Which is your best kit for hiking?

Wheatfield · 07-10-2009, 07:41 AM

I put a backpack on my Rottie and let him carry the bulk of my camera gear. It gives him something to do and makes my life easier.

GeneV · 07-10-2009, 10:20 AM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

Living at nearly 4,000 ft, I do have an advantage in acclimatization. 7,000 ft isn't uncommon here on a day hike. I have been to 10,000 on Maui, and realized that 4,000 ft of acclimatization is a big help. We were in shorts and quite comfortable while those from sea level were having a rough time of it.

I live about a mile high, but 14ers do give me some trouble. I don't notice really serious altitude effects until about 13k. Then it seems to hit me like a wall. I wouldn't care to schlep too much gear that last thousand feet.

The other great thing about living at this altitude is how easy it is to run or cycle when you get to the coast. My resting heart rate at sea level is about 45bpm, and I'm in my mid 50s.

GeneV · 07-10-2009, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

I put a backpack on my Rottie and let him carry the bulk of my camera gear. It gives him something to do and makes my life easier.

I hope he doesn't chase rabbits.

Wheatfield · 07-10-2009, 02:54 PM

Originally posted by GeneV

I hope he doesn't chase rabbits.

He's pretty funny. If he's on leash and just out for a walk, everything has his attention. As soon as he's "working" (carrying his pack, pulling his tire), he's all business, no screwing around at all.

Duplo · 07-10-2009, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by soalle

Which is your best kit for a 5 to 8 hours hike?

I use to bring 18-250mm and the K100D but I found it still too heavy...
your suggestions?

You mean a cosy stroll

Well depends entirely on what I do and what i want to shoot.
Last weekend it was aK-m, with a Da21, Fa43 and DA70.
On tomorrows 40 kilometer Hike/climb, it will be a D3, with a 28, 50 and 105mm
On sunday it will be a K-m with a DA21, FA43 and DA70.

On next weeks 10 day assignment a lot more gear, so it really depends on what I intent to do, fun, work or both.

I would perhaps suggest pairing the K100D with one of the smalleer limited primes if you find your 18-250 too heavy.

heatherslightbox · 07-11-2009, 09:17 AM

My usual hiking kit consists of the K20 + Sigma 17-70, DA55-300, and the DFA100. If I want to go a little bit lighter, then I would only take 2 lenses--the 17-70 and either the 55-300 or 100 (+ TC, perhaps), depending on whether I need tele or macro more.

Heather

zorobabel · 07-13-2009, 12:34 AM

When just hiking, I can bring just one lens (da 16-45, sigma 24-60, m50 1.4) or more and add the da 50-200 and raynox 250 too (I don't think I'll be taking this one along anymore, it's too hard to use outdoors). I also take the AF360 flash usually. I haven't found the weight an issue when hiking, because I'm used to the heavier loads of backpacking.

Now the off topic

When backpacking I carried a wide zoom (18-55 in the past, then 24-60, now 16-45) and the da 50-200 in a sock or the AF360 pouch in my pack. I've carried the m50 1.4 and the flash too many times without using them (although I could have used the flash many times, but it's just impractical for "efficient" backpacking) so they'll be staying home from now on.
But, if I could get a free Oly ep1 with the 17mm pancake, I'll leave all my Pentax gear behind and take only that when backpacking.

Bart · 07-19-2009, 08:38 AM

Originally posted by soalle

Which is your best kit for a 5 to 8 hours hike?

On that kind or hike, I bring just about all I have. Meaning K10d and some lenses. No tripod or flash.
Camera and 3 lenses + TC in a Lowepro Off Trail 1, the rest of the lenses in a backpack Lowepro Micro Trekker 200. I also bring a Panasonic FX500, a spare battery for both camera's and one extra sdhc card.
My wife carries a backpack with some food and water. (I don't have a Rottie

).

Now, that is when we are on vacation. When it's in our own region, the backpack tends to stay at home. Either you know what you'll encounter so you can select what you need or want in advance or you can easily revisit with some alternative lenses.

simonkit · 07-19-2009, 09:04 AM

Whilst hiking around the UK mountains I always carry the K20D, Pentax DA 17-70 and sometimes the DA 55-300 & will now take along my new 50mm/28mm A series primes......

the key to not finding you gear too heavy is to buy the best hiking rucksac/backpack you can afford, well distributed weight/a comfortable rucksac makes way more difference than a slighly lighter lens !!!

