Do you use a dedicated camera when you travel?
12We are currently spending two weeks in Tuscany. Much as I love my DSLR, I travel with a dedicated point & shoot with a long zoom because it’s compact and easier to carry. It’s hard to beat pictures taken with good glass. Phones that use digital are just not as clear.
For instance this is the view from our room across the valley:
![enter image description here][1]
At the top end of a dedicated zoom you get this:
![enter image description here][2]
So… what do you carry?
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- 18 comments, 58 replies
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I’ve got an old, and unused, Canon SLR, but never felt the need to make the jump to a DSLR. I have had several compact high zoom cameras, upgrading occasionally over the years as specs have improved.
Currently it’s a Panasonic 30x zoom. I bought it for a trip to Africa, and it got a lot of great shots.
I agree that digital “zoom” is worthless. It’s only cropping, not zoom.
Still, I also shot a lot of pictures on the camera phone as well as the Panasonic.
@blaineg
I use my phone to make it easier to send pics with a text but on my recent trip to Tuscany I shot 1300+ shots with the Canon and a couple hundred with the S10. Using the right tool for a job generally results in a better outcome.
I’d travel with a “real” camera with a “real” zoom and not my phone if I had the money. I still have a Olympus OM1 and a really good zoom but the catch is film.
@Kidsandliz
I remember coming back from Machuu Pichuu with over 20 rolls of 36 shot film years ago. Super paranoid it would get f’d up going thru the scanners at the airport in Peru.
@chienfou I was more worried they’d take my large pyramid shaped slate rock I had carried all over the place (I had been working for outward bound and we stopped for lunch by an old quarry and picked up rocks. For the next 3 or so days every time we stopped rocks were left behind). They asked me if I had planned to hit the pilot in the head with it. I told them, “Are you kidding? I didn’t haul that heavy thing all over the place just to break it. That’s why it is in my carry on.”. I was allowed to board with it after I said that.
@Kidsandliz
I carried back almost 50 lbs of listello tile from Santiago Chile via carry-on luggage years ago when we were building our house. They wouldn’t belive it was tile when it passed thru the scanner and looked like just 3 big solid blocks. Were a bit flabbergasted when I opened the bag and showed them what it was. Think of that trip often when I see that tile in the kitchen and master bath. Makes me smile
Travel?
@OnionSoup
D7500 with just two lenses to cover the range from 10mm to 300mm.
@werehatrack my D90 just died after many years of service (aperture control circuit or something). I was checking out the 7500 as a possible replacement. how do you like yours?
@carl669 It’s got more bells and whistles than a calliope convention at a carillon reserve, and the functionality is excellent, but it’s decidedly consumer-grade in many areas of the construction; it’s definitely not going to stand up to the physical abuse a pro would give it. That said, a couple of pros I know carry one for shoots where they have to stay posed for long periods to get the shot they want where a tripod’s not going to be useful. The lower mass than something like a D700 or (gulp) D6 makes it a lot less of a millstone while still providing a lot of the functionality of the higher-end units. I like it a lot, and I haven’t even begun to make full use of its capabilities.
@werehatrack this sounds exactly like what I need. thanks! now to convince the wife that it’s a worthy purchase.
@werehatrack I too use a D7500 and take it on all vacations. Have had it for years and it works great. My primary lens is the 18-200mm one. Would recommend for sure. (I also had a D90 previously)
@carl669 @werehatrack I like that euphemism you opened with and will use it in the future if I can remember it. Hahaha
@carl669 @werehatrack
Too much weight to lug up 463 steps (over 90 meters) at the Duomo in Firenza or the tower in Pisa…
@carl669 @chienfou The step count is lower but the elevation change is more significant (500 ft) for the stairs from the trailhead down to Lower Yellowstone Falls, and I lugged the D7500 along on that one. That was in 2015. I was 61 at the time.
@carl669 @werehatrack
The steep steps and tight spaces, especially on some of the spiral staircases with 2 way traffic are what I was referring to. I lugged my SLR stuff up Huayna Pichu (among lots of other outings) which was also a lot more elevation but more open space. That made it easier.
I barely remember to use my cellular phone to take pictures and it has an ok camera.
@yakkoTDI And shortly after the trip I end up deleting the beautiful shots of the beautiful scenery and only care about the snapshots and selfies with my loved ones.
@arielleslie @yakkoTDI
Rarely my problem…My wife is constantly on me about including more people in my pics.
Get one of the Sony RX100’s. Compact design and takes beautiful photos.
@heartny
Those were shot with my Canon sx740… Been super happy with it so far. Really like being able to do a wireless dump of my pics each night to a tablet for backup and dumping crap pics. Lots easier to pick out the errors on a larger screen.
What a BEAUTIFUL view you have! I can see why you wouldn’t want to rely on your phones camera.
ENJOY!
