A 35mm camera to carry and use while skiing

Steve Goldstein · Nov 14, 2015

Last year I carried my Olympus XA in an inner pocket. It had a "permanent" yellow filter - I taped a piece of a Wratten gel inside over the film gate. I found it almost impossible to operate with ski mitts, though it was fine if I slipped the mitts off and wore just my poly inner gloves for the minute or so needed.

I'm thinking something a little easier to operate might be in order for this winter, with a chest harness so I can carry it inside my jacket. My candidates for this job are a Canon-P, a Zeiss Ikon, and a Nikon FM2n. Cold is certainly an issue for the batteries in the Zeiss and Nikon, and I can take measures against that. My real concern is vibration - should I be any more concerned about a rangefinder than about an SLR in this environment?

Paul Howell · Nov 14, 2015

Minolta Weathermatic, AF with a 35mm and 80mm, switchable lens careful to avoid the APS version. As it is deigned for rain and light underwater use the shutter release is easy to operate with gloves. In terms of a SLR, the Nikon ought to work, but again I would think about a small AF, Nikon N 65 or 80, Canon Reberl or Pentax ZX 50, even a Pentax PZ1, set on Program mode all you need to is operate the zoom and shutter.

RobC · Nov 14, 2015

Get a gopro. You know you want one really.

Steve Goldstein · Nov 14, 2015

Thanks for the suggestions, but I'd like to choose from among cameras I already own.

Sirius Glass · Nov 14, 2015

Years ago I used to ski with a Minolta slr, lenses, and polarizer filters in a backpack. After a while I got tired of it being in the way on the chair lift and throwing my balance off. I left it for others to do. When the children were around five to ten years old I use a Fisher Price 110 camera. That worked well. It had built in plastic padding.

ericdan · Nov 14, 2015

I use disposable cameras for those type of situations.
I particularly like Fuji's QuickSnap. They have a wonderfully bright viewfinder and are super easy to operate.
Kodak and Ilford disposables are not as nice.

Bill Burk · Nov 14, 2015

I think you should consider how easily the camera would be to replace. I think the rangefinders might be a little harder to replace than the Nikon FM2n.

Though I totally get wanting to use what you have, I'd dig deeper in the drawer for the worse camera.

I've even used a Kodak 35 in the snow and on whitewater rafting trips because there is nothing that can go wrong with that beast and if it falls in the drink or the drift, "so what?"

p.s. I also have let a teenager (not my own) drive my Honda Accord into a snow drift before, so there are some things I treat with a cavalier attitude.

frank · Nov 14, 2015

Nikonos V with 35. Take it ANYWHERE.

Steve Goldstein · Nov 14, 2015

Bill Burk said:
I think you should consider how easily the camera would be to replace. I think the rangefinders might be a little harder to replace than the Nikon FM2n.

That's a good point, thanks for bringing it up. There are certainly plenty of FM2n bodies around and Nikon lenses are plentiful. And the FM2n only needs a battery for the meter, so I can sunny-16 it if need be.

RobC · Nov 14, 2015

carrying anything inside your jacket is going to be prone to humidity and severe condensation when you take it out into cold air.
I would carry it in a sealed bag in a small back pack so it stays at outside temperature while you're skiing.

Skiing is far from sub zero most of the time. Well it is in the european alps, it may be different in north america.

Take which ever camera you most want to use.

Top tip is do not leave lenses attached to camera body while skiing. They provide leverage when you fall on them and are likely to bend mount if you fall badly.

And falling on your camera across your ribs is likely to break your ribs.

Sirius Glass · Nov 14, 2015

What RobC said "And falling on your camera across your ribs is likely to break your ribs."

CropDusterMan · Nov 14, 2015

Canon WP 1

destroya · Nov 15, 2015

i carry an oly epic stylus. fits nicely in the jacket pocket. nice sharp lens as well. but no filters

Truzi · Nov 15, 2015

I took a 110 camera skiing until it fell out of my pocket and was combed into the slop (I retrieved it, though it was broken). That's when I moved to 35mm with a cheap Point-and-Shoot. I was just taking pictures of friends while skiing, so something cheap and simple was fine.

