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06/20/2012 06:07:45 AM · #1 |
I'm not sure where I'm going just yet. It can be as close as Korea (In which case I may bring my DSLR) or it may be as far as Rome, Italy. A couple of other places we're considering are Thailand and Malaysia. I got a quote for flights to Vegas as well but for the same price, going to see the Vatican seems way cooler.
Anyways, the point of this thread is what kind of camera could I bring with me that would kind of replace my DSLR but still take beautiful photos? This may sound bad, but I have this feeling that being in Italy (If that's where we go) and from what I've seen on TV (Not a great source of information) that getting a local to perhaps take a photo of me and my wife could end up with me chasing him/her (And I know that sounds racists or bad...sorry. 6000USD is a lot to play with). Could happen in any country really. AND, if I'm going to be walking around I kind of want to be free of lugging around lenses and tripods. I COULD imagine myself leaving the DSLR in a hotel and then venturing out later knowing where to go and how I want to shoot, but for the day to day walk abouts I'd like something smaller and lighter.
Any opinions on what I could do? I'm assuming that the price would be sub 1000USD...in which case I'm OK with parting with the cash. I need something here at home too when I don't want to lug around a big bag. So it's not just for this vacation...it's an excuse to get more GEAR!!
And again, I'm apologizing in advance if I offend any of the Italian members here...I've had a few beers....no excuse...but it makes sense right now... |
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06/20/2012 06:24:16 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by heavyj:
(And I know that sounds racists or bad...sorry. |
Usually when something sounds racist it's because it is. ;)
Nothing wrong with being safe though. How about about one of the new Fuji's? The X-Pro is probably overkill but the X100 may be suitable if you're happy with the fixed focal length. It seem most of the bugs have been ironed out of it on the last firmware update. It's one i'm considering. The x10 may be ok if you want a zoom. |
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06/20/2012 06:44:33 AM · #3 |
| I agree with Clive on the Fuji, but also consider the Olympus/Panasonic micro 4/3 cameras. Another option is a high end point and shoot, like the LX5 or G1x. They aren't the same, but will prove very capable. You could also think about the Nikon 1 series, but honestly, I think the other offerings are better due to lens selection, let alone feature sets. |
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06/20/2012 08:18:06 AM · #4 |
Why go somewhere possibly once in a lifetime and leave you good camera gear at home?? I hear similar questions and never really understand for the same reason. Adding something small or water proof - understand. If you hiking 80 miles both way up hill in the snow then I guess it makes sense although to me that's what single lens on my non gripped slr.
Italy is a great place full of great people, as is Japan.... with some thieves - just like Japan. |
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06/20/2012 08:40:21 AM · #5 |
| If you are interested in the micro 4/3 cameras head over to the Mu-43.com website //www.mu-43.com Join for free, and look at the members market place seller ads...lots of members are selling some of their cameras & lenses to earn money to buy the new Olympus OM-D. They are a great group of people..passionate about micro 4/3s, and the prices are good. I was just over there looking and also saw a used LX5 for a great price too. |
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06/20/2012 08:41:28 AM · #6 |
I was in Rome 6 years ago carrying a d70 at the time. If there's any place you want to have a DSLR and a tri-pod if you can, it is there. Yes, I'm the same guy that thinks the iPhone has an amazing camera ;).
There are a few cities in Italy that your camera might be at risk. Well, MORE at risk. Naples is one that I would be aware of. Rome is (was?) pretty safe IMHO assuming you are not alone at night on less populated streets. Having said that, gypsies do reside near touristy areas and are known to take advantage of tourists. BTW: I don't think your comments were racist because any time someone leaves the place that they are used to, they are at risk. Be it Rome, Japan, or New Hampshire ;)
One option is to rent/borrow/buy a cheaper DSLR but take your favorite lenses (with brand-names disguised if possible). Then take along a pocket point-n-shoot for when you will be out at night or not on a "shoot"..
Many pages on the internets filled with info on how to not get stuff stolen - here's one …
Look forward to seeing your pix =)
Tate
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06/20/2012 08:52:29 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by heavyj:
I'm not sure where I'm going just yet. It can be as close as Korea (In which case I may bring my DSLR) or it may be as far as Rome, Italy. A couple of other places we're considering are Thailand and Malaysia. I got a quote for flights to Vegas as well but for the same price, going to see the Vatican seems way cooler.
