Camera options for AK

[Brado16]

I have a Sheep hunt in AK I would like to document this fall as well as a few Archery Elk and Mule Deer hunts this fall I want to document. Never done it, but I would like to have some videos to look back on and show my kids and grandkids someday.

Looking for options or ideas for a Camera for photos and videos to help capture backpacking hunts out west and AK. iPhones are decent but looking for something better for pics and some videoing. A lot of my hunts are backpack hunts where weight will be a concern of the camera, but more so for charging capabilities. I was into photography about 20 years ago and still have some of my old Cannon DSLRs with a handful of great cannon lens but I’m not sure what “newer” technology is out there that offers a much smaller and compact size and weight. Are there any weatherproof options worth exploring? Lastly, what is battery life like now days and how are people keeping cameras charged im the backcountry? Bring extra batteries or recharging with USB Battery Banks?

Do I look at an action camera like a GoPro?

Do I look at something like the Sony RX100 Lines?

Do I look at the Olympics Waterproof cameras?

Do I look at the newer smaller mirrorless cameras?

Thanks for any help I can get!!

 

[Camera Land]

Good morning. First, your Canon lenses will work on their mirrorless bodies with an adapter, very reasonable price. If you have crop sensor lenses then they most likely are NOT weatherproof. None of their current ones are either. Only their full frames are and not all of them.
The Sony RX series are excellent cameras but not weatherproof or built to take any abuse. The Olympus brand became OM System this year. They make the TG-7, which can be dropped, drowned or frozen. Good to 50' under water, has a 4x zoom and is great in low light and can fit in your pocket

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

They also have the OM-3 camera that is amazing. Super fast, loaded with a variety of video features, weatherproof, amazing image stabilization and super fast A/F.

Shop Online | Camera Land NY

Shop Online | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

Best to give me a call at 516-217-1000 and mention the forum. We always do what we can for members here

Joel

 

[patagonialuke]

I don't have experience with a wide range of brands, but some personal experience in case it's helpful:

I've been using Olympus / OM mirrorless bodies for 10+ years now and generally like them due to their size / weight, high-speed burst shooting (I mostly shoot action sports), battery life, and good weather resistance (haven't dropped them in a lake but they've survived tons of snow).

They're far from the best video-specific cameras out there by today's wild standards, but totally serviceable for me, and far better than a phone (I'd say I shoot roughly 70% stills / 30% video). Their smaller sensors (vs. full-frame) don't give you tons of cropping flexibility in post, but I've been happy with the 3x4' prints I've had made of uncropped photos.

That said, it's a bigger investment since you'd also need to get lenses (though their lenses are generally on the cheaper side vs. most full-frames these days). Checking out compatible Canon bodies might be a better call in your case with your lenses, but I'm not familiar with their line.

When I don't want to haul my OM-1 and its lenses but do want to shoot some video, I often just bring an old, cheap camcorder (e.g., Canon Vixia series). You won't get great quality (I actually like the 'vintage' non-4K look) or impressive stabilization, but especially on hunts, the massive zoom on most camcorders makes for a totally different filming experience vs. a phone, and the lower-res look is a nice contrast to the ultra-sharp look of modern cameras and phones. And paying $100-$200 a pop, I don't worry about babying them.

Next, I think I'll get something like the RX100, that's very compact but with a wide-range zoom lens, to see if it could effectively fill the role of the pocketable camcorder and take good enough stills that I don't miss my OM-1 on days when I'm packing light. One of my professional videographer & photographer buddies loves his RX100, but I wish it had some degree of weather sealing like the Olympus bodies.

As for battery management, I rarely do 4+ day trips, and my OM-1 battery often lasts throughout that if I'm only shooting for 1-2 hours each day. If I were doing a longer trip, I'd probably just buy a couple additional batteries and use a power bank (prob w/ a solar panel) to recharge if necessary.