds a lot to ask I reckon, but does anyone know a camera that can do this lot?
But that means quite a bit of kit to carry/get stolen and I wondered if anyone could advise of a compact camera I could buy in Hong Kong and leave the DSLR at home.
As its compact it will need to be good indoors at partys etc. because that would be what it was used for when I got back, but I would also want it to be good at landscapes etc while we are in NZ
And since we'll be on a boat for 10 days it would be great if it was waterproof so it doesn't get damaged and I might even drop into the sea every now and again and go fishy spotting so proper waterproof rather than splash proof would mean I could get pictures of the sharks too!
It sounds a lot to ask I reckon, but does anyone know a camera that can do this lot?
waterproof no - theres been an advert for such a thing on t.v lately but cant remember what it is. As for a decent compact i have a sony cybershot dsc-w70, its nice for indoor use (all its for since i invested in an eos 400d) and i got some nice pictures last time i was at silverstone with it. not used it for anything else but even with the digital zoom the pictures arnt too bad.
Bit of an issue is that you are asking it to do a very wide range of things.
The waterproof one being advertised at the moment is made by Olympus, might be Ok indoors as wel but I suspect to be honest virtually all compacts are going to struggle with being able to do all that you are asking it to do, esp the landscapes in NZ.
Chris
The waterproof one being advertised at the moment is made by Olympus, might be Ok indoors as wel but I suspect to be honest virtually all compacts are going to struggle with being able to do all that you are asking it to do, esp the landscapes in NZ.
Chris
If you can find a compact that can take landscapes... let me know!
I have one of these http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons80/ which was the best you could get two years ago. Now obviously superseded, but I've been impressed (It's miles better than my brand new ultra compact Capilo R7). The other thing you can get for it is a waterproof case which will allow pics underwater. I'm sure it's successor will have the same.
May be a plan.
ETA it's virtues as noted by DP Review
Excellent resolution, good per-pixel sharpness for this class of camera
Low noise at ISO 50 and 100, not bad at 200 and 400
Fast, responsive operation
Excellent metering and color
Very clean, artefact-free images
High quality wide-angle zoom (28 - 100 mm equiv.)
Comprehensive range of controls
Solid build quality, nice finish
Dedicated controls for most shooting functions
Advanced features such as intervalometer, sync curtain, spot AE point
Custom shooting mode (user saved settings)
Large, bright, wide-viewing-angle screen.
AF assist lamp
I have one of these http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons80/ which was the best you could get two years ago. Now obviously superseded, but I've been impressed (It's miles better than my brand new ultra compact Capilo R7). The other thing you can get for it is a waterproof case which will allow pics underwater. I'm sure it's successor will have the same.
May be a plan.
ETA it's virtues as noted by DP Review
Excellent resolution, good per-pixel sharpness for this class of camera
Low noise at ISO 50 and 100, not bad at 200 and 400
Fast, responsive operation
Excellent metering and color
Very clean, artefact-free images
High quality wide-angle zoom (28 - 100 mm equiv.)
Comprehensive range of controls
Solid build quality, nice finish
Dedicated controls for most shooting functions
Advanced features such as intervalometer, sync curtain, spot AE point
Custom shooting mode (user saved settings)
Large, bright, wide-viewing-angle screen.
AF assist lamp
Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 27th December 14:46
I was faced with exactly this issue in 2005 and thanks to people here was persuaded to take the DSLR and as much as would fit in my bag - IIRC 3 lenses, flash and various bits. It all fitted into the holdall I was using as hand luggage and meant it was never more than a few feet away if an opportunity arose. I also took a compact - but only as backup or for when a DSLR was too cumbersome. And I borrowed a HD storage thingy. In short, don't skimp - NZ is a feast so why take a sideplate?
Our digi-compact broke on Day-1 of our holiday in Thailand (had to use the SLR lots...shame, eh? 
), so I'm looking for a new does-it-all compact.
Two waterproof ones:-
- Some Pentax thing which gets crap reviews for flash-photography.
- Olympus 'mju'790SW (mju = greek letter - u with a left-tail), which gets better reviews.
However, leaving that aside, and wanting decent optics, I'm looking at:-
- Canon A570IS
- Canon IXUS 70/75
- Panasonic Lumix FX__ (Leica lens)
- ...further research to be done on Nikon etc...
