cameras and biking

[Brian Hanson]

I'm curious of those who bring a small SLR or mirrorless camera on trips, have you found a good way to carry it so you have it ready quickly?  I've always used a small point & shoot kept in a pocket or the small pocket in my acorn boxy rando bag.  I'm looking for a way to have a larger camera ready to photograph the scenes I'm biking by on longer rides.  I seem to recall Grant talking about some kind of harness a few years back?

Brian
Seattle, WA

[Eric Platt]

Seem to remember Grant was using a second strap to go around his chest to keep the camera in place.  Tried it, but found it sub-optimal for my riding style.  First, I sweat a lot, and that gets all over the camera.  Not a good thing on a digital.  Even my rangefinder looked pretty ugly very quick.  And I didn't like the feel of something pulling down on my neck.  Might not be as much an issue on an Albatross or similar bar bike.

 

For longer rides where a larger camera is along, it's either in the saddlebag, or a Hobo bag up front.  Most of the time a point and shoot is adequate for my needs, though. 

 

Have been thinking about this as I'm trying to figure out what cameras to take on the Rivendell Ride Midwest next weekend.  And how to carry them best.  Go with zoom digital and film, or intentionally limit myself to think about the photo?

 

Eric Platt
St, Paul, MN

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[Minh]

How ready to go are you thinking of?  a rando-bag is the natural option, but there are a number of strap/harness options.  I use an black-rapid strap which keeps an SLR camera at your hip, there is a buckle which can control the amount of play in the strap.  though i would not use this for a full-size dslr on a bike myself, for that i would use a rando bag, or if i wanted it on my body a bike messenger bag that i could unbuckle and swing to the front and pull out.  

i'm just not seeing the use case where the extra 10-15 seconds of swinging it around and pulling it out of a shoulder bag, or stopping and pulling it out of a rando bag in front would make a difference?  is it the constant pulling it out and putting it away that you're wanting to avoid?

[Earl Grey]

I carry a full sized DSLR (Nikon D70s or D300) in a handlebar bag,
either the Ortlieb, or an Acorn Boxy Rando (depending on the bike). I
use the removable padded insert from my ThinkTank Speed Demon camera
bag, but I also have the Ortlieb camera insert which works fine as
well. Fast access, very well protected from sweat, rain crashes, etc.

Gernot

[Stonehog]

I guess I am looking to have it handy at all times, as I like taking photos while riding.  Having to pull it out of the bag is distracting.  I'm looking for a harness that holds it close so it doesn't flop around.   The single strap bandoleer-style almost works.  I tried it the other day. When I put it behind my back it gradually creeps around to the front, though. 

Brian Hanson

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[Andy Smitty Schmidt]

try bandolier style but put it "further back". Like too far back. I find with the right riding position there's a sweet spot where the camera is more sitting on my upper back rather than hanging from the strap. It'll comfortably ride there for a long time without moving or getting in the way. Probably doesn't work as well off road. 

I've contemplated making some sort of handlebar/stem holster for my camera but it hasn't happened yet. If you come up with a solution, would love to see some pics. 

--Andy

[Eric Platt]

Except for certain film cameras, wouldn't try it myself.  I just sweat way too much on rides.  Would probably destroy a modern digital camera in a ride or two.

 

It has sort of forced me to focus on smaller point and shoot digital cameras, which are easier to put in handlebar bags.  Eventually should spring for a Leica X1 or Fuji X100 or similar.  Just can't warm up to the idea of spending a large sum of money on something that is more a toy to me than a tool.  And will probably be obsolete or broken in a year or three.

 

This does remind me, need to get a film camera ready for this weekend's ride.

 

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

[Steve Palincsar]

On Thu, 2012-05-31 at 05:30 -0500, Eric Platt wrote:
> Except for certain film cameras, wouldn't try it myself. I just sweat
> way too much on rides. Would probably destroy a modern digital camera
> in a ride or two. It has sort of forced me to focus on smaller point
> and shoot digital cameras, which are easier to put in handlebar bags.
> Eventually should spring for a Leica X1 or Fuji X100 or similar. Just
> can't warm up to the idea of spending a large sum of money on
> something that is more a toy to me than a tool. And will probably be
> obsolete or broken in a year or three.

Let me suggest the Panasonic LX-5. Plenty small enough to carry in a
handlebar bag, smaller and cheaper than the Leica or Fuji, zoom lens
that gives you equivalent focal lengths 24-90mm, plenty of manual
control and a lot more than a "toy". Excellent image quality for a
small sensor camera, too. Take a look at the photos I've been taking
with it, most on bike rides:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97916047@N00/sets/

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

A Revelate mountain feed bag carries my camera, usually. I have a Canon G10.

[Philip Williamson]

I can also recommend the Canon S95 as a small, high-quality digital camera. I like the idea of using the Revelate feed bag - I'll look into that.

 Philip

Philip Williamson

www.biketinker.com 

[Steve Palincsar]

On Thu, 2012-05-31 at 12:57 -0700, Philip Williamson wrote:
> I can also recommend the Canon S95 as a small, high-quality digital
> camera. I like the idea of using the Revelate feed bag - I'll look
> into that.

and its current replacement, the S100. There's a lot to like about
cameras of that size and capability, especially as cycling tools.

[RJM]

I had the first version, the Panasonic LX-1 I believe.  I thought it was an excellent camera for biking and loved the whole layout.  Too bad I left it on my bumper when leaving a trailhead one time and just completely destroyed it.  I would imagine the LX-5 would be a great substitute.

[Kevin Mulcahy