Which DSLR for boating pics?

[snooks]

I was very taken by both Canon and Nikon's 70-200mm f2.8 offerings but the things weigh a ton and are very large for hand held use on a boat.

Naa they don't weight a ton, try handholding a 400mm f2.8 not something I'd recommend trying, I only did it because I was in a squeeze.

The biggest you'd really want to go would be a 300 f2.8, and if you want a bit longer stick a 1.4 teleconverter on it.

Having a heavier body balances the bigger lenses better and they also have bigger grips. I tried using the office 60D (or 600D) with a 28-70 f2.8 and it was a most unnatural feeling because the camera was too light.

 

[oceanfroggie]

** double post **

 

[oceanfroggie]

Naa they don't weight a ton, try handholding a 400mm f2.8 not something I'd recommend trying, I only did it because I was in a squeeze.

The biggest you'd really want to go would be a 300 f2.8, and if you want a bit longer stick a 1.4 teleconverter on it.

Having a heavier body balances the bigger lenses better and they also have bigger grips. I tried using the office 60D (or 600D) with a 28-70 f2.8 and it was a most unnatural feeling because the camera was too light.

Thanks, but yes but those are all full frames lenses, more glass, more weight. Dedicated APS-C camera lenses like Nikon's DX series are smaller and lighter. The biggest attraction for me of APS-C sensor cameras is Digital SLR performance as good if not better than old 35mm film SLR but without the weight and bulk of an FF set up (ie for non pros). I had a loan of a Nikon 70-200 f2.8 which had stunning performance but I found it far to big and heavy for leisure use on a boat. One side of me would love to buy a 5D mk3 or a D800E but combined with lenses they seem like elephants (ie for leisure use).

 

[Designo]

I can understand the price advantage of non-full-frame DSLR:s, but that's it. The size and weight is not so much less that you can carry them in a pocket or unnoticed.

In my pocket is always a Canon G15, good enough for most pictures I take. When traveling and I want a little higher quality, without bringing the full-frame camera, I have a Micro 4/3 camera, a Panasonic GF1 with a 14-140mm zoom (=28-280mm). The 5D MKIII I am only using when the purpose is to take pictures of high technical quality, in my case mainly for publishing. And then I want a full frame despite the size and weight, including two houses, flashes and two or three lenses, plus a tripod or mono-pod. And to sum it up, my very best pictures are taken randomly with all of these cameras...

 

[mlines]

Pentax K-50 - splashproof for boating

 

[[2068]]

EOS 70D is splash proof too, but not fully weather sealed to the same degree as the pro cameras.
I would agree that to a large extent, the choice of lenses leads you towards the choice of body.
If you are thinking "L series lenses", then a 6D or 5D mk III would be perfect. But more expensive, and heavier all-around.
My abilities as a amateur photographer are not constrained by the fact that my camera "only" has an APS-C sensor

.

 

[Nick Burnham]

Thanks guys. I'm not really keen on FX (full frame sensors). Was there 30 years ago with film. Today it seems a technologically retrograde step back to heavy bulky bodies when everything around us is getting more compact and especially lighter. I appreciate there are limits due to feel in hand, balance, etc. However many of today's point and shoots, and compact bridge super zooms better many of the big DSLRs of 6-8 years ago by some margin (ie for family photography and amateur hobbiests). I like the DX format for its size, weight and results. IMHO Canon and Nikon are equals in this area and excel. I've tried out a few mirrirless, but for now I still prefer an OVF (optical view finder).

My ideal spec is a D300s body weighing 750g with the sensor from the D7100 and frame rate of D300s. I'll dream on.

Hi,

I've been on a very steep learning curve with regards to dSLR photography over the last three or four years. I started off with a crop sensor Nikon D7000 (forerunner to the D7100 you mentioned I think) which is a really excellent camera. I teamed it with a Nikon 70-300 f4.5/f5.6 lens and got decent results taking boat photos, but very good kit though it was, I could never quite get the phenomenal quality that people like Graham Snooks could achieve.

