35 mm for an Alaskan trip (Page 2): That's a valid point. Thanks.

aamul47 Loc: PA

That's a valid point. Thanks.

djet Loc: Burbank, CA

I purchased a Sony DSC-HX50V and have been very pleased with it. Zoom lens from 24-750 mm, yet camera can fit in jacket pocket. Photo quality is great and you can choose between fully auto or full manual settings. Here are some review sites:
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_cybershot_dsc_hx50v_review/
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Cyber-shot_HX50V/index.shtml

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

aamul47 wrote:

That's a valid point. Thanks.

If you click on the "Quote Reply" box, the post you are trying to reply to will be included in your post. (as I have done)
Just be sure what you write is not inside of the other poster's text.

Makes it easier for us to understand which post you are commenting on.
Cheers!

aamul47 Loc: PA

SLR with a reasonably broad range of zoom (say 50-200 isn) WOULD BE NICE.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

aamul47 wrote:

SLR with a reasonably broad range of zoom (say 50-200 isn) WOULD BE NICE.

SLR as in Film or Digital?

DrPhrogg Loc: NJ

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 am going to assume that you want a DSLR. I do have the Canon SX50, and love it. It has a smaller sensor, but unless you want to enlarge to poster size, it shouldn't matter that much. It has full auto option or several presets, or you can go manual as you learn more. No interchangeable lenses but it can zoom from 24mm to 1600mm. If you are going to Alaska, carry a tripod. You can get suggestions by searching this site for tripod suggestions. At full extension, the image tends to bounce a lot. I bought a Dolica 68" Professional Tripod from Adaorama ($80). It is lightweight for travel and fairly stable. There is some tradeoff for weight.
I also have a Canon 3Ti with a number of lenses. I used both recently in France. Unless conditions were extreme, the quality was nearly the same, and the SX50 was much easier to get into play.
I would suggest you go to a store that will let you handle the cameras, such as Best Buy, and see how it feels. B&H or Adorama have the best prices. It normally sells for $400, but I got one for my wife for $339.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Is there such a camera available? :)

djet Loc: Burbank, CA

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 purchased a Sony DSC-HX50V and have been very pleased with it. Zoom lens from 24-750 mm, yet camera can fit in jacket pocket. Photo quality is great and you can choose between fully auto or full manual settings. Here are some review sites:
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_cybershot_dsc_hx50v_review/
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Cyber-shot_HX50V/index.shtml

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

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?

Check Amazon

aamul47 Loc: PA

I took your advice and the advice of a friend who is an amateur photog. up in Maine. I looked at the Canon sx50. Liked what I saw and read on several sites and am in the process of buying one. The only thing I don't understand is that it doesn't have the screw on rings for a uv lens. I am told I can get an adapter. Thanks for the suggestion.

DrPhrogg wrote:

I am going to assume that you want a DSLR. I do ha... (show quote)

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

aamul47 wrote:

I took your advice and the advice of a friend who is an amateur photog. up in Maine. I looked at the Canon sx50. Liked what I saw and read on several sites and am in the process of buying one. The only thing I don't understand is that it doesn't have the screw on rings for a uv lens. I am told I can get an adapter. Thanks for the suggestion.

It is fairly easy to find some inexpensive filter adapters on eBay. I bought 3 adapters so I can keep one on each filter that I use. That makes it easy to switch filters. If you want to use a hood while using the filters you will also need to get a screw-on hood. Make sure you get the 67mm filter adapter for best results.

HarryBinNC Loc: Blue Ridge Mtns, No.Carolina, USA

AlisonT wrote:

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.

While I agree that RAW is highly advisable, I also recommend that you set your white balance to daylight - that will make everything look as it really does, especially when you are shooting in "weird" light. It will give you a good starting point when you start working on the images in Post.

Navygmari Loc: Rhode Island

Canon sx50 I love mine!