Just wondering what peoples thoughts an experiences are with regards to durability of digital SLR,s in the weather conditions you can strike whilst hunting.Im trying to decide weather to buy a digital SLR or say a 35mm nikon FM3a for mainly landscape an alpine hunting.A lot of my hunting is in winter in sometimes extreme alpine conditions an I would like a camera to use reliably for wildlife photography. How do digitals shape,can they take the odd knock,how do the batteries hold out in the cold,what are they like in damp conditions?

I have carried two different Canon's on my snowmobile and my ATV both many times. Tons of vibration and bouching around. They never experienced any problems

I have a Canon 20D that has done very well over the last season. I am not nearly as careful as I should be, either so I consider it very durable. I haven't had it in the rain or in conditions much colder than about 25 Degrees. From reading on the various canon forums, you may not want a 20D if you are going to a dusty or wet area as they are not sealed quite as good as other models/brands. I didn't know this when I bought mine. Remember, this info is coming from "pros" and from a forum so I don't know exactly how true or relavent it is. I would buy it again if I were doing it all over again.

I put the image stabilizer 17-85mm on it which is fine for the woods but seriously lacking for longer ranges.

Catmandu

I think the bridge cameras offer better resistance to dust. I have a Minolta Dimage. Since the lens cannot be removed, there is lessened risk of getting dust on the captor. But, you don't have the focal length options you do with an interchangeable lens SLR.