"But absolutely totally nothing to do with the OP and travel cameras."
Didn't introduce the tangent.
Just going with Gidcomb and others. Like get the type suited to what you are into.
Agree, same use the digital, for same reasons. (don't know either.["can't afford better"])
Covered my thoughts and what works for me ethic etc earlier. "Like, if I were in that situation, would I be happy with that person, taking that photo, of me. When in doubt - ask." Only ever twice been refused, one a shoe shine boy, one a military exercise.
'canon v olympus'. Don't understand either, or nor remember either. Believe you're right same manufacturer.
Only came on here to give a site that thought may useful,,, and the what when and ethics that work for me
And I'm out of here.
dotravel, thanks for the link to the imaging-resource.com website, i find it a lot more user friendly and less nerdish (apologies to camera nerds everywere) than dpreview.com. I've certainly learnt a lot since making this posting.
I've visited a few camera shops to see some of the cameras mentioned. The Canon G7 certainly gets good comments in all the shops and looks and feels nice, if a fraction bigger than i was hoping for. The Canon A460 is impressive for the price, but it felt very plasticky - It didn't strike me as robust enough for travel. The shop assistant also said they get quite a few complaints about very poor battery life. While in one shop I kinda fell for yet another Canon - the SD-900. It looks and feels gorgeous and best of all, it has a titanium case... can't be a cyclist without some bit of titanium! Its pricy though for what you get. But I must admit I still have a thing for the Nikon I mentioned in my original posting. Yes, it gets a bad write up on Dpreview, but a much better one on Imaging Resource. I have to say though that the camera shop i most trust here was less than enthusiastic about it, they mentioned a poor flash among other issues. So, i'm still very undecided, i guess i'll stick with my Olympus for a while yet, until I make up my mind. One thing that i was thinking was that there may be a role for two cameras - a very lightweight waterproof one like Casio make, and a larger one like the G7 for 'proper' pics. But then, there is the issue of weight and a multiplicity of chargers, plugs, etc....
As for the ethics issue, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who worries about this. But I didn't think it would get so contentious. In my experience most people don't mind a picture being taken of them, but its how to approach people and find out what they feel about it thats difficult for me. Some people seem to have a natural way about them that makes people comfortable about having their pics taken - I suppose that is one of the skills of being a good photographer.
I liked that site too, better basic relevant than many. Liked the compare side by side touch. Is end result really that matters. The tutorials are a nice touch, even if only to relate to the reviews. Get wary of sales guys. For whatever reasons they have their preferences. First thing comes to mind is f you. Now you've got me thinking I would like a better than the what I have. Mine does real good,,, but --. (isn't there always one better) Have always had a liking for Cannon and was thinking as you, to go to a proper one for proper stuff,, and the pocket combo. The SD-900 looks to me pretty impressive, way upgrade on my current. Years ago would have rushed out serious, but now still a photo nut, just way less than once was. Travelable is all consuming priority. And there's way many cameras out there.
Ethics, where to, when to, what to, figured there was no one golden rule. Least I can't give one, is why didn't. [Unless is - put yourself in their place]. I concern, but never worry over it. As you say, who you are comes into the equation. Cycle travelers get more freedom than package tourists. Sort of like approach them before you poke a camera in their space. Only remember 2 refusals, and one was expected. (a couple of ah's standing next to me sed I should have just taken it - what are you) And of course, to future post in public domain is another issue.
Did a day specific street scenes with a very big lens, from a distance but not sneaky, life as it is, nothing contrived, and got some fantastic shots, and only one stroppy shoe shine minder. Most saw I was taking them, outside of their space. Don't feel guilty, a bit of common sense, and they were in the public domain. Nothing embarrassing or disrespectful taken.
Close up what works for me, obviously get the camera out without pointing it, pause for the subject a chance to object. Only rare occasion they do, they have the chance to show it, and will if they do. That you showed them respect rather than just poking it in their face seems to go a long way, gets the ok. After a while sort of get an understanding of who and what to photo. A few would have liked to, and still wish could have, but knew damn well not to even ask. Could have, but would not do a sneaky. Perhaps the golden rule is respect/concideration.
