SLR or compact on vaction?

[sygyzy]

I'll be going to Washington D.C, this Thursday.

I love the shots my 40D produces but I'll be the first to admit that it's a huge hassle to carry it around. I got a Lowepro backpack for it and that's what 'd be lugging around. Even if I don't carry anything else with it, the way the bag is designed (to protect the camera), it's a huge thing to be lugging around.

My Canon SD800 IS is super convenient but since I won't be going back to DC anytime in the foreseeable future, I don't want to miss capturing the city and monuments in all its glory.

What have you guys been doing? Carry SLR everywhere? I think a good alternative would be a middle camera like a G9/G10. I probably could get one in time but then that'd be really pushing it (trip is in 3 days) plus it'd be a not-very-well-thought-out purchase. If I went this route, what would you recommend?

 

[soydios]

If you're only going to be there once, bring the best you've got, IMO.

 

[magomago]

you sound like a good candidate for the Pentax K-m or some u4/3s

I would probably get a smaller bag...if its that big to carry around then maybe you need a smaller one for the instances that you want to go light with your gear.

 

[dmw16]

I live near DC and I just got a DSLR and can't wait to go take shots in the city with it.

To answer your question, I'd take the SLR. There are so many cool things to see in the city and a lot of museums don't allow the use of a flash, so if there were shots you wanted to get in there you'd wish you had your SLR with a 50mm or something on it.

 

[996GT2]

Bring the SLR and a good wide angle lens if you've got one. Also ideal to have a good, fast prime lens if you plan to shoot indoors in dark conditions.

A backpack really isn't that inconvenient for walking around the city. I had a backpack full of stuff when I was on vacation in China over the summer and it wasn't too bad at all. Think of it this way; you might feel a little annoyed that you brought the DSLR but didn't need it, but you'll be more annoyed if you brought the P&S and couldn't capture that one rare shot.

As the Boy Scout motto goes, be prepared

 

[OdiN]

I would probably take my 40D and 17-55 f/2.8 IS if I had to pick just one lens.

 

[Jawo]

I live just outside DC and go in frequently primarily to take pictures while carrying my XTi et al in the smallest Slighshot. I would bring your dSLR and a tripod. You can get some incredible shots at night if you have the time and patience. Additionally, many of the Smithsonian museums are dark in the exhibit halls. My sister has the same camera and I get frustrated when I try to use it since its so automated.

 

[sygyzy]

You guys convinced me. I'll bring the 40D. I only have the 28-135mm kit and 50mm prime so I'll bring both. I can't get another bag. Not enough time. I just ordered the LX3 from Amazon. It says pre-order but I read that they were shipping. If it gets here in time, I'll bring that along too instead of my SD800 IS.

 

[Deadtrees]

Why don't you just carry the carry as it is? I always carry my 5D+24-70mm on my shoulder and it's no hassle at all.
Even when it rains a bit or when I take crowded buses, I never had any problems.

 

[sygyzy]

Deadtrees - I've walked around with an SLR on a shoulder strap and it sucks. Everything you do, you have to worry about the camera. You don't find it annoying and obtrusive?

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Deadtrees - I've walked around with an SLR on a shoulder strap and it sucks. Everything you do, you have to worry about the camera. You don't find it annoying and obtrusive?

Given he just said he carries a 5D and a 2lb lens... I'm guessing he doesn't mind it =) However, I'm somewhat with you on that, I worry about knocking into things. But otherwise, it's fine. I need a slightly longer strap though, the optech doesn't let me put it across my chest and still shoot.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Deadtrees - I've walked around with an SLR on a shoulder strap and it sucks. Everything you do, you have to worry about the camera. You don't find it annoying and obtrusive?

Whatever I did, I didn't need to worry about my camera. I've carried the camera for more than 3 years, possibly every single day, there hasn't been a single problem.
As long as you put the camera as if wearing a cross shoulder bag with the lens facing downward and back of the camera facing upward, it's all good. Hell, even 50mm f/1.4 which is known for being damn weak survived without a single problem.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Deadtrees - I've walked around with an SLR on a shoulder strap and it sucks. Everything you do, you have to worry about the camera. You don't find it annoying and obtrusive?

Given he just said he carries a 5D and a 2lb lens... I'm guessing he doesn't mind it =) However, I'm somewhat with you on that, I worry about knocking into things. But otherwise, it's fine. I need a slightly longer strap though, the optech doesn't let me put it across my chest and still shoot.

Don't know if it'll help, but here is my system.

I have a bigger backpack, ~max 2500 cubic inches when I usually go touristing/camping etc. For the camera, I have something like this:

http://products.lowepro.com/pr...ova-160-AW,2103,20.htm

Or something that looks like that. It has two belt loops on the back of it. I also have a spare belt like this:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=288353

So, on top of my normal clothes, I'll have this belt around my waist and the pack situated around the 2 o clock position (above front right pants pocket). That keeps it in front of me so I don't really knock things over, also a little rest I can rest my arm/camera on when I'm not shooting. Also convenient to grab the other lens, memory, batteries, etc.

