Re the use of umbrellas. Clearly it is not for everyone, but I have used one successfully when conditions are suitable for years in most of the South Island parks. Craig Potton recommends them too incidentally.
Your reassurances, references to recommendations from experts, and direct successful experience are no match for my staged and out-of-context photograph, which utterly disproves them.
lets just say, for such relatively modest sized mountain ranges, the Tararua weather tends to punch well above its weight...
I dont know if its still true but the second wettest place in the country (annual rainfall) is the southern Tararuas beeten only by Fiordland. Also the highest windgust was held for a time not far from Masterton
camera buying guides
http://www.dpreview.com/buying-guides
I use a Lumix DMC-FH4. The reason being it is a very light, thin camera which only cost $90 at Dick Smith a few years ago. The photos are great and it has enough options to give me good control in varying light conditions. Having said that I usually leave it on auto and everything works out fine. Last time I looked this particular model has been replaced by something similar with a different model number. I keep it dry by putting it in a ziplock plastic bag in the pocket of my pack waist belt. I also have a hard case for it if needed. The only extra I bought for it on Ebay was a bigger capacity battery. I now have a 1400mah instead of the 680 it came with. The bigger battery will last a week provided you stick to photos and not video. Easy enough to carry an extra battery anyhow. I get peace of mind knowing that if I drop it in a river I've not lost alot of money and being small it's easy to get out for a quick photo.
you may think the photos are great on a cheapie compact, but the higher spec cameras out now put out absolutely stunning photos. with incredibly clear and detailed images.. depends how fussy you are about the images you want to take.
With reference to the comment at the start of this discussion, I guess I'm a tramper who takes photos and not a photographer who tramps.
For me the most important thing when taking a camera tramping is to have it available all the time. I have lost many good shots because my camera was stowed away in my pack. About a year ago I bought a Canon M with a 22mm pancake lens. I am able to have it on the shoulder strap of my pack in all but the worst conditions. It is a bit heavier than my old point and shoot but the difference in picture quality is amazing (APS-C sensor). I sometimes take a digital SLR and accessories but find that the bulk rather than the weight is a bit of a drawback
At the end of the day it's whatever works for you. thats the best camera to have.... I got sick of carting SLR cameras around, I like to take lots of photos and i prefer the camera slung around my neck, but having an SLR round your neck all the time can et uncomfortable, just the fact theres all that weight and bulk to lug,
