Camera Recommendation

[Black_Fly]

My new iPhone takes better photos than my camera. On canoe trips, I’ve been using an older Nikon Coolpix, which works well, is small, rugged and waterproof, but resolution sucks, especially when zooming.

I’d like to get some better pictures on my next trip. I’d be interested to know what you guys use to get such rocking outdoor photos.

Thanks.

 

[Gamma1214]

There are certainly better options but I've gotten some pretty good pictures with Nikon Coolpix B500s.

I don't typically max out the zoom when taking long-range shots but keep it to around 75-80% and then zoom digitally to crop/edit. Doing that, I'm able to read a license plate at around a mile (though I'd recommend about half of that distance for clear shots).

I will caution, however, that these cameras are not (like, at all) waterproof. Rainy days are problematic and I carry two because they are so intolerant of water that I often lose one on extended trips. On the bright side, they usually work again after a few days in the dehydrator and, if they don't, Nikon Service is very reasonable for repairs.

They are pretty inexpensive to buy and are also capable of recording video if that's your thing. (They are limited to a 125 GB SD card)

I'll be watching this thread to see if I should upgrade but mine work well as long as you're willing to keep them dry.

 

[stripperguy]

I used to bring my Nikon FM on all wilderness trips....that was an all mechanical, all manual 35mm film SLR. I always shot Ektachrome 100 that I developed myself. In 2002?, I moved to the digital world with a Nikon D80. I was pretty happy with that for a while, then upgraded to a Nikon D7200, usually with a 18-200 mm Nikkor lens. Loved the images but it weighed 5 lbs! Heck, that's more than my food weighs.
Just recently bought a Nikon Z50 mirrorless SLR. Extremely lightweight and compact, excellent images, very versatile.

 

[yknpdlr]

I am an old school camera guy. I still have chemical and hardware darkroom equipment preserved in one corner of my basement. I look at a cell phone primarily as a voice communication device (a radio if you will) needed if I am ever in an emergency situation for me or someone else. Or to call my wife when I forgot what I was sent to the grocery store to get. I do take photos with it, mainly just because it is (reluctantly) with me and handier to carry than hauling my bulky SLR with lenses. But I am not pleased at the inability to control exposure, aperture, shutter time or numerous other controls that are available ln a REAL CAMERA. When in remote wilderness areas there is rarely any cell connection, so why bother.

To the point, for a real camera with traditional auto or manual control, I have for many years used one of the Olympus series of Tough TG-X series of real cameras. Completely waterproof (I have taken many underwater photos while swimming with it), Shockproof (does not break if dropped between the rocks on a scree scramble, and best of all I can control all the normal photographic functions. I had it hanging from a thwart, preset and ready to snap a quick photo during my Yukon ‘River trips. Rain and paddle splash did not bother it.

 

[Marc Ornstein]

My new iPhone takes better photos than my camera. On canoe trips, I’ve been using an older Nikon Coolpix, which works well, is small, rugged and waterproof, but resolution sucks, especially when zooming.

I’d like to get some better pictures on my next trip. I’d be interested to know what you guys use to get such rocking outdoor photos.

Thanks.

Not for everyone but my camera/lens combo of choice is a Nikon Z6III with a Z 28-400 mm Nikkor zoom. I say it's "not for everyone" because A. It's not an inexpensive package to have in the canoe. Further, if one expects to take good wildlife photos, it cannot be packed away in a dry bag. It is generally sitting, in the open, on my kneeling pad. So...., one needs to have a high confidence level in their ability to keep the canoe upright and their equipment dry. This is not a waterproof setup, although it is reasonably water resistant.
B. To fully benefit from such a rig, one must have some decent photographic skills.

 

[stevet]

Check out a “bridge” camera. Some very long telephoto lenses in a compact easy to use form.

Birders, Consider a Bridge Camera

A field biologist explains how a superzoom camera can enhance your birding experience without weighing it down.

www.audubon.org

Wife gets great results

 

[dramey]

I have a Nikon Coolpix P950. I like it and it is a lot lighter to carry than my Nikon D300 with lenses from 24mm to 600mm. This was taken in my backyard.

 

[lowangle al]

Check out a “bridge” camera. Some very long telephoto lenses in a compact easy to use form.

Birders, Consider a Bridge Camera

A field biologist explains how a superzoom camera can enhance your birding experience without weighing it down.

www.audubon.org

Wife gets great results
View attachment 151707View attachment 151708

The bridge cameras looks like a good choice. Great detail in those pics, much better than with a phone. It's also compact enough for tripping and the price isn't bad. I would only consider a bigger camera with multiple lenses if photography was the main purpose of the trip.

I would like to be able to get good detailed wildlife shots from about 300 yards. (with a tripod) I would also need to find a way to get the photos from the SD card onto my laptop.
My wife took this shot from our porch with an older iPhone

 

[Marc Ornstein]

The bridge cameras looks like a good choice. Great detail in those pics, much better than with a phone. It's also compact enough for tripping and the price isn't bad. I would only consider a bigger camera with multiple lenses if photography was the main purpose of the trip.

I would like to be able to get good detailed wildlife shots from about 300 yards. (with a tripod) I would also need to find a way to get the photos from the SD card onto my laptop.
My wife took this shot from our porch with an older iPhone

View attachment 151714

Bridge cameras all have a removable SD or similar card so getting photos onto your laptop is as simple as removing the card from the camera and plugging it into the laptop. Additionally, most give you an option of transferring via a cable and some also a wireless option. My only caution with regard to "bridge cameras" is that at the extreme focal lengths, that many advertise, hand holding, even with image stabilization, is nearly impossible, if you want sharp photos.

 

[stevet]

You also want to stay in the optical zoom range as the digital range sacrifices quality.
Wife uses Canon SX 60 which has been replaced by the SX70 I think. Light enough to hold steady even zoomed out. I think Nikon Cool Pix 900 series is very good too.

 

[Alan Gage]

To fully benefit from such a rig, one must have some decent photographic skills.

Unfortunately that seems to be the largest part of the puzzle and the only one that can't be purchased.

Alan