Cameras and Photography

[chai guy]

A place to talk about Cameras, Photography, film, memory cards, uploading photos to your trail journal/blog, batteries, and everything related to being a shutter bug.

[chai guy]

I was surprised at the number of people who did not have a camera! I couldn't imagine taking a trip like this and not bringing something to document it with.

I was crushed when my camera died on the trail (due to my own mistake, I didn't protect it properly when I crossed a stream and it got wet). I replaced it, but if I had to do it again, I think I might go with a waterproof digital. like the Pentax Optio WP
http://reviews.cnet.com/Pentax_Optio_WP/4505-6501_7-31272471.html

or the Olympus Stylus 720 SW
http://reviews.cnet.com/Olympus_Stylus_720_SW/4505-6501_7-31675516.html?tag=also

Even before my camera "died" you could tell it was taking a beating from the dirt and debris, the "waterproof" camera also holds up better in those conditions (i.e. it's not just for shooting underwater).

You might also look to protect it by investing in a carrier that will keep it out of the dirt but close at hand like one of these from Seattle Sports
http://store.seattlesportsco.com/productcart/pc/viewCat_P.asp?idCategory=9

When I got my second camera, I used a ziplock bag to keep it clean, but it was a pain to take out of my pocket and remove the bag every time I wanted to shoot a picture and then replace the bag and put back into my pocket.

[Magnet_]

Good thread Chai Guy! I think I'll make an entire category for it under gear.

[chai guy]

Thanks Magnet,

You sure had some gear out there, can't wait to hear some of your thoughts.

I also got a chance to check out the Olympus Stylus 720 SW today, and WOW, is that camera light! very small, but a huge LCD display. looks nice.

[girlscout]

one thing i sort of regret is my choice of camera on the trail. i took an old sony dsc-u60, which was great in that it's waterproof (can take underwater pictures even), very rugged, small, fairly light, and is designed to operate with one hand. loved all those aspects.

the downsides were that it has NO zoom, is only 2 megapixels, has a fairly washed-out looking color range under most sunny conditions, and the video mode is really crappy (no sound, very lo res, 15 second limit on shots).

after i got home, the camera kinda started acting flaky on me, and i finally decided to replace it. since i already had some good/large sony memory cards, i went with another sony so i wouldn't have to buy new cards. ideally i would have wanted a canon, but i'm SOOOO in the hole from my hike that even spending $290 on the new camera was a big luxury i couldn't really afford.

anyway, i ended up with the sony dsc-t10, which i really like for the most part. it's got a great macro mode, which is important for me for the main thing i use my camera for, which is my ebay business. but i'm sad to say that it still has a similar sort of washed-out color range when i take it outdoors. i really have to work a bit to get nice vivid colors from it. but at least it has a zoom, and a big lcd, and most of the other features i had missed on my old camera.

i'm not sure what i'll take on my next long hike (cdt?). at this point i'm guessing i won't take the sony t10 if i can afford something else. i agree that it'd be great to have something at least semi waterproof, and maybe more rugged. and despite the size/weight issue, i definitely was envying those that had 10x zoom on their cameras... seems like i'd never get much hiking done if i had that, though!

btw, here's my flickr page, with mostly new-ish pics taken with my new sony camera:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peahix/

[footslogger]

Carried a small digital on the AT in 2003 and intend to carry one on the PCT. Actively comparing the different models right now. Not married to any brand at this point but I am pretty determined to make it one of the cameras that use AA batteries. Don't want to carry a charger for the proprietary Lithium Oxide batteries.

Right now, one of the cameras that has caught my eye is the Nikon Coolpix L6. I don't plan on enlarging any prints past 8 x 10" so 6 Mpixels is plenty. Plus this camera touts 1000 exposures on a single set of 2 AA Lithiums and has a 2.5" LCD display. Want to play with it a bit in the store and check out the convenience and speed.

Anyone out there who has used this camera ??

Thanks in advance

[chai guy]

Hey Footslogger,

You may want to check out the new disposable lithium batteries they have out now. They are making them for proprietary batteries (like the regular lithium rechargeables) as well as in AA and AAA formats.

These batteries are amazing, they lasted me almost two weeks while taking dozens of photos per day.

I found that regular AA batteries were a complete waste of time because they wouldn't last two days for me and even normal rechargable AA batteries were only marginally better, lasting maybe a week at most before they needed to be recharged.

[footslogger]

Hey Footslogger,

You may want to check out the new disposable lithium batteries they have out now. They are making them for proprietary batteries (like the regular lithium rechargeables) as well as in AA and AAA formats.

These batteries are amazing, they lasted me almost two weeks while taking dozens of photos per day.

I found that regular AA batteries were a complete waste of time because they wouldn't last two days for me and even normal rechargable AA batteries were only marginally better, lasting maybe a week at most before they needed to be recharged.

===============================

Thanks ...I'll check em out. But this little camera I'm looking at has a reported life of 1000 exposures per a set of the AA Lithiums. I think I could live with that and just carry an extra set or even a 4 pack. Then just have some spares in my bounce bucket or buy them as I needed them in towns. They have long shelf life and I know of at least 1 website that gives you a volume price break.

[chai guy]

New water proof camera coming out from Pentax soon

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/05/5-22-08-optiow60.jpg
Optio W60

10 megapixel
2.5-inch LCD, 5x optical zoom that doesn't ever extend out from the main camera body, 720p movie mode, ISO 6400 sensitivity and face, smile, and blink detection.
works in depths up to 13 feet in temperatures of just 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and is JIS Class 5 certified against dust and sand.

$329

Worth a look!

Endgadget (http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/22/pentax-kicks-out-the-waterproof-optio-w60/)