jenn photo Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 I am a photographer and I have a D300. I love my camera but it is too heavy and bulky to bring with me when I go hiking, I would like to buy a good point and shoot from Nikon. I am not sure about what one to buy. I would love some advice, It is hard leaving my 300 at home but I am sure you can understand why I would. Thank you Jenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 To be frank, Nikon does not necessarily make the best point-and-shoot digicams. Since there is no lens compatibility issues with your D300 anyway, would you consider digicams from other brands such as Canon, Sony, etc.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonysvision Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 I'm a Nikon DSL user, but my point and shoot for the last year has been a Canon G9. Poke around and you will find quite a following, starting with Gordon Buck's blog: http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentreviews/software_computers/0208whybrid/index1.html While it is as capable as any point-an-shoot at producing blown-out highlights and noise, when used with the same care as a DSLR it produces excellent results. I have sold images taken with it to a county tourism bureau - it does just fine at ISO 80 or 100, which of course is fine for hiking outings. On a large screen it is possible, but difficult, to see the difference in image quality from a DSLR image. The G9 is limited at the wide angle end to about 35mm equivalent. The new G10 opens out to 28mm, I believe, while sacrificing the long end a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shuo_zhao Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 The D40 with the kit lens or a small/light prime could be an alternative to a P&S. I own a D300, and got a D40 for P&S style shooting on the go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglasely Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Hi Jenn, When weight is an issue for me I put a Nikkor 50mm f1.8 on my D300 and carry no other lens. A bit heavier than a P&S but you get a real camera in the deal. This lens is very light weight! Also innexpensive at $125.00 USD. Best of luck in your descision, D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_mezzanini1 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I'd seriously consider the Nikon P6000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo5 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I'd go with the advice Douglas gave. Put a Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF-D lens on your D300 and use that if you want to go light weight. No point and shoot can come close to the quality the D300 offers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 The Coolpix 8800 was a very good P&S digicam, but not much more compact than something like a D40 and small zoom. In prints up to 8x10 made from JPEGs I couldn't tell the difference between photos taken with the 8800 and my D2H. Today, if I was seriously considering a new P&S, I'd go to the nearest shop and try the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcraton Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Jennifer: I too hike and have a D300 and a lot of lenses. I found a D40x and put a used 55-200 VR II used on it for hiking. Works great. I fly fish as well, fits nice in my vest. I view it as my P&SDSLR. Light and great results. Much better than any P&S I have ever owned. My total bill was under 450.00 USD. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicaglow Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I love my older Nikon P&S. It only does JPEG, but serves its purpose. Most people can't tell the shots are from a cheaper digicam. I would second Lex's recommendation on the Lumix. I've also been kicking around the new Canon G10, Leica DLux 4, and the Sigma. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertdarmali Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I agree with Lex about the LX3. That's probably what I'd get too. But if you need some sort of resistant type P&S, the Olympus tough camera series looks good too with its shockproof, water proof, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashwin_sheorey Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Please check this out . http://www.bythom.com/compactchallenge.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constance_cook Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 P6000. Conni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce_margolis Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Jennifer, I also have a D300 and do a lot of hiking so yeah, it can get pretty heavy, especially if you load a backpack with gear. I played with the Nikon P6000 and really thought about it as a replacement for my older P&S but there are still a few things that bother me about it. Then, a couple reviews came out. Thom Hogan's is mentioned above and other is from Luminous Landscape. Clearly the P6000 is better for you if something real small is your top priority. However, the Canon G10 seems to have superior performance overall but it is larger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce_margolis Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Sorry, forgot the link......... http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/pocket-battleships.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenn photo Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share Posted November 9, 2008 Thank you for all your suggestions. I have a lot of research to do. I appreciate it. Jenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exposed1 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Hey Jennifer, Hope this is not to late, but, I do loads of hiking, and not just day hiking. Week to 10 days, 80-120 mile hikes. I also own a D300 and taking this camera on these types of hikes, NEVER!!! Not only weight, but if anything happens to it.....No thanks. I take a Nikon Coolpix S2. It is splash proof and the photos are great. I would also look at the Pentax waterproof cameras, I belive they are called "Optio" or something like this. Waterproof or splashproof for outdoor work is what I look for along with it fitting in my shirt pocket. I have done 16x20 prints with my Coolpix S2 and they look very nice. I have found the Coolpix on some websites, but Nikon does not make it anymore, so it could be a bit hard to find, but well worth the look. Good luck.... Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenn photo Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share Posted November 9, 2008 I do have my D70 that I could bring which is lighter but it does not do well in cold temperatures.It is a hike in December in Connecticut and it is overnight on a mountain. Last year when we went it was about 18. I will look into all of the cameras mentioned. I appreciate all your suggestions. Thank you... Jenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbp Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 IMHO, a lot depends on how critical you are of image quality, and how large you intend to print. At ISO's under 200, for reasonably good IQ on prints under 8X10, a Nikon P5100 or Canon G9/G10 produce good results. If you are more critical or print larger, I agree with suggestions for a small DSLR and compact lens. You can always leave fresh food home and eat MRE's to save weight...8-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickbarbosa Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Because I actually work in the woods, Ive been researching the very same thing. I use a D200, which is also a bit of a brick, and since keeping it somewhat clean and free from damage means keeping it in a protective sling, my reaction time is also affected whenever I am dealing with any action or wildlife. I don't know how tough the LX3 is, but it provides a wider angle than most other P&S, plus the larger aperture would also be handy under the canopy of trees, and any other low light situations. I just bought a 50mm 1.8 for my camera, and it helps a lot with the tricky light, and it's also a little lighter, but unless I bring an additional, wider lens, (more stuff to carry) I end up mostly with a bunch of close-up shots of faces or flowers, etc. This is probably not helping much. If you ever get it figured out, let me know. I keep going in circles. -Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachiddahnoun Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Sorry to disagree with almost everyone here but the D300 is not a heavy camera. I do adventure photography for a living and I have no problem carrying it around. I just finished a documentary of the Tahoe Rim Trail (168 miles in 12 days) and I was very happy with my D200 and 18-200mm VR lens as well as a Tokina 12-24mm. I would never take something like a D3 on a trip like that (that's too much weight and camera) but the D300 or 200 is a perfect camera to manage on a long trip. Point and shoots are great but they don't offer me the same flexibility that a D300 or 200 does. The extra two pounds aren't really a big deal, in my opinion. It's not just me. If you look at most adventure photographers out there, all of us are fine with something like a D300. You don't need to carry a lot, but you have to be willing to carry a little bit more than "the average bear" to be ready for that truly exceptional shot. A carbon fiber tripod is also a good bet for saving weight. If your that worried about your camera getting ruined while you're out in the field, consider taking out insurance on it. It's just part of being a photographer. Hell, Ansel Adams used to take a 4x5 up to Half Dome a couple times a year. I'd say we've got it pretty easy. Rachid Dahnoun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_stadler Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I use the Nikon 35Ti when I go hiking for fun with friends. Great little camera. No zoom, super sharp prime lens, f2.8, and it's a Nikon. SInce you didn't specify if you wanted to use digital or film I thought I would through it out there. I don't really like any of Nikon's digital P&S cameras. If you are wanting digital I personally would go with either a Panasonic or Canon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmm Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Rachid - while I agree with you as I am now used to DSLR sizes and weights, remember that to the bulk of people a camera can and should be only marginally larger and heavier than their mobile phone, and should unobtrusively fit into a standard pocket. Its wasn't any more than 2 years ago that I was in that crowd. When looked at it from that perspective even a D40 with a small prime is one big, heavy unit. Jennifer - I've had a succession of the higher end Canon IXY / IXUS / Powershot [what they are called depends on where you are in the world] ultra-compact models and have really liked them, especially the ones with inbuilt IS. One of those and a gorilla-pod is what I used to take travelling and camping and basically everywhere before my SLR days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randall_pukalo Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 If you are really seroius about IQ, consider picking up a used Olympus Stylus Epic. Loaded with Kodak 400UC/Kodachrome 64/Kodak Ektar 100/Vlevia 100 it will blow the pants off anything else in a similar size. Fits in the palm of your hand, with an SLR quality 35mm f2.8 lens. I recently got back from the Porcupine Mountains, and carried a new Panasonic FX150 15MP digital that shoots RAW + a Stylus Epic loaded with Kodachrome 64.. The Epic quality was in a class by itself. I extrapolate this to a G10 also, as it has only marginally better IQ than the Panasonic (I tested both, bought the FX150 due to very similar IQ but much smaller size). The drawback is no zoom, but maybe not so critical for landscapes/people shots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 As a moderator here, I would like to remind everybody that this is Jennifer's thread. As long as she feels that the D300 is too heavy FOR HER, that is the end of that part of the discussion. I go hiking with a 500mm/f4 in my backpack, but mentioning that does not help Jennifer a bit. I would appreciate it if people stop making those unhelpful comments. Thanks in advance for your cooperation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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