p.2 #3 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
akin_t wrote:
Basically, when I travel or go out, I want to have a good time instead of babysitting and hauling my gear.
I'm going to Carmel Valley with my gf in 2 weeks and although I want to take my DSLR with me for some nice landscapes, I just don't want to deal with the hassle of the bulk of it (carrying it with me on the plane, bringing it for snapshots in the park etc).
I'm really thinking of a smaller system but I am on a strict budget.
Basically I don't shoot much anymore and was even thinking of trading the 7D in for something smaller, but I can't bring myself to do it....Show more →
"basic bulk of a 7D?"
My advice. You can do excellent pics with your smart phone. If your gf did not choose you because of your (camera) gear, choose the time with her to show her you are the right guy for that special girl. Le your camera at home.
Jul 02, 2012 at 06:53 PM
brad_s Offline • • • [X]
p.2 #4 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
I just can't not bring my DSLR. It comes with me mostly everywhere: road trip, airplane, boat (including kayak), and subway.
I think I've managed the size by my constant search for the perfect compact bag that fits against my body just right.
p.2 #7 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
I would advise either getting a good compact that can fit in your pocket and simply living with what reduced opportunities it offers you or just taking your DSLR kit in some form-even if reduced.
Just my experience, but for what it's worth I tried going the mirrorless route for the purposes of reducing bulk at times but I didn't find the trade off in performance vs my DSLR system worth it because when all is said and done most of the mirrorless lens options when mounted are not what most would consider truly pocketable solutions. For longer trips and such I still found I needed a bag to bring everything I wanted, and so at that point I always felt I might as well take the DSLR system with some of the more reasonably sized lens options.
To each their own, but for me once I'm carrying a bag or keeping something out on a strap because it's too big to pocket any size or weight advantage that might still be there takes on much less importance and tips the balance back in favor of a DSLR. I sold off the mirrorless kit then as I found the money better invested in my DSLR system.
p.2 #8 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
akin_t
You're taking your GF to Carmel Valley and are worried about the weight and bulk of a 7D and 2 lenses? Um, well, I'm not sure how to say this, but nearly any camera is a breeze to carry rather than even the best of GFs though I could be getting a bit jaded. If I'm going anywhere that a good picture might even be possible I take every thing with me. That doesn't mean I carry it around all the time, just that it's in the bag and available.
I carry a pair of 1 series bodies plus assorted lenses, a flash, and a good tripod with ball head. The only time it's an issue is if I'm hiking a lot and even then I just pare down to one body and a lens or two.
Still I keep watching the MFT cameras and wondering if a OM-D or a GX1 might not fit in a small belt pouch and give me more flexibility. I do keep an S90 in my pocket regularly. It is good for documenting things, but not for really getting excellent images. I guess if I were in your boat, I'd rethink how much I really like photography and adapt accordingly. There are without a doubt some excellent small cameras around these days, so you have lots of choices.
And no matter what you do or do not take, have fun in Carmel with the GF. One of the truly beautiful places on earth.
p.2 #9 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
I was using an S100 for quite a while, much more than I was using my 7D, but I felt that the pics, while very good, weren't quite the quality I was looking for, so I sold it. It's a wonderful camera for sure, but I want just a little more; I will be adding the Sony RX100 to my gear as soon as it comes out and taking advantage of a significantly larger sensor in a similarly sized body. Now that I've gotten back to using the 7D regularly however, I realize how much I really enjoy using it. I just bought the 40/2.8 which makes a nice, lightweight and very compact (for a dslr) little rig. For a general walk-around lens though, I've been using the 24-105 on the 7D without the grip, and that's lightweight enough to comfortably carry anywhere.
p.2 #11 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
Monito wrote:
When you post a question, we'll attempt to answer it.
In the meantime, there are some things only you can answer, like How much do you really want to do photography? Turning out to be not quite as easy as it first seemed? Gotten to the point where you've learned enough of what it takes to make good photos that you find it is more than you are willing to do?
Lol, photography itself is easy for me I think. I got my 7D about 2 years ago, I know the camera inside out.
I just don't have the time to shoot leisurely anymore. Basically the things I want to take pictures of (my time spent with others) are a PITA because it's merely not convenient for me to haul my gear around.
p.2 #12 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
hondageek wrote:
Leave the dSLR at home. Bring a point & shoot that you can slip into you pocket and have fun with your girlfriend.
Thanks, I think this is ultimately what I am going to do. It's our first vacation together and even though I know there are a lot of shots to be had at Carmel I really am not in it for super nice IQ, I just want to have as much fun as I can while capturing memories.
