[pct-l] (Guest Post) camera

[svein.eriksen@creuna.no (Svein Eriksen)]

I've some exerience with heavy cameras. On hikes. At one point a long time ago I was shooting both B&W and slides, so I brought two camera bodies and two lenses on many trips, including a week long trek in the mountains in Norway. And I didn't mind the weight as I had time to use it. 

But it wasn't a thruhike. The difference, at least for me is the need for doing enough miles every day. I simply don't spend enough time taking pictures to justify carrying that much weight. On the AT I actually carried a Canon Eos-5 (I think it's called A2E in the US) with a 35-350mm Canon zoom. Pretty nice combination. Also pretty heavy. The lens is around 3 pounds, I'd guess 5 pounds with the body.
Another drawback with a heavy/big combination is that you have to keep it in the pack. Takes time to get it out, and you're likely not to bother in many situations thinking there will be other opportunities. There will, but not the same. 
On the PCT I carried a Pentax IQ Zoom with 38-160 lens. Not the smallest, but at the time (98) the closest I could find to an SLR with a decent zoom. Worked fine, and much easier to get at. Kept it in my pack, but in the top pocket were I could get it in/out without taking the pack off. Still missed all the bear shots, but much less effort to take a picture. Worked fine until I crushed it just after the hike. 
The IQZoom 160 is still a good option. They also have a model that's 50-200. Olympus got one that's 38-170. But I'd probably get the Olympus with 28-120 
zoom to cover more wide angle. 
So my reccomendation would be to leave your slr at home. Get a compact with decent zoom. Then maybe take your SLR on short parts of the trail if you're really into it (and can arrange it). 

Svein