Do you take your DSLR on trips with you?
Jul 17th, 2007, 10:06 AM
#21
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I just counted the photo albums in my overflowing bookcases...44. Have had a Canon digital for the past three years, so everything is on the PC...but we still have prints made so hard albums are used. What do we do with them all? Many times friends are going somewhere we've been and want to discuss ...so we have them over to look at the relevant album...with digital, I can send them the web album, but we'd still rather have a social evening out of it.
The grandchildren (the older ones) are forever wanting to see a particular country they are studying in school or whatever. For wife and I, every now and then we dedicate an hour or so to look over one particluar album for nostalgia's sake. It does bring back fond memories of the particular journey.
Stu T.
But with digital, I carry my Canon in my pocket, what a pleasure not having to drag along film and cameras.
The grandchildren (the older ones) are forever wanting to see a particular country they are studying in school or whatever. For wife and I, every now and then we dedicate an hour or so to look over one particluar album for nostalgia's sake. It does bring back fond memories of the particular journey.
Stu T.
But with digital, I carry my Canon in my pocket, what a pleasure not having to drag along film and cameras.
Jul 17th, 2007, 10:17 AM
#22
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The Pentax sensor has a factor of 1.5, so the 10-17mm lens has an effective focal length of 15-25.5mm (equivalent to a 35mm SLR). That's pretty darn wide. One thing about long lenses, as rkkwan mentions, is that you can always crop IN on a photo, but you can't crop OUT, so having that extra wide angle lets you get pictures that are just impossible with a longer lens.
There is fisheye distortion, of course, but it's not that bad, and once you get the hang of it, you can exaggerate or minimize it if you want. But it allows you to get pictures of large things that are close -- like buildings. With a 31mm or 35mm equivalent, as on most point-and-shoots, or even the 27mm equivalent that's the low end of all the major brands' kit lens, you'll lose some of that. You'll have to find a way to back up, or lose the shot.
Another nice thing about a DSLR is high ISO. My Pentax shoots adequately at ISO 3200, which means I can practically shoot in the dark. None of my lenses are particularly fast, so I lose a stop or two there, but I've got a fast f/1.4 lens on order (the Pentax will accept any Pentax lens ever made) which will broaden my light range even further. My last vacations have all been limited to ISO 400 -- this is three stops faster! Yes, there's noise, but it's very manageable -- especially when the alternative is "no photo".
The lens cap thing just makes it easier to swap out quickly. Hold one lens in your hand, twist the one on the camera off with the other, twist it onto the cap, twist the other side off, twist onto the camera. It's one fewer thing to have to hold in your hand at the same time. I have large hands, but still; and I change lenses a lot, in places where setting things down isn't an option.
There is fisheye distortion, of course, but it's not that bad, and once you get the hang of it, you can exaggerate or minimize it if you want. But it allows you to get pictures of large things that are close -- like buildings. With a 31mm or 35mm equivalent, as on most point-and-shoots, or even the 27mm equivalent that's the low end of all the major brands' kit lens, you'll lose some of that. You'll have to find a way to back up, or lose the shot.
Another nice thing about a DSLR is high ISO. My Pentax shoots adequately at ISO 3200, which means I can practically shoot in the dark. None of my lenses are particularly fast, so I lose a stop or two there, but I've got a fast f/1.4 lens on order (the Pentax will accept any Pentax lens ever made) which will broaden my light range even further. My last vacations have all been limited to ISO 400 -- this is three stops faster! Yes, there's noise, but it's very manageable -- especially when the alternative is "no photo".
The lens cap thing just makes it easier to swap out quickly. Hold one lens in your hand, twist the one on the camera off with the other, twist it onto the cap, twist the other side off, twist onto the camera. It's one fewer thing to have to hold in your hand at the same time. I have large hands, but still; and I change lenses a lot, in places where setting things down isn't an option.
Jul 17th, 2007, 11:29 AM
#23
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I did see a difference with RAW. But the resulting .tiff image files were so much bigger that I didn't think it was worth it to use up more space in the SD card and on my computer hard drive.
But I did recently pick up a 2GB SD card and also a 500 GB NAS so maybe I'll try playing with it more.
The thing is, I often get good results by shooting 2 or 3 shots of the same frame when I anticipate difficult lighting. My Panasonic automatically shoots the later ones at slightly different exposures and I can pick out the one I like the best later and discard the others. Probably won't be able to shoot as many redundant shots if I shoot RAW but we'll see.
Thanks for the suggestion.
But I did recently pick up a 2GB SD card and also a 500 GB NAS so maybe I'll try playing with it more.
