snowboarding, take my 300D?

[piku]

planning to go up to mammoth this upcoming january. i was thinking of bringing my 300D. i'm just concerned about its condition. anyone that have brought their 300D (or 10/20Ds) skiing or boarding that would like to share insights on how you handled the day without messing up your dSLRs? TIA

[karusel]

I intend to go skiing soon and have thought about bringing along my tendee and glass. Then I realized, this means that I'd have to be extra careful not to fall or anything, which pretty much kills the fun. And if I did fall... well, it would suck.

So I've also got a Nikon CP 995, and I wouldn't really cry too much if I broke it. But then again, I would be unable to make some supercool shots.

So I guess it's either fun at skiing or fun at taking photos.

[tim]

I'd not risk an expensive camera skiing, i'd take a P&S.

[kawter2]

I'd not risk an expensive camera skiing, i'd take a P&S.



DITTO, i have broken several things snowboarding that i didn't intend to

[jaypie77]

I am a skier and I can have fun while also virtually guaranteeing that I won't fall. I would think you could have fun on a snowboard and not fall as well. I have brought along my camera on a few days, obviously I didn't go off the biggest jumps or do the pipe, but I also wore a backpack and packed my camera well inside of it. My routine due to lower battery life in the cold is typically to do a few runs, grab the camera from the car and do a few runs with it, then leave the camera in the car and go back to being somewhat more dangerous.

[ilya]

take it. My 10d was dropped in snow and survived frequent temperature and moisture changes. this is gear, don't baby it. a P&S will not cut it - you need the FPS. I wore my velocity 9 with the 70-200 2.8IS plus 17-40 plus a flash. then again, i don't fall on my back. its sturdier then you think.

[shiningstardv]

I am going skiing to tomorrow morning actually, and was considering this same question regarding my 20D. I decided just to take my Canon Digital Elph s400 (point and shoot) for two reasons. One I don't want to hurt my 20D and equipment, and two I don't want to have to worry about the extra weight and hassle of the camera.

So I guess what I would tell you is this: If you are going snowboarding TO take pictures, then take your 300d. If you are going snowboarding to snowboard, then I wouldn't take it. For me it ruins some of the fun having to deal with the hassle of the expensive/bulky camera and equipment...but then again I guess everyone has to decide for themselves.

[milespenner]

I have taken my 10D and 28-135 (or 17-40) lens up on the mountain multiple times and while being able to get some great shots, it really sucks to have it strapped to your back (my opinion). If you think you will get some good shots that day take it, but if you want to rip down the mountain, just carve up the snow. :) Either way, you will wish you had it the other way (ex., "Darn, I that is a great shot and I wish I had my camera!" or "Darn, I wish I was not worried about my camera on my back.").

Some technical issues I have had though are:
1) do not back pack your camera on a sunny day. Taking the camera in and out of the bag will make it hot (on your back) and then cold when you take it out. While your camera can take it I have had some odd effects on my 10D.
2) only bring what your need like the body, an extra battery or two, and a lens. Two lenses if you really are out to get the shots.
3) a bag that lets your camera stay cool, like a sling. I will agree that having the padded backpack makes you feel safer with the camera, but it makes the camera hot and it is a pain (cause half your bum is off) when on the chair lift.

Cheers,
-- miles

[ilya]

you can do both ...
http://home.comcast.net/%7Ecantori/Vail/images/UploadVail_06_jpg.jpgmy wife took this one of me. its easy, i just carried the velocity, when we had a good run one would go down and take position with the cam. you can't get anything except blur with a P&S. take it for a morning andput it in a locker

[Tdragone]

One other thing;


The cold severly reduces battery life; I may live in San Diego; but I do go to the mountains a lot.

Popping the battery out and putting it in your pocket if you will be making a few runs WILL extend your battery life. Warm battery = happy battery.

-Tom D.