What Camera do you all carry?

[barcher]

Not sure if this belongs here in this topic - but here is the question anyway.

What camera do you guys pack? Obviously something light - but is anyone out there packing a digital SLR, and if so which one? Point and shoot cameras can only do so much, so I've begun to look at a few SLRs. Thinking about the Nikon D40x or the new D60 - small and lightweight as far as SLR's go (16 ounces without the lens).

Anyway, wondering what you guys pack to take some of the pictures we see on this thread.

Thanks

[Brotzie]

I use a Fuji FinePix A920 (http://www.microglobe.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?pName=fujifilm-finepix-a920-compact-digital-camera) now, but it's not a patch on Liefie's Nikon D40x. The Nikon is remarkably lightweight and an excellent camera.

Should have some good photos of sea kayaking and ascending Ben Nevis to share in a couple of months.

All the best, Ian

[Justin Davis]

Currently I use the Minolta A2. It is 8 mb. I plan on getting a Nikon D200 this summer when i get some money.

[Randy]

I'm using a Fuji Finepic S5100. Not an SLR, but has the feel and look. Good optical/digital zoom range and has the same features as many good SLR's. I'm looking to upgrade to a newer version with a little faster processor speed this summer.

My brother shoots the Nikon D40. One thing he learned...lenses from his other Nikon(s) will fit, but the autofocus will not function when he uses his 35mm lenses on the digital, something to research carefully if you already have lenses.

[poel]

Olympus Stylus 725SW. Shock resistant, water proof, shirt pocket size. Most of my photography is for work rather than recreation or craft, so it's gotta be digital. And I'm often maxed out with other gear so larger and heavier cameras don't make the cut. That little unit has performed very well and is, indeed, tough.

[calnaughtonjr]

When I'm hunting/hiking, I carry a Sony Cybershot. That's what all my posted photos except for the tornado pictures and bee were taken with. At home I have we Canon Digital Rebel--That's the bee and tornado camera. To be honest, I think the cybershot takes just as good of photos as the rebel on still shots, which is what I'm taking when hunting/hiking. The problem is a little lag time on action photos.

[berntboater]

Pentax Optio w20, it's waterproof(takes decent under water pics and video), small and relatively light. Still works after going through the clothes washer twice!

[SuperBadger]

Canon A720IS, 8 megapixel's, 6x optical zoom, AA batts and fully manual shooting. My other (more expensive) choice would the the Canon G9. Superb, all metal construction, all the resolution and features you would want.

[Sawtooth]

I use an HP R717 point and shoot. Compact, durable, but eats up batteries pretty fast. A Brunton solar panel will help with that.

[copper]

Barcher, I use a D40. Before you run out and get the D40x, consider the earlier D40 first. You save a bunch of money that could go to a lens upgrade. The additions of the "X" are all marketing and no performance enhancements that make a bit of difference. The added megapixels are horsepuckey. Given the sensor size of a dslr, 6-8 megapixels is spot-on. The more megapixels in a dx sensor size, the smaller each pixel has to be, the less light it can hold, therefore resolution starts to get counterproductive.

Pocket point & shoots have remarkeably good processors for their size shortcomings and that's part of why they do so well. The Canon sh850, iirc, would be one of your better options and can hold it's own against most low-end slrs except for lens options.

I also have a D200 and frequently find that that the d40 can outsmart it with tough indoor shots, etc. I still believe part of it is because the D200 tries to pack 4 million more pixels into the same size sensor.

[copper]

PS: You play the same game with Nikon or Canon. There's no real work-around with dslr's and cropped sensors other than eventual firmware upgrades. I thought the review moniters on canons were poor compared to Nikon, and I didn't like the way Canons menus navigated. All in, they're the same.

[copper]

This was with a D200 and a copious amount of Photoshop:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h238/stillhunter73/Alone.jpg

[copper]

This was a tricky shot given the light and done with a D40 on Program Auto:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h238/stillhunter73/SunsetandLeaves.jpg

[Jason]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: berntboater</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Pentax Optio w20, it's waterproof(takes decent under water pics and video), small and relatively light. Still works after going through the clothes washer twice! </div></div>

Now THAT'S a torture test!

Glad to hear it survived.

[Kevin]

Just picked up a Nikon Coolpix L5 on ebay.

My girlfriend has a Casio Exilim, which is really tiny, and works well. So far, the Nikon has worked very well for me.

[Bonasus]

Pentax Optio here too. I like not having to worry about the weather conditions. I would love to have a high-end Nikon digital some day. Copper, allow me to be the first to say, that is one very cool picture. Impressionist-Digital, way neat.

