Which camera for the John Muir Trail

[tredlie]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

posting this in the X1/X2 forum can be considered quite suggestive, but the question is really a serious one but does as possible candidates he X1/X2.

 

I wonder if someone has an opinion on a suitable camera for hiking the

John Muir Trail in California. The hike will be some three weeks long and

requires food and cooking utensils plus tent etc to be carried. Therefore,

weight is of prime importance. Now the question is what a suitable camera

is for such like outdoor activities. A Canon 20D is available but clearly

unsuitable as is a small point and shoot camera with close to no manual

intervention.

 

This brings me to the list of requirements as seen currently:

 

1. minimize weight

2. proper manual operation (aperture, exposure, incl zoning) (along the lines of the M9 or old fashioned Rollei35 or any other)

3. really good IQ

4. digital

5. needs to survive 3 weeks without recharging (there may be electricity once or twice,

but would not like to carry cables a charger) (take some spare batteries?)

6. viewfinder would be preferred

 

except for 4. a nice little analog Leica would fit the bill, no batteries no nothing. but they are probably also a little heavy.

 

any thaughts and/or personal experiences?

 

Maybe the X2 fits the bill, maybe lots of others like the Fujis/Nex.

 

thanks in advance

 

Tred

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Jeff S]

On my full page screen display, the title of this thread showed as "Which camera for the John..." Oh my.

 

The XXX1 or XXX2, perhaps?

 

Jeff

[pop]

except for 4. a nice little analog Leica would fit the bill, no batteries no nothing. but they are probably also a little heavy.

 

The Leica CL with its lovely 40mm Summicron-C weighs 518g.

[tredlie]

The Leica CL with its lovely 40mm Summicron-C weighs 518g.

 

Yes would solve the power issue. But not digital..

[otto.f]

Spare batteries are heavier than a charger with cable. If you can plan your trip along fixed and reliable electricity points that would mean a lot for your decision. If it's unpredictable where you can load, then, and alltogehter, I think a film camera is best. Films are not that heavy as batteries. It depends on how much you expect to shoot too.

Digital: M9 or MM with 35 pre-asph S'cron. In city trips I usually shoot 350-400 images in a week and I have to load once in a week with my M9, if I use my newest battery. Landscape would be less images I think. Put Auto review off.

Film: I personally would take an M4 with the pre-asph 35 Summicron with original Leica Orange filter (about 600 gram) and Ilford SP2 and a Gossen digisix, which is as light as a feather.

[tredlie]

Spare batteries are heavier than a charger with cable. If you can plan your trip along fixed and reliable electricity points that would mean a lot for your decision. If it's unpredictable where you can load, then, and alltogehter, I think a film camera is best. Films are not that heavy as batteries. It depends on how much you expect to shoot too.

Digital: M9 or MM with 35 pre-asph S'cron. In city trips I usually shoot 350-400 images in a week and I have to load once in a week with my M9, if I use my newest battery. Landscape would be less images I think. Put Auto review off.

Film: I personally would take an M4 with the pre-asph 35 Summicron with original Leica Orange filter (about 600 gram) and Ilford SP2 and a Gossen digisix, which is as light as a feather.

 

yes, chargers are lighter than a stack of batteries (let alone the costs), but power outlets are unpredictable.

Your suggestion to restrict oneself to one focal length (35mm) makes sense to me. Then a X2 would also be an option at around 350g (plus batteries) would it? Or even an X1?

[symmetron]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

X1/X2 woud work fine.

 

Regarding batteries, check the forum on non-Leica batteries. They're cheap and seem to work fine. I have two non-Leica brands and they cost about $15 each; no problems and they aren't heavy at all. You'd probably need 4 batteries in total. With judicious use of the LCD for chimping and ON/OFF management, you'll be fine. You might want to also consider a Kiwi tube for a little extra protection of the lens.

[symmetron]

Of course, don't forget the ziploc bags and a neoprene case.

[tredlie]

Thanks for the info. It seems that non lrics batteries sre thrn ok on the x2. I hsd Problem s with them on the m9.

And the neoprene pointer answers the next question.

 

As regards viewfinder or lack thereof I shall probably have to try it out.

 

 

 

Gesendet von meinem GT-N7100 mit Tapatalk 2

[symmetron]

I have not read of any problems with non-Leica batteries in the X1/X2.

