Well, I’ve recently found myself without a camera. I’ve been looking into a new one and I think I found one…but since you guys are so good with them (I’ve seen your pics on the forum here), I thought I’d ask to see what you think. Here’s what I’m thinking of. It has options like:
Waterproof Case (WP-DC18)
High Power Flash (HF-DC1)
Soft Case (DCC-700)
AC Adaptor Kit ACK600
Ni-MH Batteries NB4-300
Battery Charger Kit CBK4-300
I’ve always used larger cameras than that BUT in general:
Cases - I’ve had all sorts of cases and they always get taken off and thrown in the back of the closet. It takes too long to put them on and take them off. Even then they are always in the way. Just one extra thing to carry. I have a camera bag instead of cases for each piece of equipment. Saves time both in the field and when preparing to go on a photo gathering trip.
Flash - The only time I’ve used a flash for railfanning was when I set the camera for infinite exposer and flashed the subject. (See below).
AC adapter? - When railfaning you need the power in the field. Where are you going to plug it in? Get an automobile power adapter instead.
Batteries - Always carry an extra. I also carry a charger so I can charge them every night in the hotel room.
Lenses - Get both. The wide angle will probably be used more than a telephoto. I have everything from ultrawide to a long telephoto. I always need them for something even if it is just a “special” effect.
You didn’t mention a tripod. Don’t get a cheap one. Set it up, put the camera on it and see how much vibration it will withstand. The heavier the camera the meatier the tripod will need to be. Nice solid ones will begin at about $100. I just got a new one (after 35 years of use on the old) for $230.
I didn’t see anything about a remote shutter release. Really great when you don’t want to shake the camera by touching it.
Here is a “flash” picture (although a not very good one). I had a new camera and could only figure out how to set it for a 30 second exposure. Set the camera on a t
I second the Camera bag and tripod. You really don’t need the AC adapter. You may think you will use it but trust me, you won’t. Maybe you can work out a deal and get a extra set of the rechargeable batteries instead of the adapter?
Be advised: The descriptions for f-stop in camera ads always specify the maximum lens aperture opening. In layout photograqphy you need the minimum opening - f22 or smaller. You’ll need to check the instruction manual for the camera. That one is probably pretty good for layout photography.
I have both. With a tripod the camera can sit there on its own. A monopod must be still be supported by the photographer. I use the monopod mostly for my long telephoto lenses when doing wildlife photography. In that situation I usually hike for long distances so the monopod is lighter AND it doesn’t have three legs that can clunk against each other and scare the critters away. I think an actual tripod is a much better idea.
I think that would be WAY scarry. It is scarry enough in a car. The crazy drivers and high speeds seems that it would be extremely dangerous. Last weekend following the UP 844 we were regularly in a rolling traffic jam running 79 mph. It was impossible to slow down for the 45 mph towns and 40 mph construction zones. Then there the crazy people passing multiple cars at a time in “no passing” zones with on coming traffic. They would force themselves back into line just before having a head-on. They wouldn’t even see a motorcycle, let alone respecting it.
I’m very happy with my Canon S3 IS (I believe there is now an S4 IS). Paid about $400 for it two years ago. Can be had for about $300 now. It has a 12X zoom for getting those good shots without going on RR property. I can stop it down to f8 for a reasonable depth of field per this example:
Does fairly well in automatic and room lighting as well:
It uses 4 AA batteries and the extra SD cards are dirt cheap right now. It also has a full manual setting if you ever want to experiment with full control plus a lot of preset settings for specialties like night shots, snow, indoor lighting, etc.
