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I say yes to a pro camera! But perhaps something smaller profile with a good zoom? Wonderful to have for architectural details and birds! If you do need a tripod - again, something that is light weight and folds up small! Good images are important to me too but weight is even more important when it comes to the walking enjoyment of my day. The smaller camera will also help with security. Always keep it with you / in sight when charging, and you'll be fine.The thing is, I am a professional photographer and I am eager to take the good images while walking. However, I am concern about the safety at this point: would it be wise to go with a pro camera (nothing too over-fancy, though) and, occasionally, a tripod?...
Hello everyone,
I am planning to have my first Camino walk (CF from Sarria). My friend, with whom I was going to do it, got a foot surgery, so I will be a solo female traveler, in my 50s.
The thing is, I am a professional photographer and I am eager to take the good images while walking. However, I am concern about the safety at this point: would it be wise to go with a pro camera (nothing too over-fancy, though) and, occasionally, a tripod?...
Would greatly appreciate your suggestions!
TYIA
I like your choice of lens! 35mm is lovely and very often is exactly what I need to shoot those beautiful arches in cathedrals… very fast lens too for low light…I walked in 2015 with my Nikon D800 and one lens…the 35mm f/1.8G prime lens. I’m happy I did. It can be done. View attachment 130435
I'd not worry about the weight as you are walking the last 100k and it's very busy.
Insurance ( as a professional ) you should already have.
Seen some wonderful videos of the camino made with normal gear / equipment. A video by David Wen ( link here somewhere) was very impressive, though from memory he had worked in Hollywood
Thanks a lot, guys!I like your choice of lens! 35mm is lovely and very often is exactly what I need to shoot those beautiful arches in cathedrals… very fast lens too for low light…
Whatever you decide to do, make sure you’re comfortable and can reach your camera easily and enjoy the trip!
Thank you!Let me address this a little differently from the other excellent posts on this thread. Regarding safety, and I’m interpreting this as safety or security of your equipment, I do think you will have to be very vigilant regarding keeping track of expensive equipment or valuables on the Camino particularly in the albergues. As a guiding principle for myself, and I took my full 35mm camera with me on my first CF, I never leave anything valuable unattended even when I hit the showers! As a rule of thumb, my important documents, money, and electronics were always on my person or with me. I have no idea how often it happens, but pilgrims do have items stolen in albergues. Not everyone who looks like a pilgrim is a pilgrim. A good Camino friend of mine had his camera stolen off his bed in an albergue in SdC on his last day. Yes, he was at fault for leaving it on his bed as he went to shower. Nonetheless, in a matter of just a few minutes, his photographic record of his Camino was gone. I would just offer the warning about being very vigilant regarding any possession of value. You cannot assume that it is safe just because you’re surrounded by others walking the same path.
It may depend on whether you want to walk and enjoy your Camino or photograph The Way. Personally, I would let go of the gear, use a smart phone and relax and enjoy the experience of your Camino which I don't think you can do through a lens.Hello everyone,
I am planning to have my first Camino walk (CF from Sarria). My friend, with whom I was going to do it, got a foot surgery, so I will be a solo female traveler, in my 50s.
The thing is, I am a professional photographer and I am eager to take the good images while walking. However, I am concern about the safety at this point: would it be wise to go with a pro camera (nothing too over-fancy, though) and, occasionally, a tripod?...
Would greatly appreciate your suggestions!
TYIA
Agree!I have a phone with a very good camera, but it cannot provide the same quality, alas, especially when I composite images.
Hi, I've just finished the GR65 in France and took my Fujifilm X100v. Pretty ideal, it's light, had all the pro quality you'd expect, it's only a fixed focal but that didn't worry me at all, there's an app that should upload JPG files directly from the camera to your phone via the app. It only worked occasionally for me but others have better luck with it. If you prefer to shoot raw files you'd need to set the camera to record both raw and JPG to use the app. If you're not familiar with the camera I'd suggest having a look at some reviews, it's highly recommended as a lightweight travel camera.Hello everyone,
I am planning to have my first Camino walk (CF from Sarria). My friend, with whom I was going to do it, got a foot surgery, so I will be a solo female traveler, in my 50s.
