My parents are going on a 2 week Alaskan land and sea tour to celebrate their 50th anniversary and I want to get them a good camera to use. I'm thinking it should be somewhere above a low end point and shoot but not a professional DSLR. I know they will be doing a whale watching cruise and watching the northern lights so hopefully something with a decent lens.

 

Budget is probably in the $500 range if possible.

 

Any help and suggestions is greatly appreciated.

I don't have the latest model of the camera listed, but I've had earlier models.

 

Canon Powershot G15/16

Canon S110/120

 

You can also get a DSLR setup for about $500, but I think you're probably better off with a advanced point and shoot.

My parents are going on a 2 week Alaskan land and sea tour to celebrate their 50th anniversary and I want to get them a good camera to use. I'm thinking it should be somewhere above a low end point and shoot but not a professional DSLR. I know they will be doing a whale watching cruise and watching the northern lights so hopefully something with a decent lens.

 

Budget is probably in the $500 range if possible.

 

Any help and suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Well as you know, I know a thing or two about cameras; but I don't know a thing about your parents.  I have no clue how old they are or what their capabilities or desires are.  From the 50th anniversary I can assume they are past their 40's  The key thing for getting good pictures in that environment will probably be good fast long lenses - that means big dollars.  If they have the capability to operate a good quality DSLR there is another option you might want to consider.  There are many outfits that rent professional quality gear.  Since this is a once in a lifetime thing you might want to do that to capture great shots that you won't have a second chance to get. You could rent something like a Nikon D7200 and 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens for two weeks for probably half what your budget is.  You could also get a 2x TC or a longer lens too.  That would be the way to capture the best quality pictures for the budget.  Obviously this type of gear is way beyond your budget to buy.

 

If you decide on a non DSLR you want one with the best optics possible and real zoom not digital zoom.  I will admit I don't know much about these cameras as I am a DSLR guy.  I would suggest rather than asking on a gun board you visit some of the photography boards where you will get much better feedback on those cameras.  http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/forum.php  If the link does not work on your computer just use digital-photography-school.com and select the forum.  There is also a lot of other good info from the main page.  

If I may, I would PM Howard on this one.  He's the man when it comes to taking pics.  Remember the beauty of Alaska cannot be captured with a cheap camera.  Photos to last more than a lifetime.  One advantage I see today over roll film days is that you can just  keep clicking away as long as you have disc space.  Plenty of memory cards or take a laptop and download them onto the hard drive.  They can edit them when they get back. 
 
I am not the picture geek I once was.  Back in the roll film days had a Canon AE-1 with a 50MM f1.4 lens. Shot rolls and rolls of film.  Pain to lug that camera around, but the pictures it took, just amazing.
 
Congratulations to your parents.  It takes special people to enjoy 50 years of each other's company.  May they enjoy their trip


Edit: See I knew Howard would beat me.

Well as you know, I know a thing or two about cameras; but I don't know a thing about your parents. I have no clue how old they are or what their capabilities or desires are. From the 50th anniversary I can assume they are past their 40's The key thing for getting good pictures in that environment will probably be good fast long lenses - that means big dollars. If they have the capability to operate a good quality DSLR there is another option you might want to consider. There are many outfits that rent professional quality gear. Since this is a once in a lifetime thing you might want to do that to capture great shots that you won't have a second chance to get. You could rent something like a Nikon D7200 and 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens for two weeks for probably half what your budget is. You could also get a 2x TC or a longer lens too. That would be the way to capture the best quality pictures for the budget. Obviously this type of gear is way beyond your budget to buy.

 

If you decide on a non DSLR you want one with the best optics possible and real zoom not digital zoom. I will admit I don't know much about these cameras as I am a DSLR guy. I would suggest rather than asking on a gun board you visit some of the photography boards where you will get much better feedback on those cameras. http://digital-photography-school.com/forum is a great place to go. A very friendly place where you will get some great advice. Good luck, and don't forget to share some of their pictures with us here!

Great idea looking into the rentals.

 

I will look into camera forums but I figured between you and a few of the other photography gurus on here I could hopefully get some ideas.

Thanks for the plug T-Bill.

 

SeamusSU - while there may be a few of us that know cameras here, I highly suggest you check out the site I suggested.  There are a few gun guys on that site too, but I would not go there for information on guns or shooting - you get my drift.

