Camera for Climbing/ Ski/ Landscape Photography

Aiden Nova wrote:

If you’re just into photo, stick with Sony and grab a used a7ii and spend your money on a workhorse G master.
You don’t need any crazier specs than that, it’ll hold up just fine for you to learn and eventually upgrade to a better body. 

In the field, it’s best to get a single all around lens. I typically bring a 24-105 for mountaineering or a 16-35 for tighter multipitches.

The crux is how you carry it. If it’s in your pack you won’t shoot, especially in winter, bring 2 batteries per day.

Peak design clips are great. Also, the metal frame is a pain on the hands even with gloves. Maybe get a rubber body cover.  

+1 for the Sony 16-35mm lens. When mounted I typically also have a button designated to shoot in aps-c so that way the lens can also be used roughly as a 24-52mm as well

Aiden Nova wrote:

If you’re just into photo, stick with Sony and grab a used a7ii and spend your money on a workhorse G master.
You don’t need any crazier specs than that, it’ll hold up just fine for you to learn and eventually upgrade to a better body. 

In the field, it’s best to get a single all around lens. I typically bring a 24-105 for mountaineering or a 16-35 for tighter multipitches.

The crux is how you carry it. If it’s in your pack you won’t shoot, especially in winter, bring 2 batteries per day.

Peak design clips are great. Also, the metal frame is a pain on the hands even with gloves. Maybe get a rubber body cover.  

I run about the exact same setup currently with the Sony a6000 and either use a designated camera sling or a single dynema runner. This has worked for me for years, but I was interested to hear if anyone else carried the larger Sony full frame cameras like that or on a shoulder mount. What camera do you run with??

Yawn Bosco wrote:

Zach, everybody's got an opinion when it comes to photo gear and what the hell, I'll give you mine: the truth is it doesn't matter what you shoot it with, spend more of your money on experiences and putting yourself in positions with whatever camera you have to capture interesting things. Your subjects and the ability to tell a story with photographs, is what is going to make your work stand out. It's also what's going to get you work if you want to do it professionally. Shooting a ton, waking up to capture the good light, missing dinner for the waning hours of good light, convincing your ski/climbing/adventure partners to get up early so you can snap their efforts in that good light, putting time in with them so they trust you to photograph them, rigging, etc --- that's the actual stuff that will make a difference.

I work in video, my employer is a canon shop. We shoot on C300/500, and as a result when I snap photos at work it's with a 5d mark iv. None of that is adventure stuff. In my personal life, I shoot on a fuji xpro3 or on 35mm film. It's really not 'adventure' stuff either, it's more just documenting moments. I've taken photos I hate with all of the setups and photos I love with all of them.

Some additional things you should consider, that often are missing from forum discussions like these: lensing and menus. Honestly, look at a ton of photographs and if there's something you find you are drawn to, it's probably the lens more than the camera body itself. So learn what focal lengths and glass you like. I mentioned my employer is a canon shop. I love canon glass. It rocks, and in my opinion has a specific look that is distinct from Sony glass. I also think a full frame camera may not be a bad idea if you're trying to get into true landscape photography, where ultra wide angle lenses become much more desirable. Now, I'm not saying there aren't options on crop sensor cameras, but just do some research into lensing as much as you look at the bodies themselves. The investment of a lens system will take you a lot further than pixel peeping the newest body or whatever; with a good lens system, you'll outlive the investment of your camera body as a pro shooter. But as others have pointed out here, size might be a consideration--something for you to figure out.

The other thing I mentioned was menus. Every manufacturer has their own way of setting up their cams and for you to manipulate settings, and I think an underrated part of shooting professionally is your ability to be comfortable with time pressure and navigating a given camera quickly and without thinking--in part why I like the Fujifilm camera I shoot on in my non-work life is there's a physical knob for any setting I'd want to manipulate. I can change my ISO/shutter/f-stop manually and not have to deal with a screen or cumbersome menu--which is something I know is important for the documentary life photos I tend to snap.

It's not fulfilling to hear, but much like when people ask what they should buy as they are building their new trad rack or whatever -- the best advice I can give is shoot on as much stuff as you can and see what you like and/or are most comfortable and efficient with. The more you shoot with what you've got, the longer the list of "oh it'd be nice if I could do x, y, or z" Good luck, can't wait to see your snaps.

I do like some of the other camera manufacturers. There is a little more context I didn’t include. I work as a wildlife biologist and have some of Sony’s nicer telephoto lenses for wildlife photography. That’s part of the reason I was looking specifically at Sony cameras since I already have a few lenses with Sony’s e mount.

Also, I totally agree with you sentiment towards experiences as well as getting out into areas and doing things that will lend to good photography. I always joke that Mother Nature does all the work and that I’m just in the right place at the right time  

Not Not MP Admin wrote:

+1 for the Sony 16-35mm lens. 

There are 3 of these. I own the GM (f2.8) and the PZ (not the old Zony) - The PZ has to be the best all around alpine lens on the planet right now. Super light and amazing image quality. Don't get the non PZ 16-35, it's pretty garbage.

I shoot on an a7r4, also a great body, though the a7r5 is supposed to be announced tomorrow. 

The 14mm GM (f1.8) is also pretty awesome:

Sylvester Jakubowski wrote:

There are 3 of these. I own the GM (f2.8) and the PZ (not the old Zony) - The PZ has to be the best all around alpine lens on the planet right now. Super light and amazing image quality. Don't get the non PZ 16-35, it's pretty garbage.

