Does your camera rule your ride?

[Go_Green]

Any of you photographers out there? How often do you stop to take photos? Does it depend on who you are with, or does that matter to you(you are a speed demon so you'll catch up anyway)

What kind of equipment are you willing to take?
1) DSLR and lenses

2) Micro 4/3

3) a good quality point and shoot

Trying to decide what is the best option, there are pros and cons to all these choices. I thought if I had some input from some of you that have put one or all of these to the test that I could come to a realistic decision. So far have only taken the point and shoot option, great for packing but really only captures snapshots, no matter how well composed they are.

[Uwe W.]

Good question. For work I have to schlep the DSLR around with a couple of lenses in a special backpack. It's a pain, so when I'm not working I just take my Canon Elph. It's almost bullet-proof, takes great pictures and fits in any pocket. Over the years I've also found myself getting bored with panoramic and nature photography; when I look back at older photos I've taken I find myself gravitating to the photos of people, the ones that I've gone on the ride with. I'd rather look at friends and be reminded of the fun I had than look at another shot of some valley and wonder where it was.

[Black Lightning]

I would like to take my DSLR but I'm afraid the vibration will do it in. I killed off an old metal body pentax that way back in the film camera days. No matter how much foam I wrapped it in it still rattled apart. I have a point and shoot camera that I usually take since it takes up little space. I know lots of people who just use their phones, (why you would take a phone on a vacation defeats me but whatever). My garman takes pictures too but it only has 3.5 megapixels and my P&S camera has 12. I'm just so used to using a viewfinder rather than that little screen on the back of the camera but DSLRs are too expensive to replace every year.

A side note on batteries. I missed a lot of shots last summer because I bought a package of bad batteries. Make sure you get North American made batteries when you buy them. Apparently the Chinese made ones are actually well enough made but sometimes are well past their best before date when they are shipped. At least check the dates if possible when you buy them.

[Smiley]

On my last extended trip I took SLR's, 4 lenses and lots of film, but I also took my rangefinder Voigtlander which I found myself using frequently. I never had a problem with vibration shaking the screws out etc, but am familiar with the problem.

Now I take my Canon G11 which is digital and gives me excellent quality, plus the Voigtlander. I just can't give up the look of film, it gives me something that digital just can't match, it's very light and has a fast 35mm lens that is extremely sharp.

The most important accessory to me is my Manfrotto carbon-fibre monopod with ball head. It packs easily, doubles as a hiking stick and used creatively can produce very sharp images at ultra-slow shutter speeds. No need to lug a tripod along.

[Gerhard]

I have a Canon 5D, the original so it is now two generations out of date, it is capable of great photos and I have lenses from 17 mm to 200 mm. I use to carry it and the 24 105 lens almost everywhere I went but my passion for photography has diminished a bit so it usually stays home. I bought a Panasonic travel camera that easily fits in my pocket and it seems to take care of my travel photography and when on the motorcycle the space savings alone are worth leaving the DSLR at home. I found DSLR photography and biking not to be that compatible as to take a photo you are pretty much forced to stop, park, take your helmet off, unpack the camera and then hope whatever caught your interest is still interesting. With the pocket camera it's easy to take photos without taking the helmet off and a stop to take a photo is a couple of minutes instead of 20.

Gerhard

[Malks]

I take a couple of cameras. The most convenient one is the Sanyo Xacti, which shoots both video and stills. This camera is waterproof and takes pretty good photos. However, for good shots and anything with action I need to have my Canon DSLR. Those point and shoot cameras have too much of a shutter lag and I find I miss shots of my buddies riding past if I am not using the DSLR. My DSLR is an older Canon and has been along on several rides. Fortunately the ST has plenty of storage space and the camera bag fits nicely in the top box.

The group I ride with when touring like to stop frequently for photo-ops because we all like to take shots of places we have been. If there is something that catches our eye, we will usually stop for a photo.

[Big Orange Beast]

I have just entered the world of DLSR. Purchased a Canon t2i plus zoom lens. Had to trade in all my old film gear (pentax K1000) to make it happen. Never had a problem with the SLR and vibrations. Last couple years have had the iphone with me as well (just to be able to call home once at the 'campsite' each evening, although the pics aren't bad at all). My modular helmet is great to flip up the visor, snap the pic, stow the camera back in the tank bag, visor down, off I go. This is also good for quick smoke breaks without having to take the helmet off. Will be packing the new Canon (and iphone) for this year's tour to Maggie Valley, NC and the famous roads of the area. Will also lug the tripod.

[Smiley]

Here's a tip for DSLR and SLR owners. For many years I owned a camera store and saw quite a few cameras that had vibrated something loose. The number one place for loose screws (other than me) is the lens mount, both on the camera and the lens. Get a set of precision screwdrivers and use the right one for the job. Check all the screws on the ring the lens mounts to, plus the screws on the rear lens mount. If you find anything loose, check all the screws that you can find. Usually the mounting points I mentioned are the culprits.

I expect that cameras carried in tank bags get the worst of the vibrations.

[marconi1956]

Smiley, carrying a camera sounds alot like owning a Harley. You have to bring a bottle of Loctite with you on every ride. Just wish it was as simple as precision screwdrivers, instead of the hammer and visegrips.

[STAL13]

As much as I'd love to carry the Nikon DSLR kit bag, sometimes the more compact Canon G5 is a better choice due to space. And for a quick "people shot", there is always the smart phone that does a respectable job, and it's always with me and ready to shoot.