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a4a52041
Aug 20, 2011, 4:25 PM
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Im thinking about buying a micro 4/3 camera for climbing because they are light weight and supposedly have very good picture quality (lense and operator dependent).
Does anyone use this type of camera and can they suggest one that would be suitable for climbing, skiing, etc. Im leaning toward the Sony Nex 5 or the Lumix GF3
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maldaly
Aug 20, 2011, 9:17 PM
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All I can say is that you need to really be really sure that you'll carry it on the climbs. I've been shooting climbing for decades and have swung to both ends of the P&S v. SLR spectrum, multiple times, and keep having to remind myself: If I can't tuck it in my shirt pocket, I'll end up leaving it on the ground. You have more flexibility with skiing and mountaineering but for rock and ice? Tiny rules the day.
My current personal favorite is the Canon S95.
Mal
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Tab5crux
Aug 22, 2011, 4:09 PM
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Depends on the context in which you plan to use the camera. Personally I have a Lumix G2 and I do enjoy the portability that the size and the quality is good. I have taken the camera with me to the crags and have only taken photos either from the ground or anchored in on an adjacent route, but never carried it while actually climbing.
I am still a very amateur photographer and climber so take my advise in that context.
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JasonsDrivingForce
Aug 22, 2011, 4:41 PM
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Personally, I would go with a GF3 and the 14mm F2.5 pancake. That package is just about as small as you can get. The Sony cameras are small but their lenses are not. The sensor technology in the GF3 is still the same as in the GF1 but it is still usable for all outdoor situations with the F2.5 lens.
Will you ever do any video? The Panasonic cameras are great for video but the new Olympus EPL-3 is good as well. If you want the best video then a hacked GH2 is pretty much the best hybrid camera on the market today.
If you are willing to spend some $$$$ then there is a new Olympus 12mm F2.0 lens that is a little bigger but offers excellent wide angle abilities.
You can always get a small durable carrying case for the smaller m4/3s cameras and attach it to your harness. They are small and light so even if they are dangling from a harness it won’t be that distracting.
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JasonsDrivingForce
Aug 24, 2011, 8:56 PM
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Apparently, Panasonic will announce pancake sized zoom lenses with power zoom toggle switches on Friday. I don’t necessarily endorse these lenses since they have very small apertures. Still is cool to see what is possible in terms of size though.
Can you say Pancakes?
http://www.43rumors.com/...4-42mm-is-a-pancake/
(This post was edited by JasonsDrivingForce on Aug 24, 2011, 8:57 PM)
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styndall
Aug 24, 2011, 9:33 PM
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The Sony, in particular, is a nice little camera, but I don't know if it's enough smaller than a regular SLR or enough better than a nice point and shoot to justify buying one specifically for climbing.
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wmfork
Aug 24, 2011, 11:02 PM
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There is no such thing as a mirrorless SLR, SLR stands for single-lens reflex. No mirror = no reflex. For digital cameras in general, start with dpreview.com
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kennoyce
Aug 29, 2011, 4:02 PM
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wmfork wrote: There is no such thing as a mirrorless SLR, SLR stands for single-lens reflex. No mirror = no reflex. For digital cameras in general, start with dpreview.com
Just what I was going to say. Personally I agree with what has been said about not seeing the point of a m4/3 for climbing. If you are climbing they are too big and you will want a P&S, if you are on the ground or rigging for photos, you might as well have the added quality of a full DSLR.
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marc801
Aug 29, 2011, 4:31 PM
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kennoyce wrote: Personally I agree with what has been said about not seeing the point of a m4/3 for climbing. If you are climbing they are too big and you will want a P&S, if you are on the ground or rigging for photos, you might as well have the added quality of a full DSLR.
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wmfork
Aug 29, 2011, 4:35 PM
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marc801 wrote: And if you can only afford one good camera that takes high quality pics? |
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a4a52041
Aug 30, 2011, 1:01 AM
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Well depite some of the recent bashing of this type of camera I bought the nex5. It was the clear winner over the gf3 due to the larger sensor and faster processor. The gf3 wins for appearent durability but for the action shots I plan to take during skiing the nex5 was the better option. Time will tell to see if it was the better choice. Thanks for all the input
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JasonsDrivingForce
Sep 2, 2011, 9:48 PM
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a4a52041 wrote: Well depite some of the recent bashing of this type of camera I bought the nex5. It was the clear winner over the gf3 due to the larger sensor and faster processor. The gf3 wins for appearent durability but for the action shots I plan to take during skiing the nex5 was the better option. Time will tell to see if it was the better choice. Thanks for all the input
You picked a very capable camera. However, what lenses did you get? If you are using it with only the standard kit zoom then you probably are not getting the benefit that you were expecting.
If you are going to get an interchangeable lens camera then you better expect to get more than one lens.
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a4a52041
Sep 4, 2011, 4:37 AM
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I got the 16.mm pancake and the standard 18 to 45. I took the camera to chimney rock in idaho today. It performed great and the crack climbing was fantastic......ill post pics tomorrow
(This post was edited by a4a52041 on Sep 4, 2011, 6:18 PM)
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