I sold my crumpler backpack and purchased a Lowpro primus AW, which should allow me to access my camera while hiking and store my water/tripod easily. I also picked up a 1ds mkII to use with my Zeiss 28mm f2.0 lens.
Unfortunately, you cannot pull a full sized camera out of the side access slot, so the 1ds will not work.
On to the question already.....
I primarily use 1d mkII cameras (two of them), and love them. They will not work so well here. I need something smaller.
I was thinking of getting a 5dmkII... but I do not like the 5dmkII for general use (I really feel like I need outer AF points). If I go that route, I will plan on selling it right after my trip.
Another option is to pick up a used 20d, use it with my 11-16 tokina, which is every bit as sharp, but doesn't have that special 3d pop that the Zeiss does. I would consider keeping this as a backup after the trip.
So, here are the options.
A) Just get the 5dmkII, you will keep it
B) Just get the 5dmkII, you can sell it later
C) 20d
D) Other (t2i?)
F) You are crazy to bring camera gear on that hike.
Anyone who has taken pictures on the top of half dome, your advice would be helpful as well. I did not make this a poll because I wanted user comments more than anything.
I hiked it (and kept hiking for another 5 days). So Whatever I brought I had to carry with me for a week basically. Do it as early as you can otherwise the line will sort of ruin the fun of the final run up the dome. As I recall I took a 5d classic (5dmk2 didnt exist yet), 24-70L, and a 70-300IS. Based on gear I own now I'd brought a 17-40 and maybe one telephoto. I wouldnt bother with a full size tripod. Don't underestimate how much 3500ft (or whatever it is exactly) elevation gain means to your legs, and lower o2 content at 8k.
Note on my last weeklong backpacking trip in Kauai on the Kalalau Trail I used a ThinkTank Holster 20 for the 5dmk2 attached to my waistbelt so it was handy when needed, keeping it in a backpack of any type even slingshot is just going to give you reasons to not pull it out. The holster works perfect for my needs. ThinkTank Holster
eaglejmUMR wrote:
I hiked it (and kept hiking for another 5 days). So Whatever I brought I had to carry with me for a week basically. Do it as early as you can otherwise the line will sort of ruin the fun of the final run up the dome. As I recall I took a 5d classic (5dmk2 didnt exist yet), 24-70L, and a 70-300IS. Based on gear I own now I'd brought a 17-40 and maybe one telephoto. I wouldnt bother with a full size tripod. Don't underestimate how much 3500ft (or whatever it is exactly) elevation gain means to your legs, and lower o2 content at 8k.
I do a lot of backpacking with camera gear. Use a regular hiking backpack - for longer hikes - one of the ones with the mesh backs (Gregory Z30 or 35, Deuter Futura or Spectra 32). They have side pockets ideal for camera lens cases and plenty of room for clothing, water hydration system, food and camera gear. They are made to carry weight comfortably - especially if you are going to encounter off-trail and alpine conditions.
I have about 5-6 pack packs of various sizes and utility - one is a camera pack that hardly gets used. Photography packs are hot, they weight too much, uncomfortable and useless for anything but photography equipment. JMO.
I have hiked most of the trails in Yosemite, but I always passed on the Half Dome hike because of all the people. Take a Panasonic LX3 (an amazing little camera) that will go in your pocket because you will need both hands and good balance besides the stamina. A backpack on an allmost vertical acent creates a balance problem. Too many people "freeze on the cables" and it is a real PITA to get around them or to get them moving again. EagleJM found a very light day, usualy in the summer the lines are "belly to back" both up and down at the same time. Worse then the freeway at rush hour.
Paul
Bring gloves for the cables. Bring more water than you think you need.
I personally think GF1 is plenty, the hike is more about the accomplishment then the scenic miles of switchbacks. Once you get past the two waterfalls there isn't much until the end. For taking pictures I found being dropped off at the top of Glacier Point, hiking around the rim to be better. You drop down into the valley and see the same big waterfalls. Great valley views plus you need much less water so the camera size/weight is less of an issue.
Have fun either way, but I think the u4/3 will be sufficient
Was there end of June 2008 camped half way up and headed at 5.00 am so we were on top by 8.00am. it was hot at that stage and 30 or so people there. we were down the cables by 10.00 and it was getting crowed at that stage. I believe that they've brought in a permit system for day trippers now to try to control the numbers.
there was a big pile of gloves at the bottom of the cables and you will need them.
big issue for use was the fires down near the coast so it was very hazy even at 8.00 am
I had a G9 and a EOS 5 with 24-85 and 70-300DO. shot five rolls of film and slides over the morning.
I do a lot of backpacking and trail photography. I've been up Half Dome a number of times - though not recently, but one time I did it by something other than the cable route, if you get my drift.
I'd think seriously of using something like one of the Lowepro Topload bags with a chest harness. These can accommodate fairly large bodies - certainly 5D2 plus grip or L-bracket - and they keep the camera very accessible.
I would also carry a backpack for the tripod, and because you may want to move the camera to your pack at times when having the chest-mount bag on might interfere with vision or motion.
