DSLR for Outdoor Photography

[MLHSN]

Any suggestions for a beginner level DSLR camera?  It's something I would like to take backpacking for scouting/fishing trips.

I was looking at this Pentax because of it's durability while hiking. 

http://www.costco.com/Pentax-K-50-Weatherproof-DSLR-Camera-2-WR-Lens-Bundle.product.100071823.html

What kind of extra weight am I looking at for basic DSLR camera gear?

Also, have any of you tried using a telephoto lense instead of a spotting scope?

[boneaddict]

Yes yes and yes.   Extra fragile weight which is a pain in the arse but part of the game.  The more expensive it is, the heavier it gets.   Reviews and opinions of which camera is best......well typical of most opinions, everyone has one and....

You basically cant go wrong with the two flagships in the industry, Nik and Can.   Anything else would be budget oriented and a risk.  IMO

[MLHSN]

How do you carry your gear?  I notice a lot of hikers wear a chest pack.  I tried that for a year for odds and ends stuff but found the bouncing against my chest got annoying.  I'm trying to think how to carry everything when you have a GPS, Binos, camera bag all on the chest.

I was looking at the Pentax model because it's in my price range and weather proof.  Do you know of a comparable Nikon or Canon?  I'd kind of like it to be somewhat durable.

[TheHunt]

I ended up building a shadow/foam container that I put my camera in my pack.  I do NOT take the camera when I am hunting.  I only use it for hikes and looking for wild life.  It is a closed foam material that you can cut away material so your camera will not get destroyed if you fall or the pack gets beat up.

I also purchased a waterproof sleeve which I need on the wet side to protect the camera and lens.  It is always something to buy...   

[boneaddict]

A sea to summit bag for the lens and camera to fit in, then in my big pack with sweatshirts or something to buffer.  Other lens, gear in other pockets.   Then when I am in, it goes over my shoulder.  I never carry the thing around my neck.  My binos are there.  I shoot everything on a monopod.  To me its the only reasonable way to carry it. 

[boneaddict]

There is no way it goes with me on my hunting trips.  For me that's a little tiny point and shoot.  I probably wouldn't even carry that if not trying to document my kill and trip for on here.   

[MLHSN]

Ya, I'm not about to take any extra weight on a backcountry hunt.  It's mostly for my mid-summer backpacking/scouting trips.  I keep seeing awesome photos over on nwhikers.net and thinking I've been there, my pictures look like crap!  I need to learn how to take better landscape photos.  So I thought I might state with a DSLR.

I also need to start taking videos while the kids are young and I thought it could double as a camcorder since they all take video these days.

[boneaddict]

They take good video, but are not nearly as handy as a camcorder.   The focusing is kind of a bear.   

[huntnphool]

How do you carry your gear?  I notice a lot of hikers wear a chest pack.  I tried that for a year for odds and ends stuff but found the bouncing against my chest got annoying.  I'm trying to think how to carry everything when you have a GPS, Binos, camera bag all on the chest.

I was looking at the Pentax model because it's in my price range and weather proof.  Do you know of a comparable Nikon or Canon?  I'd kind of like it to be somewhat durable.

 Don't buy new and stick with either Canon or Nikon

[MLHSN]

Any suggested used models of Nikon or Canon then?  I was originally looking at the megapixel's and thought I could get a different brand with more megapixels cheaper but Nikon and Canon sounds like the consensus. 

[huntnphool]

Any suggested used models of Nikon or Canon then?  I was originally looking at the megapixel's and thought I could get a different brand with more megapixels cheaper but Nikon and Canon sounds like the consensus.

 Dont get caught up in the "megapixel" hype, it's actually more important to have a larger/quality sensor.

 I don't use Nikon so would not know a good starter model, a good Canon to start with would be a 40D, you can pick up bodies for $250-$300.

[Bean Counter]

I've heard nothing but good about Pentax and would consider it for its reputation for durability and weather proofing if you're considering serious outdoor work. Hit up some of the forums on Photography on the Net or DPreview with questions.

You might consider waiting until Black Friday and what not. I bought my 6D last fall around that time and the camera still costs more if you buy it today even though digital cams tend to have 3-5 year product life cycles anymore.

Put your neck strap in the fireplace and don't think twice. I use a wrist strap when carrying my camera. If you're going to be humping mountains with trekking poles  you should probably consider backpacking it and maybe using a sling.

[Bean Counter]

Any suggested used models of Nikon or Canon then?  I was originally looking at the megapixel's and thought I could get a different brand with more megapixels cheaper but Nikon and Canon sounds like the consensus.

My 6D is a 20MP camera and gives me 25-26MB raw files. Good way to fill up a hard drive in a hurry. I wish it were just a 12 megapixel. Anything beyond 8-10MP is for show and marketing unless you're shooting aerial surveillance and need to stand 12 inches from a large print.

I love my cameras performance because of the full frame sensor. Full frame sensor means larger photo sites which means more light collection and less noise in images. Sometimes I shoot at ISO 12,800-16,000 and the results are amazingly good.

[Payne]

The more money you put into it the happier you will be in my opinion. I have a 40d I bought used and have loved it. I'm now wanting to upgrade to the 6d.

Between a camera purchase and lenses. I would spend more of or your money on a great lens.

[MLHSN]

Some good advice here for me to follow up on.  Looks like I don't need to focus on megapixels so much.

I haven't really done any research on the sensors.  I'll have to take a closer look on those.

Any expanded advice on the displays?  Someone mentioned not wanting an LCD screen versus a "full" screen.  What was meant by this?