Camera Equipment???

X-Linked · Dec 22, 2007, 11:48 PM

Ok, basically I just want to know what everybody uses to take pictures whiles you're up on the slopes. Usually I just use my cell phone, which is 2 MP and takes pretty decent pictures. Which cameras are better weatherproof? Opinions?

-Kevin

BeanoNYC · Dec 23, 2007, 5:54 AM

Casio Elixim. Thin, Small, relatively inexpensive and takes good pictures. The orange case is good in the event you drop it in the snow.

riverc0il · Dec 23, 2007, 7:49 AM

I use a Canon A630 which while bulkier than your standard PNS has tons of awesome features and takes high quality photos. I have never seen good pictures from a cell phone camera. Cell phones have a long long way to go and it really doesn't matter how many MP cell phones offer if the pictures are grainy. MP is important if you want to crop and have good full sized pictures but quality is more important. Standard internet sizing for pics is around 800x600 and you need only slightly larger for desktop background sized. Even with cropping, not major reason for anything about 5 or 6 if you can get super quality.

It is kind of like zoom with camcorders. Really good 3ccd camcorders usually start around 10x zoom which is really all you need without a tripod. Entry models are going over 30x which is just ridiculous because it is almost impossible to hold a camcorder steady at that high zoom without a good tripod.

goodbrewster · Dec 23, 2007, 8:58 AM

All my years as an active and competitive skier I knew nothing about cameras. However, within the last ten years I have been taking still photos on and off the slopes. This can be a distraction and not something I do regularly. If you are serious about skiing, leave the camera at home. I have a Canon Sure Shot WP SLR which has worked well for me. You definitely want a waterproof camera if you are going to try working in snowy conditions, but an ordinary single use can take good photos. Polaroids are a real trick since they don't develop well under 55 F. A few years ago I bought another Canon digital camera, the ZR 600 with 25X zoom which also has served me well for stills. So far I have not gone to video on snow. This camera, though, is not waterproof so I've only use it on clear sunny days.

**Greg** · Dec 23, 2007, 9:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodbrewster

If you are serious about skiing, leave the camera at home.

Welcome to the forums. I can't say I agree with this statement though. Why can't someone take pics/vid and still be serious about skiing? I know what you mean by it being a bit of a distraction, but I can usually take some vid or pics of people I'm skiing with without interrupting the flow of the day too much. Also, seeing yourself on video can actually significantly help your skiing as you can see what you need to work on.

goodbrewster · Dec 23, 2007, 9:15 AM

Let's see. First of all, I've had video taken of me while racing, and I agree it may be helpful. It also can be rather embarrassing when it is shown before a group of people in a movie house while you are there. Second, the cameraman was there to take video and wasn't out for a day of free skiing. I find the cameras I carry heavy and not something I want bouncing around in my clothing. Futhermore, I wear very thin and tight clothing when I can. I have devised a case for my tripod which can be slung over my shoulder, but this only complicates my style. Boarding a lift with this equipment can be dangerous. I don't recommend it for the inexperienced. It's bad enough having poles to carry, but a tripod can ruin your day.

dmc · Dec 23, 2007, 9:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-Linked

Ok, basically I just want to know what everybody uses to take pictures whiles you're up on the slopes. Usually I just use my cell phone, which is 2 MP and takes pretty decent pictures. Which cameras are better weatherproof? Opinions?

-Kevin

Canons are good - pretty bombproof - metal casing, robust optics..
Watch where you keep your camera.. If it's in the direct path of your clothing's breathability - it will get damp... Plastic bags are good - but suck if any moisture gets inside...

I use a felt bag in an outside( but still water resistant) chest pocket... Or just keep it in a backpack..

**Greg** · Dec 23, 2007, 9:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodbrewster

Let's see. First of all, I've had video taken of me while racing, and I agree it may be helpful. It also can be rather embarrassing when it is shown before a group of people in a movie house while you are there. Second, the cameraman was there to take video and wasn't out for a day of free skiing. I find the cameras I carry heavy and not something I want bouncing around in my clothing. Futhermore, I wear very thin and tight clothing when I can. I have devised a case for my tripod which can be slung over my shoulder, but this only complicates my style. Boarding a lift with this equipment can be dangerous. I don't recommend it for the inexperienced. It's bad enough having poles to carry, but a tripod can ruin your day.

Well, I'm certainly talking more about point and shoot cameras, not SLRs and tri-pods...

