Robust SLRs and lenses

[thebikingengineer]

Last weekend I spent my Saturday at Joshua Tree climbing, scrambling, and hiking. For photography I brought along my D40 with the VR kit lens. For the most part I didn't have any issues, but occasionally I would find myself squeezing in between boulders and I was very aware of the proximity of my lens to the rocks. I had a few light bumps but nothing bad, no scratches on the polarizer or anything like that.

I was wondering if there were any lenses that might fare a little better with rougher handling. I feel like my 35mm prime would hold up a lot better, but the zoom is a nice thing to have when out and about. I will find myself in this position again and would rather not break a lens by cheaping out.

 

[lister]

One of the guys I work with is an avid climber and has recently moved to a 4/3 Olympus to keep the size down. Very rugged body and the lens is apparently quite tough too. Might see if I can suss out the actual lens in question.

 

[Galengwath]

You're right that the prime would probably hold up betters, since they tend to be somewhat smaller and less complicated mechanically. When it comes down to it, any lens can be damaged if it's knocked hard. One thing that might help a bit is to keep a lens hood attached, just to limit the possibility that your filter or front element will be damaged. Other than that, it might be worth dealing with the inconvenience of putting the camera in a bag while you climb until you're ready to stop and shoot.

 

[thebikingengineer]

I'm more worried about the internal focusing hardware. All of my current zooms have a fair amount of throw on the front element, and I feel like that makes them particularly vulnerable. My prime is all internal focus, so it's less of a worry. Are there any internal throw zooms that don't cost a months pay? I almost always have a UV filter on the lens for front element protection, $10 well spent for some peace of mind.

 

[Legion]

Prime lens, UV filter, old, second hand pro level body. I have a Nikon D2X. You can hammer in a nail with that thing and it will still keep clicking.

 

[ReAndyMator]

Nikons have always been known for indestructibility. One of the old Amateur Photographer reporters used to tell the story of his old FM. Which got run over by a tank. Literally. And still worked (although the pentaprism was shattered).

I can't think how many times I've battered my old F90x. And my D70 has taken a battering too.... I keep a 24-120 (35mm lens) on the front. It's 13 years old, but still works perfectly.

 

[Edcculus]

If you want a bulletproof camera, how about a Nikon F2 with a Nikkor 50mm 1.4. Doesn't get much more indestructible than that!

In all seriousness though, I'd possibly look for a more compact camera, or an older digital body with a prime like Legion suggested.

 

[thebikingengineer]

I'm not too worried about the body. My little D40 stays out of the way pretty well. The only issue I have with primes in this application is that I'm photographing climbing, so I'm moving around between full wide, to get shots of whole boulder problems, and full zoom, to get action shots of a climber 75 feet up and a quarter mile distant. I suppose I could just double up on the primes and get a new body. I'm iffy on swapping lenses too often, it's very sandy and windy out in the desert.

 

[Lesmore]

Higher end Pentax cameras are known for their ruggedness. Film cameras like the LX and digitals such as the K10D and K-5, K-5 11, K-5 11s. The K-5 series has magnesium alloy shells and the Limited series primes are machined out of aluminum and well regarded for optical excellence.

Pentax Limited series are small...so are the K-5 camera bodies.

But with any camera...no much how it is built...you don't want to bounce them off rocks on a regular basis. I would recommend in addition to getting a rugged camera system...you also consider a small, well padded camera bag....something like one of the Lowepro slingshots.

I use Lowepros which have good padding....but I also add extra removable padding to the case.

 

[thebikingengineer]

I'll have to look into the slingshot, sounds like it would fit in with my other gear pretty well. How does one deal with the camera strap when using such a bag?

 

[Lesmore]

I'll have to look into the slingshot, sounds like it would fit in with my other gear pretty well. How does one deal with the camera strap when using such a bag?

I just wrap the strap in the bag...still attached to the camera. I'm able to tuck the strap in whether I use it for my Pentax or Canon equipment. One thing I forgot to mention about Pentax lenses. Some of them are weather sealed for resistance against moisture. The Pentax K-5, K-5 11 and 11s have many seals (think it's 77) in their bodies to resist moisture. It's also good for below freezing (think it's -10 or -14) temps. Might appeal to you if you are an outdoor enthusiast. Very good ratings for photo quality. Check the Popular Photography ratings.

The padding I add to all my camera bags...about 8....are soft, kitchen sponges that I squeeze into the bag compartments. IMO, it keeps the equipment tight in the compartments and adds some shock absorbing quality. But again having said that, one still needs to avoid drops, hard knocks for any optical equipment.