File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
sup /p/

I have a question, i deploy to Iraq in June, and I wanted to bring a camera along with me. I don't know whether to buy a video camera or a regular camera, and I can't decide on a make/model. It has to be reliable, and easy to use, but still have a decent video/picture.

pic unrelated, I took it last summer at Mt. Monandock
>> Anonymous
There was a thread about this before, but I can't remember what /p/ eventually figured out. With the exception of multi-thousand-dollar, heavy professional cameras, cameras just aren't made for deserts or warzones.

Good luck over there, though.
>> Anonymous
>>93152
ah, well, i don't really browse /p/ but I thought that it might be worth a shot. I'd imagine any cheap video recorder would do, but I am totally helpless when it comes to video technology (i think FRAPS is the closest thing i have used to a video recorder)
>> Anonymous
Can't really comment on what camera would be good there, but if you're going to have that thing in the real world( ie surrounded by sand) in Iraq, I suggest finding some makeshift solution to cover everything but the lens from sand.
Also, I didn't know that they openly allowed soldiers to bring cameras along. If they do, take some good photos for us!

That wasn't meant in a "haha disregard that whole war thing" kind of way...
>> Anonymous
>>93167
the sand would be worse then the battle methinks, loud explosions and vibrations verses sand everywhere, I don't know which would be worse, I'd think the sand though.

(I don't know either, but I see plenty of vids on youtube and google video, so I guess it's at least overlooked.)
>> Anonymous
>>93185
yeah. sometimes i use the big speakers at the front to lay my gear on while i switch lenses, lol.
>> Anonymous !SDPEsPMnww
I've already been to Iraq. It was before I started getting into photography, so all I had was a shitty P&S camera. But be careful since a lot of the sand is almost like powder--really fine--and can get into places you wouldn't imagine. If you're going to bring any kind of SLR, make sure you have a good way to clean it, and I wouldn't suggest changing lenses too often or at all if you can help it (maybe bring a good prime lens?).
>> Anonymous
If you get a domestic camera and encase it in a diving case or cover then it will stop the sand. If it is water tight then it should be sand tight. Some of them are soft and some of them are hard (can take more knocks, depth and more reliable at the cost of convenience and space). If you put something like them on it it would stop even sand blowing on it.
>> Anonymous
>>93193

By domestic I meant any non-pro and "weather sealed" body. The ones that don't cost a fortune. Just to clarify.
>> Anonymous
As much as some might be put off by them, the super zooms might be ideal for you. You can get ones covering very large ranges like 18-200 or even 50-500 at the more extreme ends. If you're not changing the lens then it's less dust and less likely to develop problems. Get a bag to suit it and leave the lens on at all times.

The daylight there will probably be good too, so even though I love very wide apertures, you will be able to use narrower apertures there than someone in northern USA or Europe in the winter now could. That's a plus both for saving you money and in using the zooms rather than swapping around with a bag of primes or reduced range zooms.
>> Anonymous
those olympus weather-resistant cameras sound good.
>> Anonymous !SDPEsPMnww
>>93370
Well, my point and shoot camera got sand all in the lens area, so the zoom stopped functioning properly. Then, I put it into my seabag, and it got crushed. If I end up going again, I'll bring my DSLR with a few prime lenses or a zoom lens with a really wide range. I'll just be sure to keep it in my carry-on baggage this time.

As long as you can keep the camera clean, an entry-level DSLR would treat you well. But I wouldn't recommend buying one unless you're going to seriously get into photography. Otherwise, just get a point-and-shoot camera with a good zoom range.
>> Anonymous
>>93371
It's a pity Olympus doesn't make any weatherproof midsize cameras - it's either 770SW/790SW (which suck at image quality like all supercompacts) or the E-1 (which is big, old and costs some $600-1000 with a weatherproof lens).
>> Macheath !8b4g0BkNZg
Hmmmm, you want picture and video?

You probably should get a superzoom like the S5IS.
>> Anonymous
>>93373

How about the little mju?
>> Anonymous
>>93375
Which one? 770SW and 790SW belong to the mju (Stylus in the US) series.
>> Anonymous
seems like a k10d would be a viable option. its weather resistant and built in shake reduction.
>> Anonymous
>>93370

If you get one for a compact or P&P then maybe a hundred dollars. If you want one for a budget SLR then it will cost the same or more than the SLR.

http://www.ikelite.com/
>> Anonymous
>>93434

I meant P&S not P&P. Doh.
>> Anonymous
>>93435
Pen and Paper cameras for the win.
>> Anonymous
I think the people in this thread fail to realize that this isn't a war. We won that, remember?
Mission accomplished. ;D

God I hate this administration.
>> Anonymous !SDPEsPMnww
>>93698
That has nothing to do with selecting a camera for use in the desert. gb2/n/
>> Anonymous
DEAD MAN POSTING