No camera? It sends a shutter down one's spine

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December 3, 1998

No camera? It sends a shutter down one's spine

By KRISTIN HOSTETTER
SPECIAL TO THE POST-INTELLIGENCER

For a long time I never carried a camera on backpacking trips. I've got enough junk to lug, I'd rationalize, and I can always have so-and-so make copies of her pictures for me. Then a friend invited me to a slide show of his trip to Alaska. As he clicked through the colorful slides, he laughed and told stories. Each slide sparked a flood of memories about his trip. That was it. I was determined to start documenting my trips before they all flowed together into one big colorless mass.

That was about four years ago. Since then, I've become quite a convert. I recently bought a new SLR camera and three different lenses. Along with my tripod, film, flash and extra battery, I lug nearly 10 pounds of camera gear on all my backpacking trips these days. And I love it.

There is a happy medium, however: point-and-shoot cameras, otherwise known as automatics. If you're packing one of those jumbo, brick-size contraptions from 10 years ago, you'll be glad to know that there are dozens of lightweight, compact, affordable options out there. But not all point-and-shoot cameras are built for the rigors of backcountry use. Here's a checklist of things to look for in a good outdoor camera:

Compact size and weight: The smaller and lighter the better, but the super-tiny ones usually cost a fortune. You'll find a slew of cameras in roughly the 4-by-3-by-2-inch size, and these are perfectly packable.

Water-resistance: Look for cameras that at least claim to be water-resistant, meaning they won't short circuit if they get splashed by a few raindrops. Waterproof cameras are nice, especially if you're into paddle sports or scuba diving, but be prepared to fork over a bit more cash.

Built-in flash: This is imperative so that you can illuminate the happy faces of your companions who are tent-bound in that three-day blizzard.

Ergonomic buttons: Look for buttons that are large enough to operate with gloves on.

Panoramic function: Many point-and-shoot cameras have a panoramic option that lets you crop the top and bottom of the frame for really wide-angle landscape shots. The result is 12-inch-wide pictures that can be fantastic!

Zoom-ability: If you have the ability to change the focal length of your shots, the result is a versatile mix of pictures -- some close up, some wide angle. Zoom ranges vary quite a bit, but 28mm to 70mm is a good starting place. Your best bet is to go to the camera shop and play around with the zooms to figure out which you like best.

Self-timer: It's no fun if one person from the trip is always missing from your shots, so get a camera with a self-timer and use it often.

Some additional tips:

Keep your camera handy: There's nothing more frustrating than getting home from a trip and realizing that your camera stayed, unused, at the bottom of your pack. If it's buried down there, you're far less likely to stop and dig it out. Keep the camera in a pouch attached to your hip belt or shoulder strap, and you'll be ready to catch the action at all times.

Carry an extra battery: It never fails, just when you're about to take the shot of your life, your battery runs out. Don't get caught without a spare.

Shoot slide film: Slides are great because you can bore . . . uh, entertain your pals with a narrated show when you get home. And you can always have prints made from the slides.

If a new camera isn't in your budget for a while, grab a couple of those disposable, single-use cameras at the drugstore. They work great, and they're super-lightweight and virtually indestructible.

The important thing is to take pictures on your adventures. You'll be happy you did.

Kristin Hostetter is the equipment editor for Backpacker magazine. She resides in Portland, Ore., but spends most of her time in the wilds testing gear. For more information on equipment, check out Backpacker's Web site atwww.bpbasecamp.com.