Take the DSLR or dont? Hiking/Fishing trip.
- This topic has 2 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated Jun 12, 2007 at 7:05 pm by
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Hello all, just want some opinions from any of you that do any extensive backpacking and the likes. Me and a friend are embarking on a 14 mile hike along a river this weekend that will be spent fishing and eating mostly, with hiking just to cover water. We have lots of food but are packing light in other departments. I still estimate with fishing gear a pack weight of 40+lbs though in our large internal-frame packs.
Question is… bring the D70 and my Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D, bring the D70, 50mm and my 28-105, or don’t even bother with the camera? My interest is not about worry for the camera, we won’t be wading with our large packs, but instead weight savings vs pleasure in nice pics.
We will both have P&S cams as well for general camping documentation, but I have been REALLY inspired lately by John Bennett’s pics of trout-in-hand with his 50mm. I’m ALMOST certain the weight difference with/without the camera is so negligible that having it along just in case is worth it, but I don’t think the longer lens is a must. The thing is, the longer lens is a f4.5 wide open and at even 28mm it cuts the light down because of the length of the lens. I won’t have a tripod. It seems the few shots i’d want with the longer lens don’t justify the packing, weight. or hassle… plus I find that forcing myself into a prime lens every now and then is only a good thing when I see the end results.
Just want some opinions though from those that pack their gear around.
The 85 f1.8 has become my favorite lens to have with me and mounted when wading streams fishing. You cant get the narrow DoF wth a PnS or other slower lens and when need be I can open it up in low light when shutter speeds are dicey. It saves me from having to bump my iso if my SS is my driving concern.
I think I mentioend it elsewhere but my typical loadout is my body (with grip and 2 Batts) , my WA, the 85 f1.8 and my 180 macro. That 11pds and small change. If/when I add 400 f5.6 for wildlife shooting that goes to 15pds. I used to lug my self standing monopod ( it a ghetto tripod/wading stick) but at 2pds…..It all adds up
For the type of hike your considering Id shave any glass and spare batteries I could. Just go with the bare minimum. Your going to bring the PnSs regardless, so let them handle WA and the long end if needed. That leaves you the D70 and 50 f1.4 to experiment with tight DoFs/portrait type shots that you can use for fish/people and flora.
J
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