2017 Thru-hike. What Camera?

Random Guy Esq. · 8 Jul 2016 at 20:03

Hello experts!

I'm off on a month long thru-hike of the John Muir Trail, California, in the summer of 2017. Obviously, I'd like to try and get some shots of the beautiful landscape on the way, including starscapes, as well as general travel-log type photos of the trip. I've more or less ruled out a DSLR, as even the light ones just weigh more than I'm willing to carry, all things considered.

So what are my options? I'm guessing a good quality compact P&S with a wide enough attached lens (fixed or zoom) could work? Or would I be better off going for a compact mirrorless with a wide lens, thus giving myself the option to buy more lenses later when I want to expand my photography?

So basically, I want good IQ from a light, compact camera that will allow me to shoot landscape/starscape as well as general travel shots. Ease of use would be nice and I wouldn't complain if it could do decent quality video. Total budget would be in or around the £1000 mark, though less would be better.

Cheers!

2StepSteve · 8 Jul 2016 at 20:54

Panasonic GX80

D.P. · 8 Jul 2016 at 21:28

Any m43 camera that takes your fancy.

Very jealous of your hike, it is an amazing part of the world.

Random Guy Esq. · 9 Jul 2016 at 20:25

Thanks guys, I'll take a look through the µ43 thread.

@D.P. - yeah, can't wait!

uv · 9 Jul 2016 at 23:43

I'd recommend the e-m5 mark ii - micro four thirds and weather sealed. If you're after starscapes, em-5 and a samyang 12mm f2 will be £750 second hand, add in a weather sealed olympus 12-50mm lens for £130 (second hand) and you're pretty much sorted for your daytime stuff.

What do you have already? For star shots you're gonna need a tripod..

Random Guy Esq. · 10 Jul 2016 at 02:09

Cheers for the input uv. Had been looking at EM-5 as it happens!

Tripod wise, I'm thinking of going with Trailpix or an equivalent - trekking poles are pretty much essential on the JMT, and it would save a lot of weight using it instead of a good dedicated tripod.

Edit: Forgot to say, I don't like that they can't go very low, so I may have a look at other options too.

Safetytrousers · 10 Jul 2016 at 02:18

Have a look at:
https://www.mu-43.com/forums/

Loads of knowledge and examples of m43 there.

And, yes m43 is the right choice if you want a great camera that is relatively very light.

Richdog · 12 Jul 2016 at 19:48

What is your budget? :confused:

Fuji X-E2 / X-T10 / X-T1 and the "kit" 18-55mm zoom lens would be a great and reasonably compact solution.

Get at least two extra batteries off of Amazon.

Random Guy Esq. · 13 Jul 2016 at 02:32

Richdog said:
What is your budget?

Fuji X-E2 / X-T10 / X-T1 and the "kit" 18-55mm zoom lens would be a great and reasonably compact solution.

Get at least two extra batteries off of Amazon.

Thanks for the recommendations! I mentioned budget in the OP; circa £1K.

Minstadave · 13 Jul 2016 at 03:05

RX100 mk4 would be a good shout. Tiny but very capable.

If you want interchangeable lenses then the Panasonix GX80.

uv · 13 Jul 2016 at 11:10

Minstadave said:
RX100 mk4 would be a good shout. Tiny but very capable.

If you want interchangeable lenses then the Panasonix GX80.

Neither are weather sealed though, and on a month-long hike in the wilderness, chances are you're going to get rained on at some point, or drop your camera on to dewy grass or something.

Richdog · 13 Jul 2016 at 11:35

Random Guy Esq. said:
Thanks for the recommendations! I mentioned budget in the OP; circa £1K.

Apologies, I genuinely missed it.

Fuji X-E2 and either the 18-55mm zoom or 16mm f1.4 lens. The 18-55, while not weather-sealed, is one of the best "kit" zooms ever made. The 16mm 1.4 is one of the best and sharpest 24mm equivalents, and weighs only 375g.

It would be a very light package that would provide beautiful results that would be a country mile better than any point and shoot camera, and a rival to the best DSLR's (barring megapixels).