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What camera should I get? SLR????

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 Short&Savage 02 Oct 2014
Thinking of investing in a SLR camera as starting to think that I would like to take nicer photos than my compact can manage. So... I know this has been covered a few times but what should I get? I'm hoping to pick things up along the way in terms of the different functions but a camera that's relatively newbie friendly wouldn't go amiss whilst I'm still learning.

Plus all the other factors that make it slightly more climbing specific like robustness, battery life etc.

Would a budget of up to £400- £500 be sensible??

 d_b 02 Oct 2014
In reply to Short&Savage:
The answer depends a lot on what you want to do.

If you really want an SLR then you can get a decent SLR for that kind of money, but you won't get a hell of a lot in terms of lenses. For 400-500 quid you will get an awesome compact.

The SLR will give great versatility and be vastly superior to most compacts for specialised jobs - sticking it on a tripod and shooting in the dark is classic SLR territory. That's not the whole story though.

If you hang around with photographers long enough then you will hear the cliche about "the best camera being the one in your hand". It's not a joke.

I just had a look at my pics from a recent 4 day backpacking trip. I carried an SLR in my bag and a compact strapped outside. I took about 150 pics on the compact and 17 on the SLR. All the SLR pics were at the start or end of the day when I wasn't walking. When climbing it is even worse - if you can't just reach for a camera and snap then it may as well not be there.

Now there are people who take SLRs climbing and use them, but you should really ask yourself if you are that dedicated. Do you care enough to either stop and dig or have a large camera strapped to the outside of your bag?

And finally, the middle ground of compact system cameras is worth a look. SLR quality sensors with nearly* SLR quality lenses. TBH unless you have a strong idea of what you want I would suggest loking at a high end compact or system camera before an SLR at the moment. I love my nikon d7000, but if it weren't for the lenses I would seriously consider ditching for a NEX or similar.

And actually finally, lots of people will disagree with me. That's ok as everyones requirements are different.

*close and getting better.
Post edited at 23:17
 Solaris 02 Oct 2014
In reply to Short&Savage:

I've deliberately not looked at your gallery, but my view is that it's not so much the camera that matters but the eye behind it. Of course, the better the lens, focussing, and exposure metre of your camera, the better the resulting image, but if a person can't see and compose an image, the camera won't make any difference to its aesthetic appeal.

So (and remember, I haven't looked at your gallery), books such as those by Michale Freeman (Photographer's Eye, Perfect Exposure, etc.) could be a better investment in the short-medium term.

One other thing, it might be worth posting your question in the Photography forum.
 d_b 02 Oct 2014
In reply to Solaris:

The only photo there is a profile pic, which is pretty damn awesome if I'm honest.
 Robert Durran 03 Oct 2014
In reply to Short&Savage:

You will take more and better photos if the camera is not in a rucksack, so:

If you want to carry it climbing and take photos while belaying, then get a top end compact.

If you want to take photos while walking get one you can carry round your neck or over your shoulder comfortably, probably a CSC.

Probably only consider an SLR if the photography is as important to you as the activity itself and you are happy to spend a lot of time getting it in and out of a rucksack. And then only if you need what an SLR will do which a CSC will not (I've not much idea what that actually is - others will do!).

Just my opimion based on personal experience.
I've just sold the last of my DSLR kit - whenever I took it out and made the effort to use it I loved the feel, the controls, the bright viewfinder.

However, all my favourite shots and probably 95% of all my shots were taken with my LX3.

I've just ordered a micro 4:3s camera - I was going to get the Panasonic GX7 but after being made aware of the Olympus OM-D EM-5 I tried them side by side and preferred the olympus. Can't wait to try it out.

The LX3 will probably remain my main climbing camera though.
 veteye 03 Oct 2014
In reply to Short&Savage:

I always climb with a Karabiner through my SLR strap and the D90 or D7000 placed on my right hind loop of my harness.People always comment about my abuse of the camera,but my standard answer is that at least I use it.
My favourite middle ground lens is the 18-135mm.
OP Short&Savage 03 Oct 2014
In reply to veteye:

Thanks for all the feedback and apologies for posting it under 'gear discussions' .

The advices are all very reasonable - so if I'm going for an 'awesome' compact or CSC which models should I consider? The ones mentioned so far are:

Panasonic GX7
Olympus OM-D EM-5
Sony NEX


I mean are factors such as having optical view finder, long battery life, taking standard batteries important? Sometimes I do go away on longish trips so battery issues might be important, although I guess I can just carry more rechargeable batteries?

