vern takes a hike...

Waterproof

Last year while working in The Bahamas on a film I got unofficially voted the crew member most often in the water.  I didn’t tell anyone, but I was secretly honored.

If I believed in reincarnation I know that one of my previous lives must have a been as a fish or a dolphin or a sea otter, or something that belongs in the water.

The only unfortunate thing about the water is that it can ruin things, specifically digital cameras. So after buying my G10 to take on the hike I immediately ordered Canon underwater housing specifically made for my model camera (rated up to 130’).  For certainly we will be caught in torrential downpours at times whilst hiking through the mountains and 1) I don’t want to be worrying the whole time about leaks or water that might get to it and ruin the camera  2) What if I want to take pictures in the rain?  There may also be streams I want to stick my camera in, or who knows what other opportunities may come my way. The housing adds 1 pound to my weight count for the trip, but it adds much peace of mind.  I know that I will probably completely ruin the case by the end, but it will be well worth it.  And between now and the hike I can use it underwater, the way it was meant to be used.

Late in September the package came in the mail, complete with B&H brown paper tape keeping the box snugly shut.  After getting off work the next day I rushed home, suited up and went out to the pool.  It was cloudy and almost cool from days of rain, but I figured I could brave a little cold water to do some testing.

The front of the housing.

The back of the housing.  As you may notice, there are buttons for every control.  The only control I can’t use is the wheel that can easily change the shutter speed.

First I tested the housing while empty.

After a few minutes of submersion I pulled the case out, dried the outside and checked the inside.  No water found!

So I put the camera in the housing…

…and stepped into the pool!

It works!

Still working… No leaks!

It was very easy to use under the water and fun to play with…too bad summer’s over.

I had to get out of the pool eventually, it wasn’t heated and I was getting chilly. I now have another toy that will only increase my urge to get in the water and play in the rain.

say cheese…

Some people may think that all professional photographers this day in age shoot with a fancy shmancy digital SLR.  There are a few exceptions to this rule.

The photographer chooses to shoot with film, whether it be medium format, large format, 35mm, pinhole, polaroid, etc.
The photographer uses a digital rangefinder camera.
The photographer is poor and therefore doesn’t have a D-SLR and can’t afford to shoot film.

You could place me in category three (which by the way, just because I don’t make any money with photography right now doesn’t mean I don’t avidly create work or that I don’t consider myself professional, I’m just different than most).  So how have I been taking photographs for the past two years?  I only asked for two gifts Christmas ‘07.  My car registration renewal and a simple digital point-and-shoot camera (my only specification was that it had to have optional all manual controls).  I received the car registration, so I wouldn’t have to drive around illegally, and the Canon PowerShot A570IS, which has since been discontinued. A few weeks ago it died.  Now, one may think that a camera that can’t last more than two years must be no good.  On the contrary I have dropped that camera countless times, taken over 30,000 (maybe 40,000, can’t remember) pictures, thrown in into the midst of every kind of environment, and tested it to the max.  I honestly couldn’t get upset, the camera had served me well, and frankly I think it was just all tuckered out, unable to go on helping me make images any more. It was a good little camera, and I’m actually quite upset that the upgraded model is without manual controls, thus nulling it as an option for future purchase.  Here’s a couple images I took with the trusty A570…

As soon as this happened I started looking for a new camera and weighing my options.  (Fortunately I had just gotten my iPhone, so I wasn’t completely without anything for an extended period of time.)  The most important aspect of my decision was finding a camera that I would want to hike with and carry on my back for 6 months. While I finally have the money for an inexpensive D-SLR there is no way I’m hiking with a non-weatherproof camera that with batteries and a lens weighs over 2lbs.  Plus having to power a bigger battery would mean even extra chargers/more weight.  Not only that, but I have fallen in love with point and shoot cameras, they are very inconspicuous (for taking pictures of strangers) and oh-so portable.  The only thing I despise (digital only) is the shutter lag. Jordan and Emory hiked the AT with point and shoot Holgas, plastic medium format cameras with plastic lenses.  Here’s one of my Holga photos to illustrate:

I love shooting with Holgas, there’s a timeless and etherial feeling to the vignetted and selectively focused imagery that it produces.  And, I love shooting film (I generally like film much better than digital, but everything has its pros and cons).  However I have decided that I want the flexibility and control of a manual digital point and shoot.   If things go awry while on the trip I can always have someone send me my Holga and order film. So here is what I determined I wanted:

A viewfinder
Fully manual controls
A wide(ish) lens
Lightweight
Extremely weatherproof/waterproof
An available for purchase battery charger that can hook up to a 12-v adapter, (the solio charger I am getting has a 12v plug outlet) or AA batteries
If digital preferably RAW file format available

Affordable

To my dismay there were no cameras that had all of the above.  My solution? A long story shortened:  A few weeks ago, after pouring over an infinite amount of specifications for every point and shoot on the market, I was sitting on the floor of my friend’s New Orleans apartment trying to finally push the “purchase” button on the order form for the most expensive piece of camera equipment I have ever purchased.

One Canon G-10.

The package came shortly after.  Normally I would not order something like this from Amazon, but B&H was out of stock, and I couldn’t risk waiting since I need to take photographs at the state fair next week (and by need I mean, I live to go to the Texas State Fair).

Getting the camera out of the box!  Not the most lightweight camera ever (12.3oz to be exact, not including battery), but if I’ve hiked with a 4x5 camera in the woods before I can hike with this thing on the PCT.

I put the battery in the charger in less than a minute of opening the package.  I wanted to be able to play with the camera ASAP!!!!!!

Look!  Manual mode!  Aperture priority!  Shutter priority!

And a viewfinder!

And a wide(ish) lens!!!  Optical x5.  Roughly 28mm-140mm in 35mm terms.

My new toy to cherish and love forever, or until it poops out on me.  It also looks a little more professional than my last camera if that means anything. Now, you may be thinking, “Um, excuse me over hur!  But there ain’t nothing weatherproof about that camera!”  Problem solved, I bought Canon underwater housing for it from B&H which should be arriving tomorrow or Wednesday. Now in rain or snow or sleet I can take pictures without fear!!!