Too many variables on that topic. Perhaps just experience rules. And you can still get it wrong.
Perhaps on both topics, throw caution to the wind, or make hast slowly.
Be confused - keeps life interesting.
Its lucky I'm not going on tour for a while (not even allowed cycle yet by my docs), so i've time to think about this! (not to mention, save the money for the cameras).
I've done more reading on this and had another look through some shops (yeah, i know these days shops must be p**ed off giving free advice knowing people are going to buy on the internet anyway) and I now think that the combination that would suit me is the Canon A640 , combined with a small, slim, waterproof camera such as the Olypus 770 for those times when I don't want to risk the better camera. I also like the idea of always having a camera on a belt pouch with me to take pics whenever i want. I've decided on the A640 because on reflection, the swivel LCD viewfinder will be very useful sometimes for getting shots from different angles, and seeing the shot in glare. Also, i like the idea of the swivel for taking more discreet shots - for example when sitting on a roadside cafe, just wanting to record the interesting people and wildlife wandering by.
Of course, whats obvious from this thread is that every has their own way of approaching this... certainly there are no ideal solutions. I hope others have found it as useful as I've done.
Sort of like bikes. Each to their own. Be boring world if everyone one was the same. This branch never gets boring.
Sounds about right. Don't know about your part of the world, but here the sales people reckon once you're out the door the sales gone. Theres a 1 in 5 chance you will be back. Makes for hard sell, sell anything, but hey, puts you in a great bargain position. The stuff threw in with my camera, unreal. Think they would have given me the shop if I'd asked. Apart from after sales angle, very seldom buy of internet now. Get way better deal in shops, here.
Suppose off the bike gives shopping time. But. You recovering ok, much longer walking. Or do you ride anyway. Presuming typical cyclist, they told you'd have a full recovery, but you're testing anyway.
I'm keeping an eye out for the "perfect" digital camera for bicycle touring, even though I know I'll never find it! One new contender, however, is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 that's designed for travelers. The camera has a real wide angle (28mm equivalent) to an impressive telephoto (280mm equivalent) optically stabilized zoom lens, 4:3/3:2/16:9 aspect ratios, 7.2 megapixels, 3-inch screen, small size, and good reviews. It lacks an optical viewfinder and manual control. I would like to see a camera with these features that was also shock proof and water tight, but that may be too much to ask. There's a review at click here
There will probably be upgades to Panasonic Lumix cameras in the next years. Their mega-zoom line with Leica lenses is really great. I have DMC FZ5 (review) which is surprisingly small considering it has a 35mm-438mm zoom.
Interesting thread. When i went on my tour (2005, East Africa, dry season, but with Ortliebs) i planned on taking two non-digital SLRs: one for B&W and one for colour slide film. At the last minute i left the predominantly manual one behind. It was probably the right decision. I carried the one i took in a camera bag at the top of one of my rear panniers. It was a big hassle to get it out, so i only did so when i thought the photo was really worth it (and not likely to vanish!)
Consequences:
- I carried 30rolls of film (carefully wrapped in clothes at the bottom of a pannier)
- My trip is captured in waves of colour or B&W which is interesting if not always ideal
- Most of my photos were taken off the bike
- When i got to Malawi (about 3months into the journey) i ended-up sending back 20films (fortunately had a connection going back home who i sent them with). This was partly for convenience and partly because i was moving into a region where i ended-up cycling in 40-50C heat at times,and with black Ortliebs you can imagine how hot those things got
There's a small sample of my photos (from Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique) here: http://www.trekearth.com/members/pentax/photos/page2.htm<BR> They were good enough that i was able to organise a small exhibition at a local gallery, and that was the kind of level i was aiming for before i left.
In addition to all the above: i agree that 'on the bike' photos are great (and i really regret not getting more) but it can still be worth carrying an SLR to take photos of all the places you're in even if you don't get those spontaneous shots
When i get the cash i will be going digital, but will probably still keep using my existing camera for some situations
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