Mountaineering Photography - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

05/21/2009 05:09:08 PM · #1

I'm in the seventh week of a ten week mountaineering class and so far have only taken a point and shoot along. Trouble up to now has been pack weight as I'm already carring to much with climbing gear and all the overnight stuff for winter camping. I'm thinking of taking my D300 with my 12-24 f4 lens with me on this weeks three day outing as we are going to one of the most beautiful places in the North Cascades. I've taken it on mountain trips in the past but never when doing any actual rock climbing. This weekend will involve both snow travel and some rock climbing. Any suggestions on protection as things get more aggressive?

For those interested here are a few shots from the previous outings along with a link to my smugmug folder where I have been keeping a record of the classes.

Skagit Alpine Mountaineering class

Message edited by author 2009-05-21 17:09:34.

cdrice

Nikon D7000

05/21/2009 05:24:57 PM · #2

While I have no first-hand knowledge of using it, I've heard good things about Camera Armor.

What kind of temps will you be in? If it's as cold as it looks, I'd be worried about how to keep my batteries from freezing.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

05/21/2009 05:44:59 PM · #3

Batteries are no problem as I have three and just rotate them in my pockets to keep them warm. Besides, the temps are going up in the high country now as the nice weather moves in. Last weekend we were run off the mountain on Sunday because of quickly warming slopes and a few avalanches were set loose.

As for the armor I'll take a look. I'm most concerned about my lens as in the past I have strapped the camera to my chest. In this case if I was to fall and swing into the rock it would be toast.

Message edited by author 2009-05-22 00:16:52.

spiritualspatula

05/21/2009 10:42:08 PM · #4

I am so jealous! If I had the time and money, that's what I would be doing too. Maybe one day I'll get the chance to do a NOLS course....
Whenever I've taken my D300 with me, I've taken a small camera bag that is only big enough to accomodate the camera just for it and kept that at the top of my pack. It's obviously not very accessible this way but I feel more secure having it protected like that. This probably wouldn't be an option for you right now, but in the future you could always do some modifications to your pack. I've seen photos where people have created little camera compartments in the bottom side of the packs that are accessible without removing the pack. Unfortunately, I have no clue where I saw this...
One thing I remember reading you can find here. It's a trip report from an ascent up Denali via the West Buttress. The guy brought up his D200 w/ 18-200 and 12-24. The whole report is a good read, but he discusses at the end (section 6) how he carried his camera.
ETA: I tried to find some of the examples that I had seen and found some other stuff, but not really any pictures. It seems that people either take it in their backpack or make their own chest harness pack, for the most part.

Message edited by author 2009-05-21 22:52:14.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

05/22/2009 12:25:15 AM · #5

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

One thing I remember reading you can find here. It's a trip report from an ascent up Denali via the West Buttress. The guy brought up his D200 w/ 18-200 and 12-24. The whole report is a good read, but he discusses at the end (section 6) how he carried his camera.
ETA: I tried to find some of the examples that I had seen and found some other stuff, but not really any pictures. It seems that people either take it in their backpack or make their own chest harness pack, for the most part.

Thanks for the link. The issue really is keeping it out of the way in case of a fall, either on snow or rock. Maybe I'll try something like he mentioned. For most of this weekends trip I can use my chest harness but for the climbing part it will be a problem so we'll see.

Time is the issue for these classes not really money. The class I'm taking is put on by a local Alpine Club in cooperation with the local community college. It is really cheap ($150) as all the instructors are volunteers. But then you do find yourself buying lots of $ in new equipment you find you can't live without!

spiritualspatula

05/22/2009 12:42:57 AM · #6

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

One thing I remember reading you can find here. It's a trip report from an ascent up Denali via the West Buttress. The guy brought up his D200 w/ 18-200 and 12-24. The whole report is a good read, but he discusses at the end (section 6) how he carried his camera.
ETA: I tried to find some of the examples that I had seen and found some other stuff, but not really any pictures. It seems that people either take it in their backpack or make their own chest harness pack, for the most part.

