Yellowstone - Snowmobiling

I'm looking for some recommendations. I will be going to yellowstone, and snowmobiling for a week. Since I will have a passenger on my snowmobile, I don't think I want to take my complete camera bag. I'm thinking that maybe I need a case that will hold just my rebel xt and the lens and carry that around my neck on the snowmobile. My second thought is to not take the Rebel and just take a simple cybershot camera.

My fear is if I take the rebel, something might happen to it, weather wise, or because of snowmobiling. I want to take something because it is my first time there and this is a photo opportunity that doesn't come around every day for me.

So, which route would you go?

1. rebel and lens in a smaller case
2. Simple cybershot

Is there a case that would house just the lens and camera and maybe one other lens and some batteries that would be easy to take on a snowmobile or to put around my neck?

Thanks as always,

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

First of all I'm envious of your upcoming snowmobile trip to Yellowstone. I snowmobile a fair bit (~2,000 miles each winter), but virtually never use a DSLR for a number of reasons (its a hassle keeping the batteries warm enough and hard to keep the gear dry, the pounding the gear takes while sledding (especially during a week long trip like you are planning), it gets very heavy if you are using a back pack and probably wouldnt survive in a saddle bag etc.). So I use an SD-700, which easily fits in a fleece pocket. Its a 6mp camera with IS and 4X optical zoom and does an excellent job. The convenience of the P&S would get my vote for your trip.

I second that. I usually just take a point and shoot. I wouldn't be able to keep an SLR around my neck all day. Then trying to get it out every time I wanted a shot would get old. Plus, depending on your riding style you may fall off the machine and land on your camera. Seems like I spend more time off the machine than on it. Sometimes I think I am still young!! EricL

P.S. I just wish we would get enough snow to get the sled out!!

Ummm I remember something about them not allowing snowmobiles in Yellowstone anymore. I lived in Cheyenne for the last 19 years and recently moved to Denver so I am no longer up to date on Wyoming news but hmmm I dont know lol.

If they still allow it, have a lot of fun and just be careful lol. Dont mean to rain on your parade.

I've never been snowmobiling in Yellowstone, but from the articles in the sledding magazines you are allowed to snowmobile in the park under fairly strict provisions (there is a limit on the number of sleds allowed in the park, you must have a guide, they must be 4 stroke machines (for emmision & sound concerns) etc.). There was some serious opposition to sleds in the park by groups with environmental concerns (and for a brief time they may have been banned) however I believe that sleds are still allowed.

Sleds are currently allowed as was earlier stated by another poster. It's still in the courts and based on which judge says what things can change with out much notice.

Thanks for all the replys. It sounds like the smarter thing to do would be to take my point and shoot on the trail. I've never snowmobiled in Yellowstone, but as I understand, you can still, but only with a 4 stoke sled and a guide as stated before. I was also thinking, and presented to my wife, that if something did happen to my equipment, all the more reason for that 40d when it comes out. (thinking ahead)

jeffscra wrote in post #2411527
I was also thinking, and presented to my wife, that if something did happen to my equipment, all the more reason for that 40d when it comes out. (thinking ahead)

OK, I hadn't thought of that perspective.....take all your gear and leave the P&S home