By the way, the profile photo was taken on a compact (lumix - now sadly broken) one handed by the belayer so yes it does appear that the camera is not the most important thing.
 icnoble 03 Oct 2014
In reply to Short&Savage:

I have just sold my Nikon DSLR set up and replaced it with the Fuji X-Series. I now still get great quality images plus the system is a lot more compact. Up to now no regrets.

 Toerag 03 Oct 2014
In reply to Short&Savage:

The latest large sensor compacts offer SLR quality images as the lens is of good quality and perfectly matched to the sensor, however you don't get the flexibility of changing lenses to give you different perspectives (wide/zoom/fisheye). If you're happy with a normal field of view then get a large sensor compact.
CSCs offer reduced system size and weight over full-frame DSLRs, but smaller sensors generally produce noisier images at higher ISOs than full-frame. That means in low light a full-frame camera will probably produce better images for the same F-stop used. In good light there is no benefit to full frame apart from megapixels, but you need a good lens and solid platform to get the best from a D800.
Personally I have an E-M5 which I bought on a whim as my first proper camera. It gets taken walking and to the base of the climbs, but a Lumix FT1 gets taken on the harness for belay selfies and the like.
 Carolyn 03 Oct 2014
In reply to Short&Savage:

I'd agree the compact systems are worth a look - a lot of the flexibility of a SLR, but (depending on model) a fair deal smaller, and so far more likely to be carried around. I got one of the Olympus PEN series a couple of years back, and it's been a great compromise - small enough to carry around whilst also lugging round stuff for the kids, or to take on a walk that's not purely a photography trip, good enough photos for most purposes.
 Toerag 03 Oct 2014
In reply to Carolyn:

> I'd agree the compact systems are worth a look - a lot of the flexibility of a SLR, but (depending on model) a fair deal smaller, and so far more likely to be carried around.

Agreed, I can fit my E-M5, 7.5mm fisheye, 17mm prime and 40-150 zoom in my jacket pockets easily. This is a useful site:-
http://camerasize.com/compact/#230,289.412,380.286,557.327,ha,t
I've loaded my 'climbing cam', CSC and popular SLRs into it for comparison. Lens sizes are comparable.
 sdavies141 03 Oct 2014
In reply to Short&Savage:

Hi,

I had a similar view about always using a compact but I recently got a Canon 100D (which is the smallest proper DSLR you can buy) and supposedly close to as good as the 600D and then the 40mm pancake lens (this is a v. small lens with no zoom) the setup is awesome and I have a robust but fitted case and carry it everywhere.

Still have a compact / iPhone when leading though .....
 CacCarnBeag 03 Oct 2014
In reply to Short&Savage:

I have the Pentax K30 DSLR, and I take it summer and winter climbing, and ski touring in the hills and have no issues getting good shots with it. I prefer it to my compact.
 tehmarks 03 Oct 2014
In reply to veteye:

> I always climb with a Karabiner through my SLR strap and the D90 or D7000 placed on my right hind loop of my harness.

I have a D3200. I haven't actually climbed enough with my camera to refine my system, but I found the Peak Design clip/leash system brilliant for climbing with. I put the clip on the belt loop of my harness somewhere around to the rear, and use the leash as a safety tether to the belay loop of my harness. Voila - accessible camera while climbing, and hopefully slightly less abuse than it just dangling there (chimneys to be avoided for obvious reasons).

https://peakdesign.com/
 wilkesley 03 Oct 2014
In reply to tehmarks:

I carry my DSLR in an OMM Chest Pouch: http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/pack-accessories/UA103.html Great when walking/backpacking, probably not suitable for climbing. That way it's instantly accessible and not buried in my sack. I now only carry one lens, as I found I almost never changed lenses except when I stopped for the night.
 Solaris 03 Oct 2014
In reply to davidbeynon and the OP:

Agreed, nicely exposed and well seen.

As Robert Durran and others imply or state, if the OP is serious about photography in the hills, two cameras make a lot of sense. That said, a good compact zoom that (one-handedly) shoots RAW will produce good results and save money. Robert and I both use Fuji X-E1s and I'd certainly recommend them to the OP if a CSC appeals.

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