A while back I talked about how I carry a D-SLR camera with me when I travel, but why I often second guess my decision. There are plenty of negatives in taking them traveling, like the fact that you can lose it or have it stolen, but when it comes to having amazing holiday photos, they really can’t be beat.
Here are some of the main reasons why D-SLR cameras are good for travel:
- The photo quality kicks ass. Obviously, a D-SLR camera is only as good as the lens, but chances are you have yourself a nice little lens or two with that camera body. These lenses produce photos of a quality that usually can’t be reached with a normal point and shoot. Just imagine those iconic shots of local portraits on the cover of Lonely Planet coming from your own camera.
- The zoom potential extends miles. Ok, so maybe the zoom doesn’t extend for literally miles, but you can get a D-SLR lens that brings the action in the distance to an up-close level. Sometimes there are just things – situations, events, animals, etc. – that you can’t get right next to on the road, and that’s where the zoom comes in handy.
- There’s the ability to tweak the settings for the perfect shot. Whether it’s a slow shutter speed or slight overexposure, being able to play with the manual settings on a D-SLR camera can produce a shot that you may not have achieved with a standard point and shoot.
- There’s the ability to take in RAW. RAW is a type of file formatting that allows you to do post-processing without losing as much of the photo’s quality.
In other words: Carrying a DSLR camera gives you the capability to capture moments from your travels like you never imagined, creating the perfect record of a trip or moment abroad.
I may go on and on about how I just can’t handle taking a bulky camera in my bag, or how it can cause a little discomfort on my neck from time to time, but I still take it because I love the photos it captures.
What do you think?
Good points. I think it all comes down to how much you care about the look of your photos. You can get great photos with a point and shoot or iPhone, but it is so much more difficult and often you just can’t get a good shot without a better camera. That said, I think it’s a great idea for most bloggers to have a good camera to make sure their pictures are the best they can be.
I am going to Costa Ricain 3 weeks. I am taking my wide angle and zoom lens. Usually when I travel I have pockets in sweaters, but here I will not. I am looking for suggestion in carrying my lens and camera without my case, another type of bag, preferably waterproof . I have looked at the travelon messenger bag. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you