@Lynnerizer
It was a really nice spot outside of Terricciola. Stayed there a week then moved to a hotel in Monticatini for 5 nights. Bailed on the last night to drive to Padua so we could do Venice the last full day since the weather cleared up. Had a blast!!
Just got back yesterday.
I take my old Canon EOS 5D that my brother gave me when he got the new mode (because i can’t afford that stuff). It’s nice having a pro-grade camera with full frame-sensor. Makes a big difference not having the crop when I take wide-angle nature photos of the landscape. The metal chassis (instead of typical plastic) is nice for its durability too, surviving getting knocked around a bit in far-flung places.
I’ve traveled with my sigma 50-500 lens many, many times. It’s big and I’ve had it for over 12 years so it’s seen a lot of use Sometimes I’ve used my Nikon z6ii, or the D750, or D600. I bought it to use originally with the D300s back in the day. Yes, I’ve even hiked with that beast. Buy I also pack some other options for diving or water sports.
@braveit1
I used to shoot an old Canon that had a great dive housing (it’s an s120 if I remember. I took lots of nice pics with it back when I was diving. Still drag it out when we go to the beach to paddle board or go snorkeling/sailing or playing around with the grands at the pool.)
I’ve started carrying my DSLR less frequently. It’s an older Canon 50D but I’ve got some really good glass (a 1.4 prime 55mm and a 70-200 L lens that can pretty much stop time). I have a handful of other utility lenses but I’ve found toting 6 lenses around isn’t much fun if no one is paying me to do it. Also have a DJI drone with a 4K camera and three modern GoPros that are great if water is involved. But I think I’ve overdone it and have too many options. So these days I seem to just rather be in the moment and whip out my phone if I want to capture something.
@capnjb
I hear you. It’s nice to have good kit when at the softball games though, right?
@capnjb
That’s funny to think of the 50D as old, but I guess it is. Shows my age, I guess.
My 30D is my newest DSLR, which I bought when it was the brand new model (years older than the D50).
Plus, until recently I still used my Canon Digital Rebel sometimes. It was the first DSLR with mass consumer-appeal, with a camera body costing under $1000 (25 years ago, with no lens), though newer models are MUCH cheaper now.
It being consumer-grade, the shutter was only rated for a 10,000 shot lifespan, but it finally gave up the ghost at a shot-count of almost 29,000 shots.
I’m debating paying to have the shutter replaced to keep it going longer.
Absolutely gorgeous view - what town are you staying in? You should go to Modena and get some balsamic vinegar. I bet you’re having some fabulous feasts!
@Kyeh
See above for our itinerary.
Yes. We have had some great meals and fabulous (yet not over-expensive) wines.
Shot a TON of pics over the last 2 weeks. Actually catching this thread up as I fly to KC to see Mom. Barely even got to stay home 12 hrs. Guess I’ll let SWMBO unpack for me…
I find that the camera and lenses in my Samsung Galaxy S10+ are good for about 90% of the pictures I take of anything, anywhere. For the remaining 10%, largely aviation and some railroad photography, I use a Kodak Z990 bridge camera with a 30x zoom lens.
@PooltoyWolf
Thought of you several times as we rode the train in Italy…but never remembered to shoot any train pics for you.
@chienfou I’m sure it was beautiful!
@PooltoyWolf
Thought the foam was a nice touch and might help explain why the trains and trams seemed so smooth and quiet.
It was!
I did find this shot I took in Firenza. They were redoing some tram tracks in a piazza.
@chienfou I’m thinking that foam might be more a way of sealing out moisture than as a shock absorber. (Most of the shock absorption tech is inside the wheelsets on the equipment itself.)
@chienfou @PooltoyWolf The foam suppresses noise from the roadbed. They used it in part of the MetroRail system here.
@PooltoyWolf @werehatrack
That quiet translates to a real nice ride on the newer equipment lines. I figured the foam helped to dampen the lateral vibrations. Anyways, I found it interesting they did that step.
@chienfou @werehatrack You’re talking about the spray foam, right? Not the large gray blocks I assume are concrete?
@PooltoyWolf
Yes
I don’t travel but when I need good photos, I carry around my two 1dX cameras loaded with a 70-200mm f2.8 and the other with a 300mm f2.8.
@cengland0 I have the same 70-200 and got it pretty much for softball games. Never tell my wife what those sell for
Please. I love that 300mm, but I’d be single again if I keep buying more glass. Do you shoot professionally? That’s some good kit. 
@cengland0
Freaking nice gear. Love those “L” lenses. Spendy.
@mbimeh I like the “L” lenses too and only had one go bad on me. I sold it on eBay for parts only for a lot of money even though it was defective.
I had mine for a long time so they are all the regular USM motors versus the current USM II. They still focus fast which is necessary for bird photography especially when you’re trying to catch one flying and you have to track it.
@mbimeh @cengland0 That’s a fantastic shot! Please do a bird-of-the-day thread!