The thing is, I often get good results by shooting 2 or 3 shots of the same frame when I anticipate difficult lighting. My Panasonic automatically shoots the later ones at slightly different exposures and I can pick out the one I like the best later and discard the others. Probably won't be able to shoot as many redundant shots if I shoot RAW but we'll see.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Jul 17th, 2007, 11:34 AM
#24
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I'm following this discussion with interest as I'm considering buying my first DSLR.
I've been hesitating because I'm afraid I just won't want to carry it everywhere and then what's the point in having it? Also, it's hard for me to "justify" the cost.
Anyone here have a Nikon DSLR?
I've been hesitating because I'm afraid I just won't want to carry it everywhere and then what's the point in having it? Also, it's hard for me to "justify" the cost.
Anyone here have a Nikon DSLR?
Jul 17th, 2007, 11:54 AM
#25
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I have a Nikon D200 and my wife has the D80. Both are wonderful bodies and the D80 is probably the best as far as price-feature-weight ratio you can find right now
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I love my D200 though and using it is second nature to me. Taking travel photos is a major part of our holiday enjoyment so we do make a couple of sacrifices in carrying heavier weight with us. For us, it's worth it. For others it might not be.
We end up taking both bodies, a Nikon 18-200 VR lens, a 12-24 Tokina lens, a 18-50 lens and a 70-300 VR lens. It runs about 15 pounds with the adapters, plugs and memory cards and fits in a Tamrac Expedition backpack. That seems to cover every type of shot we routinely encounter as well as keeping the weight down to a manageable level. I don't bother with a tripod at all since it's too bulky
We carry it on everywhere since you don't want the luggage monkeys losing it for you. One of us carries the backpack, the other carries the laptop in a separate carry-on with the rest of our carry-on items.
We carry a small Panasonic P&S as well for those 'We we're here shots'.
http://tysonfultz.smugmug.com/ has some of our recent trips on it
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I love my D200 though and using it is second nature to me. Taking travel photos is a major part of our holiday enjoyment so we do make a couple of sacrifices in carrying heavier weight with us. For us, it's worth it. For others it might not be.
We end up taking both bodies, a Nikon 18-200 VR lens, a 12-24 Tokina lens, a 18-50 lens and a 70-300 VR lens. It runs about 15 pounds with the adapters, plugs and memory cards and fits in a Tamrac Expedition backpack. That seems to cover every type of shot we routinely encounter as well as keeping the weight down to a manageable level. I don't bother with a tripod at all since it's too bulky
We carry it on everywhere since you don't want the luggage monkeys losing it for you. One of us carries the backpack, the other carries the laptop in a separate carry-on with the rest of our carry-on items.
We carry a small Panasonic P&S as well for those 'We we're here shots'.
http://tysonfultz.smugmug.com/ has some of our recent trips on it
Jul 17th, 2007, 01:21 PM
#26
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If you are planning to buy any camera, even if from the internet, go to a camera store and try it out before you decide. I was set to buy the D80 and found it too small for my hands. This also disqualified the new Olympus which is a fantastic camera, but even smaller.
Of course, now I have the Pentax K10D I am glad that happened <<smile>>.
Of course, now I have the Pentax K10D I am glad that happened <<smile>>.
Jul 17th, 2007, 01:36 PM
#27
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I have a Canon xTi. The first time I traveled with the camera, I used the stock lens (18-50, I think) and brought my old 75-300 from my film slr. That was pretty bulky and heavy, but I did enjoy the zoom capability. I later purchased a new 17-85 IS lens, which is all I take with me on a plane trip. It's a good compromise for me of weight and flexibility, and since I am not a super knowledgeable photographer, I'm happy. I also bring along a p&s Canon digital elph that tucks in my pocket.
I carry my digital SLR in a small camera case that has waist and shoulder straps and can fit the memory cards, charger, small notebook and pen. That tucks into a regular backpack (bookbag size) that I carry on the plane. I often bring my laptop, which is old and very heavy, so the pack can be kind of weighty, but I do like to have both hands free to deal with luggage, tickets, etc. Sometimes I put the laptop and camera in a rolling computer case, but then I am rolling that and my (small) suitcase.
I carry my digital SLR in a small camera case that has waist and shoulder straps and can fit the memory cards, charger, small notebook and pen. That tucks into a regular backpack (bookbag size) that I carry on the plane. I often bring my laptop, which is old and very heavy, so the pack can be kind of weighty, but I do like to have both hands free to deal with luggage, tickets, etc. Sometimes I put the laptop and camera in a rolling computer case, but then I am rolling that and my (small) suitcase.
