If you are a camera nut like me, then you simply choose both options - and go a digital SLR . Prices for the entry level models of the major brands are less than their mid to top model compact digitals.

I must point out however that if you think you will be able to use your old SLR lenses with the new Digital SLR, you should research this carefully, as lenses older than say 10-15 years may not be compatible. This varies from brand to brand, and is an important consideration.

I have a dual section backpack that holds my SLR and accessories in the bottom section, and has a good sized top section for general carry on things like water, books, papers...etc.

Today's Best Buy Ad has a 2GB SD Memory card on sale for $49.99, which is half price....................

Italiandad -

I'm with you. I use a Canon 20D Digital SLR. It is somewhat of a memory hog. This is particularly the case if I am taking RAW format as opposed to JPEG format photos. Rather than purchase a storage device I purchased a half dozen premium 1MB cards with recovery software. The longest I have gone on tour is 2 weeks. In addition I generally take a camcorder as well. I have never filled more than 2 of the memory cards on one trip.

Jim

I use approximately 15GB on a trip (only RAW), I therefore require a portable hard drive (plus a backup for safety). I see Sandisk is releasing a 16GB (and a 12GB) card, now that would solve a lot of problems, although it would probably be extremely expensive.

Hi Koot,

according to article: SanDisk introduces the world’s highest capacity card for professional photographers - the 16-gigabyte SanDisk Extreme III CompactFlash:

quote:

Pricing and Availability
SanDisk Extreme III cards are available in CompactFlash, Memory Stick PRO Duo ™ and SD ™ card formats. Suggested retail prices for the two new capacities are:

SanDisk Extreme III 12GB: $779.99 available December
SanDisk Extreme III 16GB: $1049.99 available December
SanDisk Extreme USB 2.0 Reader: $24.99 available November

phil

I have only just picked up this topic. For a trip in a few weeks time have just purchased another brand name SD card- 1GB AUD$29.00.

They have really come down in price. For a 2 week trip will carry 3 maybe 4 GB for a 8 MP camera, but I am not shooting in RAW. Personally I prefer to have enough memory when away, and worry about processing at home, rather than looking for somewhere to download when overseas. My travel time is too precious. That however is a very personal view.

quote:

Originally posted by Bazza:
Personally I prefer to have enough memory when away, and worry about processing at home, rather than looking for somewhere to download when overseas. My travel time is too precious. That however is a very personal view.

I am of the same view Bazza and always carry about a half dozen memory sticks with me when I travel either overseas or domestically. They take up next to no room or weight and it saves you worrying about finding some where to download them.

However I do normally only shoot at around the 3 megapixel level unless I see something realy special in which case I might use around 5 megapixels. I do not enlarge my shots so for 6"x 4" prints 3 megapixel is adequate.

quote:

Originally posted by Bazza:
They have really come down in price. For a 2 week trip will carry 3 maybe 4 GB for a 8 MP camera, but I am not shooting in RAW. Personally I prefer to have enough memory when away, and worry about processing at home, rather than looking for somewhere to download when overseas. My travel time is too precious. That however is a very personal view.

For my 2 weeks on the Country Roads of Switzerland tour, I had one 256MB and two 512MB Compact Flash cards for my Canon 350D-SLR. I managed to fill up the 256MB and one of the 512MB cards to capacity, and about 30 shots went into the other 512MB card. It came out to about 750 pictures, more than enough to keep me busy editing and assembling the digital albums!

I suppose I could have taken more pictures, but bad photo weather on some days and my own belief that there comes a time to put the camera down and just go with the experience of the tour contributed to keeping the total number of photos down.

Recently, I got a Kingston 4-GB Compact Flash, and the thought of filling up that monster card boggles the mind.

Would like to experiment with digital video on my next tour - but not before I learn more about the iMovie function on my iBook first.

quote:

Originally posted by Starshadow Rivaulx:
Would like to experiment with digital video on my next tour - but not before I learn more about the iMovie function on my iBook first.

Digital video is my prefered medium and when touring I carry both a digital camera and a digital video camera. The vast bulk of my shooting is done with the video camera as I enjoy the results of movement and sound as bringing the images and memories to life.

In addition to the digital camera, and in circumstances where a quick shot is necessary and I don't have time to change cameras, I sometimes take stills with my video camera which takes a 3.2 megapixel still shot.

However my true love these days is video.

I agree, video is a wonderful and exciting medium!

There are all sorts of interesting digital video cameras coming out here in Manila - from name brands like Sony and Canon, to newer "generic" Taiwanese models that are great for getting teenagers started. It makes my head spin when I go window-shopping.

But since the shine has barely worn off my digital SLR, I can afford to wait before investing in a digital vidcam.