Photography in Europe: 2008
Which cameras, film, and gadgets work best for your travel photography. Any tips on getting the best shots? Carry a big 35mm camera or a point 'n shoot? Is a camcorder worth the trouble? What about digital cameras and flash cards?
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I never leave home without the DSLR
Robin - I totally agree - I bring my digital SLR EVERYWHERE!!! If you aren't into photography/only want snapshots of you and your family, a point and shoot is fine - but if you want impressive/difficult shots NOTHING beats a good SLR
Ally
New York, NY USA Wed 10/15/2008
Nikon D300 gets my vote!
I agree with the below post. I have tried various camera systems for traveling and there is one thing I have learned, if you bring a point and shoot, you will get point and shoot photos. You will not get the photos that we all love. The one's that are in the travel magazines, post cards, posters, etc. I am a professional photographer.
I currently shoot with a Nikon D300 with a Nikon 17-55mm lens. I am convinced that this is the best camera for travelers who like really stunning quality photos without the $4,000 price tag of say, the Canon 1D Mark III and the $2,000 price tag of the Canon 5D.
I used to use Canon then I switched to Leica because of the size and now I am with Nikon. ONLY because of the D300. You will love the feel of this camera, the weight is great and the photos are stunning! This is by far the best consumer camera on the market right now at this price.
Taylor
Chadds Ford , PA USA Wed 08/06/2008
signing photo releases
Just an FYI - It is now becoming more customary, apparently, to have to sign a photo release before you can take pictures in public places.
My husband just signed one inside the Manchester (UK) City Hall building and one at the Imperial War Museum (Manchester). Both said you could take pictures (no flash photos though), but couldn't sell them. Nothing was mentioned about uploading them to photo-sharing websites like flickr, so he went ahead and signed the releases. I am guessing with the plethora of digital camera toting tourists, this is going to become standard procedure, unfortunately.
Cindy May
Hilliard, OH USA Wed 08/06/2008
Which camera to bring?
A few years ago, trying to pack light, I brought my hand held Canon to Italy for 2 weeks. My pics were very good, but lacked many details because of zoom incapabilities. This time around, on my 2 weeks thru Europe, I decided to bring my Canon 5D (DSLR)with only the 24-70mm lens. No need for a flash. Wow!...now I have totally magnificent pics. I just enlarged an image of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona to practically poster size...perfect. I'm so glad I brought my 'big' camera and dealt with the extra weight.
Robin
Millersville, MD USA Fri 07/11/2008
Point & shoot cameras
So long as you're taking static shots, you can get professional results with very small point & shoot brand name cameras (6MP+). I used a Sony W200 and a Panasonic TZ3 and loved them both.
If you take action shots, you're better off with a digital single lens reflex (DSLR), which is burdensome to carry around. Fortunately, I left my DSLR at home and as a tourist never had a need to take any action shots.
J. Sinclair
Vallejo, CA USA Thu 06/19/2008
Rijkmuseum camera banned
Cameras are not allowed in the rijkmuseum in amsterdam anymore. Some pinhead threw lighter fluid on a painting last year, and now cameras are forbidden.
Amy
Anoka, MN USA Wed 04/23/2008
Photographing Ceilings w/Digital Camera
If you are in a building that allows flash photography (the Baptistry of the Duomo in Florence for example) and want to get a clear photo of the ceiling, a point and shoot digital can deliver by selecting the night setting and laying the camera on the floor (or using a tripod) to shoot. I discovered this and gleefully shared the information with my travel partners, a couple of women from Holland (my German came in handy there as they didn't speak English well enough) and a lovely guy from Portland, Oregon (if you see this, my email is below...hint, hint).
Nancy
Taylor, TX USA Fri 03/21/2008