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Caving Camera Recommendation

callumbis

New member
Hi Everyone,

Thanks for taking the time to read my question.

I am relatively new to the caving world (I've done it for about 2 years now and have around 20 trips under my belt).

Anyway, I have realised that I've developed quite a passion for taking photos of caves and everything underground!

I was hoping someone here could recommend a decent camera to use. I have been using my phone, but with my job, it's sort of my lifeline, really, so I can't use it anymore.

I want to add importantly, I am not looking to take videos, simply photos.

Looking forward to some recommendations!
 

first-ade

Member
The answer kind of depends on what kind of photos you want to take, and how you are used to taking photos. If you are using looking for similar to what you've currently been doing, then a dedicated mobile for caving might be an idea, some of them produce impressive photos! Compact cameras are an alternative with the Olympus line of tough cameras (TG-7 being the most recent) producing some good photos using bright torches on the long exposure mode, or reasonable ones with a handheld starlight mode, and are reasonably hardy. If you're used to using or want to use flashes, then pretty much any SLR or mirrorless camera will give you good photos, but you will need to protect it in a peli case or similar container. Ultimately, it'll be a case of what you can afford, and almost as importantly, what you can afford to lose when your drop it down a pitch or into a sump (I've done the latter!)
 

Pitlamp

Well-known member
I'll give another vote for the Olympus tough cameras. They do a wide angle lens which isn't prohibitively expensive, which has advantages in some caving situations. The optics aren't perfect at the price of this supplementary lens (so avoid shots with long straw stals at the edges, which may look slightly bent in the photograph).

Dropping these cameras into a sump is no problem as they're waterproof down to (from memory) -12 m. As long as you can recover it, it'll be fine. If the camera gets covered in mud, just rinse it off under a waterfall and carry on as normal.

But mobile cameras are so good these days you may prefer to take the advice above and buy a dedicated mobile.
 

paul

Moderator
I agree with the mobile phone option - I know of several cavers who only use these for underground photography and have better results than they used to get with cameras. My wife even bought a second-hand Samsung off of sBay just for this purpose without bothering with a SIM card for it as she has a better phone but won't take that underground.
 

The Old Ruminator

Well-known member
All mine ( and there are a few ) are with the Olympus TG Series. Perfect for my on the go shots. Now all done with hand held torches though I cant fault images by phone which of course is not so robust. Lots to experiment with on the TG or just use I Auto.
 

Pete K

Well-known member
Olympus (now OM System) TG Series. I've got 2 TG-4 cameras still going strong that I bought second hand many years ago. Light painting is excellent, but needs high ISO settings for active shots unless you use an off camera flash. I find that running them through the denoise software makes them look good though. Here's an example of what a TG-4 and tiny flash with a Firefly2 can achieve. All run and gun shots while I'm working.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/peakinstruction/albums/72177720315344951/ (NB they did get put through Topaz Denoise).
I imagine the newer versions are better on low light noise, but I've not tried one.
 

first-ade

Member
This is an example of the TG-6 using live composite mode for a long exposure with three torches lighting the scene. This was a 1.6 second exposure and has had a little denoise done. Someone didn't want to get their feet wet...

P8310067.jpg
 

The Old Ruminator

Well-known member
Composite mode is great and quick but you need a little patience to learn it though. I got the Frozen Deep on C M with just one other caver. You can put the camera on a tripod and " paint " the whole image with a single light watching carefully how it goes on the back screen.
 

wormster

Active member
How long is a bit of string, (how deep are your pockets)? A decent bridge camera, tripod and containers to lug it all about should not be too expensive. Light painting is the easiest method, donkey flashes are tricky to use IMO!!
 

callumbis

New member
The answer kind of depends on what kind of photos you want to take, and how you are used to taking photos. If you are using looking for similar to what you've currently been doing, then a dedicated mobile for caving might be an idea, some of them produce impressive photos! Compact cameras are an alternative with the Olympus line of tough cameras (TG-7 being the most recent) producing some good photos using bright torches on the long exposure mode, or reasonable ones with a handheld starlight mode, and are reasonably hardy. If you're used to using or want to use flashes, then pretty much any SLR or mirrorless camera will give you good photos, but you will need to protect it in a peli case or similar container. Ultimately, it'll be a case of what you can afford, and almost as importantly, what you can afford to lose when your drop it down a pitch or into a sump (I've done the latter!)
Thank you first-ade hugely appreciate the detailed feedback :)
 

Steve Clark

Well-known member
If you're keen enough to make cave photography an activity itself, then you could consider getting a camera with a hot shoe that you can use with external strobes/flashguns. This is totally different to having a pocket camera along on a trip and snapping away at everything that looks interesting. Typically, it's carrying in the gear in a peli case and then strategically choosing somewhere to setup and stage a shot. This needs cooperation of the team and each setup could take 10-30mins to unpacked everything, get setup, refine it and then pack everything else up.

Also, if it's not obvious - flash photography in total darkness gives you quite a lot of freedom. The exposure from electronic flashes is so short you can shoot everything handheld. No need for tripods or people standing perfectly still. You can get some great shots on pitches and in water like this. There's a FLIKR link in my signature.

Depends on your attitude and what you want to get out of it. It's very satisfying to create a great shot, and those along with you often treasure them afterwards. It is, however, prone to cockups and delays to a big trip. I find it helps to consider the whole thing a team effort and get folks involved. If they're not up for it, leave it for a different trip.