 

If you post your questions there you will get info not just about gear but suggestions on which rental sites to deal with and which to avoid.  If you can't get what you want there I can give you the name of sites geared more to high end stuff, but I did not want to overwhelm you - this is a good general photo info site.

Folks in their 70's aren't looking for "equipment" to lug-around, especially if they have arthritis, heart conditions or other maladies like me.  Simple, light-weight is better and will be with them to record every moment.  Unless one of them is a former Pro, and is use to WEIGHT, I'd consider a pocket digital with a BIG rear screen so they can see if their eyes are open in pictures they have taken of themselves.  On a cruise, Pro Photogs will snap pix of everything and everybody and have them available for purchase the same day.

 

For a $500 budget you might get each of them a camera--just to be sure that one of them remembers to take it out of their stateroom.  Heavy DSLR's get left in Staterooms...

 

As a former Pro Photog, and now arthritic myself, I pick-up my fancy DSLR less and less.  And this comes from a Pro who used to shoot with Blads', Nikons, Canons, and even Leicas.  I went to the Reading Air Show a month ago with an entire Domke bag of stuff....but in the 90+ degree tarmac I opted to carry only the 70-200 zoom on a single DSLR body so I would be able to enjoy the Show, my son and his GF's company, etc. and not become fatigued.

 

Your mileage may vary.......

 

Hope they enjoy their trip and congrats to them on 50 years together!

 

Dave

From the "F 8 and BE THERE" School of Photojournalism

Dave is correct, good gear can be heavy and it all depends on your parent's physical condition.  My dad is 82 and has no problem lugging the heavy stuff, but when its not a real important trip will just take an 18-200 lens which is a decent walk around lens.

 

I checked around and http://www.borrowlenses.com

 

is a site many I know recommend.  The D5300 camera which is a great consumer sized Nikon.  My dad just picked one up and it takes great pictures and he loves it.  It has built in WiFi and GPS, which is a great feature for travel.  You could rent one for 28 days for $170 which gives them time to play with it and learn it before the trip.  I would want better glass, but the Nikon 18-300 lens would run $147 for the same period.  That gives both wide and long capability, but will not be as sharp as some more expensive options.  But that combination will probably be the lightest weight DSLR option.  They can even use that camera in basically point and shoot mode as it has both automatic and scene modes if they are not true photographers.

If I may, I would PM Howard on this one.  He's the man when it comes to taking pics.  Remember the beauty of Alaska cannot be captured with a cheap camera.  Photos to last more than a lifetime.  One advantage I see today over roll film days is that you can just  keep clicking away as long as you have disc space.  Plenty of memory cards or take a laptop and download them onto the hard drive.  They can edit them when they get back. 

 

I am not the picture geek I once was.  Back in the roll film days had a Canon AE-1 with a 50MM f1.4 lens. Shot rolls and rolls of film.  Pain to lug that camera around, but the pictures it took, just amazing.

 

Congratulations to your parents.  It takes special people to enjoy 50 years of each other's company.  May they enjoy their trip

 

 

Edit: See I knew Howard would be me.

An f1.4 wow. That would cost an arm and a leg now. I know, been trying to save up money for one. But then I got a FNX 45, now over 1500 rounds, and now I want a CZ455 sooo I need a better job.

I used to sell cameras.  People used to point and shoot or cell phone cameras, upon picking up an SLR for the first time, almost universally exclaim the camera is "so heavy!"

 

This happens with users young and old...but typically, the older the user, the bigger of a concern this is, due to medical issues like arthritis.  If someone wasn't coming in interested (i.e. the husband wants a camera and came in with the wife), the less-interested party would often say something like, "OK, but you're carrying it..."

 

I would strongly suggest against springing a "heavy" camera on people who might not want to carry it (and a camera bag, batteries, maybe spare lens, other random accessories...) - you might ruin the surprise, but bring them to test out a few models.

 

I'd suggest possibly looking into the smaller interchangeable lens cameras (often called EVIL cameras - [Electronic Viewfinder, Interchangeable Lens]), such as the Olympus PEN series, Sony NEX, or Nikon 1 series.  These cameras can be significantly smaller and lighter than a traditional dSLR (though slightly less so for the NEX models, as they use larger lenses due to a larger sensor), and are often less expensive as well.  They still have faster focusing and multishot capabilities from their larger brothers, and still offer plenty of easy to use modes for a beginner like a point and shoot.  Some higher-end P&S cameras are larger than the bodies of some EVIL cameras...  You still will likely want a separate telephoto lens for the camera.

