What Camera Do You Use?

[LSlycord]

Good afternoon. I have a Nikon D3400 with several lenses and honestly, since the improvement of cameras on iPhones, it doesn't get as much use as it should. Now I am planning our trip to Europe in May and I can't imagine not taking my "good" camera. On the other hand, it can be heavy and one more thing to keep track of.

 

[Vicki Robinson]

I took my "big girl" Canon and monopod to Greece and took over 1500 photos. But it was cumbersome to carry (multiple lenses, hood, etc) and hard to disguise a camera bag, so I was in constant fear of it being stolen on tours, et.. You don't dare check the camera with your luggage, so it was just one more thing to keep track of in airports, etc. It was just too much for me. Because my Canon was so old — just an 8 mp — on our subsequent trip to Alaska I just used my iPhone, which was a ten mp. Honestly, I worried a lot less and took just as many photos. When I got back I compared the quality of the photos and honestly, there just wasn't enough difference for me to regret my decision.

Good luck — I know it's a big decision.

 

[LSlycord]

I took my "big girl" Canon and monopod to Greece and took over 1500 photos. But it was cumbersome to carry (multiple lenses, hood, etc) and hard to disguise a camera bag, so I was in constant fear of it being stolen on tours, et.. You don't dare check the camera with your luggage, so it was just one more thing to keep track of in airports, etc. It was just too much for me. Because my Canon was so old — just an 8 mp — on our subsequent trip to Alaska I just used my iPhone, which was a ten mp. Honestly, I worried a lot less and took just as many photos. When I got back I compared the quality of the photos and honestly, there just wasn't enough difference for me to regret my decision.

Good luck — I know it's a big decision.

Thanks @Vicki Robinson! My instinct is to take the big one...but, my gut tells me that's habit more than anything else and I need to suck it up and try to enjoy the journey! Appreciate your feedback!

 

[BrightEyes]

When DH and I made a trip to the far east... we took our 'good camera' (this was before cell phones/cameras). During the trip... the traveler in the camera broke. We lost 2 rolls of films before we found a 'black bag' to use to rewind and unload the rolls. I swore then that it was too much effort to use a good camera... we ended up buying some instant cameras with film. I would go with your cell phones - especially if all of you have your own cell phones. That way you have multiple chances to capture the trip in photos. Relax and have fun while you are there.

 

[LSlycord]

When DH and I made a trip to the far east... we took our 'good camera' (this was before cell phones/cameras). During the trip... the traveler in the camera broke. We lost 2 rolls of films before we found a 'black bag' to use to rewind and unload the rolls. I swore then that it was too much effort to use a good camera... we ended up buying some instant cameras with film. I would go with your cell phones - especially if all of you have your own cell phones. That way you have multiple chances to capture the trip in photos. Relax and have fun while you are there.

I think that you are right.

 

[tjscraps]

I don't ever use my 'good' camera, I only use my iphone now - I find the other one too clunky.

 

[Cherylndesigns]

I did a knee-jerk "yes". That being said, I kind of agree with @Vicki Robinson it's just one more thing to worry about getting stolen. I would probably just put a "standard lense" on my Nikon DSLR and take it, though. My Nikon is very light and I wouldn't take any other lenses. When we went to Germany, several years ago, I took my very heavy SLR + lenses and my hubby took our big video camera. We lugged those cameras all over the place. When we were coming back into US, the airline wouldn't let us bring the camcorder on the plane (for some reason, because they let us take it when we were leaving). We relinquished it, but only after I removed the tape and low and behold, it got stolen in the transfer. I did have the tape at least. If I took my Nikon, I'd upload all of the pictures to a cloud before return home. You don't want to lose your pictures.

 

[LSlycord]

I did a knee-jerk "yes". That being said, I kind of agree with @Vicki Robinson it's just one more thing to worry about getting stolen. I would probably just put a "standard lense" on my Nikon DSLR and take it, though. My Nikon is very light and I wouldn't take any other lenses. When we went to Germany, several years ago, I took my very heavy SLR + lenses and my hubby took our big video camera. We lugged those cameras all over the place. When we were coming back into US, the airline wouldn't let us bring the camcorder on the plane (for some reason, because they let us take it when we were leaving). We relinquished it, but only after I removed the tape and low and behold, it got stolen in the transfer. I did have the tape at least. If I took my Nikon, I'd upload all of the pictures to a cloud before return home. You don't want to lose your pictures.