There're so many out there now it really depends what your priorities are - capability, size/weight, price...
), so I'm looking for a new does-it-all compact.Two waterproof ones:-
- Some Pentax thing which gets crap reviews for flash-photography.
- Olympus 'mju'790SW (mju = greek letter - u with a left-tail), which gets better reviews.
However, leaving that aside, and wanting decent optics, I'm looking at:-
- Canon A570IS
- Canon IXUS 70/75
- Panasonic Lumix FX__ (Leica lens)
- ...further research to be done on Nikon etc...
There're so many out there now it really depends what your priorities are - capability, size/weight, price...
Oh christ, now I'm really torn. Faced with, on the face of it, conflicting advice from respected P&V forum posters Get Carter and Simpo Two.
Does it make it significantly easier if I drop waterproof off the wish list?
I must admit, I'm erring towards the thinking of Simpo Two and maybe even buying a lens in Hong Kong.
So to make things even more complicated, for say a couple of hundred quid should I get something to either complement or replace one of these
Canon F1.8 II 50mm
Canon EFS 18-55 kit lens
Canon EF 55-200 4.5-5.6 USM
I'm going for a lie down now, my head hurts.
Does it make it significantly easier if I drop waterproof off the wish list?
I must admit, I'm erring towards the thinking of Simpo Two and maybe even buying a lens in Hong Kong.
So to make things even more complicated, for say a couple of hundred quid should I get something to either complement or replace one of these
Canon F1.8 II 50mm
Canon EFS 18-55 kit lens
Canon EF 55-200 4.5-5.6 USM
I'm going for a lie down now, my head hurts.
Phew. Thanks for resolving that for me GetCarter.
But you're not off the hook just yet
Faced with those lenses, I'm thinking about leaving the 55-200 lens and taking the 50mm because its great indoors and the 18-55 is a good walkabout - if a little frustrating at times because it 'just' hasn't got enough zoom.
Right thinking?
Then what, add to them in HK or replace one of them
But you're not off the hook just yet
Faced with those lenses, I'm thinking about leaving the 55-200 lens and taking the 50mm because its great indoors and the 18-55 is a good walkabout - if a little frustrating at times because it 'just' hasn't got enough zoom.
Right thinking?
Then what, add to them in HK or replace one of them
Barreti said:
Oh christ, now I'm really torn. Faced with, on the face of it, conflicting advice from respected P&V forum posters Get Carter and Simpo Two.
I'm an RPVFP! Cheers fella! I try to avoid bunfights these days but I do have hands-on experience of this one.Here are the two scenarios - decide which one is the least bad:
1) You fly 12,500 miles to New Zealand, find yourself perfectly placed to get the shot of a lifetime, then find you haven't got the right camera/lens to capture it.
2) You fly 12,500 miles to New Zealand, 12,500 miles back and later realise that you didn't need one of the lenses you took.
You don't have to have the whole bag-full round your neck all the time, but at least have it in the motel room/car boot so it's always within an easy walk.
Lenswise I took (this is Nikon but you get the idea):
18-70mm
70-300mm
60mm macro
I found that the 18-70 was used for at least 95% of the photos (though you may be diffrent of course). I left the fast lenses behind because I felt they were very bulky and unlikely to be needed (main use is for weddings). I didn't buy a super-wide because I was on a budget and if a panorama presented itself (which it did) I planned to stitch two or more shots together.
Things I could have done better: I took an ND4 filter in the hope of getting some moving water shots, but the light was so bright that even with a CPol as well I couldn't get slower than 1/15th, which didn't really work. Tripod - I bought a flimsy metal travelpod with telescopic legs (no way was the Manfrotto going to fit!). It was desperately wobbly but just adequate:
What it looks like:
What it got:
You never know what's going to present itself.
Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 28th December 14:50
If you are well used to the 300D and get a high percentage of 'keepers' with it,
then my advice would be to take that.
But if you quite often get images that you are not pleased with technicaly and/or you really don't want to lug all that stuff around, how about taking a good 'bridge' camera?
then my advice would be to take that.
But if you quite often get images that you are not pleased with technicaly and/or you really don't want to lug all that stuff around, how about taking a good 'bridge' camera?
Thanks to you all for your very helpful advice.
