photography while climbing

[Alpine_Tom]

I inevitably haul along my SLR camera on climbs, and once every other roll, get a picture good enough to make it worthwhile.

The problem is, how to carry it so that it’s accessible but somewhat protected? In cold weather, I can hang it around my neck under my jacket, and it stays pretty secure, but dampness is a problem unless it’s REALLY cold. And, we’re pretty much done with those conditions for the year. In warmer weather, the camera lays against my chest and fogs up the viewfinder. Obviously, inside the pack is safest, but you’ll miss most of your good shots, and when you’re roped in on a glacier, you don’t want to stop the whole party for five minutes so you can get yet another shot of the sunrise. (okay, guys, this is the last one, I promise!)

Someone at a camera shop suggested one of those wedge-shaped camera bags, threading my pack hip belt through the loops in back, which would work except that they’re made for a thin, pants-type belt, not the padded hip belt most packs have.

So, you photographers out there, what do you use?

 

[Colin]

Ever since I took my SLR to Bolivia, I decided that I would never take it climbing again (although I do still take it hiking and on some approaches). Not only is it heavy, but I'm afraid to keep it accessible for fear of harming it.

The best climbing camera I have found is a Minox 35 GL (although on an unrelated point, its shutter has been screwing up lately). I think that it is the best balance between quality and weight. I set the aperture, and it sets the shutter speed. I set the focus just by distance estimation. Most importantly, it has a good wide-angle lens, and is very small and light.

As for carrying systems, I use a little case that came with the camera. I custom sewed an adjustable strap on the back of the case, and use it to affixe the case directly to my harness. I use a simple cord around my neck in case I drop it. When I am not wearing a harness, I make my custom strap longer and attach it to my pack hip belt.

When I did take my SLR climbing, I kept it in a big ole case around my neck, and clipped my pack's sternum strap over it so that it wouldn't swing as I walked.

[philfort]

I often take a medium format camera climbing, which is even larger than most 35mm SLRs. I generally keep it in a top-loading "wedge-shaped" camera bag on my chest, so I can access it in an instant (no point in carrying it if it stays in the pack).

I attached some webbing for a neck strap (goes around my neck and one shoulder, so the camera bag is slightly off center), and then a thin strap that goes around the waist and connects to itself with a fastex buckle. So basically I wear it like an avalanche beacon. It put it on under my pack.

I seen others with similar systems that attach to their pack shoulder straps, so it comes on and off with the pack. Might be better, don't know.

This of course only works for glacier walking or moderate climbing, etc... Any kind of extensive vertical rock or ice, and the big blob or your chest kind of gets in the way.

Phil

[dbb]

For carryng a SLR I've used the chest pod system. Using a triangular looking sundog (or other) camera pack, rig up your own packstrap suspension system that hangs it around your neck and loops behind your back. This keeps the "pod" close to your body. This system does have it's limitations, especially when you're rock climbing.

Otherwise, I carry a little Olympus stylus for point and shoot. It does decent slides, and great photos in general.

here's a picture of some unknown photo bandit with the aforementioned system.. As you can see, carrying too big of a camera can make it hard to get up sometimes!

[AllenN]

I also use a wedge-shaped Sundog bag for my SLR camera. I usually attach it to my hip belt, pushed to the side, and then further lash it so it won't slide off when I take my pack off. I'm with Phil in that I only take it on moderate glacier climbs.

Who am I kidding, I only do moderate glacier climbs! Honestly though, for steep glacier or rock I've relied on other folks with point and shoot.

-Allen

[Dru]

I asgree, unless you are a pro a nice point and shoot is fine for mtneering action shots when you are climbing.

a Gigi or reverso will let you belay with one hand and shoot pix with the other.

I've been using a Pentax Zoom90WR for about 9 years now and it works perfectly for steep alpine climbing shots. Can be slung over the shoulder while climbing or easily in top pocket of pack to access at belay.

[Alpine_Tom]

Thanks for all the great feedback.

Sadly, Sundog doesn't seem to be around anymore. Well, their website doesn't answer, which is kind of the same thing. Fortunately, Tamrac makes a dozen varieties of wedge-shaped bags in subtly different sizes.

I have used the little point&shoot cameras (my wife has a water-resistant 105mm zoom model) and even though wanna-bes like Ira Spring think they're great, I am usually disappointed with the pictures. I have too hard a time keeping track of what they're focusing on, and how much of the viewfinder is in the picture at what zoom, etc. It is handy to be able to stick it into your pocket, though.

The good thing is that my SLR is rather old, and manual, so if I trash it on a climb (which I'm NOT trying to) I can justify buying a Nikon N65. Then I'll really NEED the bag.

 

[philfort]

That guy in vertical limit had a nice system - his big SLR just attached, with a satisfying click, right onto his harness.

[forrest_m]

best all around point and shoot type: Yashica T4, without a doubt. Zeiss lens is so sharp photo pros i know refuse to believe they were taken with a point and shoot. Rubber gaskets at all openings keep it water resistant, it not waterproof. vented lens cap, so the lens doesn't get fogged up nearly as much. No zoom lens, but that makes it really light, and very rugged, plus it has a cool extra viewfinder on the top so you can hold it at arms length and still aim. I got mine, with a lowepro case, battery and 2 year extended warranty for $240 at glaziers.

As for carrying the SLR, try this: i put two of those mini biners on the case and did away with the shoulder strap. Climbing, I can clip it to the gear loops on my harness (in the back or on either side), clip it to the waist belt of my pack for the approach, even clip them to the shoulder straps for the chest-mounted effect. Very versatile. I always carry a big ziplock in the top of the case. If the weather starts to really suck, I probably won't be taking pictures anyway, so I stick the camera in the bag. Putting the camera in the bag is also a good idea when you change climates, i.e. go into the hut or a warm tent/car/whatever to keep condensation from forming. (you can take it out again when the camera has warmed up to the ambient temp.)

[Alpine_Tom]

That's a great idea, clipping it with biners. I'll try that next time I go up.

I think those ziplock bags with the plastic sliders are about the best advance in climbing gear since goretex. It's a great way to keep dry stuff dry and wet stuff isolated, and clothing doesn't wad up nearly so bad in the pack.

[savaiusini]

quote:

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Originally posted by philfort:

That guy in vertical limit had a nice system - his big SLR just attached, with a satisfying click, right onto his harness.

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I prefered watching it bust into a thousand pieces when it hit the ground!