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You are correct about not wanting to carry a heavy expensive camera. A smartphone with a good camera serves multiple purposes - get a good protective case (even if you get a sleeker one after the Camino). Also make sure that you have a good way to protect it in the rain - the pocket of my rain jacket did not cut it, but fortunately I was able to borrow a good quality ziplock bag. Also, get an external battery similar to (but do some research on weight, size, price - there are some screaming values now):Bearing in mind that my phone is already outdated, so I know I will have to replace it with a new one (with a better camera) in the next couple of years, I am thinking: is it worth investing the money for a better phone now and use that as camera? In this case, though, I would be a bit worried about carrying an expensive phone with me
No matter what phone you get, make sure it has a minimum of 16GB storage, preferably at least 32GB. I met several people on the Camino who were very frustrated that they could not load offline maps and other apps on their phones because of limited space. Also, make sure that the phone you buy will accommodate GSM / LTE and some of the bands used in Spain.
A low tech way of doing this (with less accuracy though) is to take pictures of signs along the way. Or to write down a location, in the dirt if need be, and take a picture of that. Then, when editing pictures later, you can tell that a sequence of pictures were taken between town A and town B.One advantage of either an iPhone or Android, is the imbedded location, making the labeling easier.
I agree. And I have a "don't ask" incident as well. Take multiple memory cards.If you are taking a camera, be sure to set it at the highest resolution and image quality possible, and if it shoots RAW, all the better--but you will need lots of memory on cards. Several 8GB cards are better than one very large GB card , as you might lose the card or it might corrupt...or, speaking from experience, you might step on it and lose everything. Don't ask.
A co-worker confessed to me that he was a bad photographer but he also said that people loved his pictures. His secret? He would look for someone loaded with cameras and gear, walk up to them holding his camera and then asking him if he would take a picture for him too.For my $0.02 worth, I carry a full frame Canon DSLR and two lenses plus a couple of filters and a tripod.
Wise beyond his years...A co-worker confessed to me that he was a bad photographer but he also said that people loved his pictures. His secret? He would look for someone loaded with cameras and gear, walk up to them holding his camera and then asking him if he would take a picture for him too.
Some great advice Kurt. I'm curious, what is a Nook?The Pilgrims with the most pictures used their cell phone cameras...but really you want a small sport camera with minimum size and weight that is...waterproof...waterproof...waterproof...I used a Fujifilm XP 90 that worked great...the first big mistake is taking an expensive 35 mm style digital camera that is heavy, not weatherproof, and makes you a target for theft as a Pilgrim...the second big mistake is taking a digital camera that is not waterproof and I saw many die on my Camino...and purchasing a new digital camera on the Camino is not easy unless you are near a city...the third big mistake is buying a camera that is not easily used by other pilgrims to take a picture of yourself...and every time I was handed a camera I usually had to ask how do you take a picture and that primarily included cell phone cameras...and you don't need to bring a selfie stick because Pilgrims are willing to help but I saw many selfie sticks too...also buy a highly visible camera color (florescent orange or yellow) so you don't accidently leave your digital camera behind on the trail and I saw many Pilgrims going the wrong way to retrieve cell phone cameras....also buy a good heavy camera strap because I saw many digital cameras dropped particularly in the rain and wind...and lastly I backed up my pictures onto my Nook before going home so I had more than one copy of my pictures just in case I lost my camera. View attachment 23803
IF shopping for a lightweight travel camera, a rechargeable battery plus a spare weighs far less than carrying AA's. The battery on my compact Sony is good for about 400 - 600 photos before recharge. Charging cords are lightweight and compact, similar to iPhone plug ins. One plug in charger with a separate cord for your phone and your camera (assuming each has a different style connector) will cover all your needs.I took a point and shoot that needed 2 AA batteries. I suggest bringing about a total of 8 lithium batteries with you; they are light and in Spain they are hard to find and expensive if you do find them. I took maybe 5,000 shots along the camino in eight weeks and a pair of litium batteries would last about a week. For the times when I was out of them I would have to use regular AA batteries used for flashlights and sometimes they would not even last a day. These were available even in small shops though.
I agree on the convenience of AA batteries. Power outlets are often at a premium in the albergues, and having a second charger in addition to your phone can sometimes by a problem since it inconveniences other pilgrims who want to charge their devices. Regular AA alkaline batteries can be purchased in any tienda along the way, but I prefer to use the longer-lasting lithium batteries (not the rechargeable lithium-ion type which require charging and are frowned on by the airlines). So if you use these types, bring a couple of sets of spares from home....
