The painful reality of vacation photography

[Hjalmarg1]

If you just wanted to take snapshots, all you need is a cellphone. I prefer to keep good memories of my trips and I rather use a camera that can offer quality pictures.
Several times I found myself houling with many kg of gear and sometimes it turns paintful so, I purchased a good mirrorless camera (24MP) with a compact quality lens (Zeiss) and now I have both, the convinience of traveling light and DSRL-like quality pictures that serve as memories.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

You guys are using confusing terminology here.

What is this "vay kay shun" thing that you are talking about? It sounds interesting. I mentioned it to my boss and he also was confused.

Is this a European thing?

;D

 

[JohnDizzo15]

The goal for me is to always go the photojournalistic route when shooting during family vacations or outings. It is in fact the route of least resistance, and you get real memories that way as opposed to revolving your experience around shooting.

Landscape shots, animal shots, or whatever else you might be interested in shooting are great. But most of the time, you could do those at plenty of other times. The point is that you are somewhere with your family which should put making memories with them a priority. This in turn should make somehow capturing those memories in an unintrusive manner a priority.

My first few trips to Disneyland with my first child years ago involved bringing a roller with as much as I could figure out a way to pack in there. I also did the tele zoom around the park thing. Completely unnecessary after I learned the error in my thinking.

Getting the best results for me has been to make the act of photo taking as unnoticed as possible. Being small, being quiet, and not having the rig up at your face all help this.
The other thing that has helped a lot is just bringing one or two lenses. I wasn't this way until I was liberated by using a fixed lens cam.

 

[martti]

It is sad but true that for some people it matters very little how much gear they are carrying.
Their pictures suck and they spoil a lot of thing for those who they travel with.
Often is seen that the guy with his smartphone and a good pair of eyes captures pictures that escaped everybody else when they walked by discussing the lovely restaurant where they dined last year.

Now see the guy wearing a Nikon vest and hauling 20 kg of photographic equipment on his back wherever he is going. It is his 'cross' or his penalty, maybe. See him screwing and unscrewing filters and hoods and tripod legs. That's his thing. He has his STUFF! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac

I do not like people standing there blocking the view holding their iPads out taking pictures. There should be a law against it. Selfie sticks are great fun. I gave mine to my son and he's never used it once! I tried it once to take a picture of a cocroach under the sofa but he got away while I was figuring out how to operate the flash upside down. Selfie sticks have not said their last word yet. Lots of innovations to come from that direction, I am sure.

My best 'vacances' cameras were two different samples from Olympus 'Tough' line. They are actually almost watertight for three first months of their lives. The first one aspirated after two weeks of use and Olympus sent me another which I sold without opening the package. The third one got confiscated by my ex who managed to dislocate the battery door. I was not there when it happened but she was adamant that it was my fault. BTW, watch Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas on the War of Roses...it is hilarious.

Best photographic vacances were in ZA with two Canon bodies, two zooms, an extender, a flash and a tripod.
I really enjoyed every minute of it...even burning the CDs in the evening at the lodge on my MBook pro.
Nobody does that any longer. I felt like on mission by the NG.

Now I got the A6000 which is too big to fit in my pocket, too fragile to take to the seaside and glacially slow with the Canon lenses that I've got. Lack of practice and dedication. Laziness is the more accurate expression.

Now imagine me going to ZA with the A6000. What would be the long, fast focusing zoom to take along with it?
Does the face recognition work with cheetahs and wildebeest or do I have to go manual with the yellow icing on the things that are on focus?

All kinds of worries...I guess I'll just take the Canons.

 

[LonelyBoy]

No kids, so I have it easier than many here (and just a girlfriend, no wife), but SL1 + 18-135 STM is amazing. I'll likely get the SL2 when that comes out and drops in price a bit. If I need smaller than that, I'll get an LX100. Below that is smartphone. I have a 5D3 arriving Wednesday, but I don't think I'd be a fan of lugging it around on anything longer than a day trip.

 

[pvalpha]

My personal philosophy is to take the camera in your inventory that will get you the best pictures. An iPhone is easy enough that its always a backup if you need to put your other camera away for a bit, but you'll appreciate the quality of the dedicated device. I took my 10D everywhere with me. People said, "Aren't you worried about damaging or losing it?" Heck no. I bought it to take pictures. In order to take pictures, it has to be with me. Now that I have a 7DmII the 10D is in storage awaiting a trip where I need backup and the 7DmII follows me around.

(rant)
I understand that some people have different requirements. That's great for them. If its about the image... you do what you need to take the image. I am not a professional photographer, but I take my camera with me everywhere I go if it is at all feasible for me to take pictures. My coworkers were shocked that I started showing up every day with my camera bag. "You never brought that before!" they'd say, and ask "Why are you bringing a camera to work, you're an IT guy, not a photographer?" Thing is our lunches changed from being half-hour to a full hour. That means I have time to walk about and take pictures. They hadn't seen my camera before because I never had time to use it during a work day (but any event our staff participated in where pictures needed to be taken, my camera was there - they just failed to notice). My wife can't understand why I carry so much weight around. But its not a burden if you enjoy what you're doing. Anyone should be able to take a decent picture with almost any camera if its functioning properly and they have some skill. But that's not the point if the goal is the image.

If you feel that the best camera in your inventory is a "burden" for non-work photography - then your goal isn't the best image - its that simple. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, either. For millions of people who have the luxury of being able to take images and have a choice in how they do it - their priority is not so much the quality but the convenience. For them, the best camera is the one that is at hand and is easily stowed or is attached to a device that does more than take pictures. You shouldn't have to lie to yourself to justify your decisions. If you have any regrets, do it different next time. Just like the people who are touting their favorite system because its small and lightweight. If its the only thing you got, great! If you bought it because that was your goal, outstanding. But if you're any kind of person who cares about the images they take, when you have your 5DmIII/7DmII/6D/etc in hand, you'll find yourself not minding the extra weight.

Something tells me the number of high-end systems Canon sells isn't going to be changed drastically by such opinions and goals. Their price might go up, but people who are looking for that capability will pay for it. Canon wins either way.

I'm probably going to get extra insurance on my 7DmII, its not all that terrible. I'm not really worried though. It can be stolen if people break into my house while I'm at work or on vacation - probably more easily than if its with me where I'm at. Maybe it will get me killed... but odds are, if I were to encounter such an individual without my camera being on me, I'd get killed over my S4 or wallet or just because they're having a bad day.

But really, the greatest threat to my camera was 10 year old Jimmy whose parents can't be bothered to watch and care about him while Jimmy takes things that belongs to others and smashes them to the ground. My camera had survived many adventures with me. But that... would have done it in if I hadn't caught it in time. Sometimes its not the unknowns that will get you, sometimes its a friend of the extended family that thinks they own everything in their vision that will do you in. And you don't even need to be on vacation for it to happen.
(/rant)

 

[martti]

My personal philosophy is to take the camera in your inventory that will get you the best pictures. An iPhone is easy enough that its always a backup if you need to put your other camera away for a bit, but you'll appreciate the quality of the dedicated device. I took my 10D everywhere with me. People said, "Aren't you worried about damaging or losing it?" Heck no. I bought it to take pictures. In order to take pictures, it has to be with me. Now that I have a 7DmII the 10D is in storage awaiting a trip where I need backup and the 7DmII follows me around.

(rant)
I understand that some people have different requirements. That's great for them. If its about the image... you do what you need to take the image. I am not a professional photographer, but I take my camera with me everywhere I go if it is at all feasible for me to take pictures. My coworkers were shocked that I started showing up every day with my camera bag. "You never brought that before!" they'd say, and ask "Why are you bringing a camera to work, you're an IT guy, not a photographer?" Thing is our lunches changed from being half-hour to a full hour. That means I have time to walk about and take pictures. They hadn't seen my camera before because I never had time to use it during a work day (but any event our staff participated in where pictures needed to be taken, my camera was there - they just failed to notice). My wife can't understand why I carry so much weight around. But its not a burden if you enjoy what you're doing. Anyone should be able to take a decent picture with almost any camera if its functioning properly and they have some skill. But that's not the point if the goal is the image.

If you feel that the best camera in your inventory is a "burden" for non-work photography - then your goal isn't the best image - its that simple. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, either. For millions of people who have the luxury of being able to take images and have a choice in how they do it - their priority is not so much the quality but the convenience. For them, the best camera is the one that is at hand and is easily stowed or is attached to a device that does more than take pictures. You shouldn't have to lie to yourself to justify your decisions. If you have any regrets, do it different next time. Just like the people who are touting their favorite system because its small and lightweight. If its the only thing you got, great! If you bought it because that was your goal, outstanding. But if you're any kind of person who cares about the images they take, when you have your 5DmIII/7DmII/6D/etc in hand, you'll find yourself not minding the extra weight.

Something tells me the number of high-end systems Canon sells isn't going to be changed drastically by such opinions and goals. Their price might go up, but people who are looking for that capability will pay for it. Canon wins either way.

I'm probably going to get extra insurance on my 7DmII, its not all that terrible. I'm not really worried though. It can be stolen if people break into my house while I'm at work or on vacation - probably more easily than if its with me where I'm at. Maybe it will get me killed... but odds are, if I were to encounter such an individual without my camera being on me, I'd get killed over my S4 or wallet or just because they're having a bad day.

But really, the greatest threat to my camera was 10 year old Jimmy whose parents can't be bothered to watch and care about him while Jimmy takes things that belongs to others and smashes them to the ground. My camera had survived many adventures with me. But that... would have done it in if I hadn't caught it in time. Sometimes its not the unknowns that will get you, sometimes its a friend of the extended family that thinks they own everything in their vision that will do you in. And you don't even need to be on vacation for it to happen.
(/rant)

You've got a nice literary style for an IT guy. Keep it up, please. Pleasure reading you.
m

 

[JohnDizzo15]

(rant)
I understand that some people have different requirements. That's great for them. If its about the image... you do what you need to take the image.

If you feel that the best camera in your inventory is a "burden" for non-work photography - then your goal isn't the best image - its that simple. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, either. For millions of people who have the luxury of being able to take images and have a choice in how they do it - their priority is not so much the quality but the convenience. For them, the best camera is the one that is at hand and is easily stowed or is attached to a device that does more than take pictures. You shouldn't have to lie to yourself to justify your decisions. If you have any regrets, do it different next time. Just like the people who are touting their favorite system because its small and lightweight. If its the only thing you got, great! If you bought it because that was your goal, outstanding. But if you're any kind of person who cares about the images they take, when you have your 5DmIII/7DmII/6D/etc in hand, you'll find yourself not minding the extra weight.

(/rant)

Your words seem to imply that you believe people that use cameras that are smaller than DSLRs like the 7d2 are compromising with regard to image quality and/or the ability to capture the images in the best possible fashion. This could not be further from the truth for many of us as there are very few instances where I believe the IQ out of my 6D or previously 5D3 would have been better than my Fujis. The "small and lightweight" rig isn't the "only thing I've got" either. It just isn't usually the tool that produces the best results.

No, I don't always mind the weight of my DSLR rig. Yes, I do care about the images I take... as much as anyone else in here. I can post plenty of samples from any period since using my small and lightweight primarily and exhibit the fact that there is absolutely no compromise with regard to image quality.

I said it before and I'll say it again, walk the walk before you talk. Get a "small and lightweight" image-quality compromising rig in your hands for a month and then come back to talk about it.

I too, was once blind, but now I see.

 

[pvalpha]

Your words seem to imply that you believe people that use cameras that are smaller than DSLRs like the 7d2 are compromising with regard to image quality and/or the ability to capture the images in the best possible fashion. This could not be further from the truth for many of us as there are very few instances where I believe the IQ out of my 6D or previously 5D3 would have been better than my Fujis. The "small and lightweight" rig isn't the "only thing I've got" either. It just isn't usually the tool that produces the best results.

No, I don't always mind the weight of my DSLR rig. Yes, I do care about the images I take... as much as anyone else in here. I can post plenty of samples from any period since using my small and lightweight primarily and exhibit the fact that there is absolutely no compromise with regard to image quality.

I said it before and I'll say it again, walk the walk before you talk. Get a "small and lightweight" image-quality compromising rig in your hands for a month and then come back to talk about it.

I too, was once blind, but now I see.

It sounds almost like someone who converted to a faith and suddenly were unencumbered by their daily worries. I guess it is rather apt. For me, to get the images I want, I need a lot of leeway and help. The 7DmII gives that to me in spades. The settings of the 7DmII really give me the features I'm looking for to get the image I want. That was my reason for the 7DmII. That and I loved the images it produced from the samples I saw. I shot with a 10D up till a few months ago because I loved the pictures it took, but found it couldn't capture all the pictures I wanted to get recently (I have dogs I like to photograph in motion, and I enjoy taking birds in flight) - and its age and going well past its shutter life were starting to worry me, especially with several trips coming up. An SL1 or even EOS-M would have been a significant step up, but they still didn't have the performance specifications I was looking for, and since I am not particularly kind to my equipment I wanted a bit of weather sealing and ruggedness. I don't intentionally abuse it, but I definitely use it everywhere.

Besides, you say you're using the best camera in your inventory. Who am I to gainsay you on that? If it produces the best quality images out of the cameras you have for your purposes, then you have your best camera. You'd be a fool to use the other cameras unless they fit a situation better. My point was more along the lines of people who suddenly get hesitant because they're worried about the loss of an expensive tool and then justify taking a cheaper/less capable solution based on their fears. Or worse - go out and purchase said cheaper kit because of that. Fear is a poor reason to do anything in this world. I need the 7DmII for a particular type of image I love to capture. You can probably capture that image with a different camera because you are a better photographer than I. I'm just a casual amateur.

 

[mnclayshooter]

6D body and lenses: 8-15mm, Sigma 24-105mm art, 70-200 mm 2.8 mk2, 1.4 x TCiii, and 2 x TCiii. And I took every damn shot... all 450+ of them with my iPhone6+. Never even opened up the camera backpack.

Imho your gear isn't suitable for casual tourist photography at all, but I guess it's a common scenario. The 6d is rather fragile, and the lenses are big and very expensive.

You should have tried taking an older crop camera like the 60d (or 50d, or ...) and a mid-range lens like the 15-85 or really the 40 pancake. It's not heavy-duty either, but smaller and definitely better iq and usability than a phone cam. Most important: If something should break, it doesn't wreck you financially.

While everyone has different requirements for photography equipment, I can say that I have put the 6D through its paces and it is a surprisingly sturdy camera. And the weight is actually great for travel compared to the more rugged 5d3.

My advice is to insure your gear so you don't have to worry about theft, damage, etc. most personal article policies cover everything except vermin and war. Insurance doesn't make me careless with my gear; ie I will not leave it unattended on the beach, but I don't hesitate to bring it and use it when I have a use. Also take only what you think you will need to reduce the burden.

I'll echo this. I have taken at least one of my 2 6D's through their paces faithfully on my Black Rapid Sling or on my Peak Design CapturePro's tied onto my hydration pack straps and have never regretted it.

I will say this... I climbed the trails near Long's peak with my 6D + 100-400 MkI... AND had a 17-40 in my pocket. I won't do that ever again. EVER. I would perhaps lug the 14mm Rokinon and a 70-200 but even then that's a lot of bulk/weight - often I opt for my 100 and the 14mm and call it a day... or even just the 24-105 for range and relatively lightweight. Throwing in a small sandbag and a gorilla pod to make a level surface makes a lot of sense for shooting "selfies" with my girlfriend along the trail.

Admittedly, this is a different sort of vacation... I'm not at a resort or on a beach, I'm taking a camera along as another piece of equipment on a pretty unforgiving route.

As to the hobby vs. snapshots - My GF understands my deep interest in photography... she is very encouraging of me... when we leave she asks if I have my camera with or not - as though I might have forgotten... hahahah! But... in practice... If I linger too long to get a shot I want, the eyes start rolling.. as though I should be faster and better at it.

 

[IgotGASbadDude]

For me? No little kids so EVERYWHERE I go it is the 1DX, 24 & 50 Art, the 135 L and a 270 ex II.

I view the backpack full of equipment as a workout tool.

I will admit that yesterday we went deep sea fishing (well, not so far out to sea but you get the idea). My camera came out early but stayed packed away once the obvious happened--spray, messy bait, etc. This was probably the only time I would like to have had access to a fully weatherproof P&S.

But those 5 pictures from the 1DX were awesome

 

[FTb-n]

Interesting thread. Several years ago, I purchased an SX-20 in anticipation of a Florida vacation which would include a beach and Disney with my wife and two kids. At the time, my "good" camera was an XT and my lenses were the EF-S 17-85 and EF 70-300 non-L. For our family, vacations are usually by RV, but with a flight and all-day Disney park adventures in mind, traveling light was a priority. The SX-20 seemed a perfect fit and it worked out quite well.

This vacation was well documented with this little camera and several images are proudly displayed throughout our house. This camera has a manual mode that I used often, especially to capture sunrise photos while experimenting with exposure. I must admit that it's difficult to discern which images on the wall were taken with this camera or a DSLR -- or an AE-1 and Kodak Extar film.

I think a big plus for me was that I was determined to get the most out of this camera and didn't give a second thought to the gear that I left behind.

Since then, I've taken advantage of my kids' athletic adventures to fully explore this craft as the aspiring sports photographer that I always wanted to be. I now shoot with a 5D3, a 1Dx, the 70-200 2.8L II, and the 24-70 2.8L II as my "standard kit". For some reason, this doesn't seem heavy to me.

Today, that trip to Florida would likely include this gear -- plus a G16 (which is my favorite "video" camera). I'd leave the SX20 home. I look forward to capturing prize photos and can't see passing up the opportunities offered by the variety of vacation venues. If I really wanted to travel "light", I'd likely leave the 1Dx home and take two 5D3's instead. (To be fair, it does help that my daughter enjoys shooting as well and often wants to use one of my cameras, so two bodies is a must have.)

It's funny how one's perspectives can change over the years. After exploring the limits of crop and full-frame bodies with fast L lenses, it's hard to consider limiting myself to an SX-20 for an entire vacation. But, I can't deny that the moments captured by that little gem are among our family's favorites.

 

[Rocky]

I used to travel with 2 DSLR bodies and 4 lenses Plus a good binocular. Now I decided to " travel light" with the EOS-M , 20mm,18-55 and 11-22mm plus the good binocular. I may miss some shorts that require a long lens. But that is the trade off that I am willing to accept. When the surrounding are dusty or sandy, I just bring the 18-55 only. This set up is cheap. Therefore I do not mind it got damaged. If anything happens that will give me an excuse to get the M3

 

[mnclayshooter]

You guys are using confusing terminology here.

What is this "vay kay shun" thing that you are talking about? It sounds interesting. I mentioned it to my boss and he also was confused.

Is this a European thing?

;D

My pay stubs show it with a big balance of available hours next to it. It exists, at least on paper.

 

[dolina]

When I traveled to Japan I only brought a 5D2 and a 40/2.8 pancake. Only 1 time was I focal length limited when i was photographing seabirds being hand fed.

 

[RustyTheGeek]

When I traveled to Japan I only brought a 5D2 and a 40/2.8 pancake. Only 1 time was I focal length limited when i was photographing seabirds being hand fed.

Wow! dolina is hardcore! That's essentially a 5D2 Single Lens Point&Shoot! And without zoom! LOL! 8)

 

[privatebydesign]

I did a round the world trip with a 1Ds MkIII and a 24-70 f2.8L (MkI), spare battery, charger, BlackRapid strap and a few CF cards, all in a ThinkTank Retrospective 10.

If it is going to slow me down, and at my age most things do , then I won't take it. Sure I missed a few shots, but I got many more that I wouldn't have done had I been changing lenses or if I had been asleep because I was worn out.

 

[dolina]

Wow! dolina is hardcore! That's essentially a 5D2 Single Lens Point&Shoot! And without zoom! LOL! 8)

I'm used to cropping when I need more "length". What I dislike about the setup is that the 5D2's AF system is so archaic. Either a hit or miss any point other than center. I would prefer to use a 7D2 with its very modern AF system but 1.6x crop makes the 40/2.8 too "long".

And at times I wish the 40 had a 2.0 opening like the Voigtlander.

When on holiday with other people you need to be really really mobile and not be weighed down by gear. When traveling on your own then you can bring more gear.

I also took photos with my iPad and iPhone but I still prefer the unrivaled image quality of a full frame image sensor and prime lens.

It would be nice see the 6D replacement shrunk down to the size of a 100D/SL1 and still keep the full frame image sensor.

 

[tolusina]

When I traveled to Japan I only brought a 5D2 and a 40/2.8 pancake. Only 1 time was I focal length limited when i was photographing seabirds being hand fed.

My last two trips MI <> CA I took only 6D + Pancake, 1 spare battery, CPL, some memory, tethering capability with DSLR Controller.
Next trip I have to choose between the Pancake and the 50 STM, decisions, decisions.

 

[dolina]

My last two trips MI <> CA I took only 6D + Pancake, 1 spare battery, CPL, some memory, tethering capability with DSLR Controller.
Next trip I have to choose between the Pancake and the 50 STM, decisions, decisions.

Didnt even bother taking an extra battery or charger as I wasnt expecting to take more than 500 frames over 5 days.

Often times less is more.