[tredlie]

Thanks good piece of Information

 

Gesendet von meinem GT-N7100 mit Tapatalk 2

[honcho]

..... a nice little analog Leica would fit the bill, no batteries no nothing. but they are probably also a little heavy.

 

any thaughts and/or personal experiences?

 

 

I haven't trekked the JMT (yet), but over many years I have, and still do, multi-day backpacking walks throughout the UK, Europe, Canada and Alaska. Carrying camping gear and food for a day or two, anything larger and heavier than a small camera with one, possibly two, fixed focal lenses or a short, slow zoom lens is not practical. Most of your photography is likely to be landscapes, taking images of scenes as you pass through, so my advice would be to consider your most used focal length for this type of work and carry only what you need. A fixed lens compact might fit your requirement. Half-a-kilo+ of Leica CL and lens, as someone else suggested above, is too heavy and bulky for backpacking without even considering the film you'll need to carry!

 

Your biggest problem is going to be camera battery life if you are set on taking a digital camera. You'll need to carry numerous spare batteries for a three-week trek as well as extra memory cards. Forget taking any kind of back-up device, you'll be multiplying the power problem and the additional weight precludes it.

 

I can't speak for the X1 or X2 as I've never used either of them, but I really like the Ricoh GRD1-iv series, having used them all extensively since the GRD1 was introduced,on backpacking and canoeing treks with the wide converter (21mm equivalent) as my standard lens. The recently announced aps-c version of the GRD, despite reverting to f2.8 max aperture is worth considering (I have one on pre order), Nikon Coolpix A looks good too. Both are cheaper and have wider aov lenses than Leica X1 or X2 which might be important to you - as it is for me.

 

To get the most enjoyment from your trek, you need to keep everything as lightweight and low-bulk as possible. As you are taking on a serious multi-day trek, I assume you have plenty of experience. Now that good quality, very small aps-c compact cameras are finally available, one of these would be my choice. From my past experience with them, the new Ricoh GRD will be my next backpacking camera.

 

Have a great walk and let us know your choice of camera and how you get on.

[tredlie]

Honcho

Thanks a lot thats been most helpful!

 

And food for thaught.

 

 

 

Gesendet von meinem GT-N7100 mit Tapatalk 2

[prk60091]

I have not read of any problems with non-Leica batteries in the X1/X2.

 

None in the camera just charging and burning my desk

[earleygallery]

The original Leica was made exactly for this purpose - trekking/hill climbing.

 

Why not buy a Barnack Leica and 'bring it home'. OK you want digital, so scan the negs!

[tredlie]

The original Leica was made exactly for this purpose - trekking/hill climbing.

 

Why not buy a Barnack Leica and 'bring it home'. OK you want digital, so scan the negs!

 

yes, that really has appeal 'bring it home', and you even provide a solution for the digital issue... dont know. but the first statement has something.

[Holgersen]

Battery life in the X2 is much longer than in X1.

[Chuck Albertson]

If dead-set on digital, I'd take an X2, but I already own one so that biases my recommendation. It's very lightweight, which will be the only consideration after the second or third day on the trail, and has a dynamite lens.Take extra batts--you're not going to find any place to plug in a charger on the Muir Trail. And spend extra for the Leica batts, unless you want to put out a batt fire late night on some mountain ridge. Lots of zip-lock plastics bags, and a bar towel to wipe all the moisture off.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Ecaton]

My pick would be:

 

1. Without budget constraints Sony RX1 & EVF, best IQ and lens.

2. If 28mm equiv. is ok, the superb Nikon coolpix A. Can be operated one handed as there is no lens cap to fumble with.

3. With OVF/EVF built in Fuji X (some reliability concerns).

4. With external OVF X1.

 

In all cases Sony RX100 as back up and for versatility.

Spare batteries are needed for all of these cameras. The Sony RX1 and RX100 use the same batteries.

[otto.f]

I wonder whether you think of a camera for this trail and 3 weeks only and intend to sell it afterwards. And if not whether you are prepared to carry 200 grams more. I doubt whether you will be satisfied with Ricoh the rest of your life and wouldn't that be a waste of money then. Although I hear good comments about it. 200 grams equals 0.2 liter. You could choose to carry 0.8 instead of 1 liter water until the next stream