Video Cameras

[Doogie]

I am leaving in a few weeks and planning on taking a video camera. I have heard that the humidity can play havoc with a camera, is this true and is there any preventives I can take. Has anyone had any experience in taking a video camera.

Thanks

[Boss Meri]

Hi there Doogie, sorry no expert on cameras but have not had any trekkers say they have ran into problems carrying one.

As for ourselves, we purchased two for use on the track but unfortunately both of them developed fungus inside the lens so cannot be used anymore. I doubt it happened on one trek but probably just from being in our office in Port Moresby.

[jckresq]

I am trekking in Sep 07 and now wondering what digital camera (still) to take. I could buy an Olympus camera that is waterproof/shockproof/anti-vibration etc. and that would handle the wet and humidity, but at the expense of not much zoom etc..

Is it worth worrying about the humidity and rain getting a camera like this or just purchase a really good bag/pocket for the camera to protect it and get a better camera?

Very interested in any advice. Thanks.

[39thdecendant]

I am going to put my camera in one of those zip lock plastic bags that you can get at a supermarket. I did this when I went out in a boat, accidently dropped it over the side, not only did it keep it afloat long enough for us to retrieve it, but no water got in. You can buy them in all different sizes, I am taking quite a few in the bottom of the bag, just in case, definatly the toilet paper is ging in one!

[Mel]

Hi
We took a Canon that was not waterproof, however it did have anti-shock, anti-vibration. My husband carried it in a waterproof bag (like they use in kayaks) and put this in a bum bag so that it was easily accessible. The last thing you want to do is have to get into your pack to get out the camera when you are completely exhausted. We took a heap more pictures than anyone else on the trek. Having the anti shake thing on the camera was brilliant and so is an excellent zoom – much more important than waterproofness.

[39thdecendant]

i have to buy another video camera before I go, I dont know a lot about them, thought about getting one of those that have a hard drive in them, but thought they might be more sensitive to moisture. Does anyone know if this is the case, if you ask the salesman, you don't don't know if he is fair dinkum or trying to flog you a more expensive model!
You would believe it, we took dad down last August for the reforming of the 39th Battalion in Melbourne, and my youngest boy dropped the video camera, lens first, 10 minutes before the start!

[austin]

Im thinking of taking a couple of disposable waterproof cameras – havnt looked into it yet but this was my initial idea. I have a video camera which is really good but am not prepared to take it on the track as i think it will definately get ruined and the last thing i want is to have to worry about my camera.

I think you can try any waterproof bag or any type of features in a camera, one fall or slip from you ( and you can be guarranteed of that happening) and your camera can break. It would be great to video part of your trek but i think you have to think practically here and really consider whether its worth losing a $2000 camera – the cost of the trek is enough for me !!

I spoke to a chap who completed the trek earlier this year and his video camera got damaged on the trek. He used those zip lock bags to protect it but it still got damaged and his advise was not to take one but take a cheap camera instead.

hope this assists in your desicion

aussie

[jafa]

Whilst it wont compare to a video camera – I`m taking a canon ixus i. Small – light and compact with a retractable lens that will do video.

And not that I`m going to spend the trip listening to slamming music – I`m taking one of these along as well. Cheap to the point that if it gets damaged – I wont shed any tears.

[jckresq]

I went to a camera outlet and asked one of the technical/sales guys who listened to my situation and in the end suggested buying a cheap 7.1 megapixel digital camera with optical 3x zoom for around $180.

– if I break it I will be upset but not as much as a $900 to $1500 fancy SLR digital
– will still take great photos and small videos
– usually cheaper cameras use AA or similar batteries and not an expensive reachargable one, which if it did, we might have to take several to last the trip.
– in humid conditions the camera MAY get damaged but the damage might not show up until later in the form of rust or moisture damage inside, so taking a more disposable cheap one is purhaps wiser

Maybe someone who has done the trek can advise on how bothered you get wanting to take photos when your dead tierd during the walk anyway – take millions or just a few? I want to enjoy the trip but also record it to show others. So little videos and lots of stills is what I plan to do, but that could be thawted by being simply stuffed 🙂

[Mel]

We took our camera which has a 20x zoom. As stated above it was well waterproof – double bagged. My husband carried it on his waist in a bumbag – you don't fall flat on your face, it is normally on your bum, so best to carry your camera in front than behind.

I think some of you have forgotten the fact that travel insurance is just for the purpose you are talking about! You will NEVER do the trek again (or unlikely for most) so the last thing you want is some crappy pictures from a cheap camera. I am not saying to buy the most expensive, but I can tell you the guy who took disposable cameras on a trip prior to us was not very happy at all.

In terms of whehter you are too tired – I guess at times you are, but that is when you hook up with someone else on your trek and agree to get them to take photos of you and vice versa (of course you want to see yourself in some pics). Rest stops are important so that is when you take photos.

I can't answer your questions about videos, because at the time we didn't have one, now we do. If I had my time again I would probably take the risk (as I said that is what insurance is for) but I guess it is a personal decision. The important thing though is to get the best resolution and biggest zoom that you can afford.

Hope this helps.

[Mel]

Forgot to mention a couple of things above:

Even though hubby carried the camera in a bum bag, when it was raining (not spitting, but really raining) we would put the camera in a waterproof bag in our backpack as we weren't going to be taking photos anyway! At creek crossings, if it was out of the bum bag it was always strapped around his neck.

Also, I agree with the Jckresq above- definately buy a camera that takes batteries rather than rechargables or lithium ion. You certainly won't be able to recharge on the track. We also considered this for future trips and figured at least anywhere you are in the world you can buy AA batteries, but you can't always plug into a powerpoint.

[jckresq]

Hi again, one day to go before I leave, cool!!

I ended up purchasing an Olympus MJU780 digital camera for around $400. It is a great camera with 5x optical zoom, 7.1 megapixels and splashproof (can be in rain but not underwater). It is very small, lightweight and hardy. This is not the one you see on TV in the dogs mouth, but from the same company.

So far in my trials it has been excellent. Bought a small carry case that clips onto my pack shoulder strap at pecks height. Easy to access and use. I have three re-chargable batteries ready to go and two 2gig memory sticks.

Will keep the camera in my pack in the rain in a bag with some silica gel packs to absorb any excess moisture due to heat or whatever 🙂

Visit my web blog for more info in 10 days or so when I return to see my photos. 🙂

[jkg07]

Being a photography enthusiast, I'd be very hesitant in taking a nice camera along. Although SLRs (digital or not) would get the best pictures from your trip, you'd have to weigh the cost of any damages since it'd probably be in the thousands unless you spend some hundreds on protection.

I'd recommend a mid-range consumer compact camera, or even some of the prosumer compact cameras as they're going down in price a fair bit nowadays. Then, get a cheap case — hard or soft, as long as it keeps your camera at a reasonable temperature (blocking out extreme heat and cold). For extra measure, I'd stick that inside a zip-lock bag or something similar to prevent moisture and water from getting in.

That's probably one of the best compromises between decent photos and cost for trekking conditions. =)

[jckresq]

Hi everyone,

Did the track and used my Olumpus U780 which worked great. The 5x zoom was useful and being small and light was nice. Didn't take heaps of photos (only about 300) as I was pretty buggered and couldn't be bothered wipping it out all that often. I had it in a pouch on my shoulder strap so that should indicate how tiring it can be. It also rain most days for us so I didn't bother/risk it in heavy rain. The photos I took are all on my web blog at https://kokoda.techrescue.org/ in my diary entries for each day.

[Author]

Posts