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Anonymous
im going to go travelling for nearly a year in latin america. i also aim to travel light (c30litres/10kgs) and im thinking of what camera to take - a point and shoot or an slr, or something else (if there is)?

because i want to travel light i dont want to take something too big, and i aim to "go off the beaten track" so i dont want to be too conspicuous. i have around £400 to spend. i would want to take some amazing photos, and perhaps a couple photo essays (i would love to be a freelance photographer specialising in conflict situations or social issues. i dont know much about photography yet but im prepared to learn and work hard). anything that fits all 4?

a general question i know, but i would really appreciated some good advice...cheers
>> Anonymous
Don't know UK prices, but I'd go with one of these, price permitting:

Small sensor compacts:

Overall advantages: lightweight, silent shutter, large depth of field
Disadvantages: Noise at higher ISOs, less flexibility in DoF.

1. Panasonic Lumix LX-3. Definite candidate for best small sensor camera being made right now. Downsides: completely lacks medium telephoto lengths, and you'll have to track down your own shoe finders for anything except the very wide in. Cosina-Voigtlander makes a bunch.

2. Ricoh GX-200. Another candidate. Probably a little better build quality, and it has a detachable EVF, which gives you a nice TLL viewfinder. Downside: Lens isn't as fast as the Panasonic.

3. Ricoh GR Digital II: Pretty much the same thing, no EVF though there's a shoe optical finder for it. Downside: Fixed 28mm equivalent, so no normals or medium tele.

SLR:

Overall advantages: Less noise.
Overall disadvantages: Mirror clap (could be a problem, depending on what you're shooting), larger, heavier.

I'd suggest here a Pentax *istD or *istDS. Older model, only available used (cheaper). It's got the highest viewfinder magnification of any other crop DSLR except the Kx00D models (which it ties) and it's the only entry-level DSLR which has two control ls.

Put a lens between 28 and 35mm on there, and one of those old, cheap, great 50/1.4 Super-Multi-Coated Takumars and an adapter, and you're set.
>> Anonymous
>>236506
*which gives you a nice TTL viewfinder
>> Anonymous
Point & shoot, despite how much I hate those cameras.
>> Anonymous
>>236506
I agree with this guy for compacts
>> Anonymous
>>236506
here again.

Since you're actually planning to do serious work, I'd suggest the same thing we tell people buying a DSLR: get your hands on the Lumix LX-3, the Ricoh GX-200, and the Pentax I suggested, try them out in the store, and pick the one that feels best. Exclude the Pentax if you don't want an SLR.

Thinking about it, I wouldn't suggest the GR Digital II at all, TBH. While- here's some advice- sticking to one or a small set of focal lengths is good, having just a wide isn't really a good idea for most people, and the two other compacts have stepped zooms, so you can always set it to the a favorite wide and normal, and then the long end.
>> Anonymous
>>236536
>>236506

thanks for the advice

is the small censor compact basically a point and shoot?
>> Anonymous
>>236553
Yes, basically, but those are all serious cameras. "Small sensor compact" is inclusive of both point and shoots and those- with estimable lenses, manual controls, etc.
>> Anonymous
>>236506
>I'd suggest here a Pentax *istD or *istDS. Older model, only available used (cheaper). It's got the highest viewfinder magnification of any other crop DSLR except the Kx00D models (which it ties) and it's the only entry-level DSLR which has two control ls.

Does that mean that the *ist has a bigger viewfinder than the K10D?
>> Anonymous
>>236633
Whoops, typo, no, sorry.

Should've read Kx0D, not Kx00D. Ties the K10D.
>> Anonymous
>>236633
http://www.neocamera.com/feature_viewfinder_sizes.php?order=size

Chart, sorted from largest DSLR viewfinder (Canon 1Ds Mk. III) to smallest (Olympus Evolt E-500).
>> Anonymous
thanks for your advice once again...im leaning alot towards the lumix lx-3

im going to be leaving easter next year, so i hope to use the time from now til then to educate myself about photography and maybe take a few courses. i had a look at james nachtwey's inferno and it just completely blew me away....
>> Anonymous
I would get a smaller DSLR and try to beat up the case a bit so it looks shittier. Paint over the logos, etc.

That should lessen the chance of getting taken hostage by Colombian rebels.