Mini-DV, mini-DVD and SD card video cameras are pretty small nowadays and fit in most jacket pockets just fine. If the misses comes through for Christmas I'll be sporting a Panasonic SD card video cam is shock/water resistant, a whopping 2.4" X 1.2" X 4.4" and weighs less than half a pound! Not super high quality, but better than most point and shoot camera video modes, and more than adequate for Web publishing.

dmc · Dec 23, 2007, 9:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg

Welcome to the forums. I can't say I agree with this statement though. Why can't someone take pics/vid and still be serious about skiing? I know what you mean by it being a bit of a distraction, but I can usually take some vid or pics of people I'm skiing with without interrupting the flow of the day too much. Also, seeing yourself on video can actually significantly help your skiing as you can see what you need to work on.

There's various levels of seriousness...
Your serious about bumps so you don't need a tight fitting race suit..

dmc · Dec 23, 2007, 9:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg

Well, I'm certainly talking more about point and shoot cameras, not SLRs and tri-pods...

Mini-DV, mini-DVD and SD card video cameras are pretty small nowadays and fit in most jacket pockets just fine. If the misses comes through for Christmas I'll be sporting a Panasonic SD card video cam is shock/water resistant, a whopping 2.4" X 1.2" X 4.4" and weighs less than half a pound! Not super high quality, but better than most point and shoot camera video modes, and more than adequate for Web publishing.

Not this?

Dec 22, 2007, 11:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
X-Linked Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Poconos, PA Posts: 167	Camera Equipment??? Ok, basically I just want to know what everybody uses to take pictures whiles you're up on the slopes. Usually I just use my cell phone, which is 2 MP and takes pretty decent pictures. Which cameras are better weatherproof? Opinions? -Kevin __________________ Snow, Ice, Wind, Heat, and Humidity; Experience the world. Ski what you can, hike and climb what you can't. Use the rubbers(cycle) for distance.

Dec 23, 2007, 5:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
BeanoNYC It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time It's Tricky... Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rockaway Park, NY Posts: 4,481	Casio Elixim. Thin, Small, relatively inexpensive and takes good pictures. The orange case is good in the event you drop it in the snow. __________________ ~Rich~

Dec 23, 2007, 7:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
riverc0il Ari Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ashland, NH Posts: 7,120	I use a Canon A630 which while bulkier than your standard PNS has tons of awesome features and takes high quality photos. I have never seen good pictures from a cell phone camera. Cell phones have a long long way to go and it really doesn't matter how many MP cell phones offer if the pictures are grainy. MP is important if you want to crop and have good full sized pictures but quality is more important. Standard internet sizing for pics is around 800x600 and you need only slightly larger for desktop background sized. Even with cropping, not major reason for anything about 5 or 6 if you can get super quality. It is kind of like zoom with camcorders. Really good 3ccd camcorders usually start around 10x zoom which is really all you need without a tripod. Entry models are going over 30x which is just ridiculous because it is almost impossible to hold a camcorder steady at that high zoom without a good tripod. __________________ -Steve TheSnowWay.com "Skiing is not a sport, it is a way of life." - Otto Schniebs 2

Dec 23, 2007, 8:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
goodbrewster Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 6	Cameras All my years as an active and competitive skier I knew nothing about cameras. However, within the last ten years I have been taking still photos on and off the slopes. This can be a distraction and not something I do regularly. If you are serious about skiing, leave the camera at home. I have a Canon Sure Shot WP SLR which has worked well for me. You definitely want a waterproof camera if you are going to try working in snowy conditions, but an ordinary single use can take good photos. Polaroids are a real trick since they don't develop well under 55 F. A few years ago I bought another Canon digital camera, the ZR 600 with 25X zoom which also has served me well for stills. So far I have not gone to video on snow. This camera, though, is not waterproof so I've only use it on clear sunny days.

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Dec 23, 2007, 9:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
goodbrewster Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 6	Let's see. First of all, I've had video taken of me while racing, and I agree it may be helpful. It also can be rather embarrassing when it is shown before a group of people in a movie house while you are there. Second, the cameraman was there to take video and wasn't out for a day of free skiing. I find the cameras I carry heavy and not something I want bouncing around in my clothing. Futhermore, I wear very thin and tight clothing when I can. I have devised a case for my tripod which can be slung over my shoulder, but this only complicates my style. Boarding a lift with this equipment can be dangerous. I don't recommend it for the inexperienced. It's bad enough having poles to carry, but a tripod can ruin your day.