I sincerely want to get back to photography. I have two big excuses, one of which is never having my camera handy. I live in the dark ages & don’t have a camera phone & I have true affection for my DSLR. I worry about leaving it in a hot car when someone gives me a ride. Is heat bad for the cameras? I have a disability and unable to drive so it’s heavy to carry with me when I walk where I can whether or not I know I’ll be taking photos. I could get over that one if I hear that others carry their cameras & develop their muscles. :) What do you do?
My other excuse is being shy and frankly people scare me. I know that I’m on my own with this one. Just have to do it
Hope, I'm sure you will receive more sophisticated responses than mine but have you thought of getting an expert compact camera which would be more portable for you? I've just bought myself one for foreign holidays. (I don't have a camera phone either.)
Too much heat is bad for cameras but I don't know how much is too much.
Lots of subjects other than people to concentrate on? Hope this all helps a little bit. Good luck!
I echo the idea of a mirrorless compact system... Every bit as versatile as a dslr, and much much lighter... You might even want to try a mid or higher-end point and shoot - hey - it's better than nothing right? And so much easier to carry...
I put my camera gear in a regular adidas backback with compartments. Much easier to carry around on your back and keeps hands free. I also put wallet and keys there so don't need a handbag as well
I love my DSLR, but it is big and I often leave it behind. Yes, I have a phone now and use that all time...but I used to carry a Canon Powershot. It had optical zoom and some control; also it fits in my pocket, turns on in a second, and really does pretty nice job. My whole first year of photos were taken with that camera. (First year summary here if you are bored: http://365project.org/houser934/365/2013-05-09
I've found that the more I carry a camera on me, the more I use it. And the more I use it, the more I need to carry a camera... I'm 6 months into 365 and rarely do I leave the house without a camera. I put my SLR into a rucksack usually. And I have a Ricoh GR which is small enough for jeans pocket. No camera phone here either - maybe you could get a smart phone just for the camera...? Perhaps you could pare down other belongings from your bag and prioritise the camera. Or build up to it - if it is a struggle to carry the weight then take it on trips where you know you'll be out for half a day rather than a whole day, or on a day which is not so hot and tiring. Good luck! I hope you find a way to make it work for you :)
I hear you, I'm having trouble carrying my bulky camera specially,when u have back problem,I'm planning to sell it or trade in for a smaller version. and yes, heat isn't good for camera.like what @northy suggest get a mirrorless or small pocketable point & shoot camera:)! @herussell
I carry my camera everywhere. I bought a nice strap cover, so it's comfortable to hang around my for long periods of time. I don't do much people photography, unless it's my family. I love nature photography. I think my neighbors probably think I'm crazy, because I'm always out in my yard taking photos of my flowers.
Er coming from the UK this is a rare problem, the max temp we would get up to would be about 85F-90F, but that would be very occasionally.
A few questions...
Do you have air conditioning when travelling?
Are you thinking of leaving the camera in there whilst you are out of the car?
How long would it be in the car for?
Have you looked up the working temperature of your camera to see if you are getting into that range?
I keep my camera in a bag when moving about & this insulates it from temperature changes as well as knocks and scrapes, apparently some people who go out to areas like death valley place their camera in an (empty - no ice blocks) cooler box, which again makes use of the insulation to keep it cooler.
I rarely leave my camera (DSLR) in the car unattended, because I want it with me so I can shoot and so it is a less risk of being stolen. If I do it gets locked in the boot (trunk) which is shaded and the camera is then out of sight.
Now, maybe I am going to sound a bit harsh here, but wouldn't it be better to get out there taking pictures & perhaps shorten the life of your camera a little if it gets too hot, than have a perfectly functioning camera that doesn't get used?
Also have to endorse what many others have said about getting a lighter camera. I love my DSLR, but for a trip to Thailand was persuaded to buy a lighter mirror-less camera & I find myself reaching for this more and more. My back is much happier, especially on long trips as the gear is lighter and more compact.
Main thing, get shooting! Have to agree with you about people shots ;-)
@lizhammond
Often no air conditioing when I'm out (typically walking or waiting). When I do get help with transportation from a friend it's usually just to or from an appt and I find another way home. Sometimes I'm gone all day with someone and it feels cumbersome to take it into the grocery, the doctor, the pharmacy, etc., so I'm tempted to leave it hidden in the car, but you're right that's not very secure. Haven't thought of looking into the working temperature range of the camera, good idea.
