Whats the best backcountry camera?

by willky1 Thu May 08, 2008 1:26 pm

So, this has already been addressed a little bit, but I was wonding what are the cameras you guys use in the backwoods? I have heard of a camera (made by Olympus I think) that is waterproof, shockproof, and some other kind of proof. I don't know, just tell me what I need to buy. I want something that is durable, and takes awesome pictures. Also, lightweight is a must for me! Very Happy

by snowsurfer1973 Thu May 08, 2008 2:14 pm

Well unfortunately you sacrifice outstanding quality with weight because no camera takes pictures as good as a full slr and they are bulky and heavier. There are point and shoots that are extremely light but this means the camera housing cannot fit the innerds to create high quality pictures. If you are just putting them on your computer thats fine, but if you are using them to make inlarged photo prints you will notice the lack of quality. Technology is getting better and there are some out there that are pretty lightweight and take great picture depending on what your idea of a great picture is. I have a Fujifilm s8000fd and for what it is it takes great pictures. It is a point and shoot with a powerful zoom lens that has full manual controls. This is important in photography because when you learn how to manually set shutter speeds and apertures, exposure modes, white balance you can take pictures far better than any auto mode. There are many compact cameras that offer manual modes on them which will give you more liberty with the camera. Look for one with a raw mode so when you work with the photo on your computer you have more liberty to PLAY with it. It will take some research but I am sure you can fingd the right one for your personal needs. Price is also always a factor, do not buy from a store, online deals are always better.

by Trail Monkey Thu May 08, 2008 9:09 pm

Hey Willky1… That’s a tough one. So many things to consider and look for. Being a ex pro photographer (yes it’s sad that I said “ex”) I do prefer to go with SLR or Single Lens Reflex camera’s, where you can change lenses. However they do tend to be very bulky and quite a handful. I would only recommend these to people that are photo gear heads that has no better brains to them Wink

. They have recently started to sliming them down lots though and I am favorite to the Nikons. I current carry a D50 with a 18mm to 55mm lens. NOT UL BY ANY MEANS, lol. I am currently looking for a smaller compact camera myself. I am looking at the Nikon Coolpix P80. I still have not found all the details for it that I want to see before buying though. Also how you use the finished images will affect your buying, or at least it should. If you’re going to try to sell in one shape form or another I would recommend looking into the highest megapixel you can find with combined with all glass elements (not all cameras use all glass, some have glass on each end where you can see them but use plastic for the inner elements). I also will not consider a camera that does not offer a viewfinder, nor not able to save images to the raw file format. But that’s personal reasons on both of them. Both the Olympis and the Pentax I believe offer water proofed cameras that will go down to like 5 and 10 ft below the water. But neither have viewfinders and I must have that Wink

. Personally I say go to a Best Buy or Circuit City or a Wolf Camera if you have one nearby, talk to the sales people, tell them what you want, see what they offer. Get all gunho about it. Just about the time you’re ready to make the sale for them, tell them that you must really think about it and leave. Go home and get on EBay and buy the damn thing because I know that all the major retailers sell on eBay and will sell on there cheaper than they will sell to you in the store (and they wonder what’s wrong with our economy). That’s my two cents worth and I am sure you’re going to get other answers here. At least I hope so.

Eddie

by willky1 Thu May 08, 2008 9:25 pm

Thanks Seeking,
I appreciate the good info. I too need a viewfinder, but I'm sure its for different reasons. See this is why I need a new camera. I stepped on my old one, and the only thing that broke was the screen. Since there isn't a viewfinder, I can't use it because I can't be sure of what I'm taking a picture of. So, as the saying goes, Live and Learn.

by Trail Monkey Thu May 08, 2008 9:37 pm

Hey.. just call me Eddie.. the sn is from some older days.. was thinking of changing it to what all my buddies around call me… “All Heal Drive” hahaha. Kind of silly I know, but seriously the guys at the major retail outlets will have more info than you can possibly look up. Just go knowing what your looking for. Personally, without knowing more about what you want I would say a camera of at least 8 to 10 meg, some type of image stabilization, don’t worry to much about digital zoom, if you need zoom go for optic zoom. And I don’t know what kind of camera you had but my suggestion is get a new camera with a compatible, memory or you will be replacing all your memory cards to. Add in a viewfinder, and either high capacity lithium Ion or nickel metal hydride batteries and you should be all set. The only addition I myself am looking for is to shoot in the raw format and one that I can screw accessory lens to. Mostly ultra wide J. Keep me informed on what you find.

Eddie

by willky1 Thu May 08, 2008 9:46 pm

eddie, thanks for the info, you obviously know much more than I do.

by Trail Monkey Thu May 08, 2008 9:51 pm

Well just some tips from the trade. I worked at Disney for quite a number of years, set up about 8 of the photo operations there, then worked in camera retail, and then freelanced for about 5 more years. What I know in tearms of camers is simply from having one in my hand for the past 20 years. Also taught several types of camera classes for the City of Kissimmee FL. lol Trust me, in terms of genral knowlege... I ain't all that... hahahaha.
Eddie

by willky1 Thu May 08, 2008 10:00 pm

well hopefully I'll see you on the trail one of these days and maybe I can pick up a thing or two from a pro or "ex" pro. haha

by Trail Monkey Thu May 08, 2008 10:02 pm

Long as its not to cont. lol.. I have had all my shots..

Eddie

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