Picking a Camera for Adventure Travel

[damien.murphy]

I'm not a hiker, but most of the setups you mention are a lot heavier than I've seen most hikers opt for. I know the purpose is photography, but I would figure out your core requirements of water/ clothing/ other key necessities, and let that tell you what space & wieght you have left for photokit.

Personally, I would opt for a wide and a tele, and unless your girlfriend is also a photographer, nothing tripod mounted. A 35mm mechanical slr (with a meter) would probably be my choice if going for film, or one of the small-sized entry level dslrs with a pair of kit zooms if going for digital

 

[damien.murphy]

By the way, with regard to batteries, if you are doing serious hiking and away from power for several days, there are solar panels you can sling over a tent. I've heard these used, with a variety of cables, to charge everything in the wild from ipods and dslrs to mobile phones.

My main concern about batteries, would be the ambient temperatures of the places you plan to hike. Extreme cold loves to drain your juice, and would recommend figuring out how to deal with that, or going the mechanical route, and bringing a kit that does not need batteries to operate. Or else bringing a mechanical backup camera, and probably one that share the lenses of your non-mechanical camera, so as to keep weight down.

 

[GaryLH]

I don't think they will wait long for you given you are traveling with decent size group. Ever try to run along a trail with a lot of gear? I think the advice to travel light is good idea.

If you end up buying a new camera make sure you get used to it before the trip...

I second the bessa ii. 6x9 negs are as good as it gets with mf.

Personally if it was me I would bring the nikon p7000 and a bessa ii..

Have fun out there
Gary

P.s. My last trip to Yosemite I carried a gf1 and a Zeiss Ikonta C (6x9)..

 

[Voe]

Medium Format:

Fuji GA645Zi - small, light, autofocus 35-55mm zoom range, excellent optics, titanium camera body.

RF:

Bessa R4A/R3A/R2A with Summicron or Konica 40mm f/2 and Voigtlander 25mm f/4.

 

[gavinlg]

I'd take the 5dII with voigtlander 20mm and 40mm. It's no bigger or heavier than the 35mm film cameras, yet delivers medium format quality files, batteries in it last for ages (so just take 2-4 batteries), and you don't have to worry about film.

 

[lacavol]

Whatever you do keep it light. Weigh everything, carry the least amount of stuff that keeps you comfortable. I would pick a camera kit based on weight FSO (from skin out). Nothing ruins a trip faster than carrying too much stuff.

 

[venchka]

If a trip is worth doing, it's worth doing with best available stuff.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[raid]

If a trip is worth doing, it's worth doing with best available stuff.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

... as long as you do not create a burden for yourself, Wayne.
I am thinking of taking with me a Rolleiflex TLR on my next trip.

 

[raid]

I have carried before a Rolleiflex TLR on a trip.It is not that heavy.

 

[BillBingham2]

The Bessa T is a nice camera but I'm not sure why it would be so different than my R4a? Longer RF base, but I don't need that too much. Plus I'd have to get finders for 50 and 28mm, which aren't that cheap. Is it really small or something?

Ruggedness, no combined viewfinder / rangefinder to go out of adjustment or break. Size, it is shorter than the R4x (without viewfinder). In case you tumble down a path the cost to replace is less than the R4x, if anything does break. The longer rangefinder EBL is handy for close up shots.

As you have an L already I would say pick up a CV 25/4 Snap-Shot (with finder), slap it on the L and call it done. Leave the rest at home and you will be fine. The distortion on the 25 is VERY LOW so it will feel like a 28 and the field of view is close to a 21. I really loved the 25/4. Maybe combine the 25/4 with a Bessa T and a good 50mm Brightline finder. Two very light weight cameras, covers the range of glass well and gives you a 2x jump between lenses.

B2 (;->

 

[BillBingham2]

I have to agree with Fred beware of becoming a PITA to your friend. I've come to the point where it's one camera / one lens when I am traveling with the family. I used to carry a LOT more stuff, just in case but when I look back over the number of times I actually used the extra stuff it was so small and the shots I got good but in hindsight not worth the effort and time.

For complete disclosure I also get to carrry my wifes cameras (still and video) though her new cell phone might change that in the future, fingers crossed.

B2 (;->

 

[KenR]

It depends

It depends

I think that all of the advise that has been given is great, but the real answer is that it depends. How far are you planning to go each day? Are you camping out for a week? Day hiking? Using an RV? Going to go with a group? Going just with the two of you? And so on. Only you can decide what your goals are for the trip (with your partner's input) and then you can decide what to bring. Having hiked with medium format, 35mm and 4x5 (not that far), I can say that weight and space do matter, especially the longer that you're planning to go and the more rugged the terrain. There is nothing like a big negative, but you have to be realistic as well, you don't want to end up feeling that the gear is a burden that is holding you or your partner or your group back.

 

[venchka]

If a trip is worth doing, it's worth doing with best available stuff.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Great minds think alike.

"When asked what camera I use, I reply 'The heaviest one I can carry'." - Ansel Adams

 

[Brian Levy]

I'm going to suggest an oddity. Get a Bronica ETR series body with a 40mm and 75mm lens and the 35mm W back that is landscape wide. The waist level and prism (nonmeter) finders are light and the entire system is lighter than many SLRs, my Olympus E-520 with kit lens is heavier. A small handheld meter and you are set to go. For a bit more versitility add a 35N back and a 120 or 220 back and it makes for an excellent travel camera with more variation as to film formats than most cameras offer.

The complete outfit will set you back less than an entry level dslr.