Best cameras for traveling.

Hi,

 

So my old little digital camera broke and I am planning on buying a proper photography camera that takes great photos and videos for my upcoming travels. I know very little about photography cameras and technology in general(I am an abomination of a twenty year old, I know). What kind of photography camera do you guys use? Also what kind of lenses do you bring with you while traveling? I would like something that isn't too difficult to lug around for three months and one that even the technologically impaired can handle! AAny suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by Kathryn Burrington on November 3, 2011 at 11:21pm

Hi Michelle, So much depends on your budget. A decent SLR by Nikon would be my choice and to start with a zoom that covered wide angle to medium distance. Buy the best you can and then slowly add to it. 

I've started a photography group which in time I hope will help with such things. So please do join! Sadly there's only the three of us at the moment! :-(

Sorry can't be more help, Kathryn

Permalink Reply by Kathryn Burrington on November 3, 2011 at 11:26pm
PS Enjoyed reading 'The 5 Biggest Mistakes I’ve Made While Travelling!' :-)
Permalink Reply by Keith Kellett on November 4, 2011 at 8:56am

It all depends on what you want the photos for ... publication or just showing to your friends. I'd agree with a Nikon SLR for the former purpose ... (however, I'm biased; I use one myself!). But, there are compacts that will deliver almost as good results, that you can slip into a pocket or a handbag.

 

At the moment, I'm looking at the Nikon AW-100 compact camera, which looks as if it can take a bashing when I'm in situations in which I wouldn't normally risk a camera.

 

Take care,

Keith

Permalink Reply by Oliver Gradwell on November 5, 2011 at 11:56pm
Hi Michelle

I just got a Canon 1100D recently and love it.  It is my first time with a "serious" camera like this and I'm glad I bought it.

My decision was determined by a number of factors:

  1. Price: It was one of the cheapest available and came with a pretty good 18-55mm lens included.
  2. HD Video: I wanted to have the option of being able to take HD video if I wanted it, unfortuantely I believe Nikon cameras don't let you do this.
  3. The Body!!: Even though I have large hands, I was able to handle the camera body rather easily and found dials, buttons etc . . all within easy reach.  So definitely go to a shop and try holding cameras, get a feel for, well, how they feel to handle.
  4. Functions: Speaking to an number of photographers, like Ken Kaminesky, I was assured that the functions on the camera were more than sufficient to keep me busy.  They were right.  I am still getting my head around ISO, manual zoom and not to mention all the preset options.
  5. Upgrades: I know I will want to get a better camera in the future.  But what constitutes a camera?  The body and the lens.  Every serious travel photographer I talk to tell me that the lenses are more important than the body.  So being satisfied with the quality of images my body can offer, I now plan to purchase 1 or 2 more lenses to add to my collection.  These will be a few hundred pounds each no doubt, but the great thing is, is that they can be used on future camera bodies that I purchase.  So they are not a 1 time only purchase. 


I took the camera to Umbria with me, when finalising plans for TBU Umbria.  I took sunset shots, landscape and more.  I gradually got used to the camera through a trial + error process.  You will too.

Good luck with choosing and if you have any questions then let us know in here.

 

Oliver

Permalink Reply by Jim Ferri on January 21, 2012 at 11:57pm

Hi Michelle,

I was a freelance magazine photographer for many year and used to carry a heavy load of Nikons and lenses. Nikon is a great camera but I've found that since I started blogging I need to travel a lot lighter, Have used several compacts that can slip in your pocket (great for whipping out and getting a good shot before anyone realizes what's going on). I've just gotten a Sony DSC-HR9V which I can truthfully say is the best camera I've ever owned. Great sharp photos and video plus tons of features. It will cost you around $300 on Amazon. One caveat -- I chose this model since it has GPS and can tag the info folders on your photos but the coordinates it's giving me a re quite a way off. Need to figure it all out. Other than that, a superb camera. (btw, the model without the GPS is less)

Permalink Reply by Michelle Belair on February 1, 2012 at 4:39am

Thank you, this one seems to be more in my price range since I just started University! I will definitely be looking into this. 

Permalink Reply by Jim Ferri on February 1, 2012 at 11:57am

Michelle -- I have finally solved the GPS mystery. I needed to convert the camera's readings into correct Latitude and Longitude. When put on Google Earth it's correct to within one foot.

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