Jul 17th, 2007, 03:22 PM
#28
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I'm in the same mindset of "why buy it and not use it?". The coolest things I ever see, and wan to photograph, are when I travel.
In my "barely fits" Tamron top-loading bag, I took the new Nikon D200 body this past trip, which replaced my D70, as well as a 17-35mm (my workhorse) and a 70-300mm lens as usual. This last trip, I also took a 50mm F/1.4 lens because it's new, small and takes such great portrait shots. Not much difference in weight.
I always debate taking that big telephoto lens, but then it pays off once in a while. This is some shots from Morocco, my only trip so far with the D200. The Sahara sand dune shots were with the telephoto lens.
http://www.trekearth.com/members/Cli...frica/Morocco/
Sometimes, if we're staying in an actual hotel, I leave the gear in a safe and bring a pocket sized camera out. Or I leave some of the lenses.
But I'm always glad afterwards that I took the dSLR. It's self-promoting I know, but I'm pretty excited that I recently was one of the winners of a photo contest and the shot from Romania (the theme was just "Europe"
will be published in Lonely Planet Europe next year (sorry Fodors!). So very glad I had the camera then.
Jul 17th, 2007, 04:10 PM
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clifton...wow, what great photos..especially Erg Chebbi and Er rachida...makes me want to go back with a digital after taking so many with my old Minolta when we were there last. Great shots....bravo!
Stu T.
Stu T.
Jul 17th, 2007, 05:13 PM
#31
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my curiosity got the better of me as i tried to decipher what the initals DSLR meant. DS is Dear Son, but DSLR???!!
i decided it might be "dear son in law´s relatives" but opened the thread to check it out.
LOL
i decided it might be "dear son in law´s relatives" but opened the thread to check it out.
LOL
Jul 17th, 2007, 05:37 PM
#32
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SLR = Single Lens Reflect. It's the type of camera that when you look into the viewfinder, you see an the image that has actually gone through the main lens of the camera, reflect up by a mirror, and then their reflect (by a mirror) or refract (by a prism) to your eyes.
That's in contrast to most point-and-shoot cameras where the viewfinder is a separate hole through the body with a relatively simple lens.
A SLR is what most people refer to as the "big camera", with interchangeable lens.
The "d" is digital. A digital sensor replaces the film.
So, a dSLR is a digital single lens reflect camera.
That's in contrast to most point-and-shoot cameras where the viewfinder is a separate hole through the body with a relatively simple lens.
A SLR is what most people refer to as the "big camera", with interchangeable lens.
The "d" is digital. A digital sensor replaces the film.
So, a dSLR is a digital single lens reflect camera.
Jul 17th, 2007, 06:05 PM
#33
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It's Digital Single Lens Reflex. 
I have a Rebel XT and I take it everywhere (even the grocery store as there are Burrowing Owls living behind the building).
I would NEVER pack it in my luggage - it would kill me not to have it.
What I found works for me is the Lowepro Road Runner beltpack. I can fit my camera w/28-75mm lens attached plus the 18-55mm and 75-300mm lenses, and 3 extender tubes all in the main compartment. In the front pocket, I can fit my 120gb portable storage device, holder with 3 - 2gb cards and 5 smaller cards, cleaning kit, extra battery and battery charger. The beltpack is small enough to be considered my "personal item" with most airlines. I also wear my photog vest on the plane as it gives me more storage. Depending on the sights I'm seeing, I may wear it out and about during the trip.
I do bring my tripod to use for scenics and sunset shots, but I check it. It's not an expensive one, so it's not a big risk to me. I also check a mini-tripod.
If I had to reduce, I would definitely skip the tripod. I would skip the 18-55mm lens if I was going somewhere with extensive wildlife (my first photo love). In a cosmopolitan destination, I'd skip the 75-300mm lens. If I could only take one, it'd be the 28-75mm lens. However, I would rather give up other "conveniences" than reduce my camera gear.
Next month I'm headed to Ontario for 3 weeks and will be bringing all that PLUS a couple reflectors and plamps (for flower shots) and my filters, and my Canon G6 prosumer camera with an underwater casing for some of the wetter activities in Niagara Falls. I'll have all that and an extra battery and charger for it in my carry on also.
On the trip out, I'll put my beltpack in the 17" wheeled carry on with the other stuff and space left over. On the way home, I'll carry the beltpack separately and use the extra space for trinkets.
P.S. I love my PSD. Last year I took about 5,000 photos over 3 weeks and had room to spare. I didn't have to cull photos in the field - which is good because some of the photos I thought were lousy on the small camera screen ended up being pretty nice on the computer screen.
