Best light weight camera for great nature photography
Feb 7, 2018 07:17:36 #
Feb 7, 2018 07:18:32 #
Feb 7, 2018 07:30:54 #
Feb 7, 2018 07:31:10 #
davyboy
Loc: Anoka Mn.
lcook wrote:
I currently have a canon eos t 2i. It is ok, but not great. I want to hike the mountains around my new home and capture close up flora and fauna as well as the beautiful scenic blue ridge mountains. Weight is an issue, but so is quality. Mirrorless? Canon, Nikon, Sony? Cost is a factor but willing to spend a couple thousand. Any advice?
Panasonic G9
Feb 7, 2018 07:33:20 #
lcook wrote:
I currently have a canon eos t 2i. It is ok, but not great. I want to hike the mountains around my new home and capture close up flora and fauna as well as the beautiful scenic blue ridge mountains. Weight is an issue, but so is quality. Mirrorless? Canon, Nikon, Sony? Cost is a factor but willing to spend a couple thousand. Any advice?
It really boils down to what you expect in terms of results.
My lightweight nature and landscape camera used to be a Horseman 985 technical camera. It could shoot 120/220 rollfilm, folded up, was completely stable on a wooden tripod, and shot 6cmx9cm format. It only weighed 4.4 lbs and another 8 oz to 12 oz for a lens and shutter.
There is nothing like it out there today.
But I do enjoy using a D800 with a 45mm PC-E lens for most nature and landscape. Together they weigh 3.6 lbs. It does close ups to 1:2 magnification. I take the combo hiking often.
I also have a Sony RX10M4 bridge camera. Excellent in many respects, but not my first choice for landscape. Fine details at a distance tend to get clumped together.
Speaking from experience, you can get good results from an APS-C camera, and ok results from a M4/3 camera - but for nature, landscape etc - a 24 mp or more full frame camera is hard to beat.
Here are some sample images.
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Feb 7, 2018 07:35:23 #
"Any advice?"
Yes, I do have one for you. Quality in photography is more the photographer than his gear. A good example is the person who buys top equipment expecting excellent images when his or her knowledge of photography is not at a par with his camera and lenses.
If you ask me I am going to say that today Sony, Fuji and Olympus have excellent quality cameras and lenses if a mirrorless camera is what you have in mind. Canon, Pentax and Nikon also have excellent bodies and lenses. Even independent lens makers are producing excellent optics today.
I cannot comment on point and shoot cameras because I do not use them.
Yes, I do have one for you. Quality in photography is more the photographer than his gear. A good example is the person who buys top equipment expecting excellent images when his or her knowledge of photography is not at a par with his camera and lenses.
If you ask me I am going to say that today Sony, Fuji and Olympus have excellent quality cameras and lenses if a mirrorless camera is what you have in mind. Canon, Pentax and Nikon also have excellent bodies and lenses. Even independent lens makers are producing excellent optics today.
I cannot comment on point and shoot cameras because I do not use them.
Feb 7, 2018 07:44:39 #
davyboy wrote:
Panasonic G9
I absolutely agree with you. I'm not in to movies - so this is the first G series that would give me significantly more than my G5, which I love. The G9 would most definitely satisfy the OP's quest.
So OP - do check the Panasonic G9 out. It is a great step into the future of photography, and the variety of lenses available will do it all for you.
Feb 7, 2018 07:48:38 #
sueyeisert
Loc: New Jersey
Look at Olympus, Sony and Fuji camera’s. Call B & H tell them what your requirement are and they will advise you. I always hold a camera and try the controls before buying.
Feb 7, 2018 07:58:19 #
sueyeisert wrote:
Look at Olympus, Sony and Fuji camera’s. Call B & H tell them what your requirement are and they will advise you. I always hold a camera and try the controls before buying.
Out of interest, do you have all three of these camera makes? If so, why? If not, what is your personal experience of these makes, bearing in mind that all three make many different models - good and not so good - so what are you recommending the OP should look at?
Feb 7, 2018 08:21:52 #
At 72 years old, I do a lot of hiking and traveling. I gave up the Nikon D800 and went to the Olympus EM1 mkII with a 12-100mm for most hikes. It's much lighter, superb optics, wonderful software. I've blown one panorama up to a 3' x1' print and it is impossible to see any lack of sharpness. I have a number of the other Olympus Pro lenses and they are great and light enough to carry along with the 12-100.
Feb 7, 2018 08:35:43 #
Feb 7, 2018 08:45:10 #
Em1ii (or G9 if video is important to you)
Pana/Leica 8-18mm f2.8-4 or Olympus 7-14 f2.8
12-100mm f4 or 12-40 f2.8
60mm f2.8 or 75mm 1.8
25mm f1.8, or 1.4 or 1.2
If you do birding or need some zoom, go for the PL100-400 or 300 f4
Pana/Leica 8-18mm f2.8-4 or Olympus 7-14 f2.8
12-100mm f4 or 12-40 f2.8
60mm f2.8 or 75mm 1.8
25mm f1.8, or 1.4 or 1.2
If you do birding or need some zoom, go for the PL100-400 or 300 f4
Feb 7, 2018 08:56:46 #
leftj
Loc: Texas
billnikon wrote:
HERE IS THE "ONLY" LIGHT WEIGHT CAMERA THAT IS GREAT FOR NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1368989-REG/sony_cyber_shot_dsc_rx10_iv_digital.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1368989-REG/sony_cyber_shot_dsc_rx10_iv_digital.html
Always shy away from advice that says this is the only one.
Feb 7, 2018 08:58:36 #
Feb 7, 2018 09:18:00 #
timcc
Loc: Virginia
For the kinds of shots you want to take I suggest an APS-C and inter-changeable lenses for IQ and flexibility, and for light weight a mirrorless camera.
I've used the Sony a6000 for several years and found it perfect for traveling and hiking. I shoot lots of landscape, nature, and urban settings, including indoors without a flash. A new body costs under $500, leaving money in your budget for buying excellent lenses. I have the Zeiss 16-70, Sony 55-210, and Sony 35 and 12 mm primes. They cover all my needs, and may meet yours as well, for around $2000 total.
If your budget allows, the more recent versions -- the a6300 and a6500 -- offer more focusing points and in-body stabilization (a6500). The kits are under $2000 new.
Good luck!
I've used the Sony a6000 for several years and found it perfect for traveling and hiking. I shoot lots of landscape, nature, and urban settings, including indoors without a flash. A new body costs under $500, leaving money in your budget for buying excellent lenses. I have the Zeiss 16-70, Sony 55-210, and Sony 35 and 12 mm primes. They cover all my needs, and may meet yours as well, for around $2000 total.
If your budget allows, the more recent versions -- the a6300 and a6500 -- offer more focusing points and in-body stabilization (a6500). The kits are under $2000 new.
Good luck!
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