The thing is, I am a professional photographer and I am eager to take the good images while walking. However, I am concern about the safety at this point: would it be wise to go with a pro camera (nothing too over-fancy, though) and, occasionally, a tripod?...
Would greatly appreciate your suggestions!
TYIA
will do! will post the link here later)Agree!
Will you be posting your pictures on any social media etc? Would love to see! And maybe I’ll be braver next time and bring mineor not
thank you, Pepi!As a non-professional, I am not one to give photographic advice, but here are my 2 cents anyway.
Ask for what purpose you want to take pics and vids in the first place; if you intend to spread your material over YouTube, FB etc, the quality loss you'll have because of compression is far more critical than your gain with pro equipment; more so, if your intended audience will watch mainly on phones, as it is mostly the case.
Furthermore and in hindsight, the scenes appreciated mainly by others are results of spontaneity and moments, when you often do not have your gear ready; quality is rarely an issue here. (Here is an example of my last year's vid, which btw has lost terribly by compression and is sooo much better in the original,)
Real pros in general, I have learned, prefer to compose their material in post-production rather than using Zoom, which again would call for pro cameras, lenses, and tripods.
As for low-light moments, frankly, they rarely occurred on my walks.
Weighing in the above including security, I finally ceased to schlepping expensive and heavy gear and using my iPhone exclusively on my Caminos. Instead, I am rather trying to adapt my photographic techniques to the given limitations, or rather, to its advantages, which are convenience and the speed,
at which I can record a moment. I even stopped to take along my OSMO gimbal, which, for video improves much more than the camera itself IMO; again, weight, convenience..
.
In the end, the OP will take the final decision, and whatever it will be, stop looking back and make the best with what you have decided on.
Buen Camino
GoPro cameras are fantastic fits in your front pocket.Hello everyone,
I am planning to have my first Camino walk (CF from Sarria). My friend, with whom I was going to do it, got a foot surgery, so I will be a solo female traveler, in my 50s.
The thing is, I am a professional photographer and I am eager to take the good images while walking. However, I am concern about the safety at this point: would it be wise to go with a pro camera (nothing too over-fancy, though) and, occasionally, a tripod?...
Would greatly appreciate your suggestions!
TYIA
thank you, Pepi!
as to your thoughts: and yes and no... I try to travel extensively and i take tons of pictures (post-production could take couple month after the trip))). Yes, i have a lot of images from my phone camera, and even if i can work wonders on then later in photoshop, the quiality is passable to me. I need high-quality images in order to print and sell, they are not intended only for social media.
And as I have mentioned earlier, Camino is only a part of my trip, so I will carry camera and tripod with me no matter what, and while it is the case, would like to use them occasionally for a really good shot. For just documenting the Camino - the phone camera will do, of course.
Thank you again!
Yes and people like you can send people like me photos because outside of taking photos of friends I have learned that I can't take a decent photo to save my life and 99% of the time even in those rare moments I take a decent photo it ends up looking like lots of other camino photos I took and I can't remember where the photo was taken anyway. So we are blessed with people like you who take great photos to give to people like me. Haven't I seen you somewhere before in one of my photos????I walked in 2015 with my Nikon D800 and one lens…the 35mm f/1.8G prime lens. I’m happy I did. It can be done. View attachment 130435
Very helpful! Can you by any chance send a photo of what your monopod looks like with the elastic band ( is that like what we calls rubber band in the US?), and the two poles with the clothes line? I’m having trouble picturing them. Thanks.Whilst not a 'professional' photographer I do take lots of photos along the way, but more important for me, is taking video. I add these to my daily blog as a bit of a video diary to look back on in years to come.
So far, I have just used a phone camera. Samsung phones have amazing quality cameras, but of course due to sensor size, lack many of the features of a DSLR or Mirrorless camera. Both of which I use at home.
So I'm constantly weighing up, quite literally, the benefits of a phone camera v a 'real' camera.
I might...........just might........for the sake of higher quality video take a small camera like a Sony RX100 next time. Though that also means another charger.... The only real benefits a see are:
And then..........I look back at the video I shot on my first Camino in 2015, with my old Samsung note 3......and it's passable, just, even now. So I'm leaning to upgrading my Samsung 8, which I love as a camera, to a 22.
