Should I take my DSLR to skiing?

RedTele

RedTele

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Kaz
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I've never been skiing before, so I would like to know whether it is a good idea to take my DSLR to a week long skiing trip. I'm completely new to the sport so will be taking a few lessons. Am I likely to end up damaging the camera falling? It's an university organised trip and will be staying in dorm type accomodation. I guess theft is a big risk. But then again I bet the scenery will be spectacular and have a feeling I'll regret not taking it.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this particularly if you've been to a similar trip yourself. Thanks!
 
I wouldn't recommend skiing with it in a backpack really, especially if your new and have a higher chance of falling. I would however still take it, just go out with it walking.

Plus you may find it a hassle getting your camera out on the top of a mountain when you'll be cold and your mates will wanna go skiing down the mountain while your fussing around with a camera!
 
Definitely take it along with you. Perhaps not in a backpack when you're learning but if you fancy a little break from the sport, find a few good jumps and wait around for a few experienced people to go over them. Those would make some good photos. As would the scenery I'm sure!
 
Ok what lenses should I take? I'm thinking my Sigma 10-20 and Canon 18-55 IS, as well as the nifty fifty. Not sure whether to take 70-200 F/4 L as it's bulky (and expensive). Do you think the 50 would do the job of capturing skiers fine?
 
lolage said:
I wouldn't recommend skiing with it in a backpack really, especially if your new and have a higher chance of falling. I would however still take it, just go out with it walking.

Plus you may find it a hassle getting your camera out on the top of a mountain when you'll be cold
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I agree about taking it in a back pack as a learner when there is a good chance of falling, in fact i will guarantee you will fall a few times :p.
But you won't be cold. I have been a few times and have laid down in the snow with my jacket off to cool down. Plenty of heat generated due to exertion/excercise.
 
kena said:
But you won't be cold. I have been a few times and have laid down in the snow with my jacket off to cool down. Plenty of heat generated due to exertion/excercise.
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Suppose it depends where you go and how high up you are. :razz:
 
DSLR is good if you want particulalry nice pictures and you're willing to stop, de-kit, and spend some time getting it out, taking some nice pictures, and packing it safely away again before you move on. If you're a beginner, then chances are you'll be wanting to ski with others and learn from them, and they probably won't hang around for long if the slowest person in the group is wanting to stop every 5mins to faff with his camera!

As others have said, if you're willing to take some time off from skiing (or your friends are happy to hang around while you faff) then take it.

Alternatively take a comapct. You can keep it in your pocket, and can take photos in the 30sec gaps while you're stopped for other reasons. Probably won't win any awards for world's best photo, but will give you many more opportunities to actually grab a photo.

But, as has already been said, I wouldn't take a DSLR skiing on your first lessons - learn to ski first, concentrate on your lessons, and then worry about photos later.

David
 
If you do take it remember the battery's wont last as long as they normally would due to the colder climate.
 
Thanks for the advices. I'm seeing the consensus.

scuby said:
Alternatively take a comapct. You can keep it in your pocket, and can take photos in the 30sec gaps while you're stopped for other reasons. Probably won't win any awards for world's best photo, but will give you many more opportunities to actually grab a photo.
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Definitely taking a compact. I just got a Panasonic FT2. Waterproof and freezeproof to minus 10 degrees:D
 
I take my dslr with me when I'm sking. When its sunny there is some amazing scenery. I would travel light i.e. I take my grip off and take just a 11-16, 50 and 1 flashgun. I use a smallish padded backpack with an additional waterproof back incase of powdersnow crashes. I'm not sure I'd suggest it to a beginner though mainly because it can be awkward getting on lifts as you have to hold it infront of you. I ski poleless so its not a problem for me.

And a quick reminder of why you should definatly take a dslr on a uni ski trip ...

M0001.jpg
 
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If you've never been before then focus less on taking photos and mire on getting good on planks and enjoying slope time.

If you do take a camera, jeep kit to a minimum and pad it well.

When I first went boarding I took a little compact in my coat and between the five of us who went, we bought 15 disposable film cameras that not only produced some funky results, we just shot and shot without chimping. Then, when we got back to the UK we just got the films processed and that's where it was really enjoyable
 
RedTele said:
Definitely taking a compact. I just got a Panasonic FT2. Waterproof and freezeproof to minus 10 degrees:D
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Ahh good choice. I got the FT1 when I got my DSLR - seems the perfect combination, since usually if I don't want to take the DSLR the reason is because it's going to get wet, dusty, dropped, crushed, or some other similar reason!

Hope you enjoy your first time skiing - it's addictive!

David
 
I'd say an utter beginner is never going to crash hard enough to break a camera in a bag so you'll be fine. I have have some pretty big crashes even with bags on but I suspect most of them a DSLR would have survived as its rare to land on your back, well I my experience anyway.

I think the biggest issue though is what Chris mentions: Chair lifts are a pain even if your experienced. I always flip my bag to my front for chair lifts just because I don't fancy falling off one for the sake of a 3 second move.
 
maninsuitcase said:
I'd say an utter beginner is never going to crash hard enough to break a camera in a bag so you'll be fine.
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I would say they will! If your not falling over or crashing, your not trying hard enough.
If you take the dslr, dont take it with you when you have skis on. Take a good compact, even pictures of scantily clad sudents will come out well with a good compact :naughty:.
Use the dslr when you have a few hours relaxing at the bar at the bottom of the slopes to get some impressive shots of skiiers in action / falling on their dslr's!
Then post the pics here when you get back. Have a good time..

Allan
 
allanm said:
I would say they will! If your not falling over or crashing, your not trying hard enough.
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Very different sort of crash though. They will crash going pretty slow, usually in a semi controlled manner onto their side. I will crash hard, fast and leave the majority of my equipment all over the mountain thanks to a lapse in concentration/tallent.

The latter is far more likely to break things, including poles, and my shins (from my experience anyway).
 
Don't take a DSLR on the slopes if you are a beginner. Sooner or later you will take a tumble and land on the camera.
Ok it may not break but it will be uncomfortable when it jams in to your side or back.
I've been skiing many times and usually take a compact on the slopes.
I have also taken a DSLR out, but it did make everything much more difficult getting on & off lifts and does limit how you can ski.
A good way is to take a lift up the mountain without skis later in the afternoon when the sun is lower and get some nice photos that way.
( Just choose the right lift to do this - gondola's are easiest when on foot)
Have a good hol.
 
I think you should take it and wander over to the jump park and half pipe (by foot). Take your 70-200 as you won't be that close to the action. My friend took his 40d in his backpack and got some stunning photos. He is an experienced boarder though.
 
I'll who those who say no to DSLr on skis,
I've been skiing and racing for some years now, the only time the DSLR would go up te mountain was if I was going up specifically to take photos, they hurt when you land on them, and you'll concentrate more on the thought of crashing with your camera than on your technique, which is why you're going.
Learn to ski, take a compact, then maybe set aside a day later in the week when you've got the hang of it to take your decent one up the hill- your mates will love the pics of them carving/ jumping
 
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