@littlequeenie@lisainstpete@lizhammond
I think you are right about finding a way to be more portable. I think I need to find a way to combine it with the essentials I carry in my purse and take some of the extra supplies out of the camera bag. I've already turned a large purse into a camera bag. Years ago I found an inexpensive foam compartment with the foam molded for a camera (much lighter than all the bags specifically designed for cameras).
Thank you all for your input. This is helping me work through my excuses :)
@littlequeenie This is pretty much what I was talking about, but "padded compartment" is a much less cumbersome way to say it, rather than "inexpensive foam compartment with the foam molded for a camera" LOL
I have had a stroke and limited use of my right side. As a result I decided I could live with a small camera with no extra equipment to haul around. I really enjoy using a Nikon J5, it will do most everything I want to do. I put my cameras in an soft insulated bag(for food and drinks) and have thought of adding an ice pack in the top in summer(for car storage).
Sometimes less is better...
I have a Sony 77M2 which is very heavy and my hands hurt because of arthrosis. Last year I bought a Sony RX100M3, so capable and so light, and I have this with me everywhere and hardly use my 77M2. Even think of selling it. So I strongly advice a smaller and lighter camera.
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Too much heat is bad for cameras but I don't know how much is too much.
Lots of subjects other than people to concentrate on? Hope this all helps a little bit. Good luck!
A few questions...
Do you have air conditioning when travelling?
Are you thinking of leaving the camera in there whilst you are out of the car?
How long would it be in the car for?
Have you looked up the working temperature of your camera to see if you are getting into that range?
I keep my camera in a bag when moving about & this insulates it from temperature changes as well as knocks and scrapes, apparently some people who go out to areas like death valley place their camera in an (empty - no ice blocks) cooler box, which again makes use of the insulation to keep it cooler.
I rarely leave my camera (DSLR) in the car unattended, because I want it with me so I can shoot and so it is a less risk of being stolen. If I do it gets locked in the boot (trunk) which is shaded and the camera is then out of sight.
Now, maybe I am going to sound a bit harsh here, but wouldn't it be better to get out there taking pictures & perhaps shorten the life of your camera a little if it gets too hot, than have a perfectly functioning camera that doesn't get used?
Also have to endorse what many others have said about getting a lighter camera. I love my DSLR, but for a trip to Thailand was persuaded to buy a lighter mirror-less camera & I find myself reaching for this more and more. My back is much happier, especially on long trips as the gear is lighter and more compact.
Main thing, get shooting! Have to agree with you about people shots ;-)
Thanks all. I would absolutely love getting a smaller, lighter camera, but finances are _seriously_ tight.
@homeschoolmom
I get a lot of strange looks as well :)
@lizhammond
Often no air conditioing when I'm out (typically walking or waiting). When I do get help with transportation from a friend it's usually just to or from an appt and I find another way home. Sometimes I'm gone all day with someone and it feels cumbersome to take it into the grocery, the doctor, the pharmacy, etc., so I'm tempted to leave it hidden in the car, but you're right that's not very secure. Haven't thought of looking into the working temperature range of the camera, good idea.
@littlequeenie @lisainstpete @lizhammond
I think you are right about finding a way to be more portable. I think I need to find a way to combine it with the essentials I carry in my purse and take some of the extra supplies out of the camera bag. I've already turned a large purse into a camera bag. Years ago I found an inexpensive foam compartment with the foam molded for a camera (much lighter than all the bags specifically designed for cameras).
Thank you all for your input. This is helping me work through my excuses :)
I also have this rucksack - which is one of the smallest that has a seperate compartment at the bottom (where I stash my padded camera thingy and dSLR) and the top is for sandwiches and jumpers etc. Loads of room. And it is small enough to go in hand luggage on an aeroplane. It's a good comfy bag - I could carry it all day. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deuter-Futura-28-Backpack-Midnight/dp/B00HOAVKAI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1465846257&sr=8-2&keywords=rucksack+deuter
Sometimes less is better...