I shoot on an a7r4, also a great body, though the a7r5 is supposed to be announced tomorrow. 

The 14mm GM (f1.8) is also pretty awesome:

I think all are pretty great lenses, especially for the application I listed above. I have the original Zony 16-35 and it is far from garbage, especially at the prices you can get them for now. I am looking forward to purchasing the Tamron 20-40 f2.8 to put on my A7C though. When also using it in aps-c mode, it can cover 20mm all the way to 65mm effectively (in a lens half the size of a 24-70 f2.8) which is perfect for a lot of climbing scenarios imo 

Zach Eiten wrote:

I run about the exact same setup currently with the Sony a6000 and either use a designated camera sling or a single dynema runner. This has worked for me for years, but I was interested to hear if anyone else carried the larger Sony full frame cameras like that or on a shoulder mount. What camera do you run with??

oh ya it’s plenty strong for a full frame Sony, they’re not that big anyway. I’ve climbed some difficult routes in the park with a bulky 5Dii clipped direct to the back of my harness, wouldn’t recommend but it goes.

I shoot a Canon R6 for photo/video (I think it’s heavier than Sony ar) I’ve often had it fully rigged out (10lbs) on the 1st and 2nd gen Pd clip on a strap of my pack. Girth hitched dyneema to a small quick link for back up, small cord would be less messy.

For free climbing video I carry a joby 5k, sling it over the shoulder, w/ camera attached to it, lens facing behind me, use the sling to wrap around my pack to the other side of my harness to keep it snug. Can set it up along a route hanging on gear,  but usually for hands free videoing my second climbing to the belay.

Sylvester Jakubowski wrote:

There are 3 of these. I own the GM (f2.8) and the PZ (not the old Zony) - The PZ has to be the best all around alpine lens on the planet right now. Super light and amazing image quality. Don't get the non PZ 16-35, it's pretty garbage.

I shoot on an a7r4, also a great body, though the a7r5 is supposed to be announced tomorrow. 

The 14mm GM (f1.8) is also pretty awesome:

I’ll definitely be checking out that lens! Thanks for the recommendation. I currently rock Sony’s F4 10-18mm wide angle. It’s great for landscape and photos around the belay but I wish it had a bit more zoom. 

Zach Eiten wrote:

I’ll definitely be checking out that lens! Thanks for the recommendation. I currently rock Sony’s F4 10-18mm wide angle. It’s great for landscape and photos around the belay but I wish it had a bit more zoom. 

Fun little lens for sure. Great bouldering lens and for close up roped climbing shots. The Sony 85 f1.8 is another lens that is a bargain for the quality and gives you that extra reach you seem to be looking for

Get a little one you can stick in your pocket. Like the old 2006 days kind of cameras! I love those old things.

Mountain Boy wrote:

Get a little one you can stick in your pocket. Like the old 2006 days kind of cameras! I love those old things.

Idk bout 2006 but the Sony RX100 series is the greatest point and shoot camera to exist imo 

The Sony A7C is the smallest full frame camera on the market. Great for travel and adventure. I have used mine for professional work on backpacking trips for outdoor brands. It does great! The quality is just as good as any of Sony‘s other current professional cameras. Find yourself a compact zoom lens in the 24-70ish range and you’ve got a great climbing/travel set up.

The Sony A7C is the smallest full frame camera on the market. Great for travel and adventure. I have used mine for professional work on backpacking trips for outdoor brands. It does great! The quality is just as good as any of Sony‘s other current professional cameras. Find yourself a compact zoom lens in the 24-70ish range and you’ve got a great climbing/travel set up.

Joel P wrote:

The Sony A7C is the smallest full frame camera on the market. 

The Sony RX1 is smaller

The Sony RX100 has worked really well for me to take ski/climbing shots. It's small enough to fit into a chest pocket or clip to a harness, which means I can whip it out whenever a shot presents itself. Here are some examples below (not full quality of course), but it won't hold you back.

Now for professional photos you'll want something larger and better, but a camera that is easy to always carry and always shoot with, I like the RX100 -- though I'm not shooting anything for brands. 

Joel P wrote:

The Sony A7C is the smallest full frame camera on the market. Great for travel and adventure. I have used mine for professional work on backpacking trips for outdoor brands. It does great! The quality is just as good as any of Sony‘s other current professional cameras. Find yourself a compact zoom lens in the 24-70ish range and you’ve got a great climbing/travel set up.

This is great to hear! Thanks for the info on the first hand experience with A7C. I think I am slowly leaning towards the A7C due to its size/ weight and price. I may just use the extra money to invest in some nicer glass

Zach Eiten wrote:

This is great to hear! Thanks for the info on the first hand experience with A7C. I think I am slowly leaning towards the A7C due to its size/ weight and price. I may just use the extra money to invest in some nicer glass

As stated before the A7C is literally the A7III with fewer buttons and a “lesser” viewfinder. Very capable. Having used both together there is no difference in IQ or AF. 

Arnav V wrote:

The Sony RX100 has worked really well for me to take ski/climbing shots. It's small enough to fit into a chest pocket or clip to a harness, which means I can whip it out whenever a shot presents itself. Here are some examples below (not full quality of course), but it won't hold you back.

Now for professional photos you'll want something larger and better, but a camera that is easy to always carry and always shoot with, I like the RX100 -- though I'm not shooting anything for brands. 

Really nice pictures!