 

For larger, true dSLRs, look into the Canon Rebel series or Nikon 3x00 or 5x00 line cameras.  You usually get an 18-55mm lens included in the kit.  You can usually purchase something like an 18-135mm kit, or a second lens like a 55-200mm/55-250mm/70-300mm.  The longer the focal length, the easier it is to bring in distant subjects.  There are also third-party lenses like the Tamron 18-270 VC which allow you to get all the focal lengths most people use without needing to change lenses - it is a compromise - but still a decent lens for the price.

 

Whatever camera you get...buy spare batteries, a case, a book/guide for it (if available), GOOD QUALITY memory cards (don't cheap out, and don't put all your eggs in one basket!!!), and have them use the camera before going on the trip - no point trying to learn the camera on the trip...

Supertelphoto has given some eccentric Excellent advice if you decide to buy versus rent. The only part I have a problem with is the idea of using a Canon . That is cause I am a Nikon guy!

Supertelphoto has given some eccentric advice if you decide to buy versus rent. The only part I have a problem with is the idea of using a Canon . That is cause I am a Nikon guy!

 

Eccentric?

 

OK, maybe I'll give you that...

Eccentric?

 

OK, maybe I'll give you that...

I absolutely HATE auto-correct on my phone.  I am fairly certain I typed excellent.  That is a funny auto-correct!

I would second not sending them out with a new DSLR . Other photographers I know rave about the G series Canon cameras. I only have Nikons , like Howard - and i don't have a point and shoot ( though I should) ..but like I said plenty of pro photogs choose G series when they do need to carry something point and shoot-ish.

 

I agree don't try a new DSLR in battle for the first time - that is why I suggested renting for four weeks, to give time to play with it and learn first.  I would also agree that for an older person a point and shoot is "generally" a good option.  If you told me they were going to Disney World, or London I would have suggested one.  When you tell me they are going on this once in a life-time Alaska venture I would hate to see them miss so many great shots that you really can't get with a PS camera.  That is why I think the D5300 is the perfect body for them to rent.  It has all the image capabilities of some much more expensive cameras without all the pro level controls that they won't use anyway.  Take them to a store and let them play with a couple of bodies.  If it is beyond them, then by all means get something simple.  If they can handle it then the pictures they get may just be stunning.

My wife and I were there in 07. I had my Canon 20D, 28-135, 100-400 and a lot of memory cards. I also took a small laptop to transfer the pictures at the end of the day. In all, I took about 5000 pictures over 7 days. There was about 1000-1200 that we finally printed and used in a album. 

 

The profile picture was taken on the Ketchikan docks. Another photographer and I waited 20 minutes for him to fly away. 

Msokad - do you have them online somewhere that we can check them out?

I do semi-professional bird, landscape, architectural and travel photography, am a Nikon guy with mostly 2.8 lenses and shoot a lot of 600mm. I also sold cameras (well, a long time ago). The learning curve is way too steep for even renting the the FX and high-end gear for folks in their 70s +, much less buying it. However, if they want great photos, DSLR is where it's at, and easier to use than ever in the DX series cameras (ie what most people buy). The decent DSLR 18-200 zoom kits start at > $1,000 + so a single "all purpose lens" kit DSLR with some telephoto range isn't going to fit your budget.

 

Best recommendation - go to bhphotovideo.com or Adorama and look at Nikon and Canon DX format DSLR camera kits that come with both 18-55 and 55-200 (or 55-250) mm lenses like these:

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/964756-REG/nikon_13284_d3100_slr_camera_with.html ($479)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/914086-REG/canon_digital_rebel_t3_18_55mm_is.html ($499)

 

Canon has the edge here because for $20 more, still on your price point, you get out to to 250mm (400mm equivalent in old 35mm format - the Canon DX to FX (35mm) conversion equivalent is also 1.6 to Nikon's 1.5). The 200mm Nikon equivalent is therefore only 300mm.

 

These lower-end DSLR cameras are only around 24 oz. with their std. 18-55 kit lens. My FX body alone is over two pounds.

