Advice on rough duty camera.
I do some old machinery & old buildings photography. My primary activity is as a Building inspector. Lots of photo's; quantity over quality. In some adverse conditions---rain, mud , bright sunlight. Equipment gets banged around, even dropped on concrete or mud! Looking for a upper level p&s or low end Mirrorless. An optical viewfinder, or electronic is important in bright sunlight. Would like to stay no more than $500. I'm tired of pawn shop cameras. Any recommendations greatly appreciated. Henry IX
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1335060-REG/olympus_v104190ru000_tg_5_digital_camera_red.htmlTough Design
The TG-5 is designed to withstand a wide variety of conditions, ranging from harsh climates to everyday mishaps:
Waterproof-rated to IPX8 for use underwater to depths of 50' / 15m
Freezeproof to temperatures as low as 14°F / -10°C
Shockproof to falls from 7' / 2.1m high
Crushproof to withstand up to 220 lbf / 100 kgf of pressure
Dustproof-rated to IP6X to protect the internal components of the camera
I have a TG-5. Besides all the tough stuff, it takes great pictures.
50 years in construction - hundreds of job site photos in all kinds of weather back in the film days with a Olympus OM 1n in all kinds of weather. Today I would go with the Olympus TG6 - being released on June 26 on Amazon for $449.
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
Henry Wattenbarger wrote:
I do some old machinery & old buildings photography. My primary activity is as a Building inspector. Lots of photo's; quantity over quality. In some adverse conditions---rain, mud , bright sunlight. Equipment gets banged around, even dropped on concrete or mud! Looking for a upper level p&s or low end Mirrorless. An optical viewfinder, or electronic is important in bright sunlight. Would like to stay no more than $500. I'm tired of pawn shop cameras. Any recommendations greatly appreciated. Henry IX
I do some old machinery & old buildings photog... (
show quote)
Try the brand new Olympus TG-6. It can be preordered for $449.
Vietnam Vet wrote:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1335060-REG/olympus_v104190ru000_tg_5_digital_camera_red.html
Tough Design
The TG-5 is designed to withstand a wide variety of conditions, ranging from harsh climates to everyday mishaps:
Waterproof-rated to IPX8 for use underwater to depths of 50' / 15m
Freezeproof to temperatures as low as 14°F / -10°C
Shockproof to falls from 7' / 2.1m high
Crushproof to withstand up to 220 lbf / 100 kgf of pressure
Dustproof-rated to IP6X to protect the internal components of the camera
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1335060-REG... (
show quote)
I have used this camera and we are in Firm agreement on this camera and the intended use.
By the way, it is currently $429 at Costco.
While I'm curious about the newer TG-6 coming in June, this TG-5 will not disappoint you.
This camera was built for your intended use!!!
Smile,
Jimmy T Sends
TG-5
Olympus Tough TG 5. It’s made for you!
The Fujicolor XP series has been my mainstay for years for my kayaking/hiking/camping/always in the truck camera. from XP-90 on it has a super bright LED that can take pics in considerable sun glare. Waterproof/shockproof/dustproof/cold proof down to decent numbers. If you want WIFI buy one with a number that ends in 5, i.e. XP-90(no wifi/XP-95 wifi. The latest is the XP-130/135 which has considerable post processing capability. Cost: Walmart has it for $142(normally $240)...Best Buy about the same.
I got a Fuji XP-120 for my wife, who tends to drop a camera in her purse without ever thinking of a lens cover. It has stood up well for several years and takes very nice pictures. My only "problem" with it is that you can't remove the battery - you charge the battery through a USB port. As a decades-long believer in carrying a spare battery for any camera I'm using, I wouldn't like that personally.
So if I were looking for a ruggedized camera, I'd be considering the Olympus TG line. With the TG-6 just announced, I would hope to start seeing bargains on the current TG-5 model, which has looked like a terrific tool for several years. It has a removeable battery - you can charge it in the camera through the USB port, and you can get spares and third-party chargers if you want to carry a backup.
TG-5 or the new TG-6 coming in July
Henry Wattenbarger wrote:
I do some old machinery & old buildings photography. My primary activity is as a Building inspector. Lots of photo's; quantity over quality. In some adverse conditions---rain, mud , bright sunlight. Equipment gets banged around, even dropped on concrete or mud! Looking for a upper level p&s or low end Mirrorless. An optical viewfinder, or electronic is important in bright sunlight. Would like to stay no more than $500. I'm tired of pawn shop cameras. Any recommendations greatly appreciated. Henry IX
I do some old machinery & old buildings photog... (
show quote)
Not that it would conform to your specs, but I have to say that my Fuji X-t2 has been dropped on the kitchen floor once and outdoors on concrete, In the kitchen, my lovely little Nissen flash was shattered, but the xT-2 was just fine. On the concrete, post concussion, it also functions normally and not a scratch. I am impressed with the sturdiness of this little machine. I do not think a mirror and prism model would have held up so well. Too many fine mechanics to be jogged out of place.
Henry:
I was a contractor for many years; and, then, opened a practice as a "Forensic Construction Expert". . .Did all my own photography for courtroom exhibits and testimony for over 20 years. . .Began with a Nikon F-3 and a 85 MM f1.4 & Tamron 28-300 for film use; and, switched over to a D70 using the same lenses. Now, I use a D7100 with those same lenses. . .Great for archival photos; AND, the court room (when necessary). . .The old word about "rugged". .You could pound nails with the Nikon and it would still produce great photos in ALL extreme conditions! [Though I prefer to use a hammer when I gotta pound nails!] I've used my Nikons in Africa AND Alaska; and, all points in between PLUS taken photos of the kids in the delivery room(s) and on skis! . .ALWAYS dependable; and, never "lost" a shot!!!! And, because these were my "working tools," I had the added advantage of the I.R.S. "paying" for them! [When asked during a tax audit "What camera do you use for family photos?" I replied: "I use this cute little pink Kodak Instamatic!" The tax lady said: "Good answer!"]
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.