Could you specify a budget so that we can have a better idea of what to suggest? Minimal electronics: you have now a wider array of choices than, say, two or three years ago, as several of the major makers have introduced minimalist cameras. Among these are the Pentax ZX-M, Olympus OM-2000, Nikon FM-10 and FE-10. These cameras are all aimed at entry-level customers however. For top-quality manual cameras, you have two main choices; the Nikon FM-2 and the Contax S2. The Contax is probably better built, and the Carl Zeiss lenses that it takes are second to none, literally. Very, very expensive, though. Nikon also has a much wider selection of lenses, including perspective control lenses which are very useful in landscape photography. My father has an FE-2, the automatic version of the FM-2 (no longer made, alas!), and loves it. It is durable and compact and has all the features really necessary. My personal camera is a Minolta 8000i, which I love dearly and am planning to sell. Nothing could part me from it, except that it lacks three features that I require: a depth-of-field preview, a mirror lockup (improves sharpness, sometimes dramatically) and the ability to use perspective control lenses. As has already been mentioned, if you are planning to take pictures on the water, a waterproof camera would be an asset. Ewa Marine housings are good, or you might want the spring for the new Nikonos waterproof SLR (lotsa cash, but good stuff!) Brian Windrope wrote: > I am searching for a good SLR camera and the necessary lenses to take > some quality shots on an long trip this summer. Having used a high > quality point and shoot camera for many years (they're so darn light > and easy) I am unfamiliar with many aspects of SLR cameras. I am > wanting to buy a good to high quality SLR and prefer minimal > electronics. Now I know there are paddlers out there with strong > opinions on the camera body and lenses of choice. Most of my > photography is landscape work with occasional close ups of sea stars > or funny looking humans. I am open to all suggestions and thoughts. > Nikon? Canon? Pentax? This is a black hole topic and so I am > especially interested in specific "I've used this camera for years and > love it" suggestions. Thanks for whatever feedback you offer. > Brian Windrope > > _________________________________________________________ > DO YOU YAHOO!? > Get your free _at_yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Llama wrote: "Minimal electronics: you have now a wider array of choices than, say, two or three years ago, as several of the major makers have introduced minimalist cameras. Among these are the Pentax ZX-M, Olympus OM-2000, Nikon FM-10 and FE-10. These cameras are all aimed at entry-level customers however. For top-quality manual cameras, you have two main choices; the Nikon FM-2 and the Contax S2. The Contax is probably better built, and the Carl Zeiss lenses that it takes are second to none, literally." Good advice and an excellent summary of the present 35mm SLR product line, with well, er, perhaps one exception. The Zeiss Planar is a fine optic, and most Yashica T4 users are very pleased with the Tessar lenses, as are the T2 owners with the Sonnar. However, arguably, one can do better with another brand not mentioned. And certainly that brand is not new. Indeed, 35mm photography began with Leica cameras and these still define the state of the art. The new series of aspheric lens are astounding in their contrast and resolution capabilities. And thousands of used Leicas (all but the M5 and M6 entirely electronics free) are still traded around the world. I'd recommend an M2 or M3 body and a combination of a 35mm Summicorn and 90mm Elmarit for 99% of the photos one will take if waterproofness is not the issue and quality is. The Nikonos is similar in function, albeit without rangefinder focusing, and therefore is a useful companion, with good quality (and as rugged as the Leicas). The value of SLRs may be overstated. Cartier-Bresson and Eisenstadt managed their classic works without them. Bear in mind, too, that most popular point and shoot cameras are viewfinders, not SLRs. Also the finder on an SLR does not display the actual frame being exposed except on the highest quality cameras. Generally they include about 70-80% of the included area. Depth of field can be read off virtually all manually focusing lenses so this should not a crucial concern. Rangefinders are also much easier to focus in low light levels. While it has not been mentioned, the Nikonos has the distinct advantage of being usable while wearing glasses including dark glasses and even a diving mask. Like paddling, quality simple tools, used creatively and with skill, are the path to successful photography. Richard G. Mitchell, Jr. Corvallis, OR 97331 U.S.A. (541) 752-1323 phone/fax mitchelr_at_ucs.orst.edu *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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