35 mm for an Alaskan trip: I will be heading out for trip to Alaska and I want to take some decent pictures. I had a 35 pre digital so I know a little. However, I want a 35mm that...

aamul47 Loc: PA

I will be heading out for trip to Alaska and I want to take some decent pictures. I had a 35 pre digital so I know a little. However, I want a 35mm that isn't to clunky to carry about and no switching out lenses, but I want to be able to get some decent zoom shots if something is up a tree. I'm on the older side of 60 and retired, so it can't be too complicated but I don't want just a point and shoot. Any suggestions?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

aamul47 wrote:

I will be heading out for trip to Alaska and I want to take some decent pictures. I had a 35 pre digital so I know a little. However, I want a 35mm that isn't to clunky to carry about and no switching out lenses, but I want to be able to get some decent zoom shots if something is up a tree. I'm on the older side of 60 and retired, so it can't be too complicated but I don't want just a point and shoot. Any suggestions?

Start browsing local garage sales, they are all over for $1 or less.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Minolta x700
Olympus om1
Are two of my favorite film cameras. Lenses are relatively inexpensive too.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Cdouthitt wrote:

Minolta x700
Olympus om1
Are two of my favorite film cameras. Lenses are relatively inexpensive too.

He specifically stated no switching of lenses, so I guessed he was looking for a fixed zoom 35mm camera.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

aamul47 wrote:

I will be heading out for trip to Alaska and I want to take some decent pictures. I had a 35 pre digital so I know a little. However, I want a 35mm that isn't to clunky to carry about and no switching out lenses, but I want to be able to get some decent zoom shots if something is up a tree. I'm on the older side of 60 and retired, so it can't be too complicated but I don't want just a point and shoot. Any suggestions?

From what you've stated I'm guessing you want something like a Canon sx50. I've looked at them but don't have one so can't really comment on it's ease of use but they seem to get rave reviews by their owners on here. They have a long zoom range you're looking for and don't have interchangeable lenses. My suggestion to you no matter what you end up with is to buy it early and learn its functions and capabilities well before your trip. Going on a trip like that without knowing how to use the camera is just asking for disappointment.

Walt

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Whuff wrote:

From what you've stated I'm guessing you want some... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

aamul47 wrote:

I will be heading out for trip to Alaska and I want to take some decent pictures. I had a 35 pre digital so I know a little. However, I want a 35mm that isn't to clunky to carry about and no switching out lenses, but I want to be able to get some decent zoom shots if something is up a tree. I'm on the older side of 60 and retired, so it can't be too complicated but I don't want just a point and shoot. Any suggestions?

Are you looking for a film camera or a full frame (35mm film equivalent) digital?

Picdude Loc: Ohio

aamul47 wrote:

I will be heading out for trip to Alaska and I want to take some decent pictures. I had a 35 pre digital so I know a little. However, I want a 35mm that isn't to clunky to carry about and no switching out lenses, but I want to be able to get some decent zoom shots if something is up a tree. I'm on the older side of 60 and retired, so it can't be too complicated but I don't want just a point and shoot. Any suggestions?

I presume you want 35mm because you just don't want to deal with transferring files from camera to computer to something else to get prints? Are you looking for a 35mm with a fixed zoom lens on it, or an SLR with a reasonably broad range of zoom (say 50-200 ish)?

Robin Poole Loc: Missoula, Mt

aamul47 wrote:

I will be heading out for trip to Alaska and I want to take some decent pictures. I had a 35 pre digital so I know a little. However, I want a 35mm that isn't to clunky to carry about and no switching out lenses, but I want to be able to get some decent zoom shots if something is up a tree. I'm on the older side of 60 and retired, so it can't be too complicated but I don't want just a point and shoot. Any suggestions?

AA go to your nearest Costco and see what they have. I have a Panasonic Lumix that has a pretty good wide angle and zoom telephoto plus you can change the ISO and do lots of other things. I've been going to Alaska for the last 20 years and the foto ops are tremendous...especially scenery and wildlife You're spending a bit to go up there
don't go cheap on a camera you and friends will be sorry if you do, and when you see all the opportunities you'll wish you'd spent a few dollars more and again, the opportunities are abundant. Have a great trip. Look forward to seeing some of your pics posted here. Bon Voyage, Robin

AlisonT Loc: Louisa, Virginia

One thing I found photographing in Alaska is that the light is weird. I use auto white balance when I'm shooting and when I got home I had to adjust every last image. I would highly suggest that for a trip of that magnitude you take a camera that you can shoot in raw.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

A bridge camera that won't break the bank, but will also give you a bunch of advanced features if you want...it's not a superzoom though.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009AYJQ2U

MtnMan Loc: ID

Whuff wrote:

From what you've stated I'm guessing you want some... (show quote)

You might start by searching the ones like the above on snapsort.com. There are several like competitors including a Fuji and the Nikon P520.

While there is merit in the suggestions to look for a camera that also allows you to store RAW images, I don't detect that you are at the point where you'd want to do that. You have to get reasonably proficient at post-processing software in order to use RAW images effectively. It won't hurt you to have that capability but I'd suggest using jpeg fine image format for this upcoming trip. All recent cameras support that.

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

A Canonet GIII QL17 would work

aamul47 Loc: PA

Thanks. Great info and a good bit to choose from to boot.

aamul47 Loc: PA

Thanks for the info especially the jpeg fine image tip