Camera Question....

Okay, so those of you that shoot up in the mountains on a regular basis, what do you guys use?

I'm looking to get a new camera, and kinda looking for some pointers as to what works well in these conditions, what stuff is worth looking at as a start point. So if you have, or have used, a camera that you feel does this kinda job well, it would be great if you could let me know.

Already got a few cameras that work fine for basic snaps, but considering going for something that is just that bit punchier in terms of helping me to get some nicer shots. We have plenty of you guys on this board that take good quality stuff, so lets hear it!

Thanks in advance.

Edit: and yes I already did do a search, and do have some ideas, but as stuff changes on a regular enough basis, felt a new thread wouldn't hurt to keep us all up-to-date..... :D

My first question is: film or digital?
My second question is: does size matter?

Film or digi is not a big deal.
Digi is winning, just cos i can take a few dud shots without having to get film printed, and is easier to correct if needs be in photochop, post online, etc. If something in the film market is really really kicking ass though, and generally it will help to get *truly* better pics, then I'll take a look. I'm not trying to go pro, just want good quality stuff when I do take it.

Size is not really a big deal either.
As I say, for snaps I have a couple of lower res digis already that are great for days when it might be a problem. Otherwise it's in the backpack till I need it, so not overly fussed. Obviously, smaller generally gives less reason to not take and use it, but as I said before, if it gets the results, then its worth it.

Oh, and obviously there is a ceiling price, but as I work in UK£, and not US$, at this moment, life is looking good and the reason why now seems a good time to buy! :D

Check out the Canon powershots. Not a bad lil camera. If you're looking for the action shots find the one w/ the highest fps. 3 fps is slow. Nikon F5 film camera shoots 8 fps but is WAY heavy, especially w/ lenses.

Canon A95 (5MP digital) is a great choice......it even has scene modes for "snow" along with all the same manual adjustments of the *much* more expensive G6

I bought one recently and *love* it and will be taking pictures in Tahoe this weekend of the 25 feet of new snow we got in the past two weeks

it runs about $320 with rebates

also, just bought an Epson R200 printer (it has the same exact print engine as the newer R320, but costs only $99 va $199 for the R320) and it prints AMAZING pictures

SChralper, thanks for that. Looked at the Nikon briefly, but also thought it might be just a bit too much once I hook up a couple different lenses too. I'll check the Canons though.

SquawMan, thanks for that too. Let us all see the end results from this w/end. Guess that will be the best way of seeing how well it works, as well as the inevitable stoke you'll provide!

Anyone else with any suggestions? Anything in particular that is a yes, or definite no-no?

Canon S50 or 60. Great little camera, good compromise between size and performance, takes little vids. At full resolution pics are about 2.5 MB; if you print them, you can get stunning 8x12 prints. I'm sure bigger would be fine, too, I just haven't tried it yet.

Make sure you get a fast, big card. I just upgraded to a 1gig from 128M and it's worth the extra 100 bucks.

I like to say that my camera was the best $500 I've spent.

I have a Canon A60 -- 2 megapixel, full manual control, small. I keep it on my belt loop for easy access. I don't like the shutter lag (common with most inexpensive digitals).
http://www.canon.ca/product_images/8401A005_LG.gif


I have no direct experience but the Canon S1 IS is very nice. 10x optical zoom plus image stabilization. 3.2 megapixels.
http://www.canon.ca/product_images/PSS1IS_240x240.gif

There are a bunch of 10x zoom cameras now (Olympus was the first).