Oh my goodness! I would have been beside myself at losing that video! That is an option to just put a regular lens on the Nikon and take it with me. It's when I haul the camera and several lenses that it gets heavy. The camera and the iPhone are both set to automatically upload to SmugMug so I shouldn't lose anything. Although, I guess I need to consider any photos taken by the rest of the family as well. So much to think about!

 

[Cherylndesigns]

Oh my goodness! I would have been beside myself at losing that video! That is an option to just put a regular lens on the Nikon and take it with me. It's when I haul the camera and several lenses that it gets heavy. The camera and the iPhone are both set to automatically upload to SmugMug so I shouldn't lose anything. Although, I guess I need to consider any photos taken by the rest of the family as well. So much to think about!

Yes, now every picture I take (except on my Nikon) auto uploads to about 4 places. They came out with the newest "wifi on Nikon" a few months after I bought mine. Grrrrr. I do have an add-on accessory that I can plug into my Nikon that has the ability to move my pictures from my camera to an online site. I was so glad I took the time to remove that video - we got our camcorder replaced through insurance, but we couldn't have replaced the video tape.

 

[taxed4ever]

We used to lug our good camera around when we travelled but our Canon is far too cumbersome. The cameras on the newer iPhone are so great now and the one on my iPhone 11 is really good! I totally agree with @Vicki Robinson it is just one more thing to have to worry about getting stolen. Especially if you are in Paris, there are pick pockets everywhere!! Hard enough to try to keep your iPhone safe let alone a big old Canon. Our son and DIL took their Nikon to Germany a few years back and it got stolen on the train, they were on their last leg of their trip so they lost every single photo from their trip to Europe, it was devastating for them!

 

[LSlycord]

We used to lug our good camera around when we travelled but our Canon is far too cumbersome. The cameras on the newer iPhone are so great now and the one on my iPhone 11 is really good! I totally agree with @Vicki Robinson it is just one more thing to have to worry about getting stolen. Especially if you are in Paris, there are pick pockets everywhere!! Hard enough to try to keep your iPhone safe let alone a big old Canon. Our son and DIL took their Nikon to Germany a few years back and it got stolen on the train, they were on their last leg of their trip so they lost every single photo from their trip to Europe, it was devastating for them!

I am so glad that I asked this question here!

 

[Caro]

I would take my good camera if I still had it lol..But since I started using iPhones that's all I use now and the camera on my 11 plus is pretty awesome.

 

[Jam-on-toast]

I haven't taken a picture with a 'real camera' since I got my iPhone 5 back in 2013... it's just too much hassle.. I've got iPhone 12 now and the photos I get are REALLY good - provided the photo itself is good, e.g. composition, light etc.. which is not always, lol

 

[wombat146]

I don't have an iPhone and would need to take my good camera but I think I would take it even if I did have an iPhone! LOL! It's a Nikon Coolpix 900 which has a super zoom which is just unbelievable! @bcgal00 Rae has the Nikon Coolpix 1000 which I think I would upgrade to if I was going overseas again.

I love my camera for taking bird shots and these two shots of the moon give you an idea of the zoom, both shots straight out of the camera. I really really wish I had had this camera when I went overseas in 2012!

No zoom:


Full optical zoom:


I have had the camera since 2018 now and use it just about everyday, and totally LOVE it!

 

[margje]

Love my Nikon D3300 with several lenses! And on vacation it goes with me! I take photo´s with my mobile too! I have special "photo" days on my trips! But always when I don't have my Nikon with me I regret it because I see too many things thren that I would love to have taken with the Nikon! But that said there are many ways to improve or alter my photo's in Photoshop!

 

[faerywings]

I voted Yes because I am the typical over-packer.
My cell phone is older and it takes decent pictures but not amazing. I think I would take a DSLR but leave it in the hotel safe for a lot of the trip. But I know there will be places- especially outdoors/scenery that I would not be able to get as good as a shot with my phone.
A museum- cellphone
The Colosseum- DSLR

 

[LSlycord]

I don't have an iPhone and would need to take my good camera but I think I would take it even if I did have an iPhone! LOL! It's a Nikon Coolpix 900 which has a super zoom which is just unbelievable! @bcgal00 Rae has the Nikon Coolpix 1000 which I think I would upgrade to if I was going overseas again.