Here in the UK because of our lovely weather I end up carrying waterproofs & addtional warm clothing around most of the time too so there tends to be a fair amount of gear in my rucksac aswell as the camera stuff

I use the Atmos Osprey 50 daysac, brilliant piece of kit !!

Atmos Series - Men's : : Osprey Packs, Inc.

Simon

wll · 07-19-2009, 11:40 AM

K20D/Battery Grip & Extra Hybrid Batteries. I like the feel of the D-BG3

18-55mm AL II - Attached.

50-200mm - Just because it is small ... if I think there will be animal shots, I'll take the 55-300 instead.

Raynox M-150 - Just got it, have not used it yet, but its in the pack.

Small flash diffuser for on board flash.

All resting nicely in a Domke F-5XB bag :-)

wll

**Kerrowdown** · 07-19-2009, 03:16 PM

It's got to be the kit that someone else carries for me.

maj0rglitch · 07-19-2009, 05:01 PM

da21 & da50-200

Adrian Owerko · 07-19-2009, 05:21 PM

Yesterday I went on a walk with the K-7 with da 21mm da 35mm macro da 40mm da 70 mm plus a mini bogen tripod. I also got to look at the new Olympus Pen.. The guy testing it said he hated not having a viewfinder & focus was slow.. He liked my K-7 & da ltd kit (:

neg80 · 08-31-2009, 05:47 PM

Originally posted by Adrian Owerko

Yesterday I went on a walk with the K-7 with da 21mm da 35mm macro da 40mm da 70 mm plus a mini bogen tripod. I also got to look at the new Olympus Pen.. The guy testing it said he hated not having a viewfinder & focus was slow.. He liked my K-7 & da ltd kit (:

Adrian - Out of the gear you brought on your walk, which Prime lens did you end up using the most?

johnmflores · 08-31-2009, 06:53 PM

my wife's K2000/K-m, and the 21 and 70 Limiteds. Maybe the 35 too for its macro capability.

07-19-2009, 11:40 AM	#40
wll Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 773	I try to go light as possible .. K20D/Battery Grip & Extra Hybrid Batteries. I like the feel of the D-BG3 18-55mm AL II - Attached. 50-200mm - Just because it is small ... if I think there will be animal shots, I'll take the 55-300 instead. Raynox M-150 - Just got it, have not used it yet, but its in the pack. Small flash diffuser for on board flash. All resting nicely in a Domke F-5XB bag :-) wll

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07-10-2009, 07:41 AM	#31
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	I put a backpack on my Rottie and let him carry the bulk of my camera gear. It gives him something to do and makes my life easier.

07-10-2009, 10:20 AM	#32
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies Living at nearly 4,000 ft, I do have an advantage in acclimatization. 7,000 ft isn't uncommon here on a day hike. I have been to 10,000 on Maui, and realized that 4,000 ft of acclimatization is a big help. We were in shorts and quite comfortable while those from sea level were having a rough time of it. I live about a mile high, but 14ers do give me some trouble. I don't notice really serious altitude effects until about 13k. Then it seems to hit me like a wall. I wouldn't care to schlep too much gear that last thousand feet. The other great thing about living at this altitude is how easy it is to run or cycle when you get to the coast. My resting heart rate at sea level is about 45bpm, and I'm in my mid 50s.

07-10-2009, 10:21 AM	#33
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by Wheatfield I put a backpack on my Rottie and let him carry the bulk of my camera gear. It gives him something to do and makes my life easier. I hope he doesn't chase rabbits.

07-10-2009, 02:54 PM	#34
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by GeneV I hope he doesn't chase rabbits. He's pretty funny. If he's on leash and just out for a walk, everything has his attention. As soon as he's "working" (carrying his pack, pulling his tire), he's all business, no screwing around at all.

