Should I take a fairly expensive camera on a hike?

[Greg]

From your experience, has the camera been negatively effected by the dirt?

 

[fhotoace]

Well if you take care of the camera, no dirt will be involved.

I carry a $2,000 camera with two lenses that cost over $3,000 for the pair when I hike. I have been carrying "expensive" cameras all my photographic life when I hike

From time to time I even pack in a 4x5 view camera when doing an overnight hike so I can shoot amazing sunrises from the trail

 

[keerok]

I once used a fairly hefty Nikkorex F that had a feather-light 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor AF lens. It was an "it goes where I go" sort of camera for dirty jobs in the mud, dirt, sand and assignments like those. Surprisingly, the lens survived. The tank-like body didn't.

Oh, yes, dirt will surely enter your gear unless they have weatherproof seals. Bring your expensive camera and take with it stuff to make sure the camera doesn't get dirty and wet. What's the use of a camera if you can't enjoy taking pictures with it.

Use common sense. You know water, dirt and sand are bad for your camera. Don't place the camera anywhere near them.