I have a Rebel XT and I take it everywhere (even the grocery store as there are Burrowing Owls living behind the building).
I would NEVER pack it in my luggage - it would kill me not to have it.
What I found works for me is the Lowepro Road Runner beltpack. I can fit my camera w/28-75mm lens attached plus the 18-55mm and 75-300mm lenses, and 3 extender tubes all in the main compartment. In the front pocket, I can fit my 120gb portable storage device, holder with 3 - 2gb cards and 5 smaller cards, cleaning kit, extra battery and battery charger. The beltpack is small enough to be considered my "personal item" with most airlines. I also wear my photog vest on the plane as it gives me more storage. Depending on the sights I'm seeing, I may wear it out and about during the trip.
I do bring my tripod to use for scenics and sunset shots, but I check it. It's not an expensive one, so it's not a big risk to me. I also check a mini-tripod.
If I had to reduce, I would definitely skip the tripod. I would skip the 18-55mm lens if I was going somewhere with extensive wildlife (my first photo love). In a cosmopolitan destination, I'd skip the 75-300mm lens. If I could only take one, it'd be the 28-75mm lens. However, I would rather give up other "conveniences" than reduce my camera gear.
Next month I'm headed to Ontario for 3 weeks and will be bringing all that PLUS a couple reflectors and plamps (for flower shots) and my filters, and my Canon G6 prosumer camera with an underwater casing for some of the wetter activities in Niagara Falls. I'll have all that and an extra battery and charger for it in my carry on also.
On the trip out, I'll put my beltpack in the 17" wheeled carry on with the other stuff and space left over. On the way home, I'll carry the beltpack separately and use the extra space for trinkets.
P.S. I love my PSD. Last year I took about 5,000 photos over 3 weeks and had room to spare. I didn't have to cull photos in the field - which is good because some of the photos I thought were lousy on the small camera screen ended up being pretty nice on the computer screen.
Jul 17th, 2007, 06:35 PM
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I bought a 60gb Sanho PD70X two years ago from CompactDrive in Singapore (online). I love it. Last year, I upgraded the harddrive to a 120gb and had some trouble formatting it. I was able to send it in to Hyperdrive which had just started selling it under their name, HD80, and they switched out the casing for me.
I liked it because I could use regular AA batteries in an emergency. Normally I use the rechargeable batteries, but I've had a couple times when my card filled up and I had forgotten to charge the batteries. I just tossed in the AA's from my flash unit and saved the card.
Other than that, it's a real simple device. No screen. Accepts most all card types without an adapter and is smaller than a paperback novel.
I liked it because I could use regular AA batteries in an emergency. Normally I use the rechargeable batteries, but I've had a couple times when my card filled up and I had forgotten to charge the batteries. I just tossed in the AA's from my flash unit and saved the card.
Other than that, it's a real simple device. No screen. Accepts most all card types without an adapter and is smaller than a paperback novel.
Jul 17th, 2007, 06:38 PM
#36
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Thanks toedtoes. Yes, the R is for Reflex.
I don't use a portable storage device. After reading the reviews of all, I still have reservations about their reliability. Since memory cards prices keep coming down, I just buy more when I need them.
So far, I've spent about $200 on two 8GB cards and one 4GB. Good for about 2,000 pictures in RAW for my XTi. I usually shoot no more than 100/day when traveling, so that's good for 3 weeks.
I will never carry a tripod for traveling. They need to be pretty large and heavy to support a dSLR and a heavy tele. That's what they're most needed for. Carry something light and it's close to useless. Now, I just pay more to get the IS lenses. For example, Canon 70-300/4-5.6IS is very sharp, fairly light, and quite affordable.
I don't use a portable storage device. After reading the reviews of all, I still have reservations about their reliability. Since memory cards prices keep coming down, I just buy more when I need them.
So far, I've spent about $200 on two 8GB cards and one 4GB. Good for about 2,000 pictures in RAW for my XTi. I usually shoot no more than 100/day when traveling, so that's good for 3 weeks.
I will never carry a tripod for traveling. They need to be pretty large and heavy to support a dSLR and a heavy tele. That's what they're most needed for. Carry something light and it's close to useless. Now, I just pay more to get the IS lenses. For example, Canon 70-300/4-5.6IS is very sharp, fairly light, and quite affordable.
Jul 17th, 2007, 06:43 PM
#37
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Rkkwan - I was actually posting that at the same time you posted, so I wasn't correcting your verbage. I didn't even notice it until just now.
If I had an expensive tripod, I wouldn't bring it, but the XT is smaller and lighter than most of the dSLRs and the tripod holds it and any of the lenses nicely. I wouldn't use it on anything as heavy as the 24-70mm L lens - but my lenses are all half the weight.
