[pct-l] Digital Camera with powerful zoom option?

[c.engberg at cox.net]

I love my camera (Nikon S10) for my day-to-day shots and weekend outings but after 
checking out the Canon A710 reiews available I would have to agree that for a thruhike or 
any long distance hiking it is probably the best camera available. 

I would include a few accessories not mentioned by Alden which would make the camera 
perfect for me. I love shooting macro so I would get the conversion lens adapter and the 
close up lens. The lens allows you to fully zoom at 18-25 cm away! Bee stinger anyone? 
There are also telephoto lenses available that you might as well carry for shooting pictures 
of bears and rattlesnakes. A bonus of the conversion adapter is that when you arent 
shooting maco or telephoto place a clear filter over the front to keep dust and rain from 
damaging the main lens and mechanism.

As for the plastic tripod mount, I really like the small flexible tripods like the Gorrilapod and I 
find that I almost never remove it- squeeze the legs together for a good handle and flip the 
out when you want to set it on a rock or wrap them around a tree branch. Beats stripping the 
threads.. The flexible legs and neck make it super quick to level and point.

Links:

Conversion Lens: 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&s
ku=425702&is=REG&addedTroughValue=459773_REG&addedTroughType=accessory_det
ail
Close Up Lens: 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&s
ku=87494&is=REG&addedTroughValue=425702_REG&addedTroughType=accessory_detai
l
Telephoto Lens: 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&s
ku=262141&is=REG&addedTroughValue=425702_REG&addedTroughType=accessory_det
ail
Filter: 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&s
ku=13078&is=REG&addedTroughValue=425702_REG&addedTroughType=accessory_detai
l
Gorrila Pod:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=391&A=details&Q=&sku=423958&is=
REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Wish I could join you all this year! Good luck!
-Chris