At the end of 2012 Nikon brought out the D600. This is virtually the same size and weight as the D7000, but a full frame camera with 5.5fps. It got rave reviews and I bought one. I've teamed it up with the 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200, all f2.8 and the results are superb! I'm not suggesting it makes me as good a photographer as Graham, but the results are certainly a step up from the D7000.

It's worth noting that there were a lot of issues with the D600 regarding dust and oil on the sensor. I had it with one, swapped it and the second one is much better. Nikon have now brought out a D610 version which I'm lead to believe is essentially the same camera, but with the issues resolved. The change of number is to try and distance it from the unfortunate reputation the D600 gained as a result.

If you have a look in the January MBM, I've taken the Elan 30, Quicksilver Activ, and Channel Islands 22/Seaward 23 photos using this kit. In the Feb issue just out the Broom 35CL, Alfastreet 23, Sheerline 955 and Windy 29 Coho were also taken with it. In fact, interestingly I've just realised that some of the Boat Of The Year photos were taken by me using the D7000 and 70-300 - the Atlantis 34 and the Trusty T28 so you can see some D7000 examples too.

It also takes pretty good high definition video. If you have a look here, I took the Windy Coho, Broom 35CL, Sheerline, Seaward 23, Elan Power 30 and many others with it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ybwtv/videos

The point is, if you do fancy a full frame camera but it's the physical size that bothers you, the D600/D610 will give you the best of both worlds, full frame in a crop sensor package. I believe it's the smallest lightest full frame on the market.

It's also worth noting that the 70-300 Nikon lens is an FX lens so will work on both. It's also very light weight.

Finally, when I was researching zoom lenses for the D600, there is a new lens out which is a Nikon 70-200 f4. It is a very highly regarded lens with rave reviews and it is much lighter than the 70-200 f2.8. I went for the latter for low light performance which has come in useful a couple of times. The Windy Coho and the Quicksilver were (for time and weather reasons) both taken on very dull grey days very late into the day so the ability to get more light into the camera was a real benefit. However if you're not forced into sometimes taking boat photos in such less than ideal conditions then I suspect the 70-200 f4 would be a great option and save a lot of weight.

Anyway, lot of waffle there, sorry, but I hope some of it is useful.

 

[oceanfroggie]

Thanks Nick for taking the time to respond, that was indeed very useful.

 

[Nick Burnham]

You're very welcome.

Worth mentioning as well that at the other end of the spectrum, my partner has just bought a Nikon D3200 with a kit zoom lens. It lacks some of the functionality of the higher end stuff such as bracketing, dual card slots, the display on top of the camera (everything appears in the screen on the back instead). But it's still a 24mp camera with a CMOS sensor from a top manufacturer and has everything she needs, and it cost about £300 all in with the lens!

Digital cameras have certainly come a long way in the last few years.

Good luck with whatever you decide to get.

 

[Solitaire]

Hi,


The point is, if you do fancy a full frame camera but it's the physical size that bothers you, the D600/D610 will give you the best of both worlds, full frame in a crop sensor package. I believe it's the smallest lightest full frame on the market.

I have been looking at upgrading to full frame and was considering the D800, but I have been reading the reviews and I think the 610 would meet my needs better, particularly given the increased speed on continuous shooting. Cost is also a factor! I contacted Wex Photographic regarding a trade in price and they came back with a provisional price of £410 for my D300s. I am still thinking about that option but may just keep the 300 as a second body. I'm very happy with the D300s and the price drop from what I paid is a bit too much to just trade it in. OK, I could get more on EBay but that can be a risk.

The 36m odd pixels on the D800 is amazing, but the sensors etc on D610 are the same as the D4. I already have FX lens' so I don't need to upgrade on that front.

