Well it is nearly a month since I last had an entry into this blog. The last time I wrote I was looking at what kit to take to the Cairngorms for a 4 day trip in the 1st week of October. It was great. There was lots of wind. It was very wild. There was even snow! Unfortunately I wasnt there…… I was at home nursing a burst eardrum caused by an throat/ear infection. Lucky me…..
At least a few of my erstwhile walking companions managed to get there and partake of the great outdoors. Me? I am plotting and scheming to see when I can rearrange the trip and any others between now and Christmas. Work just got silly and I am currently doing 2 jobs…mine and my boss’s. I think they call it a “development opportunity” …ie extra responsibility, longer hours and no more money…..
On the positive side I have been reducing the kit mountain I ashamedly possess and generating cash not only for the Kids Christmas presents but also for a new camera pour moi. I am currently looking at a high end compact for backpacking with. I dont want to get a DSLR, so a good compact it shall be. Under advisement from others I am looking at three in particular:
the Panasonic Lumix LX2,
the Ricoh GRD2
and the Ricoh GX200
I have spoken to owners of all the above and they all have their merits and niggles. I am not looking for a super dooper DSLR so I accept that a compact, even a high end one, will have limitations. I am just looking for one that I can put into the rucksack easily, will take really nice landscapes and is flexible enough to be able to develop my skills…..
Anyway, I am off now to surf the web looking at photo gear…..makes a change from hiking kit.
Saddlebags and Backpacks - a brewer's outdoor adventures 
OK. I know you’ve said you don’t want an SLR, but I just thought I’d draw you attention to the new Olympus 400 series, Four-Thirds based SLRs.
I read a recent review in Outdoor Photography [last month?] which highlighted how compact this system was, both body and lens, in part due to the focal length multiplier of 2, rather than the usual 1.5/1.6.
Maybe it would provide a bit more flexibility for you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Thirds_System
thanks for the info and link……more to ponder.
The E420 is pretty light and compact for an SLR. Its comparable pricewise (a little more expensive but not much). I will do a bit more research I think….. 🙂
I currently use a Fuji finepix which is OK but a better snapper with better quality snaps that’s also lightweight is where I’m thinking of going.
All in all it comes down to the point you made …”I am just looking for one that I can put into the rucksack easily, will take really nice landscapes and is flexible enough to be able to develop my skill”
I use a Nixon D40x and it does all your points above. Just a thought. Sorry you missed out on the Cairngorms.
thanks for the recommendation Martin, much appreciated. I have, however, just bought a camera after a week of pondering and surmising……. 🙂
all will be revealed shortly………