Apart from the weight, I would never consider carrying such expensive kit on the Camino. Instead I take a little compact camera which only weighs 170 grams and runs on two AA batteries for which replacements can be purchased as needed.
That was my experience also with AA alkaline batteries. Stick with the lithiums.I took a point and shoot that needed 2 AA batteries. I suggest bringing about a total of 8 lithium batteries with you; they are light and in Spain they are hard to find and expensive if you do find them. I took maybe 5,000 shots along the camino in eight weeks and a pair of litium batteries would last about a week. For the times when I was out of them I would have to use regular AA batteries used for flashlights and sometimes they would not even last a day. These were available even in small shops though.
When using a compact camera that does not automatically update for location (timezone in particular), be sure to go into the camera menu and set the date and time for Spain before you start taking photos. That will help you at least get in the ballpark when trying to identify photo locations.A low tech way of doing this (with less accuracy though) is to take pictures of signs along the way. Or to write down a location, in the dirt if need be, and take a picture of that. Then, when editing pictures later, you can tell that a sequence of pictures were taken between town A and town B.
I would grab a picture of just any sign and then later try to take a fancier picture of a fancier sign (for a "Signs along the Camino" set.)
what is a Nook?
Another good tip is to note the sequential number you started/stopped with every day. I'm not sure if everyone does, but many people write in a journal to document their Camino. I did as well and part of my daily entry was the distance I walked and the end number of my photos that day. If you are using a phone that doesn't create photos with a number, just take a photo of your sello in your credenciale for that day and you'll know where you were on the date as well. Happy Shooting!When using a compact camera that does not automatically update for location (timezone in particular), be sure to go into the camera menu and set the date and time for Spain before you start taking photos. That will help you at least get in the ballpark when trying to identify photo locations.
That's a very good suggestion....Also when I enter or leave a village/town/city I photograph the sign with the name of the place which also helps me to know where the photos were taken.
I've also used a Nikon coolpix - small, far, far more versatile than my phone and if it gets wet it doesn't matter. Also if it did get wrecked, it costs much less to replace than my phone! And the SD cards have tons of room.I have a Nikon slr as well as other expensive cameras that I have accumulated over the years. On my first Camino back in the early days I carried a Minolta SLR and it weighed more than my pack with all of the film,filters,lenses etc. I was young at the time and made do. Now , we are more civilized and have indoor plumbing so to speak. I would never carry my SLR because of the excess weight. Heck, I don't even use it when I travel locally. It is just too much trouble. I now use a Nikon cool pix,which takes high quality photos as well as videos with good sound options. It uses a SD card and you can take all of the photos and videos that you like. Last years Camino I took over 2,000 photos and only used a 32 gig card. I did not need the extra sd cards that I took with me. My problem is sorting out all of the photos. With digital photos it is so convenient to take pics and delete on the spot what you want to edit . Ain't it great.
The cool pix is about the size of a deck of cards and has a good zoom and all of the modern features along with a timer for those of us who travel solo. Get a small digital and take a plethora of photos and sort um out when you get home. This is just my opinion on your question, not my advice. Buen Camino
I took a $100 Canon Powershot. It was light weight and had a view finder ( handy to have on sunny days). I was very happy with the pictures I took and I took lots. Since I could carry it in my pocket, it was handy whenever I wanted to take a shot.I'm getting ready for my first camino (Portugues, this April).
I feel like it is going to be an unforgettable experience, and I am hoping and expecting to see some truly amazing sights. I quite like taking photographs, and of course I want to have some memories of my pilgrimage. So here's the dilemma. I have a professional camera, a Nikon, that takes stunning pictures but of course it is quite heavy and I'm very concerned about carrying all that weight with me. Plus, the hassle of getting it out of its case to take pictures, etc...
On the other hand, my phone is quite old and the camera is really poor quality.
Bearing in mind that my phone is already outdated, so I know I will have to replace it with a new one (with a better camera) in the next couple of years, I am thinking: is it worth investing the money for a better phone now and use that as camera? In this case, though, I would be a bit worried about carrying an expensive phone with me.
Any advice? What did other pilgrims do to take stunning photographs?
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