What Camera would you take down the Colorado River?

nnowak

Are you just looking to document the trip for memories or are you hoping for poster sized wall art?  The answer to that will question will inform you gear decision.  If it is just the former, I wouldn't bring either Fuji body.Personally, I have a fairly modern smartphone that is waterproof, carries 13mm, 26mm, and 52mm equivalent lenses, and shoots really nice 4k video.  Especially for "memory" purposes, this would be my primary device and I would have no qualms using it on the raft.  If large prints were required, I would also bring the X-T2 plus 16-55mm f/2.8, but I would only utilize it off of the boat. The X100V seems far too limiting for this type of excursion and I think you would really miss the 16mm wide end in this environment.


DarnGoodPhotos

trivan wrote:Take the X100V or XT-2 with 16-55/2.8 lens?How much weight do you want to carry?You could also rent a Leica X-U which is 100% waterproof.


trivan

nnowak wrote:Are you just looking to document the trip for memories or are you hoping for poster sized wall art? The answer to that will question will inform you gear decision. If it is just the former, I wouldn't bring either Fuji body.Personally, I have a fairly modern smartphone that is waterproof, carries 13mm, 26mm, and 52mm equivalent lenses, and shoots really nice 4k video. Especially for "memory" purposes, this would be my primary device and I would have no qualms using it on the raft. If large prints were required, I would also bring the X-T2 plus 16-55mm f/2.8, but I would only utilize it off of the boat. The X100V seems far too limiting for this type of excursion and I think you would really miss the 16mm wide end in this environment.Thanks for this and what I’m looking for options on.  I’m more worried losing my cell phone and that will never leave it’s pelican case once the trip starts.  Hahah.    Yes I’m looking for a large print which I can frame and hang.   People aren’t seeing/reading that I have .the TG-6 is for the raft.  The Fuji is ONLY for the hikes when no water is involved.   Thanks for the nudge to the xt-2.


trivan

upsidedown wrote:GoPro or similar and a modern (i)phone will probably document such trip better than any camera. Phones are waterproof and come with 3-4 lenses nowadays, and picture quality is pretty decent. And with basic sturdy clear plastic photo bag for a phone that is attached to something on owner you'll have relatively easy to access camera with much lower chance to loose it.I’m more worried about losing or damaging my cell phone then any camera.   I will have the Olympus TG-6 for the raft and water.  Rather lose that then my cell phone.


trivan

DarnGoodPhotos wrote:trivan wrote:Take the X100V or XT-2 with 16-55/2.8 lens?How much weight do you want to carry?You could also rent a Leica X-U which is 100% waterproof.Weight 2 cameras. 🤣while I’m sure the Leica is far far superior then the Olympus TG-6, they both solve the same issue of being water proof.  I have the TG-6.   Thanks


DarnGoodPhotos

trivan wrote:DarnGoodPhotos wrote:trivan wrote:Take the X100V or XT-2 with 16-55/2.8 lens?How much weight do you want to carry?You could also rent a Leica X-U which is 100% waterproof.Weight 2 cameras. 🤣while I’m sure the Leica is far far superior then the Olympus TG-6, they both solve the same issue of being water proof. I have the TG-6. ThanksThe Leica is APSC with 23mm lens so its a waterproof X100V.


KennyXYZ

trivan wrote:Thanks again for everyone input and advice. I accept the risk of bring a camera down river.Going to try to nudge this back to the original question.Take the X100V or XT-2 with 18-55/2.8 lens?If the choice were only these two, then I'd have to go with the XT-2 / 18-55/2.8 lens for the wider angle and versatility.


