Shooting while skiing

TBH I rely on a good smartphone these days when out skiing rather that going out skiing with a plan for a specific piece of photography. An iPhone in an insulated chest pocket is perfect - easy to access and warm battery; on piste I prefer to ski without a pack and I tend to ski with others.

If I am skiing off-piste/out of bounds and plan photography, then my kit was deliberately as light as I wanted with a GX8 and Leica 15mm which fit in nicely with out taking too much room (the airbag, shovel, probe, other gear mounts up in my small avalanche pack), an OMD M1ii +12-45 Pro from now on.

I've tried varoius methods of carrying a camera including inside the jacket to keep it warm but ultimately use the approach above.

All the images from a phone.

Inn valley

A typical chocolate-boxy image!

I've thought about how I might carry more camera gear if I wanted to and the Think Tank Panorama Rotation, which I use for hiking, is probably the best compromise. It has really rapid access and importanly has a good waist belt, which is crucial when skiing with a pack IMV.

I mentioned this a few times and it doesn't hurt mentioning it again.

I do a bit of downhill mountain biking and have a few years experience. I wouldn't consider myself good but I'm now able to do Blue routes in the French Alps. The first time while out there, I had a standard backpack and I soon realised it was a hindrance and not only that but no one else were wearing a standard backpack.

The following year I got myself a small backpack and I found it easier to ride. I didn't find the bag as distracting. I pack the essentials and drink plenty of water in the cafe and save me getting a camel pack. If I needed a camel pack, it means I needs to buy a bigger bag for the spare inner tubes, pump and two Oakley protective sport cases for phone and sunglasses.

So anyway one day I saw one guy who's really good and stopped near the end of a red route and he was wearing a big backpack which is very rare for downhill mountain biking. To my horror he pulled out out  of his backpack a Full Frame with a 70-200mm 2.8 and started photographing his mates who were coming down after him.

This video was taken in the same area and on the easier blue routes. So the photographer took a lot of risks.

You just need a better backpack. Or, more precisely, a bag that lets you slide it in front of you for camera access, without removing it. I have such a bag, that I use when mountain biking & motorcycling. It's a Vanguard Biin 47. Shoulder/sling bag, with an additional strap that you clip diagonally accross your chest, so hold it in place similar to a backpack. Just unclip the extra strap, slide the bag around, & access your camera through a side zipper. I carry my G9 and a few lenses this way, & it works a treat. I'd have no hesitation using it for skiing.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Vanguard-BIIN-47-Backpack-Black/dp/B00452UXFG

Anyone ever wish you "break a leg" on such shooting assignments? 

phouphou wrote:

C Sean wrote:

So anyway one day I saw one guy who's really good and stopped near the end of a red route and he was wearing a big backpack which is very rare for downhill mountain biking. To my horror he pulled out out of his backpack a Full Frame with a 70-200mm 2.8 and started photographing his mates who were coming down after him.

I would never carry a bigger camera than smartphone/P&S (RX100, now Ricoh GR for me) on technical trails where i could fall on my back and break the lens/camera, or worse my back.

My backpack (photo below) has a back-protection inlay, but i dont feel comfortable carrying large hard stuff if the risk of falling is significant.

I only bring bigger camera gear if i know i can keep the risk to a minimum, maybe the guy with the 70-200 was still in his comfort zone when riding the red trail. If he took bigger risks (only he knows) that'd be pretty stupid..

There's no way around big lenses if you want to shoot sport on a professional level...

RX100 - never end trail - Laax, CH

I think some of you worry far too much. I buy good cameras to take out and use -not sit at home all safe & sound on a shelf or tucked away in a cupboard, only coming out for special occasions. And yeah, had a few decent crashes carrying good gear, with no damage to the gear. Carted off to hospital in the ambulance with a broken hip after a head on with a 4WD (driver completely at fault on the wrong side of the road), G9 & a few lenses unscathed. Woke up in hospital on another occasion wondering where the hell am I, and how did I get here? Canon camera body & lenses pretty much unscathed. Me, not so much. Couple of bleeds on the brain, busted collarbone & suspected cracked Pelvis. Used to drag my 6D around with pretty much everywhere. Which kind of got me into m4/3. Small lenses yeah.

dmokn wrote:

Thanks, all. Good stuff to think about. I do like the idea of having a 1" sensor with zoom in my pocket, especially on short backcountry missions. Might have to pick up a used ZS100 or RX100. But maybe I'll throw my G85 in my pack when skiing slow with my little ones. I live in Vermont so I'll be hopefully be skiing as much as usual, though probably with lots of snacks and drinks in the pack too! #nogoinginside

I realize its not the same thing but it is harsh. I have take the EM1 Mark II offshore fishing multiple including strapped to my back twenty miles offshore on a jetski for 11 hours.  I have slammed it, banged it, fallen on it and soaked it in saltwater for days.  They are really well built.

That said.  I really really like peak designs clip system. Phenomenal. I wear a stout leather belt and the clip. It holds the camera very securely and it is really easy to release when needed. I also bought there tether strap which i loop through my belt and connect to camera. That way if I ever drop the camera its still connect to the tether.

Actually protecting the lens is the real issue.  The kvrd lens covers work well. A bit hard to get off but that style of lens cover is the only practical one I know of that will hold up in harsh environments.

phouphou wrote:

Gnine wrote:

I think some of you worry far too much. I buy good cameras to take out and use -not sit at home all safe & sound on a shelf or tucked away in a cupboard, only coming out for special occasions. And yeah, had a few decent crashes carrying good gear, with no damage to the gear. Carted off to hospital in the ambulance with a broken hip after a head on with a 4WD (driver completely at fault on the wrong side of the road), G9 & a few lenses unscathed. Woke up in hospital on another occasion wondering where the hell am I, and how did I get here? Canon camera body & lenses pretty much unscathed. Me, not so much. Couple of bleeds on the brain, busted collarbone & suspected cracked Pelvis. Used to drag my 6D around with pretty much everywhere. Which kind of got me into m4/3. Small lenses yeah.

my health is more important to me than my gear, but i actually think my gear could hurt me if i fall on my back and its in my backpack. I won't risk that.

I think you've got a bit of a logic fail going on there. You're happy to climb to the top of a mountain, then speed down it on your mountain bike over rough terrain, over rocks & jumps & the like, & it's the camera that's going to cause you bodily harm? Really?  Just look at that vicious little thing, ready to bust you up.