Backpacking cameras: I am an amateur photographer without DSLR experience. Trying to sort thru the maze of lightweight weather-friendly DSLR camera/ lens configurations for a week long...

JamesSMcKenzie

I am an amateur photographer without
DSLR experience.

Trying to sort thru the maze of lightweight
weather-friendly DSLR camera/ lens
configurations for a week long
backpack trip at Glacier National
Park.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

JamesSMcKenzie wrote:

I am an amateur photographer without
DSLR experience.

Trying to sort thru the maze of lightweight
weather-friendly DSLR camera/ lens
configurations for a week long
backpack trip at Glacier National
Park.

two come to mind...Olympus OMD EM-5 or OMD EM1. Both bodies are weather sealed. The 12-50 lens while slow is weather sealed...or you could splurge for the 12-40.

My EM1, 7.5, 25, 75, batteries, bag, and some accessories weigh about 5 lbs.

JamesSMcKenzie

Thank you . Will check.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Check out the Sony NEX series.

MW

JamesSMcKenzie wrote:

I am an amateur photographer without
DSLR experience.

Trying to sort thru the maze of lightweight
weather-friendly DSLR camera/ lens
configurations for a week long
backpack trip at Glacier National
Park.

Depends on how much resolution you need. If you plan to make prints of 8x10 or larger I suggest a Nikon D3300 with a 18-55mm lens.

Reason is the best mix of resona le weight, bulk and price currently available. When I was doing lots of backpacking 30+years ago I a metal SLR PLUS three prime lenses and a tripod around the Sierra Nevada. I got so sick of the weight and bulk, I eventually gave the gear away and just carried a shirt pocket camera, if that.

If you don't plan such large prints or just want to post on the web or Facebook, check out the miniscule Nikon 1 V1. It is available on Amazon at a fire sale price but makes photos that are much better than you would think from something this size.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

JamesSMcKenzie wrote:

I am an amateur photographer without
DSLR experience.
Trying to sort thru the maze of lightweight
weather-friendly DSLR camera/ lens
configurations for a week long
backpack trip at Glacier National
Park.

James, welcome to the Hog.
A one week trip may be a little bit of a compromising reason to base a DSLR system choice, unless that's all you're going to do with your camera, or will be owning several systems.
The Canon d6 is a pretty small DSLR and is billed as a travel/landscape camera, but it's still a DSLR. And the EOS-M has a slightly bigger sensor than some of the other smallish cameras, which could be helpful. The canon rebel T1i, is a very small DSLR.
Also, you may want to google," rain sleeves", as there are lots of ways to keep your camera dry. Good luck. ;-)
SS

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

two questions, how long until the trip, and what are you shooting now. if the trip is near, you won't have much time to get acquainted with a new camera, so use what you have. for that kind of trip, you take your best, and figure a way to pack it.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

two questions, how long until the trip, and what are you shooting now. if the trip date is near, you won't have much time to get acquainted with a new camera, so use what you have. for that kind of trip, you take your best, and figure a way to pack it. it bugs me when people talk of a fabulous trip and want to take a make do camera. I take my best to any shooting session at the park, or zoo, or about town.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Also, how do you plan on charging batteries?

JamesSMcKenzie

Thanks

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Are you trekking or will you have a static camp?I trekked into the New Mexico mountains for 10 days and every ounce counted. Do you already have equipment (cameras)? Batteries will be an issue and you should have a bridge camera like a Sony RX-100 available. Personally, I would consider a D7100 with an 18-200 f/3.5, a monopod that can be used as a walking staff and a good cross body camera strap and a host of batteries if you are not static and without the ability to re-charge. Your trip should be great fun.

JamesSMcKenzie wrote:

I am an amateur photographer without
DSLR experience.

Trying to sort thru the maze of lightweight
weather-friendly DSLR camera/ lens
configurations for a week long
backpack trip at Glacier National
Park.

Old Salt Loc: relocated to Pennsylvania from Maine

Canon sx50 HS. 50 times zoom, light weight,12 meg/pixels with some features of a DSLRs, no changing lenses and you will be able to really reach out. and of course a couple extra batteries. You can get a good picture of the moon and the craters with this camera also. Depending on how close you are to the subject, you should have no problem getting a fairly good size print.

BigWahoo Loc: Kentucky

Fuji Finepix S1

Weather resistant 22-1200mm lens

16.4mp

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

JamesSMcKenzie wrote:

I am an amateur photographer without
DSLR experience.

Trying to sort thru the maze of lightweight
weather-friendly DSLR camera/ lens
configurations for a week long
backpack trip at Glacier National
Park.

Don't overlook the Pentax line. Most of the bodies are Weather Resistant (sealed) and they have a good line of WR lenses to complement them. One that comes to mind is the 18-135mm WR. Have a great trip.

MtnMan Loc: ID

JamesSMcKenzie wrote:

I am an amateur photographer without
DSLR experience.

Trying to sort thru the maze of lightweight
weather-friendly DSLR camera/ lens
configurations for a week long
backpack trip at Glacier National
Park.

I wouldn't consider a DSLR for backpacking.

I just bought a Sony NEX-7 for hiking. It weighs less than half of any DSLR. It has a 24MP APS C sensor. The lenses are small and lightweight also.

It has an electronic viewfinder, a slight liability relative to battery life but necessary for outdoor photography. You might want to also check the new Sony 3000.

Weather sealing wouldn't be a major consideration for me. First, it doesn't rain that much in the Rockies in summer. Second, you can wrap the camera in waterproofing. You won't be using it if it does rain anyway.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Interchangeable-Digital-20-1MP-18-55mm/dp/B00EH5UGR6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398695488&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+3000+camera