nnowak

trivan wrote:nnowak wrote:Are you just looking to document the trip for memories or are you hoping for poster sized wall art? The answer to that will question will inform you gear decision. If it is just the former, I wouldn't bring either Fuji body.Personally, I have a fairly modern smartphone that is waterproof, carries 13mm, 26mm, and 52mm equivalent lenses, and shoots really nice 4k video. Especially for "memory" purposes, this would be my primary device and I would have no qualms using it on the raft. If large prints were required, I would also bring the X-T2 plus 16-55mm f/2.8, but I would only utilize it off of the boat. The X100V seems far too limiting for this type of excursion and I think you would really miss the 16mm wide end in this environment.Thanks for this and what I’m looking for options on. I’m more worried losing my cell phone and that will never leave it’s pelican case once the trip starts.If your phone is one of the newer waterproof variants, you could pick up a larger otterbox style case and rig up some sort of lanyard. If your phone is not waterproof, then yeah, definitely leave it in the pelican case.Hahah. Yes I’m looking for a large print which I can frame and hang. People aren’t seeing/reading that I have .the TG-6 is for the raft.Depending on your phone, it may actually produce better images that the TG-6.The Fuji is ONLY for the hikes when no water is involved. Thanks for the nudge to the xt-2.One other point for the X-T2... on the remote chance there is an incident, the X-T2 is worth much less than the X100V.  I think your 16-55mm f/2.8 would be a better lens for this trip, but maybe you should take your 18-55mm f/2.8-4 for the same monetary value reasons.


McWoodley

In my experience river bags get beat up and then the seals leak when used in white water. Much more pounding than diving. If the outfitter is providing the river bag, put your camera in something else or at least double zip lock bags inside the river bag.MorrisSame experience as Morris. Double bag and only pull out when on dry land. However I’d bring Oly T6 and be done with it. Sometimes less is more.Also 12mp is plenty to print fairly large prints.


Morris0

Craig268 wrote:Morris mentioned Nikonos. They're still very fine cameras and pretty much the best for wet work.I had a Nikonos IV so the previous one to the photo above.  Match needle exposure control so spinning dials just like our beloved Fuji's yet build quality that was incredible and a super feel in my hands.  I shot 35mm ISO 400 Kodak Gold in it so I had some wiggle room on the exposures.  If I recall I had a 24mm and 50mm lens.  I liked to tie it to the cross brass  in front of me in my canoe and let it float around in the bilge water.  I wish they made a digital one!Morris


Bill Ferris

trivan wrote:Thanks again for everyone input and advice. I accept the risk of bring a camera down river.Going to try to nudge this back to the original question.Take the X100V or XT-2 with 18-55/2.8 lens?I'd bring the X-T2 with the 18-55. I've done a lot of hiking in the Canyon and the flexibility of a zoom is nice to have.How are you going to address power needs? Will the river guides provide power to recharge batteries or is are the guests asked to provide their own? I've done a week in GC with an X-T20, 18-55, three batts, two power banks, and that does the trick.Are you bringing a travel tripod? Some type of support system can be useful for early morning or late day landscapes.Enjoy your time in the Canyon. It's an amazing, awe-inspiring place. You're gonna love it.


trivan

Bill Ferris wrote:trivan wrote:Thanks again for everyone input and advice. I accept the risk of bring a camera down river.Going to try to nudge this back to the original question.Take the X100V or XT-2 with 18-55/2.8 lens?I'd bring the X-T2 with the 18-55. I've done a lot of hiking in the Canyon and the flexibility of a zoom is nice to have.How are you going to address power needs? Will the river guides provide power to recharge batteries or is are the guests asked to provide their own? I've done a week in GC with an X-T20, 18-55, three batts, two power banks, and that does the trick.Are you bringing a travel tripod? Some type of support system can be useful for early morning or late day landscapes.Enjoy your time in the Canyon. It's an amazing, awe-inspiring place. You're gonna love it.Thank you for the insight.  I'm leaning toward the 18-55 now, given the weight savings.  Power needs.  While the river guides are providing, I will have 3 batteries, and 2-high capacity power banks.   I am only bringing my RRS mini tripod.