 

You can get to an 18-135 mm single lens zoom kit but it's over your budget - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/758979-REG/Canon_5169B005_EOS_Rebel_T3i_Digital.html

 

One other possibility, if they "must have light and simple" although it's over your budget, that would get them into a better telephoto equivalency range is this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1004304-REG/leica_18489_c_digital_camera_dark.html

 

Hope that helps.

I agree, which is why I suggested the D5300 which is a small light weight easy to use consumer DSLR that takes amazing pictures.  If only going with one lens I think it has to be an 18-300 or 28-300.  I don't think they want to deal with changing lenses and risk getting sensor dirt on a trip like that, especially if they are not familiar with changing lenses or might not have the manual dexterity.

 

 

I know you have gotten a lot of somewhat conflicting advice, but there is no one shot answer here.  You have to trade-off their capabilities versus the quality of images they hope to capture.  Let us know how you make out, hope we have not confused you too much.

It's been said......heavy stays in the Stateroom!

I've got a Nikon D90 body and the 18-200 lens with somewhere around 3000 photos (have to check) I'd be willing to part with. PM me if your interested.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

First off Thanks to all of you for your suggestions.

 

I also had my wife ask around at work (her company does medical photography) and she got a chance to try out a Nikon 1 S1 and I think that will be the winner. It seems like the perfect halfway point between a basic point-and-shoot and the much heavier DSLR.

 

To make it even better there is a great deal from B & H right now for the camera and 2 lenses http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/910129-REG/nikon_27629_1_s1_mirrorless_digital.html

 

I think that will be just right for them.

Sounds like a nice option, I wish them the best of luck with it.  Be sure to share some of the images with us.  ALSO make sure they practice using it and are fully confident with it so they can get the most out of it on the trip.

Sounds like a nice option, I wish them the best of luck with it.  Be sure to share some of the images with us.  ALSO make sure they practice using it and are fully confident with it so they can get the most out of it on the trip.

The trip is in late August and I'm planning to give it to them in 2 weeks when we go to visit them. I wanted to make sure they have plenty of time to practice and get ready.

I'll also pick up several extra SD cards, batteries, and a bag to make it easy for them.

Get high quality cards, not the cheap crap.  Sandisk Extreme or Ultra, esp if they will take any video.  I suggest more smaller cards than fewer larger cards.  Cards can go bad, why risk losing lots of pictures when one card with everything craps out.  Plus, smaller cards cost less per meg.

 

I see the camera can shoot jpeg and raw.  If it can do both at once (some can some can't) I suggest with memory as cheap as it is to set it up to shoot both. They don't even need to know about the raw.  But if they get a spectacular shot or two raw will give you latitude to more processing on it and make it truly great.  

When I first got my dslr, I went with 2 lenses. While on vacation, I quickly learned you do not have time to switch lenses. I now have the rebel with the Tamron 18-270 lens. Much nicer setup with the one superzoom lens, much more convenient and I find I use it more.

Well Fastd it's all a trade-off between ease cost and image quality. I have a Nikon 28-300 lens and it's a great walk around lens, but it cannot compare to my 24-70 or 70-200, the image quality is night and day.

My head is going to explode, so I need to grab my Leica M-6TTL rangefinder & 50mm F 1.0 lens & caress it, lol!

 

Glad the OP found something light enough for 70+ year olds to schlep-around!

Msokad - do you have them online somewhere that we can check them out?

I just create a share site. They are in no specific order

https://msokadalaska07.shutterfly.com

Canon S110/120 are nice cameras, but they are tiny. It will be hard for older people to handle it. 

 

Hard to give recommendation without knowing intended use and habits. I would imagine they will not be interested in [super] tele zoom. I did not use these cameras but my guess they will be good choices:

 

Any recent version of:

Canon G series

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 series (there are 3 of them)

Nikon 1 series

 

For super tele zoom:

Panasonic Lumix FZ200

Fujifilm FinePix S1

 

Check out pretty good reviews at dpreview

 

P.S. Never leave for a once in a life trip without a backup camera or two

 

I don't have the latest model of the camera listed, but I've had earlier models.

 

Canon Powershot G15/16

Canon S110/120

 

You can also get a DSLR setup for about $500, but I think you're probably better off with a advanced point and shoot.