 BetterPhoto Member |
camera for backpacking i'm going travelling for 4 months soon and really want to spend some of my time taking photo's. I am not experienced in photography but would enjoy experimenting with it. I am going to buy a camera but I don't know whether to get an SLR or a point and shoot, or which models/types would be best for me. also is it possible to get point and shoots that have different shutter speeds? thank you for your help
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doug Nelson |
If by backpacking you mean you'll be living in rain, dampness, heat or extreme cold, I suggest you be somewhat leery of all electronic cameras, whether SLR or point'n shoot. Exceptions to this are the top-of-the-line pro models, that are well sealed and of robust construction, if pretty bulky and heavy. The Olympus Stylus Epic has good moisture protection, an extremely good 35mm f2.8 lens, autofocus with infinity override and costs only $80 new. A backpacker cult classic is the Olympus XA, an aperture-priority manual focus camera from the 80's. You can control the shutter by setting the appropriate aperture. The lens is not as good as that of the Stylus Epic. See an XA at cameraquest.com. If you're willing to carry the weight, consider an all mechanical small body SLR with a mildly wide-angle lens. Some possibilities include the Pentax MX or K-1000 with a 30 or 35-mm lens, the Olympus OM-1 with a 35, or the Minolta SRT 201 35 or 45. I wouldn't trust any digital camera that I can afford under backpacking conditions. I base my remarks on 1,500 miles of the Appalachian Trail. I carry the Olympus XA backpacking. Have any older camera gone over by a good repair person before you take it out there.
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