Beginner camera for climbing photography

I've been using my phone to take pictures for climbing but it's not cutting it anymore any climbers have some suggestions for a good beginner DSLR camera for taking pictures of climbing?

Go with one of the mirrorless camera if you want to carry something a bit bigger. Sony Alpha Series.

If you want something smaller the Sony RX 100 Series or the Canon G7x Mark II

I use the Canon G7x Mark II which replaced a Sony RX100 M2 I dropped off a cliff, both are really great compact cameras. The sony has clunky menus, canon is more user friendly. Personally I prefer a more compact camera for climbing and outdoor pursuits.

I personally use a Canon SL1.  Primary reason being it's small and light, but is otherwise equivalent to the t4i.  https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/cameras/eos-dslr-and-mirrorless-cameras/dslr/eos-rebel-sl1-ef-s-18-55-is-stm-kit

I also sometimes bring a point and shoot - some of the higher end models have similar if not better performance than entry level DSLRs, and have the advantage of being smaller and lighter.  I usually use the Olympus TG-4, which is now discontinued, but I've been pretty happy with the results.  Unlike a DSLR, it can live on my harness, so it's easy to grab, and I'm not worried about it getting scratched.

Any ideas on the t6i? I'm not trying to break the bank

Why do you want a dSLR?  If you want one, pretty much every model on the market will suit your needs just fine.  Moving from phone photography, my guess is that you don't have any knowledge about how the interplay between ASA, f/stop, and shutter speed can produce dramatically different shots under the same lighting conditions, so you really are not going to get a major improvement in your photography.  The camera is only a small difference maker.  A pro shooting on an iPhone is probably going to take better shots than I will with a $5,000 camera setup because he is a better photographer and knows what he is doing with crafting the photo he wants to get.

I've been shooting SLRs (now dSLRs) for nearly 40 years and I am a Canon guy, but that's just because I started with a Canon.  The Nikons are fine, and if I were just jumping in to the field now with a bunch of cash, I would probably get a Sony dSLR, but I would not recommend it for someone starting out.

A better option, especially if you want something you can tote to the crag and up the route (unless you just plan on rigging a spot and only shooting while every else climbs) is a Sony mirrorless camera (the a6000 is on sale for $550 right now with a starter lens just about everywhere) or a Sony or Panasonic bridge camera (The Sony RX100 or the Panasonic Lumix 100).  You can get a generation or 2 older version of both of these and they will do fine.  Beyond that, again, just about any mid range camera on the market is going to do fine for you until you understand what you want most out of a camera.

For any camera with interchangable lenses (dSLR or mirrorless), the lens ends up being way more important than the camera, and way more expensive.  I have less than $1,000 in my dSLR body, while I have well over $2,000 worth of lenses, and I could easily spend another $5,000 and still not have everything I want.  When you get more experience, you shoot in a RAW format and the sensor becomes less important and the camera scene settings immaterial, because you are doing your work in the computer after the fact.  If you do shoot in a scene mode, you at least control the various settable parameters so what you get out of the camera is what you want.

Grey Sud wrote: I'm not trying to break the bank

What's your budget?
And another vote here for the Sony Alpha series.

I think you would get similar image quality between the t6i and the sony rx100 or canon g7x mark ii, with the t6i being much larger/heavier. 

Check out the dpreview studio shot comparison tool. 

Matt Himmelstein wrote: A pro shooting on an iPhone is probably going to take better shots than I will with a $5,000 camera setup because he is a better photographer and knows what he is doing with crafting the photo he wants to get.

I agree with this statement. 

Climbing photography, and photography in general, is more about being in the right place at the right time and knowing how to frame a shot. I remember Mikey Schaefer saying he has had images published that he took with his iphone. It's not about the camera. 

Definitely not a beginner camera, but Will McKay is selling a Canon 5D Mrk 3 with a 24-105 for $2k. Great deal and will last you forever with professional quality.

I’m using the Sony A7 III with the 24-105. Sony’s a good company when it comes to camera quality so I’d check them out. You can always get a used A7 II or something similar for very cheap, but the lenses are gonna cost you + the older bodies have some issues of their own (battery life, AF). The quality you’ll get will be phenomenal however. 

Best budget option would be an Olympus. Strong camera bodies, great lense selection, and a great price. Think Body + Lense for $500-$800 depending on what you get. Don’t be afraid to shop used from reputable vendors! If you’re budget is less than that, I might have some other suggestions.

I vote mirrorless or a nice compact like Sony R100.

This is a nice article regarding camera section form a pro. note -- He uses a small mirrorless set-up for personal climbs in Himalaya etc.

https://alpineexposures.com/phototips/tips-from-the-pros-which-camera-gear 

Grey Sud wrote: Any ideas on the t6i? I'm not trying to break the bank

The T6i is a fine camera.  If you get the kit, I refer to the lens that comes with the camera as a "chew toy."

That isn't entirely fair, but you have a 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 lens, which I would immediately replace if you really want to be able to produce lovely images.  The cheapest option would be a Tokina 16-28 f/2.8, which runs $550 just for the lens.  Another good option at the low cost end is the Sigma 14-24 2.8 for $900 (for the next few hours in the deal zone on B&H, normally it is $1,200).

The key is that you want to get close and you want to shoot wide.