07-10-2009, 03:34 PM	#35
Duplo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 924	Originally posted by soalle Which is your best kit for a 5 to 8 hours hike? I use to bring 18-250mm and the K100D but I found it still too heavy... your suggestions? You mean a cosy stroll Well depends entirely on what I do and what i want to shoot. Last weekend it was aK-m, with a Da21, Fa43 and DA70. On tomorrows 40 kilometer Hike/climb, it will be a D3, with a 28, 50 and 105mm On sunday it will be a K-m with a DA21, FA43 and DA70. On next weeks 10 day assignment a lot more gear, so it really depends on what I intent to do, fun, work or both. I would perhaps suggest pairing the K100D with one of the smalleer limited primes if you find your 18-250 too heavy.

07-11-2009, 09:17 AM	#36
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	My usual hiking kit consists of the K20 + Sigma 17-70, DA55-300, and the DFA100. If I want to go a little bit lighter, then I would only take 2 lenses--the 17-70 and either the 55-300 or 100 (+ TC, perhaps), depending on whether I need tele or macro more. Heather

07-13-2009, 12:34 AM	#37
zorobabel Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 104	When just hiking, I can bring just one lens (da 16-45, sigma 24-60, m50 1.4) or more and add the da 50-200 and raynox 250 too (I don't think I'll be taking this one along anymore, it's too hard to use outdoors). I also take the AF360 flash usually. I haven't found the weight an issue when hiking, because I'm used to the heavier loads of backpacking. Now the off topic When backpacking I carried a wide zoom (18-55 in the past, then 24-60, now 16-45) and the da 50-200 in a sock or the AF360 pouch in my pack. I've carried the m50 1.4 and the flash too many times without using them (although I could have used the flash many times, but it's just impractical for "efficient" backpacking) so they'll be staying home from now on. But, if I could get a free Oly ep1 with the 17mm pancake, I'll leave all my Pentax gear behind and take only that when backpacking.

07-19-2009, 08:38 AM	#38
Bart Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: WW community of Pentax users Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,646	Originally posted by soalle Which is your best kit for a 5 to 8 hours hike? On that kind or hike, I bring just about all I have. Meaning K10d and some lenses. No tripod or flash. Camera and 3 lenses + TC in a Lowepro Off Trail 1, the rest of the lenses in a backpack Lowepro Micro Trekker 200. I also bring a Panasonic FX500, a spare battery for both camera's and one extra sdhc card. My wife carries a backpack with some food and water. (I don't have a Rottie ). Now, that is when we are on vacation. When it's in our own region, the backpack tends to stay at home. Either you know what you'll encounter so you can select what you need or want in advance or you can easily revisit with some alternative lenses.

07-19-2009, 09:04 AM	#39
simonkit Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Wales, UK Posts: 645	Whilst hiking around the UK mountains I always carry the K20D, Pentax DA 17-70 and sometimes the DA 55-300 & will now take along my new 50mm/28mm A series primes...... the key to not finding you gear too heavy is to buy the best hiking rucksac/backpack you can afford, well distributed weight/a comfortable rucksac makes way more difference than a slighly lighter lens !!! Here in the UK because of our lovely weather I end up carrying waterproofs & addtional warm clothing around most of the time too so there tends to be a fair amount of gear in my rucksac aswell as the camera stuff I use the Atmos Osprey 50 daysac, brilliant piece of kit !! Atmos Series - Men's : : Osprey Packs, Inc. Simon

07-19-2009, 03:16 PM	#41
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,821	It's got to be the kit that someone else carries for me.

07-19-2009, 05:01 PM	#42
maj0rglitch Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 56	da21 & da50-200

07-19-2009, 05:21 PM	#43
Adrian Owerko Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: South Australia Posts: 435	Yesterday I went on a walk with the K-7 with da 21mm da 35mm macro da 40mm da 70 mm plus a mini bogen tripod. I also got to look at the new Olympus Pen.. The guy testing it said he hated not having a viewfinder & focus was slow.. He liked my K-7 & da ltd kit (:

08-31-2009, 05:47 PM	#44
neg80 New Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 24	Originally posted by Adrian Owerko Yesterday I went on a walk with the K-7 with da 21mm da 35mm macro da 40mm da 70 mm plus a mini bogen tripod. I also got to look at the new Olympus Pen.. The guy testing it said he hated not having a viewfinder & focus was slow.. He liked my K-7 & da ltd kit (: Adrian - Out of the gear you brought on your walk, which Prime lens did you end up using the most?

08-31-2009, 06:53 PM	#45
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	my wife's K2000/K-m, and the 21 and 70 Limiteds. Maybe the 35 too for its macro capability.