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Cameras for Dark and Wet Locations?
Lorenzo de Medici asks: "In August I have the great pleasure of being able to hike all sixteen miles of the Zion
Narrows. I'd like to take along a camera, but the problem is that the water level in the Narrows can be unpredictable, with flash floods arriving with little warning. Light levels tend to be low as well. Does anyone have any advice on what kind of camera I could bring that would survive yet still bring in decent photo quality?"
A camera for hot & moist locations? Do you have any connections in the porn industry?
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." Col. Jeff Cooper
They make waterproof disposable cameras. If your local photo shop doesn't carry one, amazon has them here. If you don't think one will be enough, buy two or three. It's still cheaper than the cheapest waterproof reusable camera. It's relatively dark underwater, so these things tend to have higher-speed film (meaning a lighter picture), too.
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Was there recently.... would recommend an actual waterproof camera, for the chance of dropping it, and the danger of flash foods in the canyon. Pack a couple of those cheapy Kodak disposable water cameras for extras. However, I don't know what to recommend for a high-quality camera that is waterproof.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
I think an Olympus Infinity Stylus placed inside a plastic ziplock bag would work great. The reason I suggest film over digital is, in such a condition, any trace moisture will be hazardous to a laptop (necessary to download photos), memory cards, or battery chargers. With the Stylus, you just need a sealed package of AAs and sealed canisters of film.
GPL Deconstructed
Get yourself a waterproof bag to store your camera in, and get the camera from somewhere with a nice warranty like Ritz (in case it breaks).
Or get yourself one of those professional underwater cameras.
As far as lighting issues, either a nice external flash, or a nice lense should help.
Bring an old Graflex but make sure you chain it to your ankle so you don't lose it in a flood. You need to use chain because it's kind of heavy, and make sure you lock it.
Is the classic 35mm wet/dry film camera. Nikon optics, rugged, just what you need. I don't think they are currently produced, but there are plenty of them available on ebay.
"Eve of Destruction", it's not just for old hippies anymore...
You neglected to specify digital or film. In general, many cameras of both types have optional waterproof housings. For both light-gathering ablilty and waterproofness weight will be an issue.
For landscape type photos you may be better off concentrating on camera shake instead of lens/film speed. Take a pocket tripod or clamp. I've shot quite reasonable night photos with an old digital camera just by using the tripod hand-held against a wall or tree.
For film, choose your camera based on how much weight you are willing to carry vs. the f-stop of your lens (the larger your light gathering opening the lower light you can shoot in for a given ISO but of course that is also going to make for a heavier camera). Once you have settled on that, take film of a high enough speed to get the shots you want.
For digital, I've always liked the Olympus cameras. IIRC, the Olympus C-series support ISO equivalents up to 400 and have optional waterproof housings. Also check out the Olympus "Stylus Digital" series of "ultra-compact, metal, all-weather digital" cameras that according to Olympus "can be used in rain, snow and any other situation Mother Nature throws at it"
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"You are not remembered for doing what is expected of you." - Atul Chitnis
Any photographer worth his salt knows the old put the camera on a tripod and use long exposures for shooting in low light trick.
As for wetness, just get any popular camera that has a waterproof housing available as an option. These housing are typically very rugged and probably also afford the camera a greater degree of resiliance to physical damage.
-73, de n1ywb
www.n1ywb.com
It would probably be much more advantageous to post your question on photo.net. Be sure to include whether or not you want to shoot film or digital and how much you are looking to spend.
Do they own a camera?
borrow it..
(parents are very understanding)
every day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
I'm not sure about your priorities, to tell you the truth. It's sort of like me saying, "I am fortunate enough to commute to work in a densely packed metropolis, but occasionally I have to cross the street or ride the subway. Does anyone know of a good camera that can withstand being crushed by a bus or the impact of an out of control speeding train? Ideally I'd like one with 4megapixels and optical zoom. Any ideas?"
There are places outside the park that rent stuff specifically for hiking the Narrows. I was there last fall and rented shoes, a staff, and a dry bag to keep my camera and lunch in. Spend the money on the shoes, it is so worth it. Most people had their own shoes on. Sure, hiking boots are meant to withstand getting wet. But they aren't meant for hiking 3 hours through a river. Having your regular boots dry later is so worth the cost of the rental. And you can rent a stick too! Actually, no joke, the hiking staff was very useful in various instances, mostly as a pole vault. Often, the water is clouded enough that you can't see what you are stepping on, so having it to balance yourself is very helpful. Plus, it is a nice, straight piece, perfect for twirling and pretending you are a bad-ass bo-weilding ninja. Turned out I really didn't need the bag, but that is only because the water was very low and I never fell in anywhere.
Its been commented on before that use a plastic bag. Its been a "funny" comment but in fact
They make waterproof plastic bags that you can put and use the camera in. These bags aren't cheap (about 100$) although cheaper than a full hardshell case. There not just plasic bags because the have some glass/plastic you attach the lens to so you can shoot with the camera in the bag. It seems perfect for your use.
As for the dark conditions get a bright lens (f1.8 to f2.8) and/or use 400 or 800 iso film.
check adorama for other makes/models but here is an example
http://www.waterproofcases.net/ziplock.html
It was a deal considering we would of instead had bought one of these 250 bad boys.
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