Advice about camera for trekking
Discussion
Hi All
I am looking for some advice about what camera to buy to take to Nepal. We are going on a 14 day trek and I am told the scenery is really spectacular. I would like a camera that will take good pictures of the trip but which has to fulfill a number of requirements - high quality lenses (which?) and images, reasonably lightweight, not too bulky, easy to use and good battery life or accessible spares. I have always had compact cameras and currently have a Ricoh Caplio GR100 which s OK for snaps but I thought I might get something better. Would really like a DSLR but the choice is overwhelming. Some guidance from experts would be appreciated. Thanks.
I am looking for some advice about what camera to buy to take to Nepal. We are going on a 14 day trek and I am told the scenery is really spectacular. I would like a camera that will take good pictures of the trip but which has to fulfill a number of requirements - high quality lenses (which?) and images, reasonably lightweight, not too bulky, easy to use and good battery life or accessible spares. I have always had compact cameras and currently have a Ricoh Caplio GR100 which s OK for snaps but I thought I might get something better. Would really like a DSLR but the choice is overwhelming. Some guidance from experts would be appreciated. Thanks.
It would be a pity to go all the way to Nepal, see fantastic photo opportunities but lack the kit to do them justice.
Hence if you want best results, it's a DSLR for you. Sherpas can carry whole donkeys on their heads up mountains so a DSLR on top won't bother them
Lenses; if it was me I'd take the 17-55mm f2.8, 70-300mm (range being more important than aperture IMHO), and when the sherpa's not looking, a Sigma 10-20mm. Mind you 17mm is pretty wide so you might feel you can do without a 10-20.
ETA Take a polarising filter for each lens, or at least the wide ones.
Hence if you want best results, it's a DSLR for you. Sherpas can carry whole donkeys on their heads up mountains so a DSLR on top won't bother them
Lenses; if it was me I'd take the 17-55mm f2.8, 70-300mm (range being more important than aperture IMHO), and when the sherpa's not looking, a Sigma 10-20mm. Mind you 17mm is pretty wide so you might feel you can do without a 10-20.
ETA Take a polarising filter for each lens, or at least the wide ones.
Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 14th September 18:56
If I was going to Nepal I would be desperate to geotag the images I took.
This allows you to view on a computer where each image was captured in Google Earth. If you want to be able to do it you need a camera capable of it OR a GPS widget you carry around that can record locations/dates/times. The idea being you use software to match up the dates/times at some later point when you get home - giving you the locations.
Or you get a camera/widget capable of talking to one another when you press the shutter.
Maybe I'm mad about geotagging but, to me, it adds a lot to a "travelogue"...
This allows you to view on a computer where each image was captured in Google Earth. If you want to be able to do it you need a camera capable of it OR a GPS widget you carry around that can record locations/dates/times. The idea being you use software to match up the dates/times at some later point when you get home - giving you the locations.
Or you get a camera/widget capable of talking to one another when you press the shutter.
Maybe I'm mad about geotagging but, to me, it adds a lot to a "travelogue"...
rottie102 said:
Don said:
Maybe I'm mad about geotagging
Can't think of less important feature
It's a fun thing for me. It's practical purpose is that it allows you to identify the thing you shot years later once you've forgotten. I've got pictures from a vacation in Canada. "Ah yes: Another lake. Errrm. No idea which one...etc".
Brilliant for travelogues - which you might want to make of a trek!
Utterly irrelevant to the quality of the image, of course!
That's the kind of thing I do...
Now overlay on top of that a gallery of landscape photos each one with its own little icon along that trail.
Each photo might get a little write up, etc. You can squash that lot into a KMZ file and send it to the rellies who can view it in Google Earth. Makes for a nice email, or web-page if you prefer...
Travelogues. Fun to do. Combines with Landscape Photography very well...
Now overlay on top of that a gallery of landscape photos each one with its own little icon along that trail.
Each photo might get a little write up, etc. You can squash that lot into a KMZ file and send it to the rellies who can view it in Google Earth. Makes for a nice email, or web-page if you prefer...
Travelogues. Fun to do. Combines with Landscape Photography very well...
crmcatee said:
That's the kind of thing. Except I use KMZ instead of KML so that the images are private and can be emailed without them being publicly available on Panoramio. The Panoramio pictures, of course, are then a bonus, too. So as well as the pics you are sending the recipients can review other people's pics and Wikipedia information and and and...great fun.Not really a still camera - but Contour have just released a HD GPS Video Camera.
http://contour.com/camera?utm_source=Contour+Custo...
http://contour.com/camera?utm_source=Contour+Custo...
Thank you for your comments so far. I am continuing to research the matter and spent an afternoon browsing the camera shops in London. Unfortunately I am no further forward and in fact probably taken a step back as I am overwhelmed by choice! So some pointers would be helpful.
