Slashdot Mirror
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.
--
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
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"
~~~~~~~
"You are not remembered for doing what is expected of you." - Atul Chitnis
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