If I had an expensive tripod, I wouldn't bring it, but the XT is smaller and lighter than most of the dSLRs and the tripod holds it and any of the lenses nicely. I wouldn't use it on anything as heavy as the 24-70mm L lens - but my lenses are all half the weight.
Jul 17th, 2007, 06:47 PM
#38
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I've had very good luck with my PSD. From the forums I checked out when looking, I think most problems with PSDs have occurred because folks didn't pay attention to the instruction books.
If they had been this affordable two years ago, I probably would have gone with more memory cards instead of the PSD. Now that I have it, I wouldn't trade it. When I go somewhere with my nieces, they are able to load their photos into it also and not worry about their memory space.
If they had been this affordable two years ago, I probably would have gone with more memory cards instead of the PSD. Now that I have it, I wouldn't trade it. When I go somewhere with my nieces, they are able to load their photos into it also and not worry about their memory space.
Jul 17th, 2007, 06:57 PM
#39
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Robjame-
I do plan on going to a store to actually hold one before I buy.
The Nikon D40X appeals to me specifically because it is so small and lightweight. I guess I should look at the olympus too, but I really love my Nikons.
I'm used to having a tiny point and shoot and I know the bigger the camera, the less likely I am to carry it.
I'm considering the DSLR because I'm no longer satisfied with the results I'm getting from the P&S in less-than-optimal situations.
Clifton-Great photos! How did you get the portrait shot of the Berber woman?
I do plan on going to a store to actually hold one before I buy.
The Nikon D40X appeals to me specifically because it is so small and lightweight. I guess I should look at the olympus too, but I really love my Nikons.
I'm used to having a tiny point and shoot and I know the bigger the camera, the less likely I am to carry it.
I'm considering the DSLR because I'm no longer satisfied with the results I'm getting from the P&S in less-than-optimal situations.
Clifton-Great photos! How did you get the portrait shot of the Berber woman?
Jul 17th, 2007, 07:58 PM
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Thanks y'all. Glad you liked them.
Stu, the Minolta shots - are those the one's you emailed to me this past Spring? Those were great. Digital is nice, but still... film is, well it's a pain in the butt frankly, but it's got character. My problem there is that I have no darkroom (or skills) and never could get results I didn't want to change with a commercial developer. Not their fault of course, just the nature of giving the last step over to someone else. I like being able to control the process to the end, but I'm an engineer and we're kind of control freaks. That'd be an understatement. Anyway, digital is great for that.
Kristina, I guess I just sort of "asked". Well, mimed. She didn't speak English, French or Arabic... just Berber. It was a Tuesday tribal village livestock market up in the middle Atlas mountains. Great place to buy a used handmade Moroccan rug for $20. On my wall now after the donkey smell aired out. Saw a live sheep being strapped down on it's side on top of a neon green Fiat Uno petit taxi on the way into the market. Anyway, I digress as usual, but just meaning that it was a pretty non-tourist sort of deal. So with my usual embarrassing miming ploy, I did the raise the camera halfway up with a "so, what do ya think?" look on my face. She sized me up for a few unnerving seconds, shrugged and let me take the shot. Then, and only then, with an outstretched hand, spoke the only word the two of us both shared. "Dirham". Berber woman are tough, man and they understand the principles of revenue enhancement.
Stu, the Minolta shots - are those the one's you emailed to me this past Spring? Those were great. Digital is nice, but still... film is, well it's a pain in the butt frankly, but it's got character. My problem there is that I have no darkroom (or skills) and never could get results I didn't want to change with a commercial developer. Not their fault of course, just the nature of giving the last step over to someone else. I like being able to control the process to the end, but I'm an engineer and we're kind of control freaks. That'd be an understatement. Anyway, digital is great for that.
Kristina, I guess I just sort of "asked". Well, mimed. She didn't speak English, French or Arabic... just Berber. It was a Tuesday tribal village livestock market up in the middle Atlas mountains. Great place to buy a used handmade Moroccan rug for $20. On my wall now after the donkey smell aired out. Saw a live sheep being strapped down on it's side on top of a neon green Fiat Uno petit taxi on the way into the market. Anyway, I digress as usual, but just meaning that it was a pretty non-tourist sort of deal. So with my usual embarrassing miming ploy, I did the raise the camera halfway up with a "so, what do ya think?" look on my face. She sized me up for a few unnerving seconds, shrugged and let me take the shot. Then, and only then, with an outstretched hand, spoke the only word the two of us both shared. "Dirham". Berber woman are tough, man and they understand the principles of revenue enhancement.
