 BetterPhoto Member |
Camera for my husband I am looking to buy a digital camera for my husband. He goes hunting in the rocky mountains. The weather can be frigid cold and wet. Below are some of the features I am looking for: 1. Good picture quality. 2. ease of use (He is digitally challenged) 3. He mentioned wanting a camera he could mount on his spotting scope. I have no clue, could this possibly be an adaptor of some sort? 4. Long battery life - out in the wilderness. 5. reasonable price range. Not over $500.
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Jon Close |
Re - mounting to a spotting scope, some scope makers have specific adapters to attach digtial point & shoots. For example, see http://www.nikonsportoptics.com, http://www.leupold.com, http://www.kowa-usa.com, etc. I'd check with the maker of your husband's scope.
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Kerry L. Walker |
"ease of use (He is digitally challenged)" If I didn't know better, I would think you were talking about me, LOL
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Will Turner |
Very tough if not impossible to fulfill all those conditions with a digital camera, at least with today's standards of manufacture. Most are not weathersealed and contain electronic components that do not react well to humidity or drizzle, even in tiny amounts. Cold saps battery power, which digicams need in abundance. And many models have proven extremely sensitive to even moderate bumps or impacts on hard surfaces. Is he film-challenged, as well? A high-quality, used interchangeable-lens (SLR) 35mm mechanical film camera such as a Nikon FM2n would fit your requirements, and would last a lot longer. Such cameras use little battery power, are very rugged, and and perform well when subjected to shock, cold, and/or moisture. A ziplock bag pulled over the camera when it's raining is about all the protection required. Spotting scope: Any of the better-known Single-lens-reflex (SLR) film or digital cameras can be fitted with a brand-specific 'T-mount' (nikon, canon, etc.). These are adaptors that mate the individual camera makers' mount to most spotting scopes. Some newer adaptors are available now for the better-selling digicams. If it must be digital, I recommend you purchase a waterproof housing or dry bag for it. If it's a very small, inexpensive P&S digicam, one alternative is to do what some photojournalists have resorted to, and buy two identical units to use when one dies.
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Christopher A. Vedros |
Kerry - I've been thinking you were Mr. Anti-Digital. You're a fan compared to Will! ;-) Actually, Will, you make some good points. When I read "he's digitally challenged" my first reaction was also "Then why go digital?" Another thing to consider though, in this application is noise. The mirror & shutter of an SLR might scare off critters. If he's hunting, I assume he's not planning to shoot with just a camera. Most digital point & shoots can turn off beeps & clicks and operate silently.
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Kerry L. Walker |
The truth be known, I am not so much ant-digital as I am technologically challenged (in non-PC speak - digital dumb).
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Irene Troy |
Well I had to add my 2-cents here. I am a real outdoors person – lots of time spent stalking the wild asparagus and other flora and fauna. IMHO, the time to master new technology is when you are going to be at home, able to do a lot of shooting without worrying about the results, and not when you are about to head out on a trip – any type of trip. If hubby is familiar with film cameras perhaps he should stick with film. Chris, although most of the time I think you are almost 100% correct, I have to disagree with you on one point: you bring up the concern that the “noise” of a film camera might scare off critters. I do a lot of wildlife stuff and have never had a problem with this issue. The low pitch click of a shutter, the film advance and even the sound of a motor drive does not seem to bother most wildlife. Now, if you are out there fumbling around with a bunch of dials etc. cursing because you cannot get what you want from your camera, or trying to fuss with a difficult tripod – well, that’s different. But, then this is not a film vs digital issue, but rather one of experience and knowledge of your equipment. The case for film when photographing wildlife may be that of speed. Despite my best efforts, when photographing moving wildlife my film camera, with its motor drive, is still faster than my digital. I readily admit that this may be the user rather than the capture mode. But, again, if you are talking about someone who has never used digital and who is “digitally challenged” (although I am not exactly sure what this means) film is going to be faster if –this is an important if – hubby already has some film camera experience.
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