Anyways, the point of this thread is what kind of camera could I bring with me that would kind of replace my DSLR but still take beautiful photos? This may sound bad, but I have this feeling that being in Italy (If that's where we go) and from what I've seen on TV (Not a great source of information) that getting a local to perhaps take a photo of me and my wife could end up with me chasing him/her (And I know that sounds racists or bad...sorry. 6000USD is a lot to play with). Could happen in any country really. AND, if I'm going to be walking around I kind of want to be free of lugging around lenses and tripods. I COULD imagine myself leaving the DSLR in a hotel and then venturing out later knowing where to go and how I want to shoot, but for the day to day walk abouts I'd like something smaller and lighter.
Any opinions on what I could do? I'm assuming that the price would be sub 1000USD...in which case I'm OK with parting with the cash. I need something here at home too when I don't want to lug around a big bag. So it's not just for this vacation...it's an excuse to get more GEAR!!
And again, I'm apologizing in advance if I offend any of the Italian members here...I've had a few beers....no excuse...but it makes sense right now... |
Ha! I think if you watch the greatest resource on this type of camera theft, National Lampoon's European Vacation, paris camera theft you will see that it is the FRENCH, and not Italians, who will steal your camera while you wade in the fountain.
I take no offense, being only italian American, and with full knowledge that many improper things occur in Italy for sure, most probably in Sicily or the southernmost points.(j/k)
Seriously, why not get one of these with a simple 35mm 1.4 if you can swing it- you might never go back to a dslr...
Fuji |
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06/20/2012 08:52:43 AM · #8 |
How about an older used DSLR? An EOS 350D, 400D or 20Dcan be had for about $200-250. Takes good pics and not a great loss if stolen or damaged. Get a good but inexpensive lens like the EF-S 18-135 that I have. Since it is the kit lens on several models there are plenty of them available on the used market. I paid $250 for mine 2 years ago.
A used Powershot G series may be a good choice as well. I've been very happy with my G11.
Message edited by author 2012-06-20 08:55:55.
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06/20/2012 09:02:48 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by robs:
Why go somewhere possibly once in a lifetime and leave you good camera gear at home?? I hear similar questions and never really understand for the same reason. Adding something small or water proof - understand. If you hiking 80 miles both way up hill in the snow then I guess it makes sense although to me that's what single lens on my non gripped slr.
Italy is a great place full of great people, as is Japan.... with some thieves - just like Japan. |
I'm a big strong bloke and yes i could carry an SLR with a few hefty lenses all day long, but whatever anybody says it is and always will be cumbersome and uncomfortable.
I have the Fuji X-Pro1. There are a lot of reviews out there on these new type of cameras but whatever they say they all underestimate the absolute joy of having a much lighter and discreet kit, personally i feel like i'm actually getting better picture quality than before, the tiny and relatively cheap 35mm that i have is the best lens i own by an enormous margin. I've traveled to various far away places with my Nikon stuff and a huge cumbersome sweaty bag and i've had worse results than my last trip when i only took the Fuji and its tiny shoulder bag. It's just such a pleasure knowing that i can get awesome quality shots with something that takes such little space, it's also great to look at and to hold and it doesn't seem to bother anybody. Unless i was to shoot sports or wildlife i would never go back to an SLR, i just can't see the point of them now. All i need is a wide angle and a longer zoom and it's adios Mr. unnecessarily bulky.
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06/20/2012 09:26:27 AM · #10 |
don't know what you want to spend, but if you are looking for something small, this, works pretty well and is very small and light. While it doesn't compare to my 5d, it is quite sharp and very, very light.
edited to change link to older one that I have, not the newer touchscreen one.
Message edited by author 2012-06-20 09:28:44. |
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06/20/2012 09:45:03 AM · #11 |
I've traveled quite a bit to Italy and never had a problem. I was mostly in smaller towns and villages in the Northwest though...
Anyway, about cameras to take...I took my DSLR on my first trip and got some great pictures, but it stuck out and was generally a real PITA. Not just to lug about, but I also worried about it when I had to leave it...say when going out for dinner and so on. On my subsequent trips, I took my Canon G7. Much more spontaneous and it literally went with my everywhere. The G series cameras have full manual controls and a larger sensor than most compact cameras, and have kept the pixel counts reasonable so the image quality is better than a typical compact camera. I sold it to another DPC member.
Now, if I were going, I'd take my Canon S110, which is even smaller, but has the same sensor as the G series cameras and the same manual controls, though being much smaller they are a bit more fiddly.
If I had money to spend on a new camera, I'd consider the Canon G1X, which is like the other G series camera, but has a larger APS-C sensor in a small rangefinder size package. |
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06/20/2012 10:05:59 AM · #12 |
OK...