Being on the belt, I can slide the bag around my body to the side/behind/front depending if I lay/sit/move around. Sturdy so I don't worry about my camera/gear getting hurt by falling or someone running by and snapping my bag that'll slip right off my shoulder (urban environments) without taking me along for the ride.

When not snapping with the dslr, this entire contraption goes into the backpack with a pocket P&S in my pocket.

EDIT: Looks like I misread, for the camera itself, with a nice palm strap, it kinda becomes an extension of hour hand. That, and keeping hte lens hood on helps protect the lens at least.

EDIT2: My gf/family/friends ask me if I ever get embarrased wearing the belt/backpack setup but I don't care. Walking around with a 20d, people already know you're taking pictures.

 

[sygyzy]

Deadtress - I am not trying to argue since we clearly have different experiences but you didn't find it the least bit annoying when you had to: find a place to put your camera down when having dinner, keeping it nestled on your lap while waiting at the bus/train stop, having to maneuver it behind you when you were using the urinal, not being able to run or jog to catch a door because the camera would flop around, etc. These problems are compounded because the camera is a delicate machine. It's not like you're carrying a water bottle around that can be dropped, slammed, or discarded if it becomes a nuisance.

Edit: Anyway, I am leaving tomorrow morning with my Lowepro 250

 

[finbarqs]

you know, i brought my D300 + 10-20mm + 70-200mm + 18-135mm and my film camera FE + 135mm prime f/2.8 MF, 50mm f/1.4 MF, 28mm f/2.8 MF to a recent vacation (MOAB) and i took an insane amount of shots with a variety of different lenses. One thing is for sure, I see people with their point and shoots, and i'm jealous. They are having fun on their trip while I'm working. They literally can just point at the sky, and snap away. With the DSLR/SLR on my hands, I felt obligated to take the BEST possible shots as possible, which can be a hassel and grow tiresome.

So it comes down to this:
-bring your DSLR if you wanna WORK
-bring your point and shoot when you want to have fun
-bring both if you wanna have fun some days, and you wanna work others.

 

[sygyzy]

I ended up bringing both the compact (in my pocket) and SLR (in a backpack). It all worked out fine to be honest. Changing lenses in the middle of a city is sort of a PITA. I also had to carry a backpack everywhere, including to nice restaurants. It really wasn't a big deal since I didn't know any different (i.e. I didn't travel twice, once with the backpack and one without, so I cannot compare). To be honest, I would have probably carried some sort of bag anyway for water, maps, pen, etc so it might as well have been my camera backpack.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Deadtress - I am not trying to argue since we clearly have different experiences but you didn't find it the least bit annoying when you had to: find a place to put your camera down when having dinner, keeping it nestled on your lap while waiting at the bus/train stop, having to maneuver it behind you when you were using the urinal, not being able to run or jog to catch a door because the camera would flop around, etc. These problems are compounded because the camera is a delicate machine. It's not like you're carrying a water bottle around that can be dropped, slammed, or discarded if it becomes a nuisance.

Edit: Anyway, I am leaving tomorrow morning with my Lowepro 250

find a place to put your camera down when having dinner
-> On the table, if not possible, on the ground by my feet

keeping it nestled on your lap while waiting at the bus/train stop
-> By carrying camera as if I'm wearing a Cross shoulder bag, the camera just nests right next to me by my side.

having to maneuver it behind you when you were using the urinal
-> By carrying camera as if I'm wearing a Cross shoulder bag, the camera just nests right next to me by my side.

not being able to run or jog to catch a door because the camera would flop around
-> By carrying camera as if I'm wearing a Cross shoulder bag, the camera just nests right next to me by my side. When running, I just pressure the camera a bit by the elbow.

The key is to carry it just like you'd carry a cross shoulder bag(Just make sure that the lens faces downward and the back of the camera faces upward.) The camera is as safe as it can be and based on many years of experiences through many situations(I always carry the camera whenever I go outside, even including grocery shoppings. I've gone international traves. I always take either bus and subway. I carry the camera this way through the rain and snow.) It just works fine and there was not a single problem due to carrying the camera this way.

Is it annoying? No. What I find annoying is when I have to get the camera out of the bag and put it back. What I find annoying is taking out the lens cap and putting it back. Because I found those to be very annoying, I carry the camera the way I carry it.

 

[soydios]

whatever, to each their own on camera carrying preferences!

 

[Deadtrees]

Well, I'm nobody to tell you how you should carry your camera. If you even wanna tie it around your toe, it's up to you.
However, I tell people to not carry the camera in the bag because doing so will eliminate the chances; chances of being able to shoot right away when you capture the moment.
By carrying the camera on the shoulder and having it on all the time, I was able to take shots that'd been gone if the camera was in the bag.