Anyone have a favorite and why?
I'm not concerned about brand, but more about features you thought were important for a good survey camera.
For field use make sure it will use regular batteries so that if it goes dead the crew can go into the nearest store and get a new set. Rechargables are great, but when they run down recharging can be a time consuming pain.
Personally, I like SONY cameras.
Any camera nowadays will have plenty of megapixels-anything past 4 Mp is plenty.
Check the optical zoom range, and close focus limit. It is nice to be able to take clear closeup pictures of caps, etc. as well as wide shots of an area.
The general advice is "buy the lens and take whatever camera it is on."
In the Pacific Northwet having a camera that is waterproff.
I prefer a good cell phone. That way the picture can be sent in real-time. 🙂
Sony Handycam
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HDR-TG5V-Definition-Handycam-Camcorder/dp/B0023RTE4G
Why: Because of the software that comes with the camera is awesome. Best I have ever used. I am on a project now taking video of Manhole conditions/location. This helps with built in GPS in referencing to the actual SPC of MH. Easier to reference individual video to actual MH or whatever you locate. My other camera I have to write down the long file name to the invert sheet and then reduce the name to MH number back at office and hope that I never lose or mix up the numbers. Sony software is worth the price.
I take a picture first then flip a switch and take video.
Panasonic Lumix cameras with Leica lenses. That's because they have the widest wide-angle lens of any other brand. If you take multiple images of the same thing from slightly differenct standing positions, the images can then be used to do a 3-D reconstruction of the site at a later time. Just don't use the zoom feature. This is invaluable when post-processing of the imagery is critical to avoid returning to the original site or when so much has changed at the original site that the imagery is all that is left.
That backup can save your bacon, someday.
My new controller (Leica CS15) has a built-in 2mega-pixel camera and the ability to link the photo to a particular line or point in the field data file. I have taken a couple of pics with it so far and look forward to more. Also no excuse for the crew not to have a camera with batteries and film/memory with them in the field.
And you can sketch on the pic (although my color choice was bad):
I prefer one of these for my basic field camera
okay..okay...I kid...
As sacker said above...
I use an iphone with the Theoldilite pro app installed...photos are taken with positional data burned right onto the photo and can be sent to anyone in realtime ...
I also carry the Canon 40D and a couple lens...wide angle zoom and telephoto...but thats just in case I come across something too friggen awesome for the iphone...
...Another camera that is definitely surveying proof is the Pentax Optio GPS-1 ...
Dittos to Dr. M in Louisiana.
You should have at least 12MP for document recording.
Any 4mp Fuji that I can find on ebay for a few bucks is all I need. I shy away from expensive ones for normal field work because I know how they get accidentally banged around. I don't need anything more than 4mp because I'm not blowing up any photos beyond 4" x 6". A 4mp will give me all the detail I need for that size print. And I stick with Fuji - they've been good to me. I still have the first one I bought, an A330, now about 6 - 7 years old and still going strong. I lost it once, found an exact replacement for it for $22 on ebay, then found the original. Its still my favorite. Has small 3x optical zoom, decent lense, built in lense cover keeps lense clean and a real viewfinder. Also has a good macro mode. Battery life is not an issue - I use energizer or radio shack rechargables. I've found that a small gorilla pod comes in handy.
Nice! It has the "CALL SPOCK" feature!
Nikon Coolpix are cheap and easy to use. You should be able to get one of the new models online for under $100, check Amazon. We always go for the cheap cameras, because field crews have a habit of breaking or losing them.
My current one is a Panasonic DMC-FZ28, a bit bulky and probably more stuff than you need for a field camera, but as Cliff mentions those have a Leica lens, lots of zoom and a wide angle lens too. Besides that, I wanted something with a viewfinder, albeit electronic on this camera, you still see what the lens sees, there are too many times I can't see the screen in bright sunlight, it seems the only way to get a viewfinder these days is with a fairly high end "point and shoot" unless you want a full blown SLR.
In the end, the ability to take close ups for monuments, zoom and look through a view finder when I needed it limited the field to not that many choices, the Panasonic had decent reviews and I got a Leica lens too. My only concern is this camera may be too fragile long term in the field, time will tell, no issues after two years.
SHG
I detect a lot of wear on a couple of those buttons.
🙂
Don
I'd have to second the suggestion for an iPhone with Theodolite Pro. Though a dedicated device for taking pictures is likely to be better for some situations, closeups or where extra detail is needed, it's just one more thing to carry around. I have a Canon and I think its a great camera. But, I don't use it. I use my iPhone 3GS. It's always there. And it takes a pretty good photo.
iPhone 3G w/Theodolite Pro all the way.