A long, rambling question I'm afraid!
I'd like to take my Canon 30D fishing with me. I mainly fish for sea trout at night and that involves lots of walking on my local rivers. This year I have been taking my point and shoot (Panasonic FS7) as it's lightweight. However, after it went for a swim, I was forced to take the 30D and now am kicking myself for not taking it sooner. I used the built-in flash and Canon 50mm f1.8, but needed a wider lens (to fit the fish in as it was too big )
I also own a Tamron 17-50 lens and a 430ex speedlite flash. However, that's a bit of a lump to carry on a mile+ hike across tough terrain at 2am.
The pics I want the camera for are 'grip and grin' shots and - if I'm on my own - 'fish next to rod' shots so the lens needs to be wide enough.

My first thought is perhaps to use the built-in flash and buy a Canon 28mm f2.8. Does anyone have experience of this lens? It looks compact like the 50mm 1.8. The alternative would perhaps be to look at something like a Canon G9 or similar. I like to shoot in raw and process using lightroom btw.
I suppose what I am asking is that what would be the best option when it comes to good quality pics from a lightweight, compact setup - use the Tamron and the speedlite and put up with the hassle of carrying it, go for the 28mm f2.8 and built-in flash or look at a G9 or similar?
Sorry for being long-winded!

What is wrong with using the 17-50?

For carrying have you considered something like this?

Just Ltd - B-Grip Camera Support System

http://youtu.be/Q4uH6Nigfek

I am swithering on whether to get one for my hillwalking/fishing trips.

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Don't worry, be happy.
Sandy
Carried it in full, then carry it out empty.

Hi fishtales...
The 17-50 is a pretty chunky, heavy piece of kit, certainly when compared to the 50mm 1.8
As for the nifty belt clip gizmo... an accident waiting to happen by the looks of things!!! I'd rather carry the camera in the fishing bag, wrapped in a woolly hat or similar.

Acccccccchhht... DSLR and associated glass can be such a chore, I found that it would sometimes make photography just a pain in the backside unless taking quality pictures is the sole purpose of your trip.

I see you have identified the G9 as a possible - TBH I have just flogged a G10 - It had a fantastic capability and range of adjustment, which I thought was great at first, but I have to say I was not always that convinced by it's results and it is quite a chunky munky, although the RAW facility is prefered by most... 'twernt my cup of tea.

I ditched the G10 and plumped for a Lumix TZ10 that is producing some lovely results for a compact - there is a new version available now. It has far less manual capability but is nonetheless nice.


It was a magnificent Salmon BTW

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Time is a stream I go fishing in.

A common dilemma there - whether to take the dSLR on river trips of just a compact. I do a mixture of both, depending on whether I reckon to be looking to get some good shots, in which case I'll take the SLR, or just to cover me in case of opportunity, in which case I'll take the compact.

The compact I have is a G10, and I only use it in RAW mode. The files are 14 MP and are not bad.

If I am taking the SLR, I put all my kit, including the fly boxes, reels, etc inside a Lowepro Drizone, which is a waterproof camera rucksack. It is very comfy and you can fish OK with it on your back, though you kind of need to dispense with your waistcoat and shove all that gear into the rucksack as well, as it doesn't make a good combo with a waistcoat - well not mine anyway - what with all the bulging junk in the pockets. Most of the time you can leave it without the extra waterproof zip done up, but if in wading deep, or if the heavens open, you can do up the extra zip and it is officially waterproof to the point where it can be used as a buoyancy aid. (Yes, you probably don't want to use it as that if you fall in face first and it is on your back )

If you use that kind of set-up you don't need to worry which lens you have on. They make 2 sizes and, truth be told, the smaller model (100) would be better for combined fishing/photography, but I bought the big one (200) so I could use it as a full-blown photography rucksack - for taking the gear on holiday or days where I take all the gear and and leave the fish catching to others. If I was made of money, I would have one of each.

Col

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My hovercraft is full of eels

Given the intended application take a look at the Olympus "Stylus Tuff 6020." Water proof and shock proof (to a good degree), can't weigh more than a few ounces. I carry mine in a neoprene belt carry case that has a Velcro belt loop (very secure). Has all the rest of the normal 'Bells and Whistles' you'd expect from a compact camera such as a 5x optical zoom with a very wide angle (zoom) lens. Run about $200.00 USD.

Review: Olympus Stylus Tough-6020 digital camera

fae

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I carry my camera round my neck or flipped over the chest strap of the rucksack. I've taken videos of me walking and fishing from a first person perspective with the strap shortened and pinned to my chest by the chest strap.

See here Video catching playing and releasing a Brown Trout at Kilmelford Scotland

and here Video walking on a path round a loch in Moidart Scotland

Those were on Finepix S9600 Before I got the Nikon D5000 before that it was a Finepix S7000.

When it rains I zip it up inside my waterproof, although it tends to get a bit misted up in there I use a Tamron 70-300 macro zoom attached to my Nikon most of the time and a Nikon 24-55? in a pocket so that it is convenient for changing. I haven't lost a camera or lens yet, although that time may come, even after sliding down steep mountain paths and nearly breaking my leg twice. The belt clip just looks that bit more stable and secure for the kind of abuse I give them

__________________
Don't worry, be happy.
Sandy
Carried it in full, then carry it out empty.

Hi folks,

Thanks for all the suggestions. Have - for the minute - opted to stick with the DSLR and Tamron 17-50 lens (which, by the way is truly awesome for the money)... and bought one of these nifty neoprene covers.
DSLR cover
This way I can chuck it in the game bag and not worry about it being bashed about, yet it is quick to hand. Need to stop being lazy and take the proper camera out more!

Thanks again for the replies

otis