[barcher]

Thanks for the responses!

Copper - Tbanks to your post I've done some searching on the D40. It's going to be by next camera!

Thanks again.

Brian

[one-eyed Bob]

I like the Canon Power Shot Pro. It has a pro quality lens and is relatively small for an 8 megapixel camera.

[SuperBadger]

Good advice on the D40. Getting a lower-price DSLR such as the D40, and putting your money into a good lens or two is the way to go. Luckily, the lenses offered by Nikon are great- make sure to get a 50mm 1.8. It's the lowest price Nikon factory glass out there, and performs really well- an excellent portrait lens. IIRC, I think they run about 125 bucks. I bought my Canon 10D used, and while it's several years old, and pretty far behind the "latest and greatest", it's a champ, and shoots great. The main upgrades that I notice with most cameras now are faster write times to cards, and better high ISO performance. Both of which you can live without.

[JBR]

Just settled on the D40 last week myself. So far loving it, but having come up from the point-n-shoots, there LOTS to learn as the D40 is way ahead of me at the moment. I plan on taking LOTS of outdoor hunting and fishing photos this year and look forward to posting many of them. I'm REALLY looking forward to posting some pics of my (future) 8-man tipi and stove combo!! So please, would one of you guys hurry up and sell me one!! Seriously now!!! /images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

[MrFisherman]

My wife got me an Olympus 790 and I really enjoy it. It takes great pics, is drop proof, shock proof, waterproof and freezeproof (all within limits of course).
It takes video and great pics. I have a 2 gig card and have over a hundred pics on it now and there is room for more than a thousand more. Battery life is fantastic too and it will usually last me about a week unless I am taking a lot of pics, then it lasts about 3 days. It is small, light and fits in a pocket. I am very happy with it. The wife bought a kit that had a case, tripod, 2 gig card, cleaning kit, computer cord, data card computer kit and a software program as well as an extra battery. Perfect and less than 3 bones.

[barcher]

JBR - check out this site I found with user tips on the D40:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/users-guide/index.htm

[JBR]

Thanks Barcher - cool site. Makes you wanna run out and take more pictures.

[chambero]

My wife is wanting a digital SLR, but we've never had any kind of SLR before. Any basic suggestions on extra lenses that work well for general wildlife and sporting events (i.e. football games). This one ain't going in the backpack on hunting trips.

[Pocket Lint]

I carry my Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 with me, its like my EDC camera.

10x optical zoom, Leica wideangle lens, 7.2 mp

[Brotzie]

You'll want a relatively long lens, to catch the subject from a distance. Trouble is, the longer the lens, the more prone it is to blurring through camera shake. This means that you need to get as much light as possible into the lens so you can get a fast shutter speed - look for one with a big max aperture (that is, a small f/ number).

f/5.6 is the biggest sort of number you'll want, and that will need bright sunlight or a high ISO-equivalent setting on the camera (but high ISO tends to mean lower resolution pics); f/4 is better and should still be reasonably affordable.

Make sure the camera has a shutter-priority mode (usually called 'S' on the selector wheel). Basic rule of thumb to avoid blurring through camera shake is the reciprocal of the shutter speed should at least equal the focal length of the lens (e.g., shutter speed should be no slower than 1/200s for a 200mm lens). Gun-handling techniques work well with cameras - brace the camera with yor body; aim, breathe out and shoot: and track the target. Anything you can do to minimise physical movement will increase your imaging opportunities - a monopod's good or, if you're shooting something stationary like a nesting bird, use the self-timer because that means you're not pressing the shutter release (and thereby wobbling the camera) when the pictre's being taken.

Hope that helps a bit, and apologies for any of the above you already knew!

All the best, Ian

[elmbow]

Chambero, go to http://www.kenrockwell.com and do some reading. He has tons of good how to tips and discusses how digital photography has upended some age old film maxims on things like lense focal length, digital sensor sizes, pixel myths, film speed equivalents, lenses quality, fixed vs focal, etc. don't put off buying because something better is soon to come. No matter what, whatever you buy will be outdated six months later. I have a Nikon D50 with an 18-55 , a 55-200, and a 60mm macro.; all autofocus lenses designed to be used with the smaller sensor of the D50 to give equivalent results as older 24-72, 72-300, and 90 mm lenses. The newer slr's have 35m sensors which is better but cost more. Again, Ken Rockwell's webpage is excellent consumer info IMO. I grew up on Nikon and am biased. I would buy Nikon or Canon, but many others are good too. I have a box full of old Nikons, Nikkormats and Nippon lenses and they just sit since I went digital, especially since I discovered digital stitching software which allows you to produce prints with a digital 35 that you'd swear were taken with medium or large format cameras.

