Cameras
 

Am I asking for trouble if I take my 35mm SLR with several lenses, vs. a 35mm fixed focus with small telephoto lens? We're going to Prague and Salzburg in October, and I just remember long ago how dull the pictures taken with a Kodak Instamatic (I told you it was a long time ago!) were compared to 35 mm?
I know it's bigger and bulkier, but I have to ask anyway.
Mark

Hi xms,

Two years ago I gave up my Olympus SLR in favor of a point and shoot with short telephoto and I wasn't sorry. I got to an age where the SLR was just too heavy to carry and have hanging from my neck. If I put it into my backpack I never took it out. I have several trips where I took very few photos and one trip where I didn't even bring the camera.

I'm so happy with my point and shoot. They've come a long way from what they were just a few years ago and light years from an Instamatic. I carry it in my purse and quickly pull it out when I want a photo. I did spend about $300 on the camera (Olympus) and am pleased with the photos.

Is your primary purpose to take photos? If so then take all your gear you will want it and be willing to lug it with you everywhere. If you are simply taking a camera to remember your trip then I would take a compact camera. My Olympus Stylus fits in my shirt pocket and takes great photos when I respect its limits. I have not traveled with my SLR since I got the Olympus.

It really does depend on what type of photos you want to take. Pictures of traveling companions, buildings, etc. will turn out great with a good point and shoot. Landscapes may require your SLR with good telephoto. The convenience of the point and shoot may outweigh anything else.

As others have said, it depends. I travel with an SLR, 3 or 4 lenses (19-35, 28-105, 50, and, sometimes, 100-300), and assorted extras. (I generally leave the shoe-mount flash as my camera has a built-in.) I enjoy photography as part of the trip, so to me it is worth it. However, sometimes I'm not so sure after spending many days lugging around all this equipment. :) I also take a point and shoot which serves as a backup and for when I don't want to take the "real" camera (often in the evenings or to dinner). I think a good quality P&S can work well. One thing I would try to do is to get a P&S with a lens down to 28mm. (Many have only down to 35.) Personally, I would even sacrifice a longer lens for a wider one. I love my 19-35 SLR lens and use it quite often when traveling. One of my favorite shots from Italy was taken using it (http://staff-www.uni-marburg.de/~san...os/283-17.html).

I have an Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom Dlx which I've been happy with, other than the fact that the lens goes to only 38mm. (I won the camera, so I can't really complain.) I also know of several others that have been happy with cameras in this line.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip,
Paul

Mark, It depends what you mean by trouble, I'm guessing you mean will the quality of prints be poor from a non-SLR. Modern point and shoot 35mm cameras do produce very good results once you understand their limits as has been said. I don't think they compare to an SLR in all situations but that's the trade off.

It probably depends on the film and the lab you use afterwards as well. Are you happy with the results you get at home with the non-SLR? If you are why should your holiday be any different.

For me photography in itself is a big part of my holidays so I always take an SLR with 28-80mm + 75-300mm lenses + tripod. I shoot slide film mostly. Consider the fact that you may not be in Prague or Salzburg again for a long time. I'd rather have the proper equipment with me to get the pictures I want than be there regretting I only had a point & shoot. No doubt it's a pain to carry around all the time, but that's a price I'm willing to pay. Have a great trip

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www.vistaphotos.com

I agree, it depends on what you are going to do with the photos. If you are just going to put them in an album or email them to friends, a point and shoot is fine.

If you intend to enlarge and frame some of your photos a more flexible camera will be beneficial.

I used to travel with a 35mm. On my trip to Italy this summer, I used a digital cam with a 28-200 zoom range(7x optical zoom). The camera isn't much smaller than my 35mm, but I don't need all the accessories (extra lenses, filters, flash, film, etc).

I have enlarged and framed several with excellent results.

http://www.worldisround.com/home/dickp/index.html