I'd say it depends on what you are trying to do. I don't think I'd take my SLR, or even something where the lens protrudes (and cannot be retracted), unless I intended to ski to a spot and take landscape photos. A compact would probably be best.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Nov 15, 2015

Pick up a dirt cheap Olympus Stylus from KEH: weather proof clamshell case, one button operation, super sharp Zeiss lens, f2.8, slighty bigger than a deck of cards. Can't be beat.

TheTrailTog · Nov 15, 2015

+1 for the Olympus Stylus. I've been using it for my trail runs this year. It weighs nothing, takes up no room, is weatherproof, and takes greats pics. I know you want to stick with something you own, but these can be had for very little $$$, I got mine for $35 here on the forums.

That said, I found toward the end of this season I really wanted to have the option for manual controls and the ability to use filters, so I just purchased a Contax TVS. Again, very reasonably priced at ~$60 with a UV filter and hood and I picked up a set of 30.5mm contrast filters for another $20. I literally just got it though, so haven't had a chance to take it for a spin yet or process any film from it.

Paul Howell · Nov 15, 2015

Steve Goldstein said:
Thanks for the suggestions, but I'd like to choose from among cameras I already own.

You can pick up a weathermatic for under $10.00.

trythis · Nov 15, 2015

I have to 3rd the suggestion of the olympic stylus or mju, and make an even cheaper suggestion that you go with the 3.5 first version. They are not as well loved and have a few less features but with gloves you would be able to use the spot meter function on the mju ii anyway.

Sent with typotalk

Sirius Glass · Nov 15, 2015

ParkerSmithPhoto said:
Pick up a dirt cheap Olympus Stylus from KEH: weather proof clamshell case, one button operation, super sharp Zeiss lens, f2.8, slighty bigger than a deck of cards. Can't be beat.

You need a camera that will fit flat into a lower parka pocket that will not hurt you when you fall on it and will not get broken. They do exist. Expose for the skin and everything will fall into place. Expose for the snow and you will get the moguls but everything else will be very dark and without details. Enjoy the skiing and the photography.

summicron1 · Nov 15, 2015

frank said:
Nikonos V with 35. Take it ANYWHERE.

this is actually an excellent suggestion. It is indestructible, water and weather-proof, and can be had pretty cheap.

Fr. Mark · Nov 15, 2015

Kodak Signet 35 seems to have been designed with cold weather operation in mind.

ph · Nov 16, 2015

The condensation problem occurs when moist air hits a cold surface. So, to a certain extent, warm air inside camera and optics may condense from inside as the surfaces cool down, but the other option with a below freezing camera brought into moist indoor air is guaranteed to give condensation on all exposed cold surfaces. Conclusion; leave the camera in an airtight bag until acclimatized.

In my experience batteries become very feeble and both electric and mechanical cameras may clog up in extreme cold. On the other hand, you are usually likely to seek shelter before that happens.

Nikonos is designed to be operated with gloves on and condensation can be wiped off. I use one in wet snow& pouring rain when ordinary film cameras will give up.

p.

macfred · Nov 16, 2015

Worth a look ...

Konica "off-road" - series

My wife bought a Konica "off-road" Wide 28 (28mm f/3.5) from Japan
(85 EUR - incl. German import turnover taxes ) -
we used this for cross-country skiing and mountaineering in cold and wet conditions - no failure or delay.
I can really recommend !

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Konica_Genba_Kantoku_28
http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Konica_Genba_Kantoku_28WB

There were different versions available :
1. Zoom, 28-56/ f3.5-6.7
2. 35wb Eco 35/3.5
3. 28wb Eco 28/3.5
4. 28hg 28/3.5
5. and maybe more ...

A 35mm camera to carry and use while skiing

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