If you don't have previous experience with high end cameras you might be happy with a mirrorless integrated lens camera to start.  There are some great options from Sony and Panasonic that don't break the bank.  If you go a year or two old and look on used sites you can find some really great deals on these.  Maybe something like this: https://www.keh.com/shop/panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx10-black-digital-camera-20-1-m-p-1.html 
As some people have already said, if you decided to get a interchangeable lens camera the lenses included are usually pretty worthless.  If I were going to go that route on a budget I would save big on the camera body and get something older and spend most of my budget on a decent lens.  Try to pick something you want to stay in the same lens format and then you'll be able to keep using the lens if you upgrade later.

I use a Canon G15 (newer model G16) and find it is a good compromise between size/weight and functionality.  I also have a Nikon DSLR and never take it climbing.  Too big.

I would det a Canon EOS M50 with the 15-45 kit lens over the T6i. I have the M5 and I'm really happy with the image quality. M50 is similar specs (if not better video) but cheaper with fewer dials and button, so good beginner camera.

https://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-M50-vs-Canon-EOS-Rebel-T6i

Big difference between  is cameras is the sensor. APS-C vs. full frame. Bigger sensor = more light and better low light performance. That's part of what your paying for in expensive bodies. Eventually ill upgrade to a more full frame camera but I'll keep the smaller camera around for back country photography.

the Sony a7r2 with the 24-70 2.8 lens, and even though its mirrorless, with a good lens the size/weight savings from a DSLR is marginal at best, negligible in some cases (depending on the lens).  Takes amazing photos, but if you want something you can throw in a pack for multi pitch routes, I'd avoid something that large (its great for setting up at an anchor and taking shots from above or general landscape).  

I've heard really good things about the Sony a6000 and seen it recommended elsewhere as a good camera that'll give you great quality, wont weigh you down, and fits in a small padded camera case thats you won't notice in your pack.

I bought a refurbished Canon Rebel T6 Kit (w/18-55) from Canon's site for relatively cheap. If you're looking to go that route, I'd check there first. I got mine for <$300. Here's the link. If you're not looking for the T6, they have great deals on some other cameras too. 

Grey Sud wrote: I've been using my phone to take pictures for climbing but it's not cutting it anymore any climbers have some suggestions for a good beginner DSLR camera for taking pictures of climbing?

I'd like to hear exactly why you think your iPhone "doesn't cut it any more."  Once you can say explicitly what the matter is and can describe at least some of the photographic capability you would to have, a discussion of options becomes possible.

rgold wrote:

I'd like to hear exactly why you think your iPhone "doesn't cut it any more."  Once you can say explicitly what the matter is and can describe at least some of the photographic capability you would to have, a discussion of options becomes possible.

In addition, what sort of climbing are you looking to photograph? What sort of situations will you be in are you going out specifically to photograph others or is this going to be used solely to document your own trips? Is telephoto important (Shooting photos of parties high up on multi pitch from accross the way), Low light ( Steep climbing or evenings and mornings), weather sealing, just personal use or are you looking to aim to make at least some minor income? Also, a ballpark number on what you would like to spend.

Unless you're going out specifically to photograph other people climbing, you will not carry a DSLR and lenses for more than a few approach hikes and you definitely won't lug it up a multipitch in a backpack. I shoot paid gigs with a Pentax k5ii and I have a half dozen lenses from 10mm to 200mm; no part of that rig has ever gone up a cliff with me, it's just too heavy and bulky to carry along for the heck of it.

When the scenery is worth photographing, I get decent shots with my iPhone 8. When the scenery is not worth photographing, no camera can fix it. The things you need a big sensor for (subject isolation, low light performance) don't come up very often in the course of everyday climbing.

If you really want to just "buy some photography talent" you can check out Moment lenses. Their Wide lens for iPhone looks interesting.

I’ve owned many different cameras in a lot of different form factors.  If I had to choose one that I had to use the rest of my life it would be the Sony A6500 with the 16-70 f/4.  It looks good enough for most of the professional work I do and is still small enough that I don’t hesitate to throw it in my pack.  With the right case it is very easy to climb with and doesn’t get in the way even on harder bigger climbs.

It is a good starting point if you decide you really do like taking pics.  There are a lot of good lens options for the Sony now and with a lens adapter the options are amazing.

Oh, and Keh.com that was recommend up thread is a great option.  I actually try to buy all of my stuff used and from them.  Another good option is FredMiranda.com. Probably the largest market for used photo equipment.

Mikey Schaefer wrote: I’ve owned many different cameras in a lot of different form factors.  If I had to choose one that I had to use the rest of my life it would be the Sony A6500 with the 16-70 f/4.  It looks good enough for most of the professional work I do and is still small enough that I don’t hesitate to throw it in my pack.  With the right case it is very easy to climb with and doesn’t get in the way even on harder bigger climbs.

It is a good starting point if you decide you really do like taking pics.  There are a lot of good lens options for the Sony now and with a lens adapter the options are amazing.

Oh, and Keh.com that was recommend up thread is a great option.  I actually try to buy all of my stuff used and from them.  Another good option is FredMiranda.com. Probably the largest market for used photo equipment.

Thanks for your input! 

I'm curious what case you use for you A6500 set-up?