cff@uvaee.UUCP (Chuck Ferrara) (05/25/85)
I am a serious photographer who does alot of backpacking and cross country skiing. Consequently, I carry my equipment to some very remote places and want the flexibility of tripods, multiple focal lengths, etc. without loading myself down too much. I also like to have a camera strap which allows quick access without all the swinging around as I move. It's very uncomfortable to have a camera banging against me. Outdoor catalogs advertise all kinds of camera straps, but I can't try them all. I'd also like to hear some opinions on fixed-length vs. zoom lenses. Zooms are great if they're not dangling from a neck strap and you don't have to carry them far. On the other hand, it's a nuisance to switch lenses all the time as I find myself doing often with the fixed focal lengths.Over the years I have bought all kinds of gadgets and lenses with these thoughts in mind and I have many ideas to share, but I'd also like to hear how others attack the problem. -- ------------------------------ Chuck Ferrara @ U. Va. Dept. of EE; Charlottesville,Va. 22901 uucp: ...decvax!mcnc!ncsu!uvacs!uvaee!cff (804)924-7316
esfraga@watmath.UUCP (Eric S Fraga) (05/30/85)
After years of carryiing my SLR and related equipment (Canon FTbn etc.) while backpacking, I got extremely tired of the inconvenience of the camera banging against me while hiking. I finally gave up and bought myself a Minox 35GT which fits in the front pocket of any of my jackets. It isn't as versatile as my SLR but I sure don't mind carrying it around! I tend to put the SLR in my pack and only take it out once I am at my destination and feel like roaming around taking pictures. I have found that I actually ended up enjoying taking pictures while hiking a lot more and ended up taking many more pictures than I used to. I suppose any of the new "compact" 35mm cameras would do but I know for sure that my Minox will fit in almost any pocket! -- Eric S Fraga [Dept of Computer Science, U of Waterloo]
herbie@watdcsu.UUCP (Herb Chong [DCS]) (05/30/85)
i used to do a lot of mountain backpacking, and i used to carry my
SLR on my strap around my neck. it was not comfortable, and it was
tiring because the swing of the camera makes your body do more work.
if i had to do it again, i would get an Olympus XA-3 and keep my SLR
in my pack until we stopped for a longer period of time. a mini-tripod
would have been nice too, but a handy rock helps a lot. i personally
wouldn't think about using a zoom on the trail unless the stops were
for an extended period. keep it around for the camps unless the trip
is specifically for photography and you have an assistant to help
out with lugging the camera equipment. i used to travel very light
with my SLR and normal lens, flash, and batteries, and cleaning stuff.
once in a long while, i would bring my 200. today i would definitely
bring a flexible zoom and normal lens, but use a compact camera when
actually hiking.
Herb Chong...
I'm user-friendly -- I don't byte, I nybble....
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NETNORTH, BITNET, EARN: herbie@watdcs, herbie@watdcsuhoward@sfmag.UUCP (H.M.Moskovitz) (05/30/85)
> > I am a serious photographer who does alot of backpacking and cross > country skiing. Consequently, I carry my equipment to some very remote > places and want the flexibility of tripods, multiple focal lengths, etc. > without loading myself down too much. I also like to have a camera strap > which allows quick access without all the swinging around as I move. > It's very uncomfortable to have a camera banging against me. Outdoor > catalogs advertise all kinds of camera straps, but I can't try them all. > I'd also like to hear some opinions on fixed-length vs. zoom lenses. Zooms > are great if they're not dangling from a neck strap and you don't have to > carry them far. On the other hand, it's a nuisance to switch lenses all > the time as I find myself doing often with the fixed focal lengths.Over the > years I have bought all kinds of gadgets and lenses with these thoughts > in mind and I have many ideas to share, but I'd also like to hear how > others attack the problem. I would reccomend the following setup: Try a small lightweight 35mm slr like an olympus OM2. Use a wide-angle to telephoto lens like the Kiron 28-200 zoom. To carry it several manufacturers make a carrying case that will hold a cmera with a long lens and can be worn on a belt like a holster. As for tripods and such there are several light, compact tripods made but they are genreally not very useful as a camera support under windy or other extreme conditions. A heavier-duty monopod might be a better compromise for camera stability. Personally, I would carry an 8x10 view camera on a sled or wagon :-) Howard Moskovitz AT&T Info. Systems (& Phantasm Studios) attunix!howard
cff@uvaee.UUCP (Chuck Ferrara) (06/15/85)
Thanks for all of your responses. It seems like most people do pretty much the same things I do when trying to go lightweight. Now I'd like to throw in my two cents worth. Tripods: I have one of those small clamp tripods which also has a wood screw for fenceposts or trees and 3 very short legs. It is stable with small lenses and only for horizontal shots. I have managed in other cases like with a zoom but it is awkward. The frame of a backpack makes an ideal base for the clamp. Has anyone tried those bean bag camera supports? Straps: I recently purchased a "Snugger Strap" which is designed much better than the Kliban Hitch ( a disaster). I tried jumping around with it and the camera still says put. The manufacturer claims you can do flips with it on, but I'm not so sure. They sell an optional attachment for zoom lenses and other monsters which keeps the lens pointed down, but I don't have one. It's definitely the best design I've seen. I still wouldn't use it down hill skiing, though. Pocket 35mm cameras: The optics are great, but I'd like to see one that can take a polarizer. I've been in too many situations where they make a world of difference. I have a 30 year old Voightlander 35 mm antique that fits in my pocket, but the polarizer yellowed and I can't replace it. So much for progress. Lenses: Here's what I most commonly use. Vivitar 28-90/2.8 Series 1: Extremely versatile, but it weighs a ton (actually a pound and a half). I find that it covers a focal length range I use 70-80% of the time. The macro works well but only at 28 mm. That means I have to get so close that the lens' shadow causes major problems, but it's better than no macro at all. I do go back to the fixed lengths (50/1.7 & 28/2.0) for dark situations and for ease of operation when I use my tripod clamp. Optics are excellent. Shots with Kodachrome 25 were extremely crisp at all focal lengths. Must use a thin polarizer to avoid vignetting (dark corners) at shortest focal lengths. It's extra weight but it's worth it. Any comments on their 70-210 (or anyone else's))? Minolta 250/5.6 mirror type: I know I mentioned this a couple months ago, but due to its use of mirrors, it only weighs 8 oz. and fits in my camera case, although barely. Probably the lightest telephoto on the market. It costs only $75 and is easy to hand hold. Minolta 135/3.5: I bought it years ago, but it does fill the gap between the 28-90 & 250. Which of the 5 do I carry? Always the 28-90 and the others depend on what types of shots I expect. Sometimes I carry them all. If I leave one home, that's the one I really need. Murphy's Law strikes again! Camera: Minolta XD-11. It's not as light as an OM-1 but still reasonable. Unlike many newer SLRs it still works without batteries at 1/100. I like it better than the new Minoltas (it's simpler), so I don't plan on replacing it in the near future. -- ------------------------------ Chuck Ferrara @ U. Va. Dept. of EE; Charlottesville,Va. 22901 uucp: ...decvax!mcnc!ncsu!uvacs!uvaee!cff (804)924-7316