Camera for hunting?

[Royal27]

Any recommendations for a good camera for hunting?

I want something that I can carry easily, but that will still take good game pictures like Brickburn takes! so probably something in between a point and shoot and a full blown SLR. Am I asking too much? What do others use?

 

[Diamondhitch]

I have had Cannon sure-shots fail me 2x overseas, I don't know if the scanner messes them up but both times (with 2 different cameras) they said low battery even with brand new or freshly charged batteries.

 

[sestoppelman]

I have been using a Canon PowerShot A1000IS (image stabilizer), for the last few years and am very happy with it If you want to do a lot of zooming out for those far off shots, a quality SLR is best but then its the bigger bucks thing. My daughter took her Canon Rebel to Namibia and got some great shots with it. I take my little Canon and also take a point and shoot Nikon in 35mm for the picture album.

 

[Rob404]

Glad someone brought this up I,m looking but not sure if a point and shoot or something a little slicker would be the way to go,,

 

[desertloper]

We took an earlier model of this..."only" had 35x zoom....this baby has 50x and will let u take pics of the ticks the tick birds are eating!

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS | Canon Online Store

I took some seriously cool pics with this. We also took an SLR..but this guy was the go to..that way we didn't have to lug around so many different lenses.

 

[Royal27]

Glad someone brought this up I,m looking but not sure if a point and shoot or something a little slicker would be the way to go,,

This is exactly the quandary I'm dealing with...

We took an earlier model of this..."only" had 35x zoom....this baby has 50x and will let u take pics of the ticks the tick birds are eating!

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS | Canon Online Store

I took some seriously cool pics with this. We also took an SLR..but this guy was the go to..that way we didn't have to lug around so many different lenses.

That's exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for. Thanks!!!!

Question though - how did you carry it around, in a backpack? I think I may be trying to keep it too small and may have to give up either convenience or portability...

 

[desertloper]

My wife was with me-so essentially we were 2x1 with the PH. We had the camera in the backpack if not being carried.

Spend money to get a good camera- and buy it now! You need a few birthday parties and sporting events worth of practice before taking those "once in a lifetime" pics you'll show everyone!

 

[Royal27]

My wife was with me-so essentially we were 2x1 with the PH. We had the camera in the backpack if not being carried.

Spend money to get a good camera- and buy it now! You need a few birthday parties and sporting events worth of practice before taking those "once in a lifetime" pics you'll show everyone!

That's great advice... I had planned on waiting.

 

[RickB]

I think the more Zoom you can get, the better. Quality is huge. I had a Fuji when I went with my dad. Didn't cost a lot ($200?) It was a 12mp 26 zoom. It came in real handy when the animals are on the other hill side. You could zoom in and take a photo. It was like they where 50 yards off. The higher mp makes for the ability to blow a photo up at a later date if you choose. The camera was the size of the one in the Cannon link above. As far as carrying it. I was with my dad. so we where 2x1. One had a gun, the other always had the camera. So size was no big deal. as was mention, buy it as soon as you can. Learn all the settings, go on a hike and take pics in different light and get some photos developed before you leave. Make sure they come out as you wish. Good luck!

 

[toxic111]

I took a Nikon Coolpix S9500 on my trip over my DSLR. With 22X zoom (500mm 35mm equiv) It also has full 1080p High def video. For a point & shoot it took great photos, and my PH & tracker could use it as well, as it was easy to focus & shoot.

 

[blackdog001blackdog001]

Two suggestions/recommendations:

1. You can get a super quality point and shoot for less than $300. Point it and shoot and it will take great photos. Your tracker can use it, heck your 6 year old can use it and you will get great pics. I'm partial to Nikon, just because the quality of the lens glass is a bit better than Canon, but you won't go wrong with either. You are, however, going to be limited to the lens it comes with which leads to

2. You can purchase an excellent digital SLR, new for $400-$500 with a 50 or 55mm lens. The advantage is you can purchase different lens size, which may not make much difference to you. You can set the digital SLR to take pics in the same mode as a point and shoot, so again, pretty much anyone can take pics with it. If you want more flexibility, chang lens, etc., consider a DSLR. Again, I use a NIkon D40 w/50-300mm zoom lens; the body is probably 6 years old. I shot Canon for almost 30 years but when I went to a DSLR, the quality of the Nikon lens is just above anything else. You pay a bit more, but even for an amateur, I think it is worth it. I've never had a problem with my Nikon and if you buy a Canon, would be surprised if you have a problem. Quality on both is excellent.

