Camera Equipment???

[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

 

[BeanoNYC]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Greg]

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]

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]

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]

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... :blink: 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]

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]

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

 

[Greg]

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

My scrawniness in a tight fitting race suit is a somewhat disturbing thought... :lol:

 

[dmc]

My scrawniness in a tight fitting race suit is a somewhat disturbing thought... :lol:

I share the disturbance... They serve no good off the race course...

 

[goodbrewster]

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

Actually, I was able to take up the camera after I stopped skiing bumps. There's nothing like having a camera bang up into your chin when bump skiing. As to thin clothing, I'm not talking about race suits, but thinsulated jackets and pants. In fact a ski sweater by definition has a tight thin knit to it. Shell and sweater with a lump. Bump and lump skiing where the lump comes on the chin.

 

[dmc]

Actually, I was able to take up the camera after I stopped skiing bumps. There's nothing like having a camera bang up into your chin when bump skiing.

Then I'd advise putting in a pocket thats not endangering your chin...

 

[o3jeff]

I have a Cannon SD600. If I had to do it again, I would definitely get one with image stabilization. I keep it in my side coat pocket and don't even notice it is there and still have yet have it come anywhere close to hitting my chin.

 

[2knees]

hit in the chin with a camera while skiing bumps?

Do you wear it around your neck ala Flavor flav?

I have a canon A560. Just started taking it with me as my old computer was useless for pics or vid. So far, i have no complaints whatsoever and dont even notice its with me. Unless i'm using it of course.

 

[ALLSKIING]

I bought this last year...LOVE the zoom and the swivel design is fun to play around with..

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/nikon-coolpix-s10/4505-6501_7-32060343.html

 

[goodbrewster]

One last comment.

As I was stating when I was young and serious about skiing , I did not carry a camera when on the slopes. Now, on occasion I do. If you want to ski well and avoid accident or incident, you should be thinking about your skiing at all times. Picking out lines, watching up hill, etc. should be what you are concentrating on. Just thinking about the people riding the lift overhead can be disasterous. The other day I decided to stop on a trail and a skier behind me came rather close when passing. I didn't know he was there. I try not to stop any more than I must when skiing. It reduces the risk of getting hit from behind. Have a safe holiday season.

 

[dmc]

I was thinking of wrapping myself in bubble wrap...
Or maybe just not ski... Being it's so dangerous...

Here's to a safe new year!

 

[billski]

I was thinking of wrapping myself in bubble wrap...
Or maybe just not ski... Being it's so dangerous...

Here's to a safe new year!

dmc, bubble wrap is overkill 'cmon; cotton balls are sufficient coupled with a helmet strobe and backup alarm. [secret wish is for one of those Michelin Man suits I saw on a Warren Miller movie once] :lol:

Regarding skiing and safety, I have different objectives when I'm out. Stopping has never been a problem for me, except maybe on the Jersey Turnpike or GWB. I simply pick a safe spot to stop at, based on millenniums of experience. I have days where I am smitten by the scenery, with a Kodak Moment around every bend. Other times I am with groups of more timid skiers and I'm more concerned about their safety than my own. Anticipating trouble (self-induced or external) and staying clear of it is #2 priority, after picking my line.

When stopping I always glance uphill as I'm slowing. If I see an imminent yard sale, I usually have enough momentum to clear the deck.

Anyone care for some cotton balls?