It’s not practical to take a big, heavy DSLR camera on some trips.
When I cycled Australia’s longest bike trail I had to choose between food and spare underwear. A fancy one kilogram lens doesn’t make sense when every gram matters.
Of course you need an enormous zoom if you’re trying to photograph a nat on a bear’s ass or pap Posh Spice on a trip to the moon. But I have to think of weight when I’m trying to get to places on two feet or wheels and I want something handy I can whip out in a flash and hopefully capture the moment.
The rapidly changing weather in Patagonia, Argentina
Weight is a big issue for me. Having an arthritic spine means I have to carefully consider my load more than most. It’s the main reason I’ve clung to my point and shoot for on-the-go adventures.
A castle like entrance sculpted by nature marks the beginning of the Patagonian Icefield in Chile, South America
But there’s no doubt that DSLR’s take better quality photos and are more versatile, so if you know of a kick-ass lightweight DSLR on the market, please let me know. And can I get away with one lens once I don’t expect to get close-ups of a monkey’s nuts?
Galapagos Islands crab having a nibble
I know that having $$$$ worth of kit and caboodle permanently fixed around my neck won’t automatically make me better at taking photos and I promise not to turn into one of those tourists with a look-at-the-size-of-my-lens demeanour.
Rice fields Vietnam
Pros tell me composition is king and they all have point and shoots. All the photos on this post were taken with my eight-year-old Cannon Ixus point and shoot camera.
Sunset over Busselton Jetty, Western Australia: The longest timber pier in the Southern Hemisphere
Have you had point and shoot photos published or have you got any camera advice to share?
By the way, If you bump into me on your travels and I side-glance your handy little camera while playing with my new DSLR, you have permission to point, shoot me and upload it to my Facebook Page.
Interesting insights, Tracey. We share in your opinion on the DSLRs being bulky but versatile, but you took great photos here! Canon released this new EOS-M model—it’s a big leap from the usual point and shoot performance but with roughly the same size. If you’ve tried any Lumix units—the Lumix LX7 is also a great bet.
Nikka | Two2Travel recently posted..Our love-hate relationship with Pagudpud
Thanks guys I will check them out. The photos on your site are fantastic. Come back over and tell me which camera you use.
Tracey recently posted..Can You Take Kick-Ass Photos With a Point and Shoot Camera?
Your photos are fab by my standards, Tracey. We continuously ponder this predicament too. All that weight is a problem. Love your shots in this post though
Johanna @ The Zigazag Mag recently posted..Geographe Crush Wine Exhibition
Thanks Jo … I don’t mind sharing my secret….. Take several shots of each scene from several different viewpoints at several different angles until hubby starts rolling eyes and sporting a losing-the will-to-live-expression. Delete the rubbish ones and repeat for several years avoiding divorce if possible.
Tracey recently posted..Can You Take Kick-Ass Photos With a Point and Shoot Camera?
fabulous post Tracey and fabulous photos. You certainly can take fabulous photos with a point and shoot. I have done so for years! I do have a DSLR and it is a pain (in the back) to lug all those spare lenses around – just because you never know which one you will need. But I find my point and shoot (though I must say it is a high end point and shoot) takes fabulous photos that have even been published in magazines!
Linking up to you through Zigazag! I’m off to check out the rest of your blog now! cheers!
Thanks Jill. That’s really encouraging. Your food photos make me want to eat my screen. Which high end point and shoot do you use?
Tracey recently posted..Can You Take Kick-Ass Photos With a Point and Shoot Camera?
I only ever use a point & shoot, and I don’t get any complaints on my blog … but then, I’m not a ‘photographer’s photographer’!!
PS I think you’ll find Lucinda Jetty in QLD is the longest in the SH (5+ km) – Busselton is maybe the longest wooden one???
Red Nomad OZ recently posted..Mind over Madness … Joffre Falls, Karijini National Park
Hi Red, yes you’re right, Busselton is the longest wooden jetty, but I’m always up for a factoid so thanks for the Lucinda Jetty info and please feel free to add any others. I’m sure after 21 years of exploring Oz you’re a travelling Encyclopaedia. Maybe there’s an ebook in the making? “The Big Red Encyclopaedia.”
Tracey recently posted..Can You Take Kick-Ass Photos With a Point and Shoot Camera?
Oops, sorry, that’s what you said!! My Bad!!
Red Nomad OZ recently posted..Mind over Madness … Joffre Falls, Karijini National Park
: D
Tracey recently posted..Can You Take Kick-Ass Photos With a Point and Shoot Camera?
We just bought a canon 60D, but I don’t think that would meet your needs in terms of being light weight. You should check out what Jodi from legal nomads uses – her pics are gorgeous, and I think she takes most of them with a Canon rebel with a fixed length pancake lens – so that would cut down on the amount of gear you have to carry. My brother is a pro photographer, and he uses a Canon G10 as his point an shot – it has a lot of the functionality of a DSLR in terms of controlling shutter speed, ISO, etc., but doesn’t have replaceable lenses, and is way lighter.
All that said, I totally agree a better camera doesn’t make you a better photographer – some of my best photos were from my fully manual 1980s Canon SLR – the fact that I COULDN’T put it on auto is probably why the photos look so good…
Katie recently posted..The Hill of Crosses (and the Time We Took a Taxi to Another Country)
Thanks Katie! I’ll check out the G10 and legal Nomads blog.
Tracey | Chronic Adventures recently posted..The Trials of Australia’s Longest Bike Trail
Aw, I remember standing at the same place as seen on your first photo
I have a DSLR and really sometimes it gets annoying.
crazy sexy fun traveler recently posted..What to do in Tarija – the capital of smiles
So many good compacts out with manual features and quality sensors. I think I’ll end up with one of those.
Tracey | Chronic Adventures recently posted..Never a Dull Day in Queensland
wow – those shots are amazing…I never would have guessed anything other than a full dSLR. Very nice.
Anita Mac recently posted..Turtle Cruise with Silver Moon…the most memorable day in Barbados
Thanks! I’m leaning towards a kick ass point and shoot with manual setting options. I dread the thought of lugging around heavy expensive lenses.
Tracey | Chronic Adventures recently posted..Give the Gift of Reading This Christmas
Tracey,
DSLR? What’s that? We’ve got proof you don’t need one – every shot on our blog is with a point and shoot…smaller, waterproof, and the ability to shoot with one hand is king.
-Paul
http://www.everyonestravelclub.com