what Camera option are people using

[davejsy]

At the point you leave everything in the pack I also don't see any reason not to carry a camera due to it's value and thief chance.

This doesn't make sense really.

Everytime you use your camera you are advertising it to any people who might be of the disposition to steal it - so you are already more attractive to potential thieves. Also my camera and a lens would cost me £4k to replace - totally different to a mobile phone and passport which would be more of an inconvenience than an expensive disaster.

It is of course personal choice, and there is a marked difference between judging situations and naivety.

 

[Stivandrer]

I got too frustrated when first bringing my new Fujifilm camera w zoom:
First to guard it from the rain, it was wrapped in a plastic bag, and every time, I wanted a shot, had to perform a routine: Plastic off, hands off the walking sticks, then compose the shot, focus, then a shot maybe several. Then reverse the action.
I would be frustrated to have my walking rhythm stopped, just as much as I wanted to take a photo. Like I could not do both processes.
Enveloped in ambulating contemplation, I had to abort and do another process. Sometimes I would simply not take the shot, for which I was later sorry.
Thinking too much of the safety of the camera also infuriated me, ut was simply an item too much, and I loove cameraes since I was fourteen...always too precious to lose.
So I turned to phone cameras and have not looked back...
I am subscribing to Google Photo, so every time I have the opportunity to upload when near a wifi connection, this is what I do, the lenses in the phones are spectacular
It makes it so much spontaneous, a smile is caught with one simplemovement and a tap on the release...
Then when I get home, I can edit all the photos in the comfort my own surroundings. Almost as good as being there. And you can make it arty farty as well, if you have that inclination...

unedited:

 

[CaminoPhotos]

Starting in Pamplona next week for Camino #3. I'm planing to bring a Leica Q3. But there's a chance I may just pack my 30 year-old M6 and a few rolls of film. I only need one lens: a fast 35 f/1.4

I'd say that whether you use a phone or camera depends on why you're taking photos at all. If just for memories and documentation, use a phone. If you care about photography and want to make beautiful photographs of your journey, bring a good camera.

You may need a more than a few rolls of film!
Q3 is the way to go, I wish I had space to have taken my Q2M last month, but I was at full capacity.

 

[blind fool]

I did briefly consider taking a go pro…but (and this is just my opinion) my go pro 7 comes into its own when shooting fast moving action, underwater etc…none of which I anticipated on Camino…

this appears to be the only reference to a 'go-pro' - does that mean they're a joke for still pictures?

we're riding (MTB offroad) in September and my regret from the last Camino is not having a go-pro for taking videos while on the move. I plan to buy one this adventure and was assuming it would be suitable for still pictures too?
perhaps I should also upgrade my phone before going from a Blackberry to a Samsung 24 ultra?

hopefully this adds a dimension to this thread that is useful, hopefully will be useful to me - but apologies if its seen as hi-jacking. Buen Camino.

 

[CaminoPhotos]

this appears to be the only reference to a 'go-pro' - does that mean they're a joke for still pictures?

we're riding (MTB offroad) in September and my regret from the last Camino is not having a go-pro for taking videos while on the move. I plan to buy one this adventure and was assuming it would be suitable for still pictures too?
perhaps I should also upgrade my phone before going from a Blackberry to a Samsung 24 ultra?

hopefully this adds a dimension to this thread that is useful, hopefully will be useful to me - but apologies if its seen as hi-jacking. Buen Camino.

I've been using GoPros for years, I take them everywhere with me, including the Camino twice now. I use them to make vlogs, but they have limited use.

They're rubbish for photos. You'd get better results from a newer phone camera. Ideally though, if quality photos are important to you, a small compact camera is the best way to go.

 

[blind fool]

I've been using GoPros for years, I take them everywhere with me, including the Camino twice now. I use them to make vlogs, but they have limited use.

They're rubbish for photos. You'd get better results from a newer phone camera. Ideally though, if quality photos are important to you, a small compact camera is the best way to go.

thank you for you response.
we'll be travelling light so camera and a phone is more than I'd want to carry but appreciate your comment.
from what I've seen and the little I know on the subject - phones now appear to be on a par with most / a lot of compact cameras?

