equipment question

[SFROMAN]

I have been wanting to buy some camera equipment for a while now. I know nothing about camera equpiment but know that I like to take pics.

I get to travel a bit with my job. I have seen some beautiful sceneries duirng my travels and would love to capture those places and or moments.

So where does a new guy start? whats a good camera for a starter. Also I have to mention that Any equipment must be very rugged. I am willing to loose quality somewhat but the equipment must be able to last most environments. What type of hard cases to protect your equipment do u guys use or recommend?

 

[Chazz Layne]

What type of hard cases to protect your equipment do u guys use or recommend?

PELICAN!



As to the other questions, I will sit and watch as I've been rolling around the same thoughts myself. It seems to be real difficult to find a good, rugged camera at a reasonable price...

 

[Tim A]

Agree, nothing beats a Pelican case (beside fire!)

If you want the ultimate rugged gear you'll have to go with professional bodies and lenses. This gear is made to take photos no matter what the weather is doing. (as long as you don't change lenses in a monsoon!)

Another option would be the little point and shoots that are waterproof. Definitely cheaper and lighter to carry than DSLR gear.

 

[SFROMAN]

I already know the strength of pelican cases. We use them to carry our teams equipment. My apology, I meant to carry on your person.

 

[sjk99]

If you are just starting out I suggest you skip the uber bling pro equipment (unless you are looking to impress people) and look for a decent medium tier point and shoot. The site http://www.dpreview.com/ has reviews of different brands but you can't go wrong with Canon, Sony, Olympus and Nikon. Spend a few hundred on something and take lots of pictures. If a bulldozer drives over it you won't be out much. Plus, the smaller cameras are more convenient to throw in a bag and take with you as opposed to having a big-*** camera you leave in the hotel room to be stolen.

 

[AYIAPhoto]

The best camera is the one you have with you(yeah I know Chase Jarvis said it first but I'm not referring to an Iphone camera). My current smallest camera is a "bridge" camera, but that is only because I can't decide on a point and shoot. I have recommended the Canon G11(as close to a DSLR as you can get in a point and shoot) or the Panasonic ZS3(large aperture and 12x optical zoom) to most people I can. There are lots of great pro/semi-pro/hobby shutterbugs on this forum who could help you decide on the best camera but I highly suggest you get very specific about what you would like to photograph.
A "pro-sumer" DSLR and Domke bag full of lenses is fun to show off but a pain to carry and juggle lenses to get that "perfect shot" if all you want to do is capture memories. You need to know what you want to shoot and also what you plan to do with those images to decide which camera you really need.

 

[Scott Brady]

I run a small Pelican roller case and all 4/3 Olympus stuff. The E3 is extremely durable, yet compact

 

[Lichen]

I run a small Pelican roller case and all 4/3 Olympus stuff. The E3 is extremely durable, yet compact

I recently purchased the E-520 and lenses pictured on the right side of Scott's photo. For $500, it is an excellent value.

 

[photoman]

It comes down to a few key things:

What is it that you are wanting to take pictures of?

Are you getting into photography or just looking to get decent shots from your travels?

Price:

Size: Single do it all unit- compact that you can add a lens attachment and flash- or dlsr where you can invest thousands into lenses and flashes?



Example of single do it all- waterproof-shockproof etc. (just one of many cameras like this)

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1006/10061604pentaxw90orange.asp

Example of Prosumer/Bridge camera/Micro DSLR
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympusepl1/

Pro DSLR
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos1dmarkIV/


While you can find prosumer and pro DSLR's that are splashproof none of them are waterproof or drop proof. You would need to purchase a underwater housing and different underwater attachments for different lenses. Those housings are not drop proof though either.

If you are just starting out and looking for a do it all camera I recommend researching the waterproof and shockproof cameras. Find one that offers manual settings, aperture priority, and shutter priority. If you decide you are always going to use auto pre-set settings you will never need to go to a pro dslr camera.

You could also do something like the Canon S90 and an underwater housing.

S90
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B002LITT42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277149507&sr=8-1

Housing
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-WP-DC35-Underwater-Housing-PowerShot/dp/B002LITT4W

 

[ywen]

how rugged do you want? what kind of treatment do you foresee you putting the camera gear thru? Pelican is only good for storing, once it's out, the camera is exposed to the elements.

The best camera is the one available to take pictures when decisive moment presents itself, instead of sitting in its padded case.

 

[Wander]

If you think a rugged point and shoot will suffice the July edition of Shutterbug magazine has a test of several of them. It is on the shelves at your local book store now.

 

[SFROMAN]

My price range is $500 to $800. but willing to spend up to $1000.
I have owned and currently own point and shoot style cameras. I want to get more into photography but will admit know nothing about it.
My general plan is to buy a good camera and maybe a few books and learn as I go. by no means am I saying that I want to be a professional photographer. be able to take nice shots and better record my teams travels
The camera will be used mostly for scenery shots as well as "action" shots or in other words people in motion.
As far as the environment I would lean towards mountainous and desert terrains with the occasional south american jungle.

Where does one go to purchase cameras anyway? best buy? online?

Thanks for all the responses so far

 

[Tucson T4R]

Sorry I don't have a suggestion on what camera to buy for your needs. I'll let others with experience provide that guidance.

As far as where to buy. It's hard to beat the prices and customer service at both Adorama or B&H. Both have excellent online sites with a huge selection of anything photography related.

Stay away from the tons of shady online photo stores. Many of them are total rip offs with bait switch practices.

Adorama and B&H can both be trusted.

http://www.adorama.com/

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

 

[DesertBoater]

I just picked up a Canon G11 with the associated Canon Underwater Housing for work (sea kayak guiding) and so far I'm impressed. I'm used to having the control and speed of a DSLR but this camera keeps up rather nicely. It can take RAW images, and along with the manual modes, also has a number of preset automatic modes if you don't want to worry about figuring out your F-stop/shutter speed. The case is probably the sweetest part of the deal. Most scuba-esque cases are easily 800+ dollars...the canon cases are usually somewhere under 200. It's not drop-proof, but it's definitely waterproof. I'm really enjoying the G11 so far and would definitely recommend it.

 

[08whitex]

I would also recomend the G11. I got mine from B&H. You can get additional lenses and flashes if you feel the need. Here are a few examples of the pics I took with a G11.