- Better low light performance, though a new phone would be close to it.
- Better zoom capability, though the new Samsung phone will be close to it.
- Larger sensor size! Allowing better quality images and the ability to crop if required.
Regarding a tripod, I too thought about that a few times. But I make do.
I carry a tiny gorilla pod, that means I can fix my phone camera to fence posts, trees etc. There is usually something.
I also carry a loop of 1 inch wide elastic. This holds my phone onto a trekking pole, that can be stuck into soft ground as a self supporting monopod.
Then finally a have my washing line cord, and one tiny tent peg. Using both trekking poles, this can be fashioned into a tripod, with the camera atop the whole thing on it's tiny Gorilla pod or using the elastic.
The next modification will be to add a tiny ball mount to one of my trekking poles. Quite easily done.
So there is no way I feel the need for a tripod and the extra weight.
I'd suggest there are two things to consider other than camera 'quality'.
Weight. Camera, charger, tripod etc. This is not extra weight I would want to carry. It would add at least another kg or more. You are younger and probably fitter/stronger than me though....
Ease of Use. Unless the camera is around my neck, with all weather protection, it's not going to get used as much as my phone camera. There is that old saying "The best camera is the one you have with you at the time"
I had an online chat a few years ago with Fr Johannes, who shot "To where God Dwells". Something like a 5,000 MILE Pilgrimage? He remarked that as his camera was in the backpack, he didn't use it as much as he would have liked. And was considering something like a Sony RX100.
Though he seems to have gone the other way now, with multiple cameras and a drone
Just some thoughts.
Only you know what will work best for you of course........
In 2008, I carried a Nikon with an 28-200mm lens carried in a bag attached to my backpack around my waist. At night I slept with itHello everyone,
I am planning to have my first Camino walk (CF from Sarria). My friend, with whom I was going to do it, got a foot surgery, so I will be a solo female traveler, in my 50s.
The thing is, I am a professional photographer and I am eager to take the good images while walking. However, I am concern about the safety at this point: would it be wise to go with a pro camera (nothing too over-fancy, though) and, occasionally, a tripod?...
Would greatly appreciate your suggestions!
TYIA
in 2008 I carried a Nikon and 18-200mm lens. I carried it a camera bag attached to my backpack around my waist. At night I slept with it in my sleeping bag!Hello everyone,
I am planning to have my first Camino walk (CF from Sarria). My friend, with whom I was going to do it, got a foot surgery, so I will be a solo female traveler, in my 50s.
The thing is, I am a professional photographer and I am eager to take the good images while walking. However, I am concern about the safety at this point: would it be wise to go with a pro camera (nothing too over-fancy, though) and, occasionally, a tripod?...
Would greatly appreciate your suggestions!
TYIA
I have asked if it is safe to walk around with camera, that's it))Fish or cut bait!
First decide if the propose of your trip is a pilgrimage or a professional business opportunity. As you have discovered, it is difficult to do both at the same time.
-Paul
I appreciate you posting this. I was also wondering if I should take my mirrorless camera with me. I also made the decision to have my bags transferred to bring my camera along. I have both with me and will pull out my phone to take a couple of photos I can share. The comments were very helpful. Thank you Buen CaminoThanks a lot, guys!
Much appreciated!
I will have my luggage transferred, so I would carry only some daily necessities - and a photo equipment. I will visit other countries and cities before and after Camino, so the camera and a very light manfrotto tripod will be with me anyway. I just wanted to make sure it is safe to walk with them in the woods))
Yes, I have a phone with a very good camera, but it cannot provide the same quality, alas, especially when I composite images.
Thanks again - cannot wait to be on Camino!
As to the purpose: the camera is my way to see the world and my soulmate.
So maybe you have to decide are you on a walking pilgrimage or a on a tourist photography holiday.
Fish or cut bait!
First decide if the propose of your trip is a pilgrimage or a professional business opportunity.
hear, hear. right on!Yes. Well said @Turandot Thank you! My photos are also my journal. When I return home, they are a record and a window into new knowledge as I examine and research details in the images.
