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07-08-2009, 06:30 AM   #1
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Which is your best kit for hiking?

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?


Last edited by soalle; 07-08-2009 at 06:41 AM.
07-08-2009, 08:04 AM   #2
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On my hikes so far this summer it has been the 18-55, the 10-17 fisheye, and Sigma 70-300. I mount the Sigma on the camera as that is the lens I would most likely need for wildlife and birds that I would encounter on the hike and the shot would be lost if I had to change lenses. The Sigma also has macro/close up mode for insects and flowers and such. If I was to leave one home it would be the 18-55 but so far this year I have used all three. The camera with the Sigma mounted gets a little heavy after a while and my neck starts to ache a little but I don't think one of the other lenses would solve that problem. If the camera gets too uncomfortable, it goes into the backpack.
07-08-2009, 08:06 AM   #3
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DA 17-70 and DA 50-200 or M200, or, if I'm going ultralight, I just bring a K10d with ony a DA 40 or DFA 50 macro. I've considered getting a KM body for this ultralight arrangement, and using the extra weight for another light prime, such as the DA 21 or 15.
07-08-2009, 08:21 AM   #4
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I've gone with primes only - and no long teles. The classic hiking kit is a 28 - 50 - 105 or 135. Personally, I'd leave the tele home most of the time. But it depends on your interests. Wildlife requires a long tele.

07-08-2009, 08:42 AM   #5
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Digital:

Canon G2

- OR -

K10D, DA 18-55
Film:

Olympus XA

- OR -

Ricoh XR7, Tamron 28/2.5, Pentax-M 50/1.7

Steve
07-08-2009, 09:16 AM   #6
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My basic kit is a 28, 40, and something telephoto. For general use that often includes being indoors, I might use primes for the telephoto, but for hiking, I'd probably take the 50-200 for the added flexibility. Actually, I'd lso be likely to leave use the 18-55 instead of the 28 & 40 - meaning I'd just ahve the two zooms. But at that point, it's hard to say that's any advantage over the 18-250 in terms of overall weight (although it's still a significant advantage in terms of weight on the camera).
07-08-2009, 09:50 AM   #7
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50mm, 28mm, & 135mm M lenses with an *ist DS body (or an MX if I'm shooting film) (eventually I intend picking up a shorter lens to go a little wider on the digital). The *ist in a very small Domke canvas case into which the body with the 50 or 28 just fits, the remaining lenses & a handheld Gossen Super Pilot meter in a separate belt pouch.
If I want to travel lighter, it's the *ist/or MX with one prime and meter around my neck, or a Canon G6 in a belt pouch made specifically for the G6 with room for the camera & nothing else.
If I want to travel very light, I use a Canon S70 on a belt pouch or in a pocket.
All of these cameras offer full manual control & RAW.


Last edited by raymeedc; 07-08-2009 at 11:44 AM.
07-08-2009, 10:01 AM   #8
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QuoteQuote:
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?
I have taken the K20 & Tamron 17-50 with me on my hikes, year-round, for about 18 months now. I am delighted with the setup.
07-08-2009, 10:21 AM   #9
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Actually the last time I went for a hike, I took a Yashica Mat and a Pgm Plus with an A 28. I wished I'd brought along a 50 as well.
07-08-2009, 11:52 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by Nesster Quote
Actually the last time I went for a hike, I took a Yashica Mat
Yes, I haven't for a while, but now that you've stirred up fond memories, I'm going to break out my beloved Minolta Autocord for my next hike. I've been subconsciously avoiding this for fear of being blown away & depressed by the medium format IQ compared to my other choices.
07-08-2009, 11:56 AM   #11
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It varies a lot. I don't usually bring a photo backpack because I like to use my Camelbak, and I don't like a ton of weight in a shoulder bag. Lately I use a little Lowepro bag that holds just the camera & lens. Extra lenses go in the backpack, in individual cases.

As for lenses, lately I've been bringing nothing but the Tamron 28-75. Sometimes I'll bring a Sigma 10-20 or 70-300, but not that often.
07-08-2009, 12:20 PM   #12
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F200EXR. It's true, I am not interested in scenery anymore and only photograph the people that I care in my life.
07-08-2009, 12:32 PM   #13
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if the terrain is heavily wooded: 70-200mm tamron, da40mm pancake and a teleconverter

if open fields and woods: f*300mm, 12-24mm and tc
07-08-2009, 01:06 PM   #14
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For hiking, my kit is the same as a minimum as my travel kit.

One body, sogma 10-20, pentax FA-J 18-35, tamron 28-75 F2.8, sigma 70-200 F2.8 plus 1.4x and 2x TC's and a flash.

This can all go into a small photo back pack, although I find the small backpacks don't have good strap adjustments. My full sized photo pack is actually more comfortable than my small one.

If, however, you consider leaving the 70-200 out of the mix, then I take a small shoulder bag with 2 lenses in it, and have a third lens on my camera (in hand)

this kit will be reduced to 10-20, 28-75 and 85mmF1.4 plus SMC-F 1.7x AF TC.

I will live with onboard flash, and the gaps this creates, all that suffers is wild life at a distance, but the 85 + 1.7x gives me 145mm F2,5 so it is not too bad,
07-08-2009, 07:44 PM   #15
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Interesting answers...

I guess the lighter setup is F200EXR and it has also a good image quality for a P&S.

reeftool got the point... on one side there is the setup - the whole kit - and on the other what you should have mounted on your camera. Having a telephoto mounted and a wide angle on your bag it's a reasonable solution imo.

Probably, a good compromise for keeping it very simple and light would be:
- DA 15mm (212 gr.)
- DA 55-300mm (440 gr.)

Although, in total it sums up to roughly 1.35Kg (with a KM - 590gr.). With a bag and a couple of filters you'll probably end up with more than 1.5Kg just for the camera...
plus you have to add a backpack, water, food, spare clothes, hiking equipment, camping equipment (if needed)...

is it only me that find it a bit too much? Do I have to suffer that much to get nice pictures on the mountains???
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