I am now trying to decide between a 4/3 micro-system camera and a “bridge” camera.. The latter are lighter and seem to have better lenses than those provided as standard kit. They are also a bit cheaper. I have discarded a DSLR as being too bulky and too expensive.
Amongst the micro-system cameras I like the Panasonic GF2 with touch screen and also the Samsung NX10 with very bright screen. Amongst the bridge cameras I have been shown the Panasonic FZ45 and the Fujifilm with x30 telephoto lens. I also note a new Canon Powershot due out in October. It is difficult to find your way through the numbers and specifications and why do all these manufacturers have such a huge array of similar models? So anyone with first hand information or a gentle push in the right direction would be appreciated.
I am now trying to decide between a 4/3 micro-system camera and a “bridge” camera.. The latter are lighter and seem to have better lenses than those provided as standard kit. They are also a bit cheaper. I have discarded a DSLR as being too bulky and too expensive.
Amongst the micro-system cameras I like the Panasonic GF2 with touch screen and also the Samsung NX10 with very bright screen. Amongst the bridge cameras I have been shown the Panasonic FZ45 and the Fujifilm with x30 telephoto lens. I also note a new Canon Powershot due out in October. It is difficult to find your way through the numbers and specifications and why do all these manufacturers have such a huge array of similar models? So anyone with first hand information or a gentle push in the right direction would be appreciated.
I do a lot of travelling and some trekking/exploring when I get a few days off, so know what it's like trying to decide upon a camera for this I myself am trying to decide what to get too, as my last camera (a Canon S90) was stolen last month. That was a great little camera an totally pocketable too, so always with me.
Current contenders for me are the Lumix GF1 or LX5. What I really want is the GF2 to be released, as I suspect this will be perfect and address some of the issues with the GF1. The new LX5 though does look rather good though and a is a fair bit cheaper than its changeable lens brothers.
Decisions decisions!
I myself am trying to decide what to get too, as my last camera (a Canon S90) was stolen last month. That was a great little camera an totally pocketable too, so always with me.Current contenders for me are the Lumix GF1 or LX5. What I really want is the GF2 to be released, as I suspect this will be perfect and address some of the issues with the GF1. The new LX5 though does look rather good though and a is a fair bit cheaper than its changeable lens brothers.
Decisions decisions!
I have a GF1 with the 20mm pancake lens and whilst it is a great set up I'm not sure it's exactly what you'd be looking for if you are primarily doing landscapes as it is the equivalent of a 40mm due to the sensor size. The 14-45mm lens would allow wider shots and also let you zoom into details a bit. It may make the camera to large for you though as you're getting closer to the size of a proper DSLR with it strapped on the GF1.
The other thing is that to get the best out of the GF1 you'll need to spend a bit of time getting the hang of how it works before you go. I'm not impressed with the automatic modes on it really. Something like the Canon G11 will be better from that point of view but with the trade off that once you get the hang of it the pictures will never be as good as those that you could get from something like a GF1, but then the same is true when comparing the GF1 to a proper DSLR.
The other thing is that to get the best out of the GF1 you'll need to spend a bit of time getting the hang of how it works before you go. I'm not impressed with the automatic modes on it really. Something like the Canon G11 will be better from that point of view but with the trade off that once you get the hang of it the pictures will never be as good as those that you could get from something like a GF1, but then the same is true when comparing the GF1 to a proper DSLR.
gingerpaul said:
I have a GF1 with the 20mm pancake lens and whilst it is a great set up I'm not sure it's exactly what you'd be looking for if you are primarily doing landscapes as it is the equivalent of a 40mm due to the sensor size.
True, but the new 14mm pancake lens (28mm equivalent) should be just the ticket:http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/le...
Moose. said:
True, but the new 14mm pancake lens (28mm equivalent) should be just the ticket:
http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/le...
Oooo, that looks great! Looks thinner than the 20mm lens too. When's it out and how much is it?http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/le...
To the OP this is what you want with your GF1.
Some DSLR batteries last ages and take hundreds of pictures before they need a charge, especially if it's landscapes so you're not using any flash.
I was in Asia, and I think the D40 needed charged once in about 1200 photos.
An example of 10mm wide on a Sigma 10-20mm.
Going wide can also be good for capturing more of a room when you're indoors.
However, the wee TZ6 got some of my favourite shots of the trip...
I was in Asia, and I think the D40 needed charged once in about 1200 photos.
An example of 10mm wide on a Sigma 10-20mm.
Going wide can also be good for capturing more of a room when you're indoors.
However, the wee TZ6 got some of my favourite shots of the trip...
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff