I’ve been mulling a lot about traveling with a camera.
I’ve had my DSLR for a bit now and have taken it on a few trips. It’s been on short trips in and out of the country as well as one long trip to Antarctica. I’m starting to wonder whether I need another camera to add to my arsenal.
I used to carry around a pretty cheap point and shoot. We upgraded to the DSLR because Mr. P was tired of seeing me attempting artsy shots with a cheap camera. The DSLR takes beautiful photos.
However, the DSLR is also a lug to carry around. Getting it out of my bag when we’re traveling makes me think twice about whether it’s worth getting a shot (which is no bueno in my mind). I loved being able to whip out the point and shoot to get a shot that was quick and unobtrusive. I also loved the option of carrying a smaller bag. One of my worst fears in life is schlepping.*
Handling the camera with cold weather gear was challenging in Antarctica. Despite the photo below (wherein Mr. P told me I couldn’t possibly use the DSLR when wearing 2 layers of gloves), I handed off camera duties for most of the trip.
In my trip to Oregon recently, I left the camera at home and used my phone. That was great for a quick weekend, but not doable for a longer trip.
Perhaps a higher quality point and shoot is needed to fill this void? I’m leaning that way. But I fear having that option will make me eschew the DSLR and since I bought the damn thing, I’m determined to get my money’s worth.
Somewhere there has to be a balance between quality and the schlep factor.
Your thoughts? What camera do you use to travel?
*If you ask me what worries me about parenthood, I will always (naively, because I don’t know what’s coming to me) say that I don’t want to have to carry around a ton of stuff in order to leave the house.
Almost Never Clever 
The older I get, the less willing I am to schlepp ANYthing!! LOL. As for the camera … the main reason I still use a point and shoot is because they do take such nice photos without taking up room in our luggage and I don’t have to carry a rock around my neck! I know other scrapbookers and shutter-bugs who feel the same. A friend recently told me she purchased “a new camera that has a phone app!” Her words 🙂 She really did pick her new cell phone because of the camera it has. She has triplet boys about to turn three. She HAS a “fancy” camera and wants the best she could find to keep in her pocket. Choices are great!!
I’m not sure I’m much help – we have a couple of good point and shoots (one of which is shock proof and waterproof which comes highly recommended – the Sony TX5) but we tend to carry all of them around quite often! If we’re hiking or similar we only take a point and shoot, but any real travel ends up with us carrying three cameras, plus two iPhone 5s!
Ha! This cracks me up and sometimes you just can’t help having multiple cameras.
I adore my point and shoot, though I can’t quite bring myself to take it when I travel so I end up forcing myself to choose between phone and DSLR. My point and shoot is a Canon S95 – probably about 6 years old so there’s a newer model, I’m sure, but it was a P&S that a lot of pro photogs use for quick shots.
Re: the parenting shlepping thing, you can travel (relatively) light – it definitely gets easier over time. Since my younger one was about a year, I carry a snack, wipes and a diaper in my purse, and leave the extra clothes/more diapers/changing pad etc in the car. It’s just when they’re tiny that you’ll need more stuff handy. But if you have a stroller it’s easier to stash it there instead of carrying it.
It’s sort of like those people who still travel a ton with kids – if it’s a priority for you, you’ll make it happen 🙂 So don’t let people tell you otherwise!! (And congrats!)
Ha! I like your frankness re the point and shoot and not taking it. I’ll keep that in mind.
Thanks for the words re traveling and schlepping. I know it can be done and I have to make it a priority when the time comes!
Every time I leave my DSLR camera home and opt for the point and shoot I am never pleased with my photos…so I bought a comfortable backpack and attachable camera strap so I can bring the equipment I really want to have. 🙂
That’s what I’m afraid of!