Bill Ferris

trivan wrote:Bill Ferris wrote:trivan wrote:Thanks again for everyone input and advice. I accept the risk of bring a camera down river.Going to try to nudge this back to the original question.Take the X100V or XT-2 with 18-55/2.8 lens?I'd bring the X-T2 with the 18-55. I've done a lot of hiking in the Canyon and the flexibility of a zoom is nice to have.How are you going to address power needs? Will the river guides provide power to recharge batteries or is are the guests asked to provide their own? I've done a week in GC with an X-T20, 18-55, three batts, two power banks, and that does the trick.Are you bringing a travel tripod? Some type of support system can be useful for early morning or late day landscapes.Enjoy your time in the Canyon. It's an amazing, awe-inspiring place. You're gonna love it.Thank you for the insight. I'm leaning toward the 18-55 now, given the weight savings. Power needs. While the river guides are providing, I will have 3 batteries, and 2-high capacity power banks. I am only bringing my RRS mini tripod.Excellent. If you'll be wearing a daypack or hydration pack on the day hikes, the Peak Design Capture Clip v3 (attaches to the shoulder strap) would be a secure, reliable & hands-free way to carry the X-T2.You've got a great adventure in store. The Nankoweap granaries are awesome and an excellent photo op. It's just one of many fantastic sights along the Colorado.


trivan

Bill Ferris wrote:trivan wrote:Bill Ferris wrote:trivan wrote:Thanks again for everyone input and advice. I accept the risk of bring a camera down river.Going to try to nudge this back to the original question.Take the X100V or XT-2 with 18-55/2.8 lens?I'd bring the X-T2 with the 18-55. I've done a lot of hiking in the Canyon and the flexibility of a zoom is nice to have.How are you going to address power needs? Will the river guides provide power to recharge batteries or is are the guests asked to provide their own? I've done a week in GC with an X-T20, 18-55, three batts, two power banks, and that does the trick.Are you bringing a travel tripod? Some type of support system can be useful for early morning or late day landscapes.Enjoy your time in the Canyon. It's an amazing, awe-inspiring place. You're gonna love it.Thank you for the insight. I'm leaning toward the 18-55 now, given the weight savings. Power needs. While the river guides are providing, I will have 3 batteries, and 2-high capacity power banks. I am only bringing my RRS mini tripod.Excellent. If you'll be wearing a daypack or hydration pack on the day hikes, the Peak Design Capture Clip v3 (attaches to the shoulder strap) would be a secure, reliable & hands-free way to carry the X-T2.You've got a great adventure in store. The Nankoweap granaries are awesome and an excellent photo op. It's just one of many fantastic sights along the Colorado.Yes, for me it's a trip I've been waiting for my entire life and will also be a once in a life time trip.  I've deliberately never been to the GC as this is the way I want to experience it for the first time.The PD Capture Clip is awesome and already packed. I used it during my trip to Alaska for the first time and it was worth its weight in gold.


Doug MacMillan

trivan wrote:People aren’t seeing/reading that I have .the TG-6 is for the raft. The Fuji is ONLY for the hikes when no water is involved. Thanks for the nudge to the xt-2.You asked what WE would take on such a trip and I answered your title question.If your only choices are the X-T2 and the X-100, I'd go with the X-T2.   I have not taken that trip.  I think the rapids is what comes immediately to mind, but I think all but a few portions is a nice float in fairly calm waters.  As long as you can pack away in a special storage case for the rough bits, The X-T2 should be fine, but I would take only something I could lose and walk away not feeling bad.


trivan

Doug MacMillan wrote:trivan wrote:People aren’t seeing/reading that I have .the TG-6 is for the raft. The Fuji is ONLY for the hikes when no water is involved. Thanks for the nudge to the xt-2.You asked what WE would take on such a trip and I answered your title question.If your only choices are the X-T2 and the X-100, I'd go with the X-T2. I have not taken that trip. I think the rapids is what comes immediately to mind, but I think all but a few portions is a nice float in fairly calm waters. As long as you can pack away in a special storage case for the rough bits, The X-T2 should be fine, but I would take only something I could lose and walk away not feeling bad.Fair enough, words lost in translation on a forum and probably not the best articulated in written word.   My comment was more in response to those commenting about the use of a Fuji on the raft.Thanks for your input and opinion.  Very true on taking something I can lose and walk away from.


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