 

[oceanfroggie]

A bit more background. I bought an entry level nikon last June to test the waters with a basic DSLR (ie D5200) having spent the last 8 years using very useful little compact bridge super zooms (Fuji), having put away my old film SLRs in 2004. At that time I vowed never again to be sucked into 'gearitis' and lugging bulky SLR cameras around and especially on the boat. However I succumbed to the re-lure of DSLR last June but bought a compact APS-C sensor body to test the waters after the Fuji was stolen. I've got the dreaded 'bug' again and hence the reason for the question at the head of the thread. Was interested to see what cameras folks were using day to day for boating shots such water landscapes, other boats, seascapes, action on and around the water.

The taster D5200 is a fine little camera body and I'm happy with the images, but in terms of handling I'd prefer more physical controls rather than having to dive in and out of menus. The replies have pretty much answered my original query. Thanks btw all who replied. I hold Canon and Nikon in equal regard, so at the moment the Canon 70D and Nikon D7100 or its replacement seem to be the most likely candidates. One side of me, 'gearitis guy' is tempted by full frame such as the 5Dmk3 or D610, but my mind is telling me to stay with APS-C bodies. I'm just a boater not a photographer but do like nice gear that's really useable.

When on board I've tended to keep the camera at the cockpit helm so its easy to nip out on deck to take pics. Not something that I perceive I could do as easily with a fast lens such as 70-200 f2.8 (canon or nikon).

One lens fits all on a boat is a compromise but can be functional

Thanks anyway for replies. I'll sit on the fence until April/May before upgrading.

 

[GrahamD]

The weatherproofing on the Pentax K5 is impressive and there is a good range of lenses up to professional quality. Have a look at this video to see how not to treat a camera!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo61t5fH6Qw

 

[Nick Burnham]

I have been looking at upgrading to full frame and was considering the D800, but I have been reading the reviews and I think the 610 would meet my needs better, particularly given the increased speed on continuous shooting. Cost is also a factor! I contacted Wex Photographic regarding a trade in price and they came back with a provisional price of £410 for my D300s. I am still thinking about that option but may just keep the 300 as a second body. I'm very happy with the D300s and the price drop from what I paid is a bit too much to just trade it in. OK, I could get more on EBay but that can be a risk.

The 36m odd pixels on the D800 is amazing, but the sensors etc on D610 are the same as the D4. I already have FX lens' so I don't need to upgrade on that front.

Agree with that totally, it was pretty much my thinking.

Everything I've read about the D800 says it is an amazing camera, but almost too good. I don't need 36mp and neither do I want the file sizes they come with. People who use them also say that, because they're so good, they show up every flaw too. So for a studio camera or landscape photography where you can use a tripod and spend ages getting everything just so, then it's probably one of the very best. But that isn't boat photography...

The D4 is, of course, the ultimate. But at an ultimate price too, £4,500 if I recall correctly. OK it's built like a tank, but then it weighs as much as one too.

The D600/D610 seemed to me to be a great third way. Similar picture quality to the D4 (as you say, same sensor I think), much lighter and almost a third of the price! It's weatherproof too, so as long as you're not silly with it, it's not delicate.

I've been absolutely delighted with mine, it's does exactly what I need.

 

[henryf]

Canon EOS 600D with 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 STM stabilised and a great all rounder
50mm prime F1.4
70-300mm F4-5.6 L stabilised
10-24mm F3.5-4.5

Gopro

Panasonic HC-X900 camcorder. Stabilised.

Henry

 

[Hurricane]

Canon EOS 600D with 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 STM stabilised and a great all rounder
50mm prime F1.4
70-300mm F4-5.6 L stabilised
10-24mm F3.5-4.5

Gopro

Panasonic HC-X900 camcorder. Stabilised.

Henry

That's basically the kit I use
Not the Panasonic HC-X900 camcorder though
Various Canon lenses but the 15-85 is the one that stays on the camera

Not got round to using the GoPro yet though

And, of course, I have the artistic ability of a pea
And we all know, its not the kit - its the way you use it
Just seen Henry's latest videos on another thread - there is no way I have that ability.

 

[Dave-Shafa]

Most people have a camera.
Very few can take "Photographs"

Dave L.R.P.S.