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May, 2025

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Photographers: What do you take with you on the mountain?

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Burrito
Posts: 1864 - Karma: 937
I am just starting to get in to amateur photography and was hoping to get some nice mountain/action shots when winter rolls around.  I was wondering what you real photographers take with you for a day on the mountain (mostly pertaining to types of lenses.)  Off the top of my head I figured a small zoom, telephoto, wide angle, flash (or if you're lucky enough a wireless flash system), tripod, batteries and memory cards.

What's in your bag?
16 years ago
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1337
Posts: 31078 - Karma: 29,667
what about you filmers out there?
16 years ago
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
yah i should've checked the t.1 duration on the 800's before i said that, i've heard of people using the 800's and dialing them down a bit, not exactly to half, but i've never used them tho, just went straight from 1600 to 400's after i learned a bit more about them
16 years ago
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niels043
Posts: 814 - Karma: 185
so what exactly do you use that 17-55 for, it's an ef-s lens and doesn't it not go on any of those bodies.
16 years ago
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
pretty sure he was just joking about all of that gear, and if not, then holy. shit.
16 years ago
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niels043
Posts: 814 - Karma: 185
yeah for sure that's an easy 100 large in hardware
16 years ago
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Burrito
Posts: 1864 - Karma: 937
You guys shoot with a polarizing filter a lot?  Seems like it would be good for getting nice contrast between the snow and sky.
16 years ago
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
i do sometimes, my b+w polarizer is absolutely amazing

i usually keep it on my wide angle tho and use it for landscapes
16 years ago
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Commonwealth
Posts: 3729 - Karma: 11
Speaking of filters, should I pick up a warming filter for overcast EC days?
16 years ago
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
personally i'd just shoot RAW and adjust the white balance accordingly in post, i mean do you always want your winter shots to look warm??
16 years ago
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7971 - Karma: 23,265
I'm not a real photographer, but if you're just starting out, I think you don't need anything more than a decent point and shoot. It's relatively inexpensive, so you won't worry as much about damaging or losing it. A point and shoot is way more portable than lugging around an SLR, and will acquaint you with a camera's functions. For many park shots you don't really need a telephoto lens, although it does increase your options for angles. Just make sure you charge the batteries and have plenty of memory card space.
16 years ago
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
i have a warming filter that came with a lens i bought and it's not that great, i find it much easier to change the wb in post than screwing and unscrewing the filter depending on shots
16 years ago
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basedjase
Posts: 2510 - Karma: 640
hahah rule of the thumb. most definatly yes to this^
16 years ago
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thisandthatfilms
Posts: 7714 - Karma: 528
i think i just creamed
16 years ago
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ChronicLines
Posts: 951 - Karma: 61
Shoot, I forgot this was a claim thread.

Nikon F5
16mm f/2.8
50mm f/1.8
28-70 f/2.8

500C/M
80mm CT*
Polaroid back

D2H

2 x Vivi 285hv's
SB-28
Metz CT-1
Cybersyncs
Lightstands
16 years ago
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
I actually usually take a Pentax ME Super with a 50mm F/2 or a 35mm f/2.8. Sometimes i'll take out my 40D with a 17-85 but I prefer to shoot film if I can.
16 years ago
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Commonwealth
Posts: 3729 - Karma: 11
Ok, so I've kept this in my threads since September with the intention of bumping it as soon as the season came along.

My question doesn't necessarily pertain to what to bring, rather how to take care of it. This is my first winter shooting, so I want to make sure I take extra care of my gear.

That being said, what precautions should I take? Should I leave the camera on all day? I'm aware of temp. differences causing condensation, so what should I do when I go in the lodge for a break?
16 years ago
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5676 - Karma: 4,299
I went in the lodge once with my bag, then realized all my stuff was gonna fog up. It did, but I have no digital stuff so it wasn't the end of the world. I keep silica gel packets, which are supposed to absorb moisture, in my bag buy that's not enough to for the change from outside to inside. So in short, I don't know any solution to that.

I usually just take my bag for a while and ski carefully, kinda on a photo mission. Then I put it away and do some real skiing, although the moment I get a pass to somewhere I won't mind looking around for landscapes for 5 hours on the hill. Also what worked for me was when i needed to put the bag down to take shots or whatever, I took my skis off and put the bag on them. It gets it off the snow, but if your bag is weather proof then whatever.
16 years ago
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Mr_Papageorgio
Posts: 1271 - Karma: 117
will be upgrading body and lenses soon
but...

burton ipod backpack from like 04'?

canon rebel xti
18-55 f/4.0
55-250 f/5.4
55 f/1.8
tripod
lense cleaners
16 years ago
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9937 - Karma: 9,479
I would like to know to, i dont want to wreck my brand new gear (getting it soon) just going into the lodge
16 years ago
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Commonwealth
Posts: 3729 - Karma: 11
Interesting...I will be carrying my camera in a small case, which will be in my Heli Pro - so I'm not too worried about that. I think I'll do what you do though, and carry my camera for a few hours and then put it away for the day.
16 years ago
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thegoat
Posts: 518 - Karma: 11
sillica gel packs in the camera bags,

always keep your bag closed

when going from cold-> warm don't open the bag for a while.

don't be dumb
16 years ago
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chacharlie
Posts: 228 - Karma: 20
homemade batteries?
16 years ago
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
http://www.snowtographers.com/component/content/article/5-how-to/4-diy-portable-strobe-battery-pack
16 years ago
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
don't bring your shit in the lodge, it will fog up and you'll be fucked. have a friend take it or hide it in a really sneaky place

my 40D has a kinda auto on/off setting, so it'll turn itself off after a certain period of time so i generally leave it on all day
16 years ago
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dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
Although there are many, IMO the main advantage of slr cameras for action sports is that the shutter snaps as soon as you push the button.  A point and shoot often has a somewhat unpredictable gap between pushing the button, focusing, and then finally taking.  I understand that it sucks to carry around a big camera, but once you get used to shooting with an SLR, a point and shoot really doesn't quite cut it.
16 years ago
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
Canon Backpack

Canon 5D MKII
28-135mm IS USM
70-300mm IS USM
50mm f/1.8
Lensbabie 2.0

Canon 580exII
Old Kalamari Flash
Off shoe cable

Maybe lightstands with 30ft PC cord to camera

16 years ago
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freezed
Posts: 12973 - Karma: 500
It makes me happy that other NS'ers shoot medium format
16 years ago
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5676 - Karma: 4,299
It make me happy that at least 2  nsers shoot medium format.
16 years ago
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easiestEC
Posts: 2471 - Karma: 489
I'd take a 18mm-55mm lens and maybe a super fish eye. like 175 degrees?
16 years ago
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