I love my camera for taking bird shots and these two shots of the moon give you an idea of the zoom, both shots straight out of the camera. I really really wish I had had this camera when I went overseas in 2012!

No zoom:
View attachment 366021

Full optical zoom:
View attachment 366022

I have had the camera since 2018 now and use it just about everyday, and totally LOVE it!

In the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep (LOL) I started looking at versions of point and shoots and I liked what I saw about the Coolpix. I remembered that Rae had switched and I was trying to remember what she was using now. I wasn't really planning on adding a new camera to the list of things that I am buying for this trip...but these photos have me convinced! Now I just need to figure out a way to convince Brian!

 

[wombat146]

In the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep (LOL) I started looking at versions of point and shoots and I liked what I saw about the Coolpix. I remembered that Rae had switched and I was trying to remember what she was using now. I wasn't really planning on adding a new camera to the list of things that I am buying for this trip...but these photos have me convinced! Now I just need to figure out a way to convince Brian!

Linda you won't be sorry, it's much more lighter than my old Nikon D90 but they 'look' similar........ funny story, hubby bought me this camera for my birthday in 2018. I think he got sick of me coming in and complaining that the 'darn' birds were too far away for me to photograph, even with the zoom lens on the D90. So he bought the camera and left it where I used to keep my old one. Then came in from outside and said 'Quick, those little wrens are just outside!!'. So I grabbed my camera and as I was racing outside I was trying turn it on and my mind is saying 'why won't it turn on.......... where is the little button............ what the heck is happening.......' and there he was standing at the door laughing his head off!!!! bwahaaaaaaa!!!! It was so funny!!!! Really did take me a minute or so to realise that it wasn't my old camera at all!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!

 

[bcgal00]

I voted "maybe" because it depends on how bulky and heavy your good camera is. When traveling you want to capture a great pic but you also have to think about the physical aspect of carrying around a big camera, maybe some lenses, etc. I recommend bringing whatever captures the best photo but also is manageable in size and weight. I have a Nikon D500, P950 and a Sony RX10 IV. For traveling I would bring the Sony which doesn't have the zoom reach that that the P950 has but it handles low light (indoors) better. The D500 would be great with a zoom but would be bulkier and heavier. So, any of my cameras would be great on a trip but the Sony wins for having a decent zoom, is light weight and handles indoor settings better. I also think using the phone camera is a good choice too b/c so many times it is more convenient to grab your phone and snap away. The memory counts, not the "perfect" photo so whatever camera you take, just remember to take lots of photos to remember the trip by.

 

[bcgal00]

@wombat146 Ona, that is such a funny story about your camera. I never heard that story before, how funny!

 

[zanthia]

unfortunately i dont have a good phone or camera

i only use a point n click camera and each one seems to get worse. the one i have had now is the aboslute pits - waht a waste - think it was over 300 bucks too and was highly rated. The only thing good on it has a high zoom which i love when taking pics out doors. but indoors and night it is awful.

my budget smart phone that is 4 years old takes better pics indoors.

as my phone is s going to die soon( the batttery hardly lasts any more) - as i can ever afford or justify the price of an iphone ,thinking of getting something like the pixel 5a which supposed has the best camera for a 400 phone.

 

[LSlycord]

I voted "maybe" because it depends on how bulky and heavy your good camera is. When traveling you want to capture a great pic but you also have to think about the physical aspect of carrying around a big camera, maybe some lenses, etc. I recommend bringing whatever captures the best photo but also is manageable in size and weight. I have a Nikon D500, P950 and a Sony RX10 IV. For traveling I would bring the Sony which doesn't have the zoom reach that that the P950 has but it handles low light (indoors) better. The D500 would be great with a zoom but would be bulkier and heavier. So, any of my cameras would be great on a trip but the Sony wins for having a decent zoom, is light weight and handles indoor settings better. I also think using the phone camera is a good choice too b/c so many times it is more convenient to grab your phone and snap away. The memory counts, not the "perfect" photo so whatever camera you take, just remember to take lots of photos to remember the trip by.

Kind of knew that he had to have a good sense of humor to get along with you.

 

[AnaSantos]

Like some of us have said, I always use my iPhone but I would travel with my "good" camera because it is really good. So, a yes for me!!