You certainly are not crazy to bring a camera on the hike. First, the large majority of it IS a hike, not a climb. Second, there is a lot to see and photograph - and not just on top of Half Dome.
I would tend toward zooms (or a zoom) rather than primes for this sort of thing. You are going to want some focal length flexibility, and you may well want to shoot in some situations where you a) want a different focal length and b) don't want to be changing lenses.
I tried doing the hike in one day, got to the cables and had to turn back because there were too many people there and it was getting late.
Carried a 5d and a 17-40 with me and asked a friend to carry a 70-200 f4.
So if you're doing the hike in one day carry a small body, the GF1 sounds perfect, just buy a wide angle lens for that. I was glad asked a friend to carry my 70-200 f4, the tele was useful, try convincing someone going with you to carry some of your gear
Lately, I've been hiking with a Gregory Baltoro backpack weighed down to 25lbs, and usually festoon one or two lenses (f/2.8 zooms) to the hip strap while keeping the camera around my neck. I strap a lightweight CF tripod to the pack itself. I'm still looking for a comfortable way to carry that camera on my chest.
I can go for 3-4 miles easy with this setup, and probably manage double or that without seriously tiring. I'm going to see if I can comfortably manage the 70-200, 14-24, and 24-70 as a very heavy hiking kit, and then start trimming down the lenses that I use the least.
Why not just find a cushy camera strap, and carry the 'big' camera on your neck? Throw an extra lens or two in the pack and go! Leave the GF1 at home, or (better yet!) convince someone else to haul it!
I did Half Dome three years ago and carried the below on a neoprene strap around the shoulder from Glacier Point to the cables (too long of wait, never went to the top) and back down to the village:
1D2N
CZ 28/2.8
Nikon AIS 20/3.5 (in backpack most of the time.)
The important thing here was the neoprene strap. I never felt the weight of the camera during the entire trip.
I saw this guy up on the top with monopod, 5D, 20D, 28-300L, 70-200/2.8L, and a 17-40L. He looked tired to me.
You are not crazy to be bringing camera gear on that hike. But you seem to be doing everything imagineable to make your life miserable when it is completely unnecessary. You don't need a 1-series body for this. And you don't need to drag with a bunch of primes.
There is no "special 3d pop" with Zeiss lenses. It's a bunch of hype and nonsense. Take with reasonable gear so you enjoy your hike -- that should be your priority. I guarantee that you will do just fine with more practical equipment.
charlesk wrote:
You are not crazy to be bringing camera gear on that hike. But you seem to be doing everything imagineable to make your life miserable when it is completely unnecessary. You don't need a 1-series body for this. And you don't need to drag with a bunch of primes.
There is no "special 3d pop" with Zeiss lenses. It's a bunch of hype and nonsense. Take with reasonable gear so you enjoy your hike -- that should be your priority. I guarantee that you will do just fine with more practical equipment.
Leave the alt bashing out of the thread. Have fun flaming on in other threads.
Everyone else,
Thanks for the comments, you have been giving me food for thought.
If you're going to go through the trouble (and all this hand-wringing worry) of dragging a DSLR up there, you might want to take pretty pictures! Mid-day light is seldom spectacular, although clouds or haze can make the scenery worth shooting. Consider staying 'till dusk, or even later. Shoot star trails over the valley, etc. You can hike back at night by the light of the moon (if favorable), or bring a good LED flashlight.
If you're just going to run up then back during mid-day hours, leave the DSLR in the car and be happy with the GF1. All the 'Zeiss pop' in the world won't help a bland high-noon landscape.
charlesk wrote:
You are not crazy to be bringing camera gear on that hike. But you seem to be doing everything imagineable to make your life miserable when it is completely unnecessary. You don't need a 1-series body for this. And you don't need to drag with a bunch of primes.
There is no "special 3d pop" with Zeiss lenses. It's a bunch of hype and nonsense. Take with reasonable gear so you enjoy your hike -- that should be your priority. I guarantee that you will do just fine with more practical equipment.
+1
Also, doing this whole thing up and back in one day, while possible, is a very big challenge. The 16+ mile roundtrip would be a long hike for most people. Add to this the fact that you'll ascend 5000' (and then descend the same amount!) and that you'll have to deal with the steep and often crowded cable route. Also, consider that you are almost guaranteed to be there at less than optimal photography times in the middle of the day. (You could somewhat deal with this by starting very early - like 1:00 a.m. - or by planning to finish the hike way after dark. Been there, done that, not fun.)
Yes, it can be done. Some claim to enjoy it. Many others try to do this in a day and come up short.
I hiked up Halfdome a couple years ago when I was 48yo. I started at Glacier Point at daybreak. Very nice views from that trail, and saw a bear and 2 cubs on the trail. I would take my G10 now. Great little camera for landscapes in RAW format.
I took a quart of Gaterade and a 2+Liter Camelback. Way underestimated the water needs. Take a Camelback and a pump-type water filter. You will meet lots of friends if you do.
When I saw people with SLRs I thought they were better/stronger than I was.
Oh, I did go up and back in one day, and the Glacier Pt route is a bit longer. I was tired, my feet hurt, I was cranky, but it wasn't too bad. Go prepared, and don't underestimate the challenge.