I'm liking the Nikon 1 V1 Camera. I don't know if this is because I love Nikon (I know I have a Canon DSLR). Taking nice pictures is 90 percent, taking some nice video is the other 10 percent.
While Italy is on the table as far as places to go, Thailand and Korea are as well. As much as I hope to visit Italy, I think my wife is going to choose something closer to home. If that's the case, I'm pushing for Thailand.
I don't think that will make a difference as far as camera selection for 'on the go' situations. Still trying to figure things out. |
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06/20/2012 10:09:06 AM · #13 |
| I believe a smaller camera will make your trip more enjoyable and you'll take more pictures. I'm a micro 4/3 fan but there are plenty of other options. Enjoy your trip. |
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06/20/2012 10:25:47 AM · #14 |
Another vote for the Micro 4/3, I've switched completely.
You can get an E-PL1 and kit lens for $299 at Amazon.
Not the most recent camera from Olympus, but I had great results with mine.
E-PL1 on DPC |
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06/20/2012 10:46:03 AM · #15 |
Me too for Micro 4/3 ,I just love my panasonic G3,best buy I ever made.
I have swiched completetely as well.
Message edited by author 2012-06-20 10:46:22. |
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06/20/2012 10:52:11 AM · #16 |
| I am totally mirror-less now too! It started first with my love of the Panasonic LX3. Although, it was not a micro 4/3 camera it allowed me to step away from big, bulky cameras. I also found my love for video with this camera! Then I purchased the Panasonic GH2....absolutely love it! The video is outstanding, and I love handling this smaller camera. Now, I own the Olympus OM-D5...still new to this camera, but I am amazed. I am shocked I can hand-hold a camera in very dark conditions and the stabilization kicks in and the photos and video are sharp! Great little camera I am now discovering and learning. |
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06/20/2012 01:55:44 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by jagar:
I'm a big strong bloke and yes i could carry an SLR with a few hefty lenses all day long, but whatever anybody says it is and always will be cumbersome and uncomfortable.
I have the Fuji X-Pro1. There are a lot of reviews out there on these new type of cameras but whatever they say they all underestimate the absolute joy of having a much lighter and discreet kit, personally i feel like i'm actually getting better picture quality than before, the tiny and relatively cheap 35mm that i have is the best lens i own by an enormous margin. I've traveled to various far away places with my Nikon stuff and a huge cumbersome sweaty bag and i've had worse results than my last trip when i only took the Fuji and its tiny shoulder bag. It's just such a pleasure knowing that i can get awesome quality shots with something that takes such little space, it's also great to look at and to hold and it doesn't seem to bother anybody. Unless i was to shoot sports or wildlife i would never go back to an SLR, i just can't see the point of them now. All i need is a wide angle and a longer zoom and it's adios Mr. unnecessarily bulky. |
No no no.... I think we are missing in typing... If your using a 4/3 all the time then makes complete sense - my comment was about someone using an slr then "downsizing" for great trips.... point been why not use your normal gear since that's what your happy with normally. At some point IMO slr's will disappear for the most part. While I have seriously considered 4/3, I'm not there yet (have a friend that keeps hassling me :-) ).
I jumped on that new pancake Canon lens for exactly what your talking about. I use an slr right now but while I choose the stuff I take carefully, I refuse to let the gear own where I take it...... I'm not letting it rest at home while I spend on a different platform - I would either move platforms or take what I had (not all but based on the activities, so maybe a 7D, no grip & the 40mm pancake is the thing for a while trip, maybe it's some more stuff). |
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06/20/2012 03:47:30 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by robs:
Originally posted by jagar:
I'm a big strong bloke and yes i could carry an SLR with a few hefty lenses all day long, but whatever anybody says it is and always will be cumbersome and uncomfortable.
I have the Fuji X-Pro1. There are a lot of reviews out there on these new type of cameras but whatever they say they all underestimate the absolute joy of having a much lighter and discreet kit, personally i feel like i'm actually getting better picture quality than before, the tiny and relatively cheap 35mm that i have is the best lens i own by an enormous margin. I've traveled to various far away places with my Nikon stuff and a huge cumbersome sweaty bag and i've had worse results than my last trip when i only took the Fuji and its tiny shoulder bag. It's just such a pleasure knowing that i can get awesome quality shots with something that takes such little space, it's also great to look at and to hold and it doesn't seem to bother anybody. Unless i was to shoot sports or wildlife i would never go back to an SLR, i just can't see the point of them now. All i need is a wide angle and a longer zoom and it's adios Mr. unnecessarily bulky. |
No no no.... I think we are missing in typing... If your using a 4/3 all the time then makes complete sense - my comment was about someone using an slr then "downsizing" for great trips.... point been why not use your normal gear since that's what your happy with normally. At some point IMO slr's will disappear for the most part. While I have seriously considered 4/3, I'm not there yet (have a friend that keeps hassling me :-) ).