After such common sense advice, not least from Simpo Two
, it seems a complete no brainer to take the DSLR. So it's packed
And thanks for the info Quinny, it looks like I'm going to leave the Canon EFS 18-55 kit lens at home and take the other two (Canon F1.8 II 50mm & Canon EF 55-200 4.5-5.6 USM) with a view to buying a 17-85 at HK airport along with a Speedlight flash.
That is unless anyone has an alternative to the Canon 17-85 IS lens Andy suggested - Sigma perhaps?
After such common sense advice, not least from Simpo Two
, it seems a complete no brainer to take the DSLR. So it's packed And thanks for the info Quinny, it looks like I'm going to leave the Canon EFS 18-55 kit lens at home and take the other two (Canon F1.8 II 50mm & Canon EF 55-200 4.5-5.6 USM) with a view to buying a 17-85 at HK airport along with a Speedlight flash.
That is unless anyone has an alternative to the Canon 17-85 IS lens Andy suggested - Sigma perhaps?
Barreti said:
After such common sense advice, not least from Simpo Two , it seems a complete no brainer to take the DSLR. So it's packed
, it seems a complete no brainer to take the DSLR. So it's packed 
Well if you're keen on your photography, want to be ready for anything, and want to get home with the best possible collection of images, you've done the right thing. I may also suggest that you buy a very big gadget bag so I can stow away in it... I was in NZ two years ago today - Tapeka Point to be precise - and am having severe withdrawal symptoms. If I was a billionaire I'd buy my top buddies some tickets and fix up an NZ photo jolly.Target to beat: 3,500 photos in a month
Barreti said:
....with a view to buying a 17-85 at HK airport along with a Speedlight flash.
That is unless anyone has an alternative to the Canon 17-85 IS lens Andy suggested - Sigma perhaps?
For retail pricing i'd take a some of the alternatives to the 17-85 IS (roughly £360 uk retail)...That is unless anyone has an alternative to the Canon 17-85 IS lens Andy suggested - Sigma perhaps?
From Canon:
EF 17-40mm f4 L USM - approx. £480
EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM - approx £625
That 2nd lens, the 17-55, seems to have a great reputation. Some people seem to take the view that if it was EF mount rather then EF-S, it would be an L series lens.
To be fair, both of those lenses seem well regarded
From Sigma:
18-50mm F2.8 EX DC Macro - approx. £280
18-50mm F2.8 EX DC HSM Macro - approx £330
As always, scan the reviews of these lenses at the usual suspects, like Fred Miranda, Photozone.de, etc..
Cheers.
Barreti said:
I wondered if anyone could advise of a compact camera I could buy in Hong Kong and leave the DSLR at home.
You've already decided what to do now, but this may have been interesting...http://www.sigma-dp1.com/
Quinny said:
Trouble is, non of those lenses are longer than 55mm, and Barreti has said that he's frustrated by his 18-55 as its often to short.
There doesn't seem to be much choice in the 17-80mm range does there??
They all seem to be 16-35(very expensive) 17-40, 17-55, 20-35,
Then you start getting into 24mm to whatever which has the range at the top, but loses out at the bottom.
So not much choice at reasonable cost if you're trying to cover 17/18 up to 70/80. Which is a nice range for just walking about with.
I've got a 28-135 IS which I find a good lens, but with the 1.6 crop on my camera the lower end is often found wanting. If it was 18-135 it'd be perfect.
There is :There doesn't seem to be much choice in the 17-80mm range does there??
They all seem to be 16-35(very expensive) 17-40, 17-55, 20-35,
Then you start getting into 24mm to whatever which has the range at the top, but loses out at the bottom.
So not much choice at reasonable cost if you're trying to cover 17/18 up to 70/80. Which is a nice range for just walking about with.
I've got a 28-135 IS which I find a good lens, but with the 1.6 crop on my camera the lower end is often found wanting. If it was 18-135 it'd be perfect.
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM - approx £250
Not sure how it is regarded though.
There is a review here, but thats the non-HSM model. Seems pretty favourable though...
The non-HSM model also has a score of 8.8 on FredMiranda thats not bad
Think the HSM version is new though, probably the reason for the lack of reviews i'd guess.
Cheers.
Quinny said:
I did mention the Sigma 17-70 f2.8.
