Which $600 DSLR for backpacking?

I am looking for a DSLR to take backpacking. For years I used a film SLR, then switched to a hybrid digital which finally broke (and was obsolete in any case.) But I have not paid attention to cameras for years and am overwhelmed at what is out there. I am limited to no more than $600 for both camera and lens.

I do the normal things that amateur photographers do when backpacking--lakes, cliffs, and mountains in high contrast daylight, sunsets and sunrises on a tripod in low light, macro close ups of flowers, and perhaps some wildlife if lucky. I have traditionally sacrificed high telephoto capability (thus losing some wildlife shots) to keep the weight down. I found a 28-70 zoom lens was perfect for me on my previous cameras--and I use the wide angle end of the lens quite a bit.

Weight is a consideration, though I have (sadly) had to carry some fairly heavy cameras to be able to have the functionality at a price I can afford. I'd prefer not to have to carry 8x10 glass plates up the mountain, though!

First off, Welcome to the forum.

What brand of film camera did you have? Just asking to see if you could use the lenses with the DSLR.

One thing the note is that it might be best to go around to see and hold some cameras. This way someone can suggest a certain camera but it doesn't "feel" right in your hands.

I for one like the fit of Canon, I have the XTi. The XTi can be had for a little over your limit and comes with a lens, 18-55. When I was looking I went to different stores just to see how the cameras fit in my hands.

James

The sensor of most DSLRs is smaller than the the film frame in your SLR. To find the same view as the 28-70 on your film SLR you need a 18-47mm. In other words the 18-55 that comes in kits at this level is what you're asking for and a bit more.

I've just added the D60 to my collection of DSLR's. It's pretty impressive. It's amazingly small - much more so than any film SLR I've had. I think you can get a kit with D60+18-55 for under $600. The (now replaced) D40 and D40x are very similar but they don't have the dust-removal feature on the sensor like the D60 - perhaps important in rough conditions if you change lenses

Thank you both for the responses. I will definitely take your advice, James, and go handle some of these cameras for "fit."

My most recent film SLR was a Pentax P3 with a Tokina 28-70-macro zoom lens. (I also had a Tokina 80-300 lens that I rarely used.) I stopped using that camera 6 years ago, after about 10 years of use.

For 6 years I used a Sony DSC-F717, which was not a DSLR but was SLR-like, and the best I could afford in 2002. That camera did have image stabilization, could focus in the dark, and had some other spiffy features, and with the Zeiss zoom lens I thought it did rather well on image quality too, though I am not super fussy. Then it fell in a creek, and that was that.

Thanks, Franglais, the Nikon D60 seems like a good option. I wonder what you think of the Olympus 410 and the Sony A200, which seem to be in roughly the same price range?

You have a huge assortment to look at, all offering their own unique benefits, all of them being great quality.

Canon EOS 350D-450D, and the 1000D (XT, XTi, XS)
Sony Alpha A100, A200, A300
Olympus E-410, 420, 510, and 520
Nikon D60, D80
Pentax K200D

They will all satisfy you on quality, they will all perform excellently, no one camera has a universal advantage over another. Based on what you said though, if backpacking is the primary or exclusive function of this body, the Olympus has the edge here, their smaller and lighter both in body, and their four-thirds sensor format allow for significantly reduced sized lens. Reducing the overall size and weight of the equipment is a big bonus for backpacking. Still, wouldn't rule any of the others out without giving them all some thought and consideration. The market is flooded with $500-$600 DSLRs, check the variety out and find out which one fits your use the best.

"I wonder what you think of the Olympus 410 and the Sony A200"

Great and great, there is no such thing as a lemon DSLR, you have to look at the system really to decide which one is best for you.

Keep in mind also - the lens will be the more important investment, not the camera bodies.

Thank you for the additional suggestions!

The Pentax K200D claims to have water and dust seals--something that sounds very appealing given that water destroyed my last camera. I will post over in the Pentax forum to see if someone has experience with it in the wilds.