I jumped on that new pancake Canon lens for exactly what your talking about. I use an slr right now but while I choose the stuff I take carefully, I refuse to let the gear own where I take it...... I'm not letting it rest at home while I spend on a different platform - I would either move platforms or take what I had (not all but based on the activities, so maybe a 7D, no grip & the 40mm pancake is the thing for a while trip, maybe it's some more stuff). |
I think what happened to me was I purchased the little Panasonic LX3 for those times when I was out with family and friends and I didn't want to lug around my larger digital slr. Soon...I found the slr sitting in my closet, and the LX3 started going everywhere with me! I shot in raw...tweaked the photos...loved how fast it was in low light, etc. etc.. I still own a digital SLR...although, I will admitt it is older and I never invested in really good glass for it either. I came to a crossroads and decided I wanted more from a camera. I didn't want to own a camera that I did not look forward to carrying around with me...it distracts from my good times...especially, when on vacation. When I am around those with micro 4/3rd's cameras I usually discover they also own a larger DSLR..which they still use when the occassion calls for it. When I am on vacation I want to enjoy myself by being there in the moment too...I want it less to be about the camera, and more to be about capturing my experiences easily. I get those experiences with micro 4/3's....I understand this gentleman talked about carrying another camera in case he found himself in dangerous conditions, etc.. It will be interesting to see what you decide and when you share your photos. |
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06/21/2012 10:56:22 PM · #19 |
I still don't know what to do...I found this site that listed some 'best of'...but...
What do you have and what would you recommend? I'd like to have full manual control and Full HD video as part of it all. I need it to fit in a small bag without adding much weight to it. I like the looks of the Sony NEX-7 but it's JUST getting to that price range where I think getting a used SLR and a 40mm pancake lens would be cheaper and easier. Still, no major decisions have been made as to my purchase.
Is there anything I should stay away from? |
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06/21/2012 11:22:59 PM · #20 |
| I would go read Kirk Tuck's blog on the 4/3 bodies...... |
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06/23/2012 01:37:26 AM · #21 |
| I like the idea of a cheaper dslr body and a couple of kit lenses. there really is no reason you need to carry a tripod with a dslr and IS glass. Something like th S100 would make a great pocket camera. I have a G11 that I love but it is almost as heavy as my T1i. |
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06/23/2012 01:40:16 AM · #22 |
Some countries have more petty crime than others - that is just a fact. Whether or not Italy is one of those, not sure.
Originally posted by rooum:
Usually when something sounds racist it's because it is. ;)
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06/23/2012 05:22:01 AM · #23 |
I use a Panasonic LX-5 when I go away on holiday. It's perfect for taking snaps but it has full manual and HD Video if you need it. Great all round camera that produces excellent images.
Just to add - I tend to us the Intelligence Auto setting most of the time as it does a great job but do switch to Aperture Priority when using the flash for night time snaps.
I use this 'secure' carry bag when walking about, gave me peace of mind that nobody was going to cut through the strap easily.
Pacsafe MetroSafe
Message edited by author 2012-06-23 05:34:04. |
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06/23/2012 10:46:41 AM · #24 |
I could never understand the micro 4/3 move if you already own a DSLR. Why would you want to lug around multiple lenses and the like? Anyway I have been thinking of the newer P&S cameras with micro 4/3 size (or bigger) sensors like this one for my travel needs:
Canon G1X Powershot
Oh and BTW I have traveled to China, Thailand, Italy, Alaska, Costa Rica and more carrying my D300 with multiple lenses and assorted accessories. Security has never been an issue but the pain in the ass factor has always been.
Message edited by author 2012-06-23 10:49:34. |
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06/23/2012 11:04:51 AM · #25 |
| I'm Italian and I live at 200 kms from Rome. I've been there a lot times and I never had any problems with my camera. But you know, Rome is our capital and when I go there I'm very careful. Surely the most dangerous city in Italy is Naples. If you're not in a big town in Italy (and there are only 6-7 of them) you can feel really safe. Most of the times south is more dangerous than north of italy. |
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