I'm thinking about going skiing this weekend with some friends and I'm considering bringing a camera. Not planning on putting any real time/effort into getting 'this shot' or 'that angle' or anything, just snap some nice photos while we cruise around. I've been skiing since I was five, so I'm not too worried about wiping out or anything; I know accidents can and will happen, I'm just not worried about it.
Anyone ever done this? Is it worth it? Or did you end up not taking too many shots. If it is worth it, which lens would you bring (definitely only bringing one)? I kind of wish the TC14 was compatible with the 50/1.4 cause 100 (fx) or 150 (dx) sounds like a pretty good spot to be in, and it'd be a small package. Also kind of wish I still had my old kit 28-200.
(this is east coast skiing by the way, so not having a camera at all wouldn't be a huge loss)
Not sure this is totally relevant, but it might be. Last summer I went up the the Rockies for a dirt bike trip with my brother and some other guys. We trailered the bikes up to a condo at Keystone, then rode the motorcycles up in the mountains for three days. Some easy trails, but most were pretty rough.
I took my Mk2n, a 20-35/f2.8 and 70-200/f2.8 thinking "hey, I'll be at some places I wouldn't ever got on foot or in a car, so I'll get some cool pics." Wrong. I hardly broke out that gear and it was more of a pain to lug around than anything. Didn't even take it with me after the second day.
What I did use a lot, though, was my P&S and Flip. They were light and easy to carry and get out quickly and use without any trouble. No way I'm taking the DSLR gear with me on future trips; not worth the hassle.
Scott Sewell wrote:
Not sure this is totally relevant, but it might be. Last summer I went up the the Rockies for a dirt bike trip with my brother and some other guys. We trailered the bikes up to a condo at Keystone, then rode the motorcycles up in the mountains for three days. Some easy trails, but most were pretty rough.
I took my Mk2n, a 20-35/f2.8 and 70-200/f2.8 thinking "hey, I'll be at some places I wouldn't ever got on foot or in a car, so I'll get some cool pics." Wrong. I hardly broke out that gear and it was more of a pain to lug around than anything. Didn't even take it with me after the second day.
What I did use a lot, though, was my P&S and Flip. They were light and easy to carry and get out quickly and use without any trouble. No way I'm taking the DSLR gear with me on future trips; not worth the hassle....Show more →
However, your experience may vary. We need to keep things in the proper frame of reference. Sewell is an old man.
I've skied with my dslr and a tamrac expedition 5 backpack. But, I was looking for particular shots. I would normally do a few runs and get the shots I wanted. Then the gear would go back into the car.
I would suggest a P&S if you just wanna capture some moments of the day. Put on the sticks and go beat up some bumps....
Ski every year with D300. Recently tried cotton carrier vest and has been by far the best solution I have tried. Put it on over my second layer shirt. Holds the camera close to my chest, can zip my jacket over it when skiing and it is held securely. Open jacket, pop of holder, take photo, pop back on , rezip. Works pretty good with short lens. Google Cotten Carrier.
Scott Sewell wrote:
Not sure this is totally relevant, but it might be. Last summer I went up the the Rockies for a dirt bike trip with my brother and some other guys. We trailered the bikes up to a condo at Keystone, then rode the motorcycles up in the mountains for three days. Some easy trails, but most were pretty rough.
I took my Mk2n, a 20-35/f2.8 and 70-200/f2.8 thinking "hey, I'll be at some places I wouldn't ever got on foot or in a car, so I'll get some cool pics." Wrong. I hardly broke out that gear and it was more of a pain to lug around than anything. Didn't even take it with me after the second day.
What I did use a lot, though, was my P&S and Flip. They were light and easy to carry and get out quickly and use without any trouble. No way I'm taking the DSLR gear with me on future trips; not worth the hassle. ...Show more →
P Alesse wrote:
However, your experience may vary. We need to keep things in the proper frame of reference. Sewell is an old man.
Ha! Well, I must say that most of the guys on the ride seemed to want to race to the top of every mountain we rode! I thought there would be time to stop and enjoy the scenery a bit but, no, it was freakin' balls-to-the-wall, full throttle all the way to the top!! Ha!