Some people will spend thousands on top spec full frame mirrorless cameras, good lenses & large flashguns. There are some world-class photographers on this forum, just check through the photo threads. I bought all my cave camera gear secondhand. Seems pointless to buy new if it's getting muck on it on trip 1. It's a fair investment but not ridiculous if it's going to be an on-going hobby. (my setup is peli case £60, canon 600D - £150, 10-22mm EF-S - £130, yonguno controller - £30, 3x560 flashguns - £40 each. MPB for case, camera and lenses. Ebay for flash gear)

If you're in the Dales and have some spare hours, would be more than happy to go on an experimental trip with you.
 

callumbis

New member
I'll give another vote for the Olympus tough cameras. They do a wide angle lens which isn't prohibitively expensive, which has advantages in some caving situations. The optics aren't perfect at the price of this supplementary lens (so avoid shots with long straw stals at the edges, which may look slightly bent in the photograph).

Dropping these cameras into a sump is no problem as they're waterproof down to (from memory) -12 m. As long as you can recover it, it'll be fine. If the camera gets covered in mud, just rinse it off under a waterfall and carry on as normal.

But mobile cameras are so good these days you may prefer to take the advice above and buy a dedicated mobile.
Thanks PitLamp for the recommendation!
 

callumbis

New member
I agree with the mobile phone option - I know of several cavers who only use these for underground photography and have better results than they used to get with cameras. My wife even bought a second-hand Samsung off of sBay just for this purpose without bothering with a SIM card for it as she has a better phone but won't take that underground.
Thanks for the feedback Paul :)
 

callumbis

New member
All mine ( and there are a few ) are with the Olympus TG Series. Perfect for my on the go shots. Now all done with hand held torches though I cant fault images by phone which of course is not so robust. Lots to experiment with on the TG or just use I Auto.
Appreciate the feedback!
 

callumbis

New member
Olympus (now OM System) TG Series. I've got 2 TG-4 cameras still going strong that I bought second hand many years ago. Light painting is excellent, but needs high ISO settings for active shots unless you use an off camera flash. I find that running them through the denoise software makes them look good though. Here's an example of what a TG-4 and tiny flash with a Firefly2 can achieve. All run and gun shots while I'm working.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/peakinstruction/albums/72177720315344951/ (NB they did get put through Topaz Denoise).
I imagine the newer versions are better on low light noise, but I've not tried one.
Thanks Pete! Some good shots in Giants Hole (that was my first ever trip into this amazing world of caving)!
 

Tritim230

Active member
I bought a TG-6 for the very reasons given in this forum. My photos are always taken on the go so besides the usual lighting effects I don't use a tripod or long exposure. I found results variable and TBH have now reverted to using my mobile. The larger screen is easier to see photos straight afterwards as well. I found the TG-6 viewer to obscure easily, which I am surprised about as I've always taken extreme care. A Peli 1040 fits it well (with lens filter only). I wouldn't make the same investment today based on cost. A mobile is far cheaper than the TG-6 unless of course a good deal could be had on eBay or similar.
 

callumbis

New member
If you're keen enough to make cave photography an activity itself, then you could consider getting a camera with a hot shoe that you can use with external strobes/flashguns. This is totally different to having a pocket camera along on a trip and snapping away at everything that looks interesting. Typically, it's carrying in the gear in a peli case and then strategically choosing somewhere to setup and stage a shot. This needs cooperation of the team and each setup could take 10-30mins to unpacked everything, get setup, refine it and then pack everything else up.

Also, if it's not obvious - flash photography in total darkness gives you quite a lot of freedom. The exposure from electronic flashes is so short you can shoot everything handheld. No need for tripods or people standing perfectly still. You can get some great shots on pitches and in water like this. There's a FLIKR link in my signature.

Depends on your attitude and what you want to get out of it. It's very satisfying to create a great shot, and those along with you often treasure them afterwards. It is, however, prone to cockups and delays to a big trip. I find it helps to consider the whole thing a team effort and get folks involved. If they're not up for it, leave it for a different trip.

Some people will spend thousands on top spec full frame mirrorless cameras, good lenses & large flashguns. There are some world-class photographers on this forum, just check through the photo threads. I bought all my cave camera gear secondhand. Seems pointless to buy new if it's getting muck on it on trip 1. It's a fair investment but not ridiculous if it's going to be an on-going hobby. (my setup is peli case £60, canon 600D - £150, 10-22mm EF-S - £130, yonguno controller - £30, 3x560 flashguns - £40 each. MPB for case, camera and lenses. Ebay for flash gear)

If you're in the Dales and have some spare hours, would be more than happy to go on an experimental trip with you.
Thanks for the detailed response Steve, so yes indeed Caving has become my favourite hobby. I would say right now, I would be looking to get something like the TG series or a spare mobile phone to start with and as I save more money, and of course improve my skills at taking shots. I';ll then start looking to purchase some more serious gear (only as I've recently become quite a fan of photography), so I am learning all twists and spanners of the tech.

I will definitely hold you to that regarding a trip though to experiment once I have the kit sorted!
 

callumbis

New member
I bought a TG-6 for the very reasons given in this forum. My photos are always taken on the go so besides the usual lighting effects I don't use a tripod or long exposure. I found results variable and TBH have now reverted to using my mobile. The larger screen is easier to see photos straight afterwards as well. I found the TG-6 viewer to obscure easily, which I am surprised about as I've always taken extreme care. A Peli 1040 fits it well (with lens filter only). I wouldn't make the same investment today based on cost. A mobile is far cheaper than the TG-6 unless of course a good deal could be had on eBay or similar.
Thanks for the heads up trimtim :)
 
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