Pilgrims (as all travellers) do create art. They take photographs. They draw. They paint. They write poetry, songs and stories. What they have created in the past, the present and into the future aids all of us as we learn and prepare. All of this is vital for historical understanding.
Fwiw the rx100 can be charged with micro usb lead to camera - no need for extra charger - I love the mk7Whilst not a 'professional' photographer I do take lots of photos along the way, but more important for me, is taking video. I add these to my daily blog as a bit of a video diary to look back on in years to come.
So far, I have just used a phone camera. Samsung phones have amazing quality cameras, but of course due to sensor size, lack many of the features of a DSLR or Mirrorless camera. Both of which I use at home.
So I'm constantly weighing up, quite literally, the benefits of a phone camera v a 'real' camera.
I might...........just might........for the sake of higher quality video take a small camera like a Sony RX100 next time. Though that also means another charger.... The only real benefits a see are:
And then..........I look back at the video I shot on my first Camino in 2015, with my old Samsung note 3......and it's passable, just, even now. So I'm leaning to upgrading my Samsung 8, which I love as a camera, to a 22.
- Better low light performance, though a new phone would be close to it.
- Better zoom capability, though the new Samsung phone will be close to it.
- Larger sensor size! Allowing better quality images and the ability to crop if required.
Regarding a tripod, I too thought about that a few times. But I make do.
I carry a tiny gorilla pod, that means I can fix my phone camera to fence posts, trees etc. There is usually something.
I also carry a loop of 1 inch wide elastic. This holds my phone onto a trekking pole, that can be stuck into soft ground as a self supporting monopod.
Then finally a have my washing line cord, and one tiny tent peg. Using both trekking poles, this can be fashioned into a tripod, with the camera atop the whole thing on it's tiny Gorilla pod or using the elastic.
The next modification will be to add a tiny ball mount to one of my trekking poles. Quite easily done.
So there is no way I feel the need for a tripod and the extra weight.
I'd suggest there are two things to consider other than camera 'quality'.
Weight. Camera, charger, tripod etc. This is not extra weight I would want to carry. It would add at least another kg or more. You are younger and probably fitter/stronger than me though....
Ease of Use. Unless the camera is around my neck, with all weather protection, it's not going to get used as much as my phone camera. There is that old saying "The best camera is the one you have with you at the time"
I had an online chat a few years ago with Fr Johannes, who shot "To where God Dwells". Something like a 5,000 MILE Pilgrimage? He remarked that as his camera was in the backpack, he didn't use it as much as he would have liked. And was considering something like a Sony RX100.
Though he seems to have gone the other way now, with multiple cameras and a drone
Just some thoughts.
Only you know what will work best for you of course........
Thank you!I've done three full Caminos and lugged a full frame SLR with 28-300mm lens with me in each one. Security is the main thing. Put it all in a bag and take it into the showers with you. At night, place it at the bottom of your sleeping bag so it cannot be accessed while you sleep
Buen camino, @Turandot!Thanks again - cannot wait to be on Camino!
I shouldn't worry too much about walking the woods with your camera(s), Santiago on the other hand . . .Thanks a lot, guys!
Much appreciated!
I will have my luggage transferred, so I would carry only some daily necessities - and a photo equipment. I will visit other countries and cities before and after Camino, so the camera and a very light manfrotto tripod will be with me anyway. I just wanted to make sure it is safe to walk with them in the woods))
Yes, I have a phone with a very good camera, but it cannot provide the same quality, alas, especially when I composite images.
Thanks again - cannot wait to be on Camino!
Everybody seems to be ignoring your main concern!Thank you!
that wouldn't be an issue, since i will occupy the whole room... is it safe outside, while walking with the camera?...