 

[CaminoPhotos]

thank you for you response.
we'll be travelling light so camera and a phone is more than I'd want to carry but appreciate your comment.
from what I've seen and the little I know on the subject - phones now appear to be on a par with most / a lot of compact cameras?

Phones are great for nice holiday snaps, but not if you're serious about your photography.

Phones have such tiny sensors, even the best AI inside them can't handle the limitations for things like low light shooting.

You can't blow up photos shot on phones to large prints, or manipulate the files and improve them much.

Sensor size is everything for good photos. You can get great compact cameras that only weigh a couple hundred grams, you wouldn't notice you were even carrying it.

 

[gini007]

This has been a big question for me too, what camera to take. I won't get to go on my camino for a while so I've been going back and forth, but the best advice I read on the web was don't take anything you can't afford to loose. I was debating with my options, my nikon z50, my pixel 7pro, or getting a smaller Sony RX100 to take. Since you need to carry your valuables with you at all times I plan for all my valuables to fit into a bumbag/fanny pack that I'll use in towns but can wear with my pack on so I can reach my camera while hiking. I've been doing this as I train at home to try different options. I have a panasonic lumix that is approximately the size of the Sony, but the camera is not as good, but I can use it for testing. Funny thing is the z50 with lens cost less than getting a sony so I'd rather take the z50 except for the wight. One thing I've locked in on is the phone alone won't cut it for me. I will be traveling more than just in Spain, so I really want something that zooms. So far the z50 works well, fitting into a 3liter fanny pack. I may change my mind but for now, that with the phone is the plan, but the important point is be ready to carry it with you at all times. Even to the bathroom/shower/while eating/hiking/sleeping/etc.

Im leaving in 10 days and doing waist pack with my Nikon Z50 and testing with both 26mm and 16-50mm = still debating that vs iPhone 15 with good glass lenses - did you get to go yet or make a decision ? also considering picking up a small sony older a series for size and weight trade off- would love to hear your thoughts

 

[CaminoPhotos]

Im leaving in 10 days and doing waist pack with my Nikon Z50 and testing with both 26mm and 16-50mm = still debating that vs iPhone 15 with good glass lenses - did you get to go yet or make a decision ? also considering picking up a small sony older a series for size and weight trade off- would love to hear your thoughts

I took a Z50 on my full Camino frnces and it proved to be the perfect camera. It's small and light, and the kit lens, despite being a little plasticky and fragile, produces wonderful results. Way better than a phone.

I took a metal manual focus lens with mine, giving me a 50mm full frame equivellant, plus the 50-250 telephoto.

 

[Tim-F]

The Sony RX100 series is fantastic. Large sensor (for a compact), great image quality and small/light. Would a Z50 plus lenses give you enough more to justify the weight? If you're walking X hours a day, plus finding accommodation, laundry etc, how much time will you be able to dedicate to taking photos?

 

[CaminoPhotos]

The Sony RX100 series is fantastic. Large sensor (for a compact), great image quality and small/light. Would a Z50 plus lenses give you enough more to justify the weight? If you're walking X hours a day, plus finding accommodation, laundry etc, how much time will you be able to dedicate to taking photos?

I don't think it's a matter of making time. I had my camera in my hand all the time, and shot continuously and instinctively as I walked.

 

[Tim-F]

I don't think it's a matter of making time. I had my camera in my hand all the time, and shot continuously and instinctively as I walked.

Fair point, and we all approach caminos in different ways. I guess a big reason I walked the Frances was to clear my mind of some baggage. I wasn't necessarily in the mindset of taking the best quality photos. So my input probably isn't very helpful to someone who'll be more photographically inclined

 

[CaminoPhotos]

Fair point, and we all approach caminos in different ways. I guess a big reason I walked the Frances was to clear my mind of some baggage. I wasn't necessarily in the mindset of taking the best quality photos. So my input probably isn't very helpful to someone who'll be more photographically inclined

Totally get it, we all approach things differently. My memory is bad, so I need to take plenty of photos.

 

[davejsy]

I'm a big photographer, but can't say I particularly look back wishing is have taken a proper camera with me. Sure there are a few photos I look at and think my camera would have been way better than my phone - but not enough to change my mind. I also think carrying a proper camera will change the way you walk your Camino in so many different ways, all mentioned above in this thread somewhere. So in true photographer style - always look at the bigger picture!