A friend of mine has one, and he knows far more about this stuff than me
He regards his very highly, and I've seen some of the shots he's taken with it
All in all it looks a good lens for the price. Especially with the f2.8
Its only f2.8 at the 17mm end though, its f4.5 at 70mm A friend of mine has one, and he knows far more about this stuff than me
He regards his very highly, and I've seen some of the shots he's taken with it
All in all it looks a good lens for the price. Especially with the f2.8
The 'old' version is still for sale (approx. £220), but the new version has Sigma's HSM focusing system (similar to canon's usm) and presuming it reviews as well as the non-HSM version, seems like the one to go for. £30 for fast focusing looks like a bargin
In fact, the only downside seems to be the lack of a stability system.
Cheers.
Hi chaps, here's an update of my purchases.
I took my DLSR, along with the Canon prime 50mm f2.8 and 55-200mm lenses, thinking I'd replace the 18-55 at Hong Kong airport on my way out.
Big mistake
Hong Kong airport has only 1 company selling electronics. The only Canon fit lenses they sell are the 50mm prime I already had, and something I didn't even bother to look at because it was £10k (yes that is in £Sterling)
So for the holiday I was stuck with the two lenses, although I have to say the zoom lens coped pretty well. But it meant I got very few of the candid people shots I like to take because I couldn't get far enough away.
On our stop in Hong Kong on the way back I was determined to get a lens I could use to get a shot of the fantastic view of the harbour from our hotel room.
I couldn't find the Sigma 17-85 f2.8 which was my first choice - well not in HSM at any rate.
So I bought the Canon 17-85 f4-5.6 IS for £200 which seemed a decent price.
I also bought the Canon Speedlite 580?EX II which I've lusted after for ages. I paid £210 for this which looks like a complete bargain.
I got these from Nathan Road, although I did have to back track after getting the £210 (HK$3150) price from one shop but after 'having a think' and walking towards the ferry, I was then quoted £250 (HK$3500).
After telling the guy there I'd been quoted $3100 down the road he just put the flash back on the shelf and sat down.
Ah well, it gave me a laugh as I walked back to buy it from the first shop, although my feet were groaning at every step by then.
Now I just need to work out how to use the flash - it has a manual as thick as the one which came with the camera!
Oh, it appears the Mrs was stiffed though - buying a Nikon S200 and 2Gb SD card for £170 - which I've just looked up on 7DayShop and she could have got it from there for less than £100
So it pays to do your homework.
Thank you to everyone who offered their help.
I took my DLSR, along with the Canon prime 50mm f2.8 and 55-200mm lenses, thinking I'd replace the 18-55 at Hong Kong airport on my way out.
Big mistake
Hong Kong airport has only 1 company selling electronics. The only Canon fit lenses they sell are the 50mm prime I already had, and something I didn't even bother to look at because it was £10k (yes that is in £Sterling)
So for the holiday I was stuck with the two lenses, although I have to say the zoom lens coped pretty well. But it meant I got very few of the candid people shots I like to take because I couldn't get far enough away.
On our stop in Hong Kong on the way back I was determined to get a lens I could use to get a shot of the fantastic view of the harbour from our hotel room.
I couldn't find the Sigma 17-85 f2.8 which was my first choice - well not in HSM at any rate.
So I bought the Canon 17-85 f4-5.6 IS for £200 which seemed a decent price.
I also bought the Canon Speedlite 580?EX II which I've lusted after for ages. I paid £210 for this which looks like a complete bargain.
I got these from Nathan Road, although I did have to back track after getting the £210 (HK$3150) price from one shop but after 'having a think' and walking towards the ferry, I was then quoted £250 (HK$3500).
After telling the guy there I'd been quoted $3100 down the road he just put the flash back on the shelf and sat down.
Ah well, it gave me a laugh as I walked back to buy it from the first shop, although my feet were groaning at every step by then.
Now I just need to work out how to use the flash - it has a manual as thick as the one which came with the camera!
Oh, it appears the Mrs was stiffed though - buying a Nikon S200 and 2Gb SD card for £170 - which I've just looked up on 7DayShop and she could have got it from there for less than £100
So it pays to do your homework.
Thank you to everyone who offered their help.
Edited by Barreti on Monday 4th February 12:05
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