I can tell you many outdoor writers who need reliable pics of their hunt for their articles, use $200 point and shoot. Good photo editing software helps alot also!

I'm no pro, just an interested amateur

 

[Royal27]

I'm not a picture taker, and therefore my dilemna.... I know that for far off shots which are likely i probably need to spend $400, or so. I also know that i will only likely really use this camera for this trip. So... I don't want to spend a lot. And therefore. my dilemna!!!

I've also had issues before where, when hunting, I couldn't get the camers out in time for a shot. I missed a wonderful opportunity at a North American Lynx due to this a couple of years ago. I'm torn!!!!

 

[Diamondhitch]

I'm not a picture taker, and therefore my dilemna.... I know that for far off shots which are likely i probably need to spend $400, or so. I also know that i will only likely really use this camera for this trip. So... I don't want to spend a lot. And therefore. my dilemna!!!

I've also had issues before where, when hunting, I couldn't get the camers out in time for a shot. I missed a wonderful opportunity at a North American Lynx due to this a couple of years ago. I'm torn!!!!

Depending on what you have for a spotting scope you may be able to get a digiscope attachment for certain point and shoot cameras. I have taken pictures with my Swarovski scope and a Cannon sure shot at over 2 miles that turned out OK (heat mirage) and shots at 1/2 mile that turned out superb.

 

[Adrian]

I would take the best camera you can get hold of and know how it works. I will be taking a Nikon D3100 DSLR with a spare lens for those far away shots and a small point and shoot.

Once you hunt and experience is over and you're on the plane home you'll only have memories and photographs, make them the best you can and they will always be with you. Those memories and moments in time can be relived through good photos and they will make your audience back home sit up and take notice if you can present decent images of your adventure.

I would put as much effort into choosing a camera as I would my rifle and optics. You might only shoot your rifle maybe ten times but you can shoot your camera as often as you want, make it count.

 

[Nyati]

I m using a Canon Powershot SX 500 IS.

16Mpix, 30x Optical zoom, 60x Zoomplus, small and light, 340Gr.

You can use it as full auto, manual, or with different programs.

Cost should be around 300USD.

I recommend it for hunting, SLR with extra lenses are bulky and heavy !

 

[Rob404]

I,ve got a Panasonic Lumix that I use a Lot but it lacks the range I think I need for Africa,,I,ll take it anyway but I really want a step up Camera,,the choices are staggering

 

[Royal27]

I m using a Canon Powershot SX 500 IS.

16Mpix, 30x Optical zoom, 60x Zoomplus, small and light, 340Gr.

You can use it as full auto, manual, or with different programs.

Cost should be around 300USD.

I recommend it for hunting, SLR with extra lenses are bulky and heavy !

I like this option and will check it out. This just might be the compromise I'm looking for!

 

[sestoppelman]

I like this option and will check it out. This just might be the compromise I'm looking for!

Thinking the same thing. I do notice that the zoom on mine isnt much at 4X and sharpness at full zoom is lacking. Much better at closeups and normal range shooting.

 

[Royal27]

Thinking the same thing. I do notice that the zoom on mine isnt much at 4X and sharpness at full zoom is lacking. Much better at closeups and normal range shooting.

Yeah, agree on the zoom. And although I get the suggestions that say get the biggest and baddest if I don't carry it then it won't matter... Not any different than "take the gun you shoot best." Anything close to full size would get left in the truck by me I'm afraid...

 

[sestoppelman]

I had to be forcibly dragged into the digital age but now that I am reluctantly here, I am afraid the old Nikon FE 35mm with multiple lenses sits in its case in the closet. Its a wonderful piece of equipment but I must confess, these new digi cams make it so much easier. I am about ready to drop the hammer on maybe the Canon Sx500IS 16mp. I will give my boy my little PowerShot to take to Africa this summer. He is not particularly interested in photography, whereas I have been taking pictures with some form of camera since I was a kid in the 60's. My first was an old Kodak box camera that used that old roll film number 120 I think? Things have really changed.