Do I take the camera...or not?

futureal33

futureal33

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Nick
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Going on holiday in the morning to Greece, we're visiting a few Greek islands via boat, and staying in a few different places over 10 days.
I took my 5D last year, and while it was annoying at times, I was glad I had it for the photos.

It was annoying when I had to carry it round, be careful with it on the beach etc - making sure it was always away from sand and covered up, and also annoying when not in use - because I was worrying for its safety in my hotel room (which isn't overly secure).

Trouble is, one of the islands we are visiting is Santorini - an island I have wanted to visit and take photo's of for ages!

The only other camera I have is my iPhone...

I guess I would probably take my 17-40mm lens and maybe an 85mm 1.4 for low light stuff...

What would you do?
 
I'd take the DSLR but also a point and shoot. Take the latter on days when you are nervous about having the big camera with you...........like beach days and so on. Reserve the DSLR for days when you are looking to take the "special" pictures. I tend to take both types of camera with me and it usually works pretty well.

I was recently in India on business for a few days and regretted taking only the point and shoot.
 
I went to Fuerturventura in 2011 and took my old 400D with Sigma 18-200m instead of my 7D as I was worried about loss/theft/damage but I was disappointed with the photos I got with my old gear so I took my 7D/15-85mm with me on Honeymoon to Gran Canaria :lol:

Got my home insurance cover increased to cover my gear and managed to pack it in my 5KG of hand luggage..... well just, the bag weighed 4.98KG :lol:
 
LOL

my worst fear on holiday isn't thieves.
it's getting sand in the camera/lens or dropping it when I'm climbing about on rocks and taking pictures of crashing waves etc

not to mention baggage handlers!!!
 
I always think like that. I don't own much gear but what I have took me ages to save for.

BUT

There is no point having a nice camera if it sits in a cupboard at home with the lens cap on all the time.

When you get to Greece you will wish you had taken it and by then it will be too late.


:)
 
Mine goes everywhere with me, however, i'll be getting one of the new Nikon J1's soon hopefully so that will become my holiday camera :)
 
I'd take it.

Actually, why am I replying to this post? :thinking:

Hope you are having a great holiday!! :)
 
I see two problems here - both important - that I face (and probably a other few photographers) that face any trip that isn't specifically a photography holiday (i.e. you're going with 'normal' people ;) )

Firstly - its the heft and bulk and 'nag' factor of constantly carrying/guarding/watching your gear. If it can't fit in your pocket like a phone (which I will say I never worry about as it's so discrete) then it will nearly always get in the way. Want to take a nice photo? Take bag off, take camera out of bag, use it, put it back in, bag back on....feels like a chore for impromptu shots. Compare this to your friends P+S - take out pocket, shoot, back in! Let's not compare quality here, just ease of use...

Secondly, by bringing an SLR, if like myself you're always looking to take great shots, you'll feel more pressure to 'get the shot' as you've gone to all the trouble of bringing several kilos of expensive gear on holiday. It means that you may well obsess with taking the shot, spending more time than you would in any one place because the shot isn't perfect...and it sometimes sucks the enjoyment from a trip. I'm pleasantly surprised by most of my iphone shots - as I'm not 'expecting' amazing things and I don't agonise over them. By comparison a better shot on my SLR may well disappoint me more as I was expecting more.

The solution? Smaller and smaller cameras. Currently using M43, admittedly not fully pocketable yet but the smaller bags certainly do away with the weight and bulk issue and taking it out isn't as much a drag as it's in a messenger bag not a backpack. The quality is excellent and your skill as a photographer will almost certainly be more of a limiting factor. And that coupled with a small compact like a Canon S95/S100 esque camera would be perfect.
 
Holidays are to be enjoyed, if you don't mind carrying one body one lens for the whole trip and just pop shots off here and there without too much obsessed framing and settings fiddling, then just take a compact.
Too many people get obsessed with kit and forget what is capable with lesser equipment and the compacts that are around these days can give a good run for their money. A micro four thirds system could be a compromise, i have an epl1 and before i fell in love with film, it came with me everywhere. Very capable camera too and for a "lite" version that's surprising
 
I always holiday in the UK so I am able to take the DSLR and a few lenses with me but I always take the compact (G7) for the occasions when I am just on the beach or in the mountains with family
 
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