[CCH]

To minimize "shutter" lag, are SLRs the only way to go? I have a real challenge getting good photos of the kids, particularly my youngest who can't look at a camera for more than a split second. Are there any compact cameras that are quick? I'm not talking about focus as most posed shots can be set up in advance but more the time from pressing the button to actual picture taking. Our Canon S50 (I know it's a bit out of date) is just way too slow.

[BowDoc]

CCH,

I've got a Nikon D70 and D200 and my Canon G9 is almost as fast on boot up to first shot. My SLR's win on image quality, but the D200 with a big lens is kinda heavy in a pack. I didn't want to loose too much image quality on trophy shots or pictures of the kids and the G9 seems really good on all accounts.

Richard

[STTAOW]

I came across this thread and had to resurrect myself from the dead. You'll probably think I'm nuts, but when you make a living off of it, you'll take extra weight and huff it. Or just hire an assistant and split the weight /images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

If it's not for a client and I'm going digital, I'll typically take <s>a D300 body w/ a f/2.8 28-70mm, f/2.8 70-200, and either an f/1.8 50mm or f/2.8 28mm.</s> Correction: thinking about it, the last 3-4 times I've headed out on my own I've just brought the D300 body and f/2.8 28-70mm.

If it's for a client and it's digital, I'll typically pack in a D3 w/ a f/2.8 28-70mm, f/2.8 70-200, and either a f/1.8 50mm or f/2.8 28mm, and a spare D300 body.

If it's for a client wanting film, I'll bring (choke) the Hasselblad 500C/M, w/ 40mm, 80mm, 120mm, 2 film backs, 1 polaroid back, and 10-12 rolls + 2 packs of polaroid. Or 2 F100 bodies and the set of lenses above.

If it's not for a client and I'm going film, an old-school Minolta XG-M with a f/1.8 50mm, or the Hasselblad XPan, w/ 10 rolls (5 Neopan, 5 Velvia). Or Hasselblad 500C/M, 1 back & 80mm lens.

[TacBlade]

I carry a Nikon D80 in a Holster type bag that swings around from the front to back if needed. It is made by Tamrac.

[one-eyed Bob]

You can get an old telephoto lens that is manual focus for the nikon system and use it on many of the digital nikon slrs. I have a 300mm manual focus that becomes a 450mm effectively because the digital sensor on my D200 is smaller than 35mm film. I also have a 500 mirror lens that becomes a 750mm. That is about 15 power if compared to binoculars or spotting scope. These lenses are currently really cheap on ebay. Not all digital cameras will take the older manual focus lenses. You only need a small zoom lens if you have a big, cheap telephoto and a tripod available.

[SuperBadger]

A 300mm will take on the effective field of view of a 450mm lens. You're not getting extra magnification from your 300mm lens, but rather you're just taking a smaller chunk out of the center of the frame from a lens designed for 35mm. I believe an increase in magnification would require a whole separate optical element.

This isn't a bad thing, but something to consider anyways. It's becoming less and less important as camera and lens manufacturers continue to release lenses with focal lengths geared toward the crop factor of non full frame digital cameras.


check http://www.dpreview.com for in depth looks at basically any digital camera you can imagine, they also have sample photos from many cameras. When I'm not using my DSLR, I carry a Canon powershot A720 IS. It was about 180 bucks new. It's 8mp, and has manual controls, and also runs on AA batteries. I think it shoots pretty good photos too

http://patricklavalley.com/photos/morning.jpg

http://patricklavalley.com/photos/Nehalem%20Bay%20JUN08-29.jpg

http://patricklavalley.com/photos/MANCAMP08-3.jpg

[Inbound E]

I am in exact same boat as TacBlade. Nikon D80 in a Tamrac bag. 18-70mm and 70-300mm lenses. Hoping to go to 18-200mm VR lense soon. But with my Kifaru habit, I don't know if I'll be able to buy a new lense any time soon...

[SuperBadger]

I love the build-quality of the D80. Feels very solid in the hands. I would say you're pretty covered with the 18-70 and the 70-300mm, although you would gain a bunch more convenience having (almost) all of those focal lengths in one lens. Inbound- I haven't seen much of that lens, how does it look throughout the zoom range? I know some large-range zoom lenses don't always perform so well at their extremes.