IF you take your gear you want to think of a few things. Protecting it if you fall, keeping it dry, keeping batteries warm are just a few things to consider. Last time I went skiing, I took a 20D with grip, wide zoom and telezoom in a Tamrac sling pack. While I was skiing, I kept it in the front so if I fell I could tuck and protect it. Batteries I kept in a ziplock bag with hand warmers and I kept the camera in a ziplock in the bag to keep it dry. I planned on taking a bunch of photos, but most of the photos I took were on the lift and in the lodge.
I have brought my SLR only once while snowboarding. I got some nice pics, but I found that in the end I didn't really want to bring it along. After all, my primary focus was snowboarding. I do however, bring my point and shoot camera EVERY time I go out, and have gotten some great pics that might be technically inferior, but far more memorable. My decision was made based on wanting to record the fun times I had while snowboarding. Another person may look at the opportunity to be placed in an environment just asking (no...begging!) to be photographed. So the tools each person uses will be based on what is being accomplished.
I have seen people skiing with their camera in hand, but I was not so bold. I pulled to the side of the hill (to get out of everyone's way) and set up from there. One thing to think about is what bag to use, especially in regards to riding the lift. Even a backpack that can be easily held in your lap may feel cumbersome when sharing a packed lift with others. However, it sounds like this might not be too much of an issue to you, based on your experience riding the lifts. Where are you going? Please share some pics if you do end up taking your camera. And in answer to one of your questions: When I went I took my D30 and 50/1.8 (cheap enough not to worry too much about the gear).
Thanks for the insights everyone. I'll probably end up packing the camera (d300 or d700? still not sure) and a 50 and make a game time decision weather to actual bring up the mountain. Even if I end up doing some major cropping these will most likely just be ending up on facebook anyway.
My plan for carrying it, should I bring it, is using a BlackRapid strap. I've found that an RS-4 + a bent carabiner + a belt loop (on the back of your pants) is a great solution that keeps the camera tucked away when you don't want it flopping around, and only takes about a second to get it to "normal" blackrapid slinger mode, which is itself pretty tucked away.
Just going for a day trip up to loon. I actually haven't been skiing in a few years, so while I don't really think I'm going to have any issues, I still might keep the camera in the car just so I can focus on enjoying the snow again. But we shall see.
Bring a CP for your lens. Also, if you fall, what side do you tend to fall on? Keep your gear on the opposite side. I'd bring the D300 if your skiing during daylight hours only.
I'm better off with my 70-300 on the D80 for DSLR shots.
The camera is in my DaKine HeliPro pack,wrapped in padding.
Pack comes off for the lift.
Usually the camera is for just one run, and then back in the car.
Try to "stage" shots, asking your subject(s) to ski with a preselected background.
No problems with batteries, even when in the 0 degree range. Just be sure they are newly charged.
Second the CP and just carrying the point and shoot.
(And don't forget your ski pole makes a sort-of monopod. Also take time to breath before you start shooting. Also think about a "shooting" glove, my old worn-out rag wool glove is nice.)
People have mentioned protecting your gear when you fall; don't forget about yourself. I've skied into a tree at very low speed, with a 20D tucked under my jacket on my chest (with an Op/Tech Stabilizer on it and an Op/Tech neck strap). I was traversing through the woods on a narrow path, traversing out to a low-angle glade, got caught in a bit of weird snow, and hugged the tree (at probably sub-10 MPH).
Camera: fine.
Me: rather uncomfortable for a day or two, and a nasty bruise thereafter. The tripod plate on the camera didn't help, either.
Had I actually been carrying any speed, I expect the camera would've broken my ribs. I'm now a lot more sensitive about skiing with a camera on my chest, and I'll usually only do so if it's in a padded bag (e.g. a LowePro TLZ attached to my backpack straps). If I'm skiing anything interesting, I prefer to have it in my backpack, but that does substantially reduce access and thus the number of shots I get.
also remember the other skiers out there with you. too often because someone has a camera they feel the entire slope is theirs and end up causing more problems than they should. just something to keep in the back of your head.
Dave Hahn wrote:
Does it really matter in a total yard sale?
Curl up in a ball with your camera as the nucleus as you are cascading down the mountain, leaving a contrail of ski equipment on the slope. This is the ultimate padding/protection during a fall. Bodies heal, pocketbooks don't.
