Expedition camera(s)
Discussion
Righto chaps.
I'll be shopping for a new expedition camera (or two) soon, and I'd be interested in hearing some ideas...
This year I used a bog standard 2 megapixel Sony DSC-P31, which despite its weedy credentials performed pretty well. A principle reason for choosing this camera was that it took short video clips (no sound) that came out at a v. small file size - ideal for sending via satphone.
Also, it's v. easy to keep a compact camera in a pocket & whip it out while I'm skiing along.
I wouldn't call myself an expert photographer, but the photos may be used in a book, and will definitely be used to illustrate lectures etc, so quality is important.
So, do I take:
1) a newer (5 megapixel) Sony - www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/p92.html
2) the old Sony for point'n'shoot/video for satphone transmission AND take something like a Nikon D100
3) something else??
Requirements:
- MUST take AA batteries (I use lithiums, which are fine in the cold. Nikon D100 has an AA battery pack)
- should be fairly idiot proof
- reasonably durable, although the Sony survived perfectly this year
- lightweight
Over to you
I'll be shopping for a new expedition camera (or two) soon, and I'd be interested in hearing some ideas...
This year I used a bog standard 2 megapixel Sony DSC-P31, which despite its weedy credentials performed pretty well. A principle reason for choosing this camera was that it took short video clips (no sound) that came out at a v. small file size - ideal for sending via satphone.
Also, it's v. easy to keep a compact camera in a pocket & whip it out while I'm skiing along.
I wouldn't call myself an expert photographer, but the photos may be used in a book, and will definitely be used to illustrate lectures etc, so quality is important.
So, do I take:
1) a newer (5 megapixel) Sony - www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/p92.html
2) the old Sony for point'n'shoot/video for satphone transmission AND take something like a Nikon D100
3) something else??
Requirements:
- MUST take AA batteries (I use lithiums, which are fine in the cold. Nikon D100 has an AA battery pack)
- should be fairly idiot proof
- reasonably durable, although the Sony survived perfectly this year
- lightweight
Over to you
Wow. Depends how much of your expedition is assigned to getting photos I think. If you want brilliant photos for publishing etc, I suppose the SLR route is best. However if you just want to travel light and keep your mind on not falling into crevasses, then a compact would be less bulk, weight and equipment.
In the compact category I was going to suggest the Olympus Mju300/400 as they are 'weatherproof' - but they don't take AA batteries.
Hence you may consider this a useless reply!
In the compact category I was going to suggest the Olympus Mju300/400 as they are 'weatherproof' - but they don't take AA batteries.
Hence you may consider this a useless reply!
The D100 doesn't use AA batteries as standard, although you can buy an extra battery pack (£250!)which takes 6 of them.
If you want indestrctible cases, then your best bet is probably Peli, although depending on how much protection you really do need, I've found Lowepro to be very good.
If you want indestrctible cases, then your best bet is probably Peli, although depending on how much protection you really do need, I've found Lowepro to be very good.
polar_ben said:
Assuming I go for the D100, what's the best way to store three months' worth of pics - are microdrives fragile
It depends on how many shots you'll be taking - you can buy portable hard disks that you simply plug your memory card into to transfer your photos across, or even a portable CD burner which does the same thing. I've had a quick look on www.warehouseexpress.com, but can't see any that use AA batteries.
THe other option would just be to stock up with a few CF cards - they're solid state, so they use less juice than microdrives, and are much less fragile. The type of card you go for will obviously be dictated by the camera (or maybe the other way round!), but if you could use Compact Flash cards, you can now buy a 4GB card (for nearly £1k though!) which will give you plenty of storage.
Of course, it may be better to go for several lower capacity cards instead of one bigger one, in case you lose/damage one or it becomes corrupt, but they're very small and light so carrying a few of these shouldn't be a problem.
>> Edited by ehasler on Friday 12th December 14:04
polar_ben said:
Indeed.
I've just spotted the Fuji FinePix S2 Pro.Any thoughts?
That's on my 'wants' list Ben - and it's a true SLR (by which I mean, somewhat incorrectly, that it has interchangeable lenses). It's essentially a Nikon and takes Nikon lenses, which is a big plus for me.
It gets rave reviews and seems to be better performance/value than the Nikon equivalent.
You'll find it at:
http://www.ephotozineshop.com/photo/digicameras/Fuji.html#s5000">www.ephotozineshop.com/index.cfm?http://www.ephotozineshop.com/photo/digicameras/Fuji.html#s5000
and a review with more info than you dream of at:
www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Fujifilm/fuji_s2.asp
I don't know about that particular model but Fuji have a very good track record of making extremely stout high-end cameras. It goes unnoticed a lot of the time because they don't really have much between the inexpensive consumer stuff and the pro stuff. They actually make a lot of gear that is sold under the Hasselblad name.
That particular camera though, IIRC uses mostly Nikon bits except for the electronics.
That particular camera though, IIRC uses mostly Nikon bits except for the electronics.
simpo two said:
Think how that photographer with Shackleton managed!
They were real men in those days, none of that mincing about with digital compacts.
Get your self a Gandolfi and a few crates of whole plate glass negatives...... no batteries required. 
Admittedly, Frank Hurley did have the Endurance to get his kit there, but later had to push it around in a lifeboat with the help of his colleagues, but still managed to produce some absolutely stunning images.
polar_ben said:
Anyhow, if I buy all this kit, would anyone be able to help out with a crash course in digital SLR photography for beginners?
Be happy too....... in return for a crash course in Polar exploration. I fancy a holiday. Or I could come along as the official expedition photographer.
Contrary to my very pro digital views elsewhere on this forum, this is one instance where I would be tempted to stick to good old, shock, horror...... film.
With a nice mechanical Leica MP and a couple of lenses. It would give you better quality results for printing in a book over the digital compacts, and take the old camera for sending stuff via the satphone. The D100 and Finepix are good cameras and would give you the quality, although you can't get very wide angle views due to the focal length multiplier on either of them as they are not full frame. Not sure if that's important to you. Extra lenses are also going to be bulkier and heavier too. Just curious, but how many batteries do you take for a 3 month trip? I guess the performance drops, so do you keep them down your double gusset, insulated Y fronts? Or can you re-charge them from a solar panel?
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