Alright photography experts, what do ya'll recommend for a light/efficient camera specifically for climbing.

I currently have a nikon d70 w/ tokina 12-24 mm lens which takes amazing photographs, but just weighs to much, and I barely take it climbing anymore.

Any suggestions for a compact digital SLR or compact camera. I'm an amateur photographer, and have delved into the manual settings, but usually use aperture mode or automatic.

So far i've been looking at some of the Nikon CoolPix cameras. I've heard a lot of good things about the lumix lx5. Any suggestions?

I'm guessing many use whatever camera function is in their i-Phone these days and skip the real camera efforts of photography.

I use a Nikon Coolpix P500, which I believe has already been superseded. The crazy zoom range is way cool and it's pretty small for a compact DSLR. Full HD movies and short, lo-res 120 FPS slow-mo are fun too. The bad: it only takes JPEGs, no RAW format, so you're not going to win any photo contests with it. The quality is best on low ISO settings. I'm really happy with it, particularly given the price ($350 at the time of purchase).

I'm about to go back to one of the Fuji FinePix. I had an F200, which threw a lens control error in the middle of a big route (after ~2 years of heavy climbing use). I can no longer get that model so I bought an F80. I had switched to a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, which takes great photos but is cumbersome to operate with one hand. If you want some examples my profile has a link to my Picasa album. Photos taken between Oct 2009 and Nov 2011 were taken with my FinePix. Newer ones used the Lumix.

My light kit:

Canon S95 or S100
UltraPod
LensMate Filter Adapter
B+W 37mm Circular Polarizer

Sometimes I also use a Galen Rowell Graduated Neutral Density Filter. Even though the S95/S100 will write a RAW file, I shoot JPG most of the time.

These photos were all shot with the S95:

Lake Michigan Submitted By: James Beissel on Apr 3, 2012

Sprague Lake Moose Submitted By: James Beissel on Apr 3, 2012

Hallett Peak from Dream Lake Submitted By: James Beissel on Apr 3, 2012

Rob,

I'm in the same boat. The big DSLR just doesn't make it out anymore, let alone up anything.

Some research has pointed me in the direction of the Canon S100. 24-105mm equivalent lens, 1080 HD video, RAW files, and full manual shooting options.

Here's a review: S100 Review

Lumix - the best.

m4/3 is the way to go if u want dslr features and, for the most part picture quality, in a smaller body with a large amount of lense options

I use Lumix GF1 with a 9-18mm lens(18-36 in 35mm lens lengths) and 40-150 lens. I love it, can do fully manual easily and is compact and light(compared to SLR).

I made a chest pouch that keeps it always ready yet protected and prevents it from swinging around like if I just had it hanging by the strap. I take it everywhere(climbing and skiing) and it just goes with me.

Love it

PS, very nice shots James! Do you have the 'A' size galen rowell filter? That's my next addition to my kit after many of my alpenglow or sunset pics turn out too dark in the shadows.

This is a cool thread. Has anyone ever shot ski action photos with the Canon S95 or S100 or G series?

Whatever you do, get a camera that can accept a UV filter.

Olympus XZ-1. It is basically an ultra high end point and shoot. Not cheap, but small and takes incredible pictures. I have one and absolutely love it.

Tim,

My grads are "P" size since I also use them on 35mm and large format. If you are shooting digital and don't have a grad (or even if you do) bracketing and then blending exposures is an option to deal with sunrises, sunsets, and other high contrast scenes.

Lumix. Best bang per shot.

For shooting while you are actual climbing the Canon G series and the S series KICK ASS. The G has some more features than the S (it's basically a DSLR in a P&S package).

I wish I had the $ to pick up a G series but alas if I want to take shots it's either iPhone or lugging my 1D mkII + L glass. not so light and fast :/

the Cannon g11 does it all! although i believe the g12 came out just recently (or in another week or two) and will record 1080.

If you're like me and just have an unfiltered point and shoot (Canon Elph HS 300), you can remove haze later if you have Photoshop or a good image editing program.

Removing UV haze.

^UV filters don't really do much for digital. And if you want a small camera, the S series are probably the best, as mentioned.

I have an LX5 and like it a lot. It has a fun macro function, shoots raw and has an f/2 lens at 24mm. My iPhone 4s gets the shot most of time, and they look amazing for a phone.
I just got a Sony NEX-7 and the shots around the office are amazing, more testing soon.

I shot with a Canon G10. It's a little more heavy then a standard point and shoot, but it's rugged metal body has helped it survey more then a few falls and drops.

Although you are a Nikon guy, I'd agree with those saying that the Canon G series is a solid choice. They are heavier and a bit bulkier, the big thing for me being a semi-pro photographer is that I need a raw file, which the G series provides. Editing in raw is the best scenario.

Whatever you think you want, please consult www.dpreview.com and in many cases the camera will be reviewed at length. The review of the Canon G12 can be found here - www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonG12/

Shameless plug of photo blog -
Photo Blog

I've been unimpressed by the dynamic range performance of any of the Coolpix p&s bodies I've tried out. This is a big showstopper for me. I would say look at the Sony HX9v (or later) or the Canon G series.

Is anyone shooting with a G-12 or has anyone looked at the new Cannon G1X? I have heard they are both amazing camera's

For my real serious landscape stuff I'm a Nikon man but the Canon G11 is a really, really nice small camera that takes great photos. I've had it for three years now and would buy another tomorrow if this one broke.