Oops! Sorry! I too have ignored your main concern regarding safety, and have focused instead on the topic of your thread, being "Photography Equipment?". I had no issues with the safety of my pocket Lumix in the albergues. The camera was always with me, and in the bottom of my sleeping bag liner while I slept. I would charge it during daylight hours alongside other pilgrim's devices - cameras, phones, etc. The device charging area seemed to be respected.On my 2014 Camino I carried a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60. The "TZ" stands for "Travel Zoom". It is a pocket camera. I found it the perfect photographic companion and produced some wonderful shots with it. If you're into stats: 6.16x4.62mm sensor size, 18.1 megapixels, 30x optical zoom (35mm equivalent of 24-720mm). The optics are Carl Zeiss Leica. I did not carry a tripod but, for some shots, I wish I had that extra stability.
In 2019 I upgraded to the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ220 (12.8x9.6mm sensor, 20.1 megapixels, 15x optical zoom 24-360mm). I also purchased a Benro PP1 pocket tripod. This was for my intended 2020 Camino, which never happened! Thanks COVID! But I have used the camera on the tripod with a 2-sec timer to take photos inside local cathedrals here in Melbourne and I am extremely pleased with the results. Who knows, maybe I'll use it in Spain next year.
thank you so much, Alan!Oops! Sorry! I too have ignored your main concern regarding safety, and have focused instead on the topic of your thread, being "Photography Equipment?". I had no issues with the safety of my pocket Lumix in the albergues. The camera was always with me, and in the bottom of my sleeping bag liner while I slept. I would charge it during daylight hours alongside other pilgrim's devices - cameras, phones, etc. The device charging area seemed to be respected.
I walked some days with a professional photographer who used a Canon DSLR, and also carried his MacBook Air laptop for processing the images in the evening. He seemed to manage ok.
Others have mentioned about safety in albergue and safety in Santiago from thieves…is it safe outside, while walking with the camera?
Yip, likeminded! Me too, as a professional photographer, had the same thoughts.I would say the main problem with bringing professional photography equipment is less the safety issue and more the extra weight and gear you will have to carry.
I've been to so many "Pickpocket-Spots" (Florence, Barcelona, Bruges, Lucca, Paris, Marseille, Nizza, Pisa, Prague etc.) in Europe with thousands € in professional photogear around my neck and this never ever happend to me.If your camera has a detectable lens, be aware that pickpockets (sometimes children) can distract you with clipboards or cardboard signs, remove the lens from your camera, and be away before you even notice!
This is not usually a problem on the Camino but can happen while transiting though airports, train stations or crowded public squares. A camera around the neck screams "dumb tourist, easy mark". Always be aware of your appearance and your surroundings.
-Paul
I was keen to go down as fast as poss, so the camera never resurfaced!
I used a Peak Design V3 clip and mount it to my rucksack strap. Amazon had cheaper alternatives but the reviews say it didn’t feel as secure and I don’t wanna drop/risk dropping my camera!So which is the best DSLR camera bag to take with you for easy access if you don't want to put it in your rucksack. I'm looking a Lowepro but there is an odd brand called Overboard which seems to do packs that can float in water.
Yes and people like you can send people like me photos because outside of taking photos of friends I have learned that I can't take a decent photo to save my life and 99% of the time even in those rare moments I take a decent photo it ends up looking like lots of other camino photos I took and I can't remember where the photo was taken anyway. So we are blessed with people like you who take great photos to give to people like me. Haven't I seen you somewhere before in one of my photos????
I use an older version of this LoweproSo which is the best DSLR camera bag to take with you for easy access if you don't want to put it in your rucksack. I'm looking a Lowepro but there is an odd brand called Overboard which seems to do packs that can float in water.
Professional photo equipment is too heavy. Instead of a tripod, I would use one of your walking poles to steady your camera. A cellphone that has multiple lenses will take professional photos in the hands of someone who is a professional photographer. Take a lesson in how to use it. If you have an iPhones I suggest the iPhone Academy by Emil Pakarklis, which is online. Many of his lessons are sold at a steep discount.Hello everyone,
I am planning to have my first Camino walk (CF from Sarria). My friend, with whom I was going to do it, got a foot surgery, so I will be a solo female traveler, in my 50s.
The thing is, I am a professional photographer and I am eager to take the good images while walking. However, I am concern about the safety at this point: would it be wise to go with a pro camera (nothing too over-fancy, though) and, occasionally, a tripod?...
Would greatly appreciate your suggestions!
TYIA
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