Hi

My camera for the last 4 years...my Canon Powershot S1 IS, has started failing on me and I'm now looking into buying a proper SLR camera. I'm thinking about the new Canon EOS 450D. But this camera is larger than the previous one and I first of all use it when we travel to take pictures for the trip reports. So is it more of a hassle traveling with a SLR camera? Are you worried that it will get stolen? Does it get heavy when you go sightseeing for a full day?

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Originally posted by gardkarlsen:
Does it get heavy when you go sightseeing for a full day?

That's the sort of question only you can answer. What I find light you might find heavy. Or vice versa.

The usual question is why are you traveling? If it's to take photos then take a full kit with everything you might need. If it's for other reasons then travel light.

Hi

I don't have a habit of traveling light. My wife and I normally go on 1-2 week vacations to various places and I like to take lots of photos as we go along. But I don't really see that I will be bringing lots of equipment for taking pictures...I think I will only bring the one lens that is on the SLR camera.

I traveled for 4 weeks in Italy with a SLR camera on my shoulder, almost everyday. I had a bag that went accross my body, so the weight was not on just one shoulder. Also, had a pad (similar to a seatbelt pad) on the strap, which helped. Some days it seemed heavier than others. In that bag, I had an extra battery, extra flash cards, one filter, one other lens, also had a bottle of water, and an umbrella on days, that was needed. So it was camera bag, and purse too. Both my sister and I used the same style bag and had SLR cameras.

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So is it more of a hassle traveling with a SLR camera?

I would say it is a hassle traveling with a DSLR camera, but for me the “quality” of the photos I can take with a DSLR camera are worth the hassles.

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Does it get heavy when you go sightseeing for a full day?

Anything you carry will get heavy when sightseeing for a full day. If you are exhausted, that is when you can make a mistake, dropping your camera or get it stolen. But I think you already know that with all your travels. I am even surprised you asked.

But I can tell you the DSLR camera even in the bag is lighter in the morning than late in the day. But the strange part, the camera is never is heavy when I am using it. So I try to use my camera a much as possible.

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But this camera is larger than the previous one and I first of all use it when we travel to take pictures for the trip reports.

It really comes down to the type of travel photographs you want to do. If it is snapshots, I say travel light and get a camera similar to what you have now. If you are looking to grow your travel photos, DSLR is certainly the way to go.

Bill

I don't leave on any interesting trip without my 450D ;-) I also take along one additional lens in my backpack, usually my 20mm f/1.8 low light prime. The bit more bulk is not that noticable but the quality and creativity that you can get with an SLR is priceless if you're really looking to capture what you see with your eyes in the best way possible.

For me, I simply don't get a good feel with the point and shoot.

Minor inconvenience for a much better picture taking experience? well, that is a decision that you have to make personally

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I don't leave on any interesting trip without my 450D ;-)

Hi

You make it sound like you have had this camera forever. I thought that it was released in April 2008

I didn't want to deal with the special camera backpack we have for our Nikon D50 when I went to Paris without my husband to help me lug things around. I carried the camera on it's strap on my shoulder. By the second day I had knocked it into something and knocked my lens out of whack. It won't focus at least half the time now and I'll have to buy a new one ($200)

Moral of my story? It takes great photos, but it's definitely an additional pain.

quote:

Originally posted by gardkarlsen:
Hi

You make it sound like you have had this camera forever. I thought that it was released in April 2008

LOL, my mistake, it should've been 350D as in the Rebel XT not 450D

On our 5 week trip through northern Italy, my wife had her compact digital which had a good quality 10 times optical zoom whilst I had my SLR with standard and separate zoom. After a week unless there was a good reason my SLR stayed home and my wife's camera took hundreds of shots. The extra weight of the camera bag plus zoom lens and accessories as well as personal gear in my small backpack became a nuisance when we were on our feet most of the day.

Cameras are changing rapidly and there are a number of very good compact digital cameras around. If you are a photo fanatic or have your own transport then you must have your SLR, otherewise I don't think there is a need.

I have recently seen cell phones with 5 megapixel cameras in them. Things are changing rapidly.

In short, if the hassle of handling an DSLR is going to interrupt you enjoying your vacation, then a point and shoot is probably the way to go.

I agree with Bill that the real question is the level of photography you like to achieve on your vacation. I know that carrying my DSLR is a joy rather than a burden when I am on vacation.

Part of relaxing on my vacation is the opportunity to engage in quite a bit of photography, practicing techniques and refining my skill. For our week in Provence at the beginning of April, I wanted to work on managing my EV and white balance manually as well as play with macros using my reverser ring. I carried my Nikon D70 with a Nikkor 18-70 mm (metal) that I leave on most of the time. I also carried a Nikkor 50mm (metal) fixed for portraits and a reverser ring for easy macro. Finally, I carried my titanium tripod because it is light and I put it in a yoga bag that slings across my back nice and snug.

While I may have at times wanted for a larger zoom, I remember lugging around my old 70-200 and never using it to its full potential. The camera with the 18-70 zoom fit into my large purse or market bag with no trouble and was not heavy even after a day of hiking. When we were driving in the countryside, we kept it in the Lowepro shoulder bag for convenience along with the extra lense and small supplies.

I am thinking about scrapping the zoom when traveling in favor of a fixed 18mm and fixed 50mm only since I find most of my photography falls into the category of sweeping landscapes or portraits.

Your mileage and desire may vary! But, whichever you choose, I doubt you're going to regret the choice.

I enjoyed this thread! I just upgraded to the new Canon xsi witha 100mm macro lens for my trip. I will let you know how I like it.

I too debate what to take on trips to europe. In the US we almost always have a car and I take the DSLR plus lenses (into bird photography + other things).

In Europe - with no car - I usually take a point and shoot. panzsonic tz3 the last trip. so much lighter.fits in a pocket. less worry about theft. less aggravation if it is stolen or broken - since cheaper. and the pics are adequate. but of course not the same as a dslr. but I really enjoy the light weight and lack of schleping it all.

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Originally posted by gardkarlsen:
Hi

But I don't really see that I will be bringing lots of equipment for taking pictures...I think I will only bring the one lens that is on the SLR camera.

In that case make sure it is a fairly adaptable lens. We are still learning our DSLR Pentax. I've owned and operated a standard SLR Pentax for 35 years. I've also had a number of digital cameras along the way. While I love the digitals for their portability the quality of pictures I get with the digital Pentax really does make up for the hassles of schlepping. Even the higher pixel count digitals seem to lack the quality that a good DSLR lens gives you. Just my opinion.

Hi

Thanks for the feedback. I'm still leaning towards the Canon EOS 450D and I think I will buy it online and send it to my sister in the US. My mother is going over to visit so she will bring it back home for me. With the low $ it is quite a bargain for me :-)