These days more and more people are leaving their film cameras behind when they travel and taking a digital camera. However, just as in the old days, the type of camera and the peripherals you carry can make a big difference to the types of pictures you take, how easy it is to take them, and the resulting images. It may also influence certain other aspects of your trip. In this feature we will consider some of the photographic choices travellers must make and provide some pointers on the benefits and liabilities of different types of equipment.
|
These days more and more people are leaving their film cameras behind when they travel and taking a digital camera. However, just as in the old days, the type of camera and the peripherals you carry can make a big difference to the types of pictures you take, how easy it is to take them, and the resulting images. It may also influence certain other aspects of your trip. In this feature we will consider some of the photographic choices travellers must make and provide some pointers on the benefits and liabilities of different types of equipment.
Camera Choices Compact digicams are generally small, light and pocketable; they’re great for ‘grab’ shots and easier to use in inclement weather than a DSLR. They also make the user less conspicuous than an SLR shooter and many can match the resolution of entry-level DSLR cameras. Practical experience (for details of a recent ‘field trip’ see the Photo Review website) has shown a DSLR plus a pocketable, high-resolution digicam with a large LCD screen to be an ideal combination. However the small sensor on digicams makes them noise-prone at high ISO settings, and shots taken in bright sunlight can suffer from blown-out highlights and blocked-up shadows. User-adjustable controls also tend to be more limited and the zoom range may be limited. On the plus side, all digicams can record video clips – although video quality may not be up to TV viewing standard. Additional memory is always required (see below). When choosing a digicam, try to match the camera with your shooting requirements, taking account of the restrictions different types and sizes of camera will impose. Slim, ultra-compact digicams seldom offer more than 3x zoom and they often come without viewfinders so you must rely on the monitor for composing shots and in bright outdoor lighting, they can be difficult to view. Long-zoom cameras provide a good ‘all-in-one’ solution but they’re bulkier and often provide a limited field of view at the wide setting, compared with cameras with shorter zoom ratios. Digital SLR cameras (DSLRs) are heavier and bulkier – although not necessarily very much bigger than the bulkiest long zoom models. Their greatest advantage is their larger sensors, which capture a wider dynamic range and are much less noise-prone. DSLRs usually offer more user-adjustable controls and the ability to change lenses means photographers can match the optics they use to different shooting requirements (as long as they have an adequate suite of lenses). We believe you need at least two lenses – and maybe an add-on flash – when travelling. However, walking around with a SLR camera hanging round your neck is a sure way to advertise yourself as a tourist and will make you a target for touts and pilferers. To avoid this, keep your camera in a bag when it’s not in use. See below for advice on bag selection.
Camera Bags Choosing the best bag for a DSLR or larger digicam is one of the hardest decisions you have to make because, as yet, for larger cameras there’s really no single solution. The table below lists the pros and cons of various carrying options. You may need to combine several of them to meet all your needs.
Note: Regardless of where you travel, it is unwise to carry more than about 15-20% of your body weight – all up! So if you’re hiking, you must include tent, sleeping bag, clothing and food in that allowance. This may mean being ruthless with your photo equipment decisions. High altitudes will reduce your carrying ability, so adjust your load downwards if you’re spending time above about 2000 metres.
Memory The table below shows approximately how many high-resolution JPEG and RAW file pictures you can expect to store on a 512 MB, 1 GB and 2GB card for a range of popular image sensor resolutions.
If you’re taking a laptop and will have access to mains power eachday, 1GB in card form should be adequate for a 5-8 megapixel camera because you’ll be able to download your shots each day. Travellers in wilderness areas may prefer a portable storage device. Work out how much storage you need on the basis of the average number of shots you take per day, the size of your image files and the number of days you plan to be out.
Batteries & Cables When travelling overseas, buy a ‘universal’ plug adaptor so you can connect your charger to mains power. Include all power, USB and camera-to-TV cables (for slideshow viewing) you think you’ll need. If your laptop lacks the right memory card slots, a card reader may also be required.
Travellers in wilderness areas can purchase solar-powered battery chargers that can be strapped to the top of a backpack and charge batteries. These are fine for sunny climates but pretty useless when the weather is wet or cloudy. You can also buy waterproof housings for many models; however caution is advised as many housings make controls difficult to access. Drybags are great for protecting cameras in the wet as they can be sealed to prevent water getting in. However, the camera has to be removed before you can use it! An umbrella can provide plenty of protection in low wind conditions – although you usually have to ask somebody to hold it for you. Carry a small towel so you can wipe off splashes as they accumulate and prevent water from entering the most vulnerable areas (input jacks, lens mounts, buttons and seams). Use it before the lens is retracted to prevent water from entering the camera. Always dry your camera carefully when you come in from wet or humid conditions. Placing it in a plastic box or zip-lock bag with a sachet of silica gel (available from camera shops) will remove otherwise inaccessible moisture.
Travel Checklist 1. One or more cameras plus their cables and user manuals. 2. Memory card(s) – allow for at least 1GB per day 3. Batteries and chargers – at least one spare battery (set of batteries) per camera. 4. Carry bag 5. Compact tripod or monopod (to overcome camera shake in dim lighting). 6. Plastic bag plus silica gel sachet and umbrella and towel for protection against water. 7. High-capacity storage facilities for downloading the shots you want to keep (laptop PC or portable storage device). ‘Bring-if-you-can’ items include add-on lenses, filters, accessory flash units and a drybag or waterproof housing.
|