Thanks guys, I think any point and shoot will do, I guess I've just been shooting a DSLR long enough that I feel like anything less isn't good enough ... This is one time where I'll compromise though.
p.2 #13 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
I am surprised that so few responses recommend a micro 4/3 system or similar. I have the Panasonic G3, and have recently had a chance to handle the Olympus 5-M5 and the Fuji X-Pro 1. To my mind, any of these three is the answer to your question of a good quality, portable travel kit.
I would rent one for the week, then decide if it is worth buying. I bet you fall for it and don't look back. (The camera that is).
p.2 #14 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
brad_s wrote:
I just can't not bring my DSLR. It comes with me mostly everywhere: road trip, airplane, boat (including kayak), and subway.
I think I've managed the size by my constant search for the perfect compact bag that fits against my body just right.
the Lowepro Messenger Bag has made a big difference for me. At about 25.00, it's cheap, tough, and the way the strap fits makes it distribute the weight much more comfortably. I have alot of bags and just bought this one for a cheap lens changer and didn't know how I would like using one so looked for an inexpensive one. It has made a big difference in packing my stuff around with me without it seeming like such a hassle. (I do add some padding from other bags when and where I need it.
p.2 #15 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
PCKit wrote:
the Lowepro Messenger Bag has made a big difference for me. At about 25.00, it's cheap, tough, and the way the strap fits makes it distribute the weight much more comfortably. I have alot of bags and just bought this one for a cheap lens changer and didn't know how I would like using one so looked for an inexpensive one. It has made a big difference in packing my stuff around with me without it seeming like such a hassle. (I do add some padding from other bags when and where I need it.
Yes, a good bag that hugs and molds to your body feels a lot lighter. I use a Timbuk2 classic messenger with a Crumpler photo insert and it feels like half the weight of my boxy old Tamrac System 6. It really isn't much lighter but wearing it higher (almost as high as a bike rider) it "sits" on the small of my back, warps around a bit while the strap pulls against both shoulder and chest, rather than shoulder only. It's also a lot easier to walk through crowds and tight spaces.
p.2 #17 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
akin_t wrote:
Thanks, I think this is ultimately what I am going to do. It's our first vacation together and even though I know there are a lot of shots to be had at Carmel I really am not in it for super nice IQ, I just want to have as much fun as I can while capturing memories.
Thanks guys, I think any point and shoot will do, I guess I've just been shooting a DSLR long enough that I feel like anything less isn't good enough ... This is one time where I'll compromise though.
I have been in your situation, I started to (sometimes) feel that I didn't have the energy, or felt unsecure hauling big heavy equipment around many places, and it was really overkill in many situations (dinner with famliy at fine resturants etc..) so the solution for me which I have been very happy with was buying myself a S95. It is (for me at least..) very small, and the image quality are surprisingly good.
I barely see a S95 as a compromise in many situation, in fact I have been able to take photos with this that I never would have been able to with f.ex. my other "travel-kit", a 5DII+28-300...
p.2 #18 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
akin_t wrote:
Lol, photography itself is easy for me I think. I got my 7D about 2 years ago, I know the camera inside out. I just don't have the time to shoot leisurely anymore. Basically the things I want to take pictures of (my time spent with others) are a PITA because it's merely not convenient for me to haul my gear around.
Get a used Leica or Canon 7 rangefinder film camera and put a 35 mm lens on it and get close.
p.2 #19 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
omarlyn wrote:
I don't ever worry about 'missing a shot'...there will always be another.
I agree on some levels and it's probably a reasonable outlook, but the funny thing is I've thought about the "one that got away" for years afterwards. Sometimes, the moment is lost, never to return. We're lucky when we can capture it.
to the OP, many have dumped their gear in favor of "alt" gear. Go to the alt forum here and it will open your eyes. It's an exciting time in the "smaller" camera market (well, as long as you don't feel obligated to stay with Canon that is...).
p.2 #20 · Finding it harder to take my 7D with me places.
I live in NorCal and go to Carmel/Monteray a couple of times a year and couldn't imagine leaving my 'real' camera at home.
Certainly don't take it everywhere - time with the the S.O. is WAY more important BUT waking up early to take some killer shots of the water crashing on the rocks is pretty great while on holiday.
I bring the point and shoot (or nothing at all) while the wife and I are out being 'touristy' but plan in one 2-3 hour photo-centric walk/drive and it works great. Happily married 23 years now and I'm glad to say the wife likes tide pooling or chilling on the beach while I enjoy setting up my shots.
Summary - do both - bring the P&S AND the 7d and use them accordingly.
If I'm going anywhere that a good picture might even be possible I take every thing with me. That doesn't mean I carry it around all the time, just that it's in the bag and available.