@Kyeh I used to post a photo a day on my Facebook page but stopped when I abandoned Facebook and haven’t posted for over a decade. It was a toxic environment so I had to leave.
I don’t go out around my lake as much as I used to so it would be hard to come up with a photo even once a week.
@cengland0 But you probably have a bunch from the past, don’t you? The ones you were putting on Facebook? (I never signed up for it myself.)
@Kyeh yes I still have all my old photos and I wouldn’t mind posting them occasionally but don’t want the responsibility of facilitating a dedicated thread. I have become lazy as I got older.
@cengland0 @Kyeh If we can have irregular cat-pix threads, we can have others as well. I say “go for it”.
@cengland0 @werehatrack Yeah, a general random bird photos thread would be cool too, maybe others have some nice shots to post.
Never professionally.
I like taking photos of nature, especially birds.
A couple examples…
@cengland0
Those are beautiful shots! You should give us a “Bird-a-day” thread sometime.
@Kyeh Thank you for the compliment. I also have a pet bird. Most of those photos are from my phone.
This is Emerald after he took a shower.
@cengland0 Yes, I’m familiar with him, he’s quite a handsome little creature! Although that’s not the best photo of him you’ve ever posted.
@cengland0 @Kyeh
At first I thought he was molting or plucking his feathers out, glad he’s just wet! 
I’d love to see his glamour shots! 
IDK that I’ve seen him before, even as a wet head he’s BEAUTIFUL!
Ah, the last dedicated camera I remember is my trusty Powershot A… probably the A720is or A590is from the late 2000s.
It had a manual viewfinder, custom firmware that enabled true fine-tuning ISO and RAW mode shooting, even a customizable lens attachment slot (and adapter) to add further telescoping, hoods, and fish-eye lenses. It used AA’s!
It also had a 2GB SDcard limit, you might have room for about 8 of said RAW format shots at the maximum 8MP resolution. (And however long of 640x480 video you could handle.)
But these days, between doing gigs and trying to eat healthy, who has time to enjoy the scenery? (At least not vicariously.)
@pakopako
Gotta make time to stop and smell (or photograph) the roses now and then…
@pakopako What kind of gigs?
@Kyeh stage setup mostly
@chienfou naw. That’s what I have you guys for🫡
@pakopako Musical shows? Or theater? Sounds interesting.
@Kyeh both, as long as lights and sound is needed (and they don’t have enough hands locally), I get a call to see if I can join a carpool full of farts too old to like new things.
@Kyeh @pakopako
Luddites unite!
@chienfou @pakopako
In an online forum!
@Kyeh @pakopako
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
View back across the valley to our resort from about the base of the tower in the first pics.
@chienfou I can see your room. Not sure which window it is, but my ever-sleuthing brain figured out it had to be one of the visible ones. Smart, huh?
My “real” camera is a woot Kodak 990
https://www.woot.com/offers/kodak-12mp-digital-camera?ref=w_cnt_odet_pic_1
Not sure I got all those accessories. When I bought it was for a woman I thought we’d have kids/trips.
The phone does fine for the cats I never use it
@unksol The ZX990 is a good unit, in part because it has a real viewfinder that allows using it in full sunlight.
@werehatrack I figured the optical zoom and sensor/relative ease of use was good for what she wanted to do. Itis pretty old at this point but the zoom is probably still useful. IDK I never take it out of the bag.
Back in 2012 it seemed like a good idea lol
@unksol It’s still a good idea, and the pace of improvement in cameras has slowed a bunch in the past 10 years. Don’t count that one out. It will do things that a cell phone camera can’t.
@werehatrack oh I know. And that optical zoom is still very good. And it can shoot raw. I just. Don’t get it out of the camera bag cause I’m not doing anything worth shooting lol. Maybe some day
@werehatrack what I remember is dad having a 35mm Kodak and the attached flash. And lens. And havening to focus it. At Christmas and birthdays. Which is just not a thing anyone. That’s everyone has a camera on their phone territory.
But I also remember going out west and Mom scrambling down the side of an arch in Utah to get the lens cap back. And the landscape photos. And I still have packs of photos we got developed form our disposable 35mms.
I had wanted to go through the boundary waters/that was the plan at the time. It’s definitely good for that/never going to fit a decent optical zoom on a phone
My Canon S5IS is still getting the job done but she is nearing retirement. She has been my trusty workhorse for many years and she’s had a rough life! Now there is a tiny hair trapped in the viewfinder…
It doesn’t affect the images but it distracts a lot. From everything I researched there is no guaranteed method of fixing it without the possibility of making things worse.
@jimeezlady
I know what you mean. It’s like losing an old friend. You get so accustomed to how far you can push a camera, what all the settings do, all those things that make your pictures… your pictures.
I’ve worn out/advanced from several cameras over the years. Each time it’s been bittersweet.