[pct-l] Digital vs. "Regular" Cameras: a weight comparison(PlusHow to back up on the trail?)

[cjpower at runbox.com (Christopher Power)]

I used a digital on the AT last summer and intend to use one on the PCT
as well.  My strategy is to have at least 3 high capacity memory cards
and rotate them as I fill them up.  For example I will send a full card
home in the mail and have a friend download all the photos to his
computer and burn them to a CD.  Then he will send the card back to me
on the trail.  By then, I may have filled up another card so I will send
that one home.  I like to have a backup card with me at all times in
case of logistical/technical problems.  The only extra equipment you
would need is a card reader for your friend, which isn't too expensive
and is convenient to have even when you're home.  I'd bet the reader
would end up being cheaper than paying someone else to download the
pictures for you.

As far as being limited in the number of photos you can take, it all
depends on how many and what capacity memory cards you bring.  I used 3
128 Mb cards and I could fit about 100 high quality (4Megapixel) shots
on each card.  The shots per card varies with the size of the card and
inversely to the resolution and quality of the shots you intend to take.
I ended up with about 850 pics for the whole trip.  On the PCT, I may
upgrade to 256Mb cards.  I don't think I'd be comfortable going any
larger than that - too many eggs in one basket for me.

If you're far from the west coast, you may be able to find someone on
this list that lives near the trail and would agree to download your
pictures and burn them to CD for you.  This would cut down your postage
cost and cycle time for getting your cards back.

The key to long battery life is just as you stated - don't review
pictures excessively and use the LCD sparingly, but part of the
advantage of digital is that you CAN review pics and delete the bad
ones.  So I typically leave the LCD on when taking pictures, but try not
to review much once I've decided to keep a picture.

I also ended up bringing the charger and a spare battery with me since
they're pretty light and important enough to me.  I would just ask to
use a spare outlet in a store/restaurant/library while I was there
anyway.  Or if I was staying overnight in a town, then wherever I
stayed.  I always tried to leave town with at least one fully charged
battery.

Again, this is what worked for me on the AT.  Pictures are very
important to me so I didn't mind carrying the extra weight (cards,
battery, charger) as insurance.  The PCT may have its own challenges
that hopefully some others can point out.

Chris