I just realised that I never got around to writing about my new camera that I will be bringing on my return to Nepal. Previously I'd just had a little Fuji Trek pocket camera which was good enough outside but utterly dreadful indoors and in poor lighting.
So after much deliberation I picked out the Sony NEX 5RK. This is my first "real" camera with interchangeable lenses. I chose this model because I want good performance in all conditions, fast shots, and lightweight. If a camera is too heavy and/or clunky I won't carry it around and what's the point of that?
I also invested in three 16Gb ExtremePro SD cards plus a spare battery and camera case.
And finally, I bought 2 C-clips which I have attached to the camera case so that I can suspend it from the belt loops on my hiking trousers, thus ensuring that my camera is always ready to hand rather than buried in my rucksack or bouncing off my boobs (another argument for small/lightweight cameras!).
Tip o' the hat to my hiking buddy Nigel from Creative Photography Wales who spent two days squiring me around Wales and teaching me how to use the damned thing both in terms of where functions are but also covering light, composition, focus, aperture v. shutter speed, white balance, iso, etc. Now I'm no longer reliant on auto-everything settings!
Unfortunately I now know all about the vast array of lenses and other expensive tidbits like filters and tripods that I need to buy. :-( But at least the photos from the next ABC2EBC Challenges should be much finer.
And don't forget to donate to The National Museum of Computing at my Just Giving page where all donations go to the museum
Oh, and I'm immensely pleased with my choice. It's a sexy bit of kit; very satisfying to use and beautiful results.I'm thinking about getting a small tripod so that I can do some time laps photography of the sunrise over Everest from Kal Pattar.
8 comments:
Idle thought. Since everything has to be schlepped, rather than a tripod, buy a telescopic monopod which can also be used as a hiking staff/walking stick.
I'll look into that but don't forget that weight is an important factor. Plus we're talking about time lapse over ~45 minutes.
This one looks tasty...http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-gitzo-gm1130mt-monotrek-monopod-walking-stick-with-belt-clip/p1026583 but still te problem of holding it steady
Hi Asti, have you thought about a beanbag instead. Hugely stable and you can sit on it, freeze it to use on bruises and use as a pillow too :-)
I think I want the height that a tripod/monopod will give me. But I'll consider buying one and try it out on a more local hike. Thanks for the idea Ade.
As for weight, I meant a telescoping aramid/aluminum combo- strong but no more than a few pounds.
That monopod does look nice- and I see that for stability, the bottom is like a ski stick. I have no idea what that thing is called.
"no more than a few pound"?!! That's a tremendous weight to lug around for hours at a time. My entire kit - both checkin bag and rucksack should not exceed 12-15 kilos. Maximum. I'm not a big hulking guy like you, I'm a delicate flower.
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