Matthew Scott
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 p.2 #13 · Mt Everest...which camera? | |
Hi jmana,
Three years ago I spent a month (Oct 15-Nov 15) trekking and climbing in the Khumbu, up to about 6000m. My daypack was mostly camera stuff, and weighed about 35 lb, but that could very easily have been cut in half by taking less camera gear. Last time I took along a fairly large video camcorder (Sony HDR-FX1) that uses tape, a small Sony HDR-HC3 that also uses tape, and digital still cameras (a point and shoot and a Nikon D200). I had no problems with cold affecting the cameras at any point. The cameras always worked well even when it was snowing and the wind blew. Most of the time it wasn't very cold (a fair bit of the hiking was done without a jacket and in shorts), though it may well be cold by the time you reach base camp and you're sure to have some days of fairly bitter wind. As others recommend, keep a battery warm in your pocket. I'll be going again two months from now, and intend to take more or less the same amount of gear (D300 and Canon G9, and camcorders like last time). Another advantage of digital, for making new friends, is that the Sherpa kids love to see themselves in pictures, and in videos.
I used the Nikon 18-200 as a great travel lens (and that alone would be enough for many people), but in order to take pictures of distant peaks I also used the 70-200 f/2.8 with a teleconverter. If you want to deal with the weight, an even wider angle lens (eg 12-24) is good for looking up at those incredible peaks and still capturing the valleys. Brian, above, is right about the weight, which is why I used the heavier cameras while trekking and the lighter ones for climbing. While I was trekking the lighter cameras were securely in small Pelican cases with my other gear (carried by yaks or porters in duffle bags). The battery charger, solar panel, cleaning tools, etc were all on the yaks. While trekking you'll be carrying mainly some clothes, water, camera, and a little food. There are teahouses frequently along your route and you won't need to carry much in the way of drinks or food.
One thing that helped tremendously with comfort was to mount some quick release straps for the D200 on the shoulder straps of my daypack. That took the weight of the SLR off my neck. While trekking one is more often too hot than too cold, and I found that drops of sweat can fall onto the flash mount of the SLR and corrode it, so it's good to have a quick cover for the camera-maybe just a light stuff sack. While trekking you don't want to have to go into your pack all the time, so figure out a plan so that the camera is handy. I typically carried a light tripod with the camcorder on it, which doubled as a walking stick, and had the D200 hanging from the front of my day pack. That way I could quickly stop, film or photograph a young yak or Ama Dablam or Mt. Everest or something, and be on my way promptly.
For charging batteries I used a Brunton solar panel. You may want to get an after-market charger for your camera if the regular charger doesn't have a automobile cigarette lighter type plug, since that's what the solar panel uses. It is of course helpful if different members of your group coordinate equipment (even lenses) to back up any piece that might get damaged, lost by the airlines, or stolen. [In the Khumbu people are wonderfully friendly and wonderfully honest, so once you get there you'll probably be fine with respect to theft.]
You didn't ask but a big issue is always how to back up your photos. With film, you can't. With digital, you can transfer copies to an iPod or to a dedicated photo storage drive like an Epson P-3000 or Colorspace UDMA drive.
The Khumbu is a magical place filled with fascinating subjects for photography and video, so have a great time and show us some pictures when you're back!
Best wishes,
Matt
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