This new Nikon offering looks promising:

http://nikon.com/about/news/2008/0807_coolpixp6000_01.htm

[Inbound E]

SuperBadger,
I also love the D80. Had a D70, but dunked it in an Ozark creek. Worst thing was telling my wife! Blessing in disguise was moving up to D80. Incredible functionality, very solid also. Regarding 18-200VR, DPReview looks to agree with you on limits at outer range, actually across entire range. Pros of vib reduction and wide range are ofset by cons of various image quality degredation. See review at
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/nikon_18-200_3p5-5p6_vr_afs_n15/
Maybe I'll stick with current setup for now. The 70-300 is superb. The 18-70 was actually referbed by Nikon after the D70 incedent. I might be better off replacing it and keeping the 70-300mm for now.

Great pics on your website.

[SuperBadger]

Thanks for the compliment!

How fast are your lenses? I mean, if there's anything to upgrade on the 18-70 it might be getting a constant aperture 2.8. But then again, if most of your photos occur outside during the day, a 2.8 might not really be worth the extra $$$. Nikon glass is really excellent.

[DII]

I carry a Cannon S5 IS it weighs in at 15oz. It has a 12X optical zoom that is equal to a 22-400mm SLR lens. It is 8 mega pixel sensor and almost all of the manual settings of a DSLR and it takes awsome photos.

[Inbound E]

I just want to replace the 18-70 sice its not sharp after dunking and subsequent refurbish. Nikon now has 18-135mm VR, which might be nice also. I think I need to check Tamron, Sigma, etc just in case there are good deals. A Nikon 2.8 would be great. I'm sometimes shooting in low light, though mostly daytime.

[SuperBadger]

I had a Tamron lens for awhile, a 19-35. It was a good piece of glass, plenty sharp. The only thing I felt it lacked was adequate close-focus distance. I think it could only focus down to 1 foot.

[Ksnake]

Just picked up a Canon PowerShot A650 IS. It fits in my shirt pocket, and has Image Stabilization to help with the shakes. Only taken about 100 pics with it so far, but I like it. I would like an SLR, but not for backpacking. Need it to be ready in my shirt pocket at all times. 12.1 Megapixel and 6x Optical Zoom. The feature I love the most is the flip out swivel LCD. Comes in real handy when using macro and at other times when you are working at a weird angle.

[JBR]

WAS carrying my Nikon D40 on rambles, right up until one of my sons took a spill on the river's edge during a flyfishing trip to Idaho's Kelly Creek last week, and hit a big rock with it. Ouch! And it was only day 2 of a 5 day trip. Fortunately, it's completely covered with upgraded warranty, but now we have to wait 6-8 wks while it gets shipped back to the factory, so they can say, "yup, it's broke"...give 'em a new one.

[snakey2]

My wife is in the market for a new digital. She waded a tad too deep trying to save a 1$ spinner and trashed her cell phone and 350$ digital present form me (she didn't get the spinner either!). I'll be looking at all the cameras recommended here, love those ready made present ideas.

[Cowboyvon]

I use a D40 my wife bought me last year .. I think she wanted proof I was really out hunting all the time. I'm not a very good photographer but it is pretty idiot proof..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v416/Cowboyvon/DSC_0054.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v416/Cowboyvon/DSC_0049.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v416/Cowboyvon/DSC_0094.jpg

[snakey2]

CowboyVon what critter are your dogs running? I can't quite make it out.

[Cowboyvon]

There running a jack rabbit in that picture, I have some better ones but I haven't uploaded them yet..

[snakey2]

It is fun to see something doing what it was built to do, RUN!

[Brotzie]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: snakey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My wife is in the market for a new digital. She waded a tad too deep trying to save a 1$ spinner and trashed her cell phone and 350$ digital present from me...</div></div>
I'd say invest in a bit of insurance like these AquaPac pouches (http://www.aquapac.net/usstore/erol.html#1X0). They've saved my wallet a few times whilst kayaking!
http://www.aquapac.net/usstore/images/2008/Product/084_expanded.jpghttp://www.aquapac.net/usstore/images/2008/Product/455_expanded.jpg
All the best, Ian

[snakey2]

Thanks Brotzie. That may be what I need to get my wife along with a new camera.

[Jon S]

Don't have a plan for the camera, but I bought a phone more than a year ago from Verizon, waterproof, shockproof (I have dropped it 15 feet and had it land on concrete) and seems damn near indestructible.
I have broken every other cell I have had within the first 6 months, this has lasted significantly longer.
Called the GZ'One
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store...tedPhoneId=3889 (http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=3889)

[SuperBadger]

Looks like Casio made a g-shock phone!

[Nathanial2]

Yeah this is good i like this actually there are many companies making cameras and all the companies have best result of the camera but i am using Nikon company's camera and this is high quality result of this camera which i ma using .....