Thanks for the link. The issue really is keeping it out of the way in case of a fall, either on snow or rock. Maybe I'll try something like he mentioned. For most of this weekends trip I can use my chest harness but for the climbing part it will be a problem so we'll see.

Time is the issue for these classes not really money. The class I'm taking is put on by a local Alpine Club in cooperation with the local community college. It is really cheap ($150) as all the instructors are volunteers. But then you do find yourself buying lots of $ in new equipment you find you can't live without!

Yeah, I hear ya...plus the last thing you want to be thinking about is the demise of your camera as you attempt to self arrest. I think your situation is sorta difficult to approach because it's for so many different activities and you need a different approach for each one. Speaking of new equipment....

BTW that price is awesome! The way they have this scheduled it would work perfect for me and my work schedule. Bummer it's not down in Colorado.

captainkimo

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8L

05/22/2009 01:58:57 PM · #7

Awesome set of photos.

Anyway, is the humidity up there high? Bringing along with you dehumidifiers may be of good help to protect your lens from fungal growth. Hope that helps.

Cheers!

Captain Kimo

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

05/22/2009 03:06:11 PM · #8

Originally posted by captainkimo:

In general, humidity decreases with altitude, so this is not likely to be a problem...

R.

05/22/2009 04:55:38 PM · #9

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by captainkimo:
Awesome set of photos.

Anyway, is the humidity up there high? Bringing along with you dehumidifiers may be of good help to protect your lens from fungal growth. Hope that helps.

Cheers!

Captain Kimo

In general, humidity decreases with altitude, so this is not likely to be a problem...

R.

Like Bear said. And here in Washington the east slopes of the mountains, where I'll be this weekend, are generally drier than the west.

05/22/2009 05:08:06 PM · #10

I've decided to take my D300 and Nikon 18-200 VR with me and although it will kill me not to have my favorite landscape lens I'll be leaving the Nikon 12-24 f4 home to save a little weight. The 18-200 will give me much more versatility but the 12-24 produces such great shots, I just can't ake both. I'll carrying my camera gear in a Tamrac Velocity 7 sling pack strapped to the top of my backpack. That way I can use the camera bag as a day pack when we do the rock climb portion on Sunday and be able to protect the camera in the bag but still have access by swinging it around when needed. While on the hike in and out I can use my chest strap and keep the camera handy. Hopefully this will work out although it adds 5 lbs to my total gear weight! My back hurts already.

Thanks for the links.

Mick

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/22/2009 07:32:44 PM · #11

You could hire someone to carry your camera gear. :)

05/22/2009 07:36:17 PM · #12

Ahh yes, a Sherpa. Not sure how the rest of the class would take that but it sounds very appealing to me!

captainkimo

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8L

05/23/2009 12:42:13 PM · #13

I see. Thanks for the heads-up, MemberBear_Music and Memberjbsmithana.

Captain Kimo

TFin04

Nikon D90

05/24/2009 07:05:37 PM · #14

Originally posted by cdrice:

I see you're a Nikon shooter as well. Can you confirm if the Camera Armor for the D80 will also fit the D90?

Thanks!

Brent_S

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

05/24/2009 08:46:33 PM · #15

Bet you'll get some great shots if you take your camera out with you climbing. I did a couple of climbing courses years ago with the Mountaineers Club just south of you so climbed a lot in the North Cascades- beautiful area! I wasn't into photography back then so just drug a point and shoot along that could be strapped in a pouch on my pack harness. Boy, it's enough weight just slogging ropes and all your protection up the mountain let alone heavier DSLR gear. I'd be tempted to get a high end point and shoot for your trips instead, but know you will see some real drama high up you will want to capture well.
I have a ThinkTank Digital Holster 20 which holds my 5D and up to a 70-200 lens nice and snug (zips down smaller for a shorter lens) and it even has velcro where you could attach it to your waist harness. It is padded pretty well without being too bulky, but if you go down on some rock hard enough I'm not sure how well it would protect. Getting something just right for your purpose might be hard. Maybe a point and shoot for the not too challenging quick shots and keep your DSLR safe inside your pack to pull out for special things. Still there's the weight to consider...
Enjoy your course and the back country!
-Brent

cdrice

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

05/24/2009 10:28:00 PM · #16

Originally posted by TFin04:

I see you're a Nikon shooter as well. Can you confirm if the Camera Armor for the D80 will also fit the D90?

I suspect not (the back of the cameras are quite different). I've emailed their customer service group to verify (and to ask if they will produce a model for the D90). I don't expect you'll reply until Tuesday, but I'll update this thread with whatever information I find.

TFin04

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

05/26/2009 01:08:18 AM · #17

Thanks for the info. I am into climbing myself (have a few shots from this weekend posted in the critique section) and really enjoy tying off at the top/part way down the rock and taking shots at "eye level" from the climbers. MUCH better than shooting from the ground.

95% of my photography is high action outdoor shots...I think Camera Armor would be a good investment for me.

citymars

Nikon D700

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/26/2009 09:13:29 AM · #18

Cool photos, jb. That must be a big class -- that first shot has over 20 people in it.

EDIT: Be sure to check out

Windtale's work, if you haven't already:

Message edited by author 2009-05-26 09:18:09.

d56ranger

Canon EOS-20D

05/26/2009 09:48:01 AM · #19

One thing I highly recommend that be part of your camera kit is a plastic bread sack. Sounds stupid but: Think of a glass of water with ice in it, your camera will be just like it when it gets cold, any moisture will begin to collect on it as the surrounding temps warm like in a tent, going indoors, or a weather change. By keeping your camera in a plastic sack, the water will condense on the plastic rather than your camera.

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

05/26/2009 10:26:59 AM · #20

When hiking and adventuring, I keep my camera strap over my shoulder rather then around my kneck, then if needed clip it to my hip with a caribeaner (through the loop on the end by the camera). It moves around a little but not too bad. I don't do much in snow though...

Also, you may want to compare your image quality on the 18-200 with some of the big zoom point and shoots. if comparable, a lot less weight and cheaper if it breaks.

Have fun!!

cdrice

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

05/27/2009 04:41:29 PM · #21

Originally posted by cdrice:

I've emailed their customer service group to verify (and to ask if they will produce a model for the D90). I don't expect you'll reply until Tuesday, but I'll update this thread with whatever information I find.

They replied today:

Originally posted by Camera Armor:

"Thank you for your interest in Camera Armor.

The current D80 Armor is not cross-compatible with the D90.

We may be introducing Camera Armor for this model in the near future.
We'll make an effort to notify you via e-mail if and when this product
becomes available."

That's what I expected, from the significant differences in the controls on the back of the D90 vs. D80 body. I've written back to see if they will give a better idea of timing (vs. "in the near future"). Oh, well.

ETA - Wow, they replied very quickly to my follow-up email. Wasn't very specific, though:

Originally posted by Camera Armor:

"I'm sorry that I can't be more specific about when this model will
become available, but I'm hoping it's very soon."

Message edited by author 2009-05-27 16:52:32.

05/29/2009 10:27:28 PM · #22

We finished week 8 with a trip into the Enchantments in the North Cascades of Washington State. The area is a climbers and hikers paradise, very remote and in the summer by permit only. As I said earlier I brought my D300 and the 18-200 VR lens with me along with my Olympus Tough 6000. Most of the trip in and out (Sat & Mon) I used the P&S but in camp and on Sunday I used the D300. I can tell you it is not likely I will carry it on that long and steep a hike again as with the case and gear it added 5 lbs to my already heavy pack. Add a rope to that and I was dying!

Here is a couple of shots from the D300 and one from the P&S.

Want to see more?

Week 8 - The Enchantments

pineapple

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

05/29/2009 11:19:06 PM · #23

Lovely set of photos on your web site. Really inspires!

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

06/03/2009 11:18:55 PM · #24

For those who may be intrested here are a few Week 9 shots:

This coming weekend is the final with a summit (we hope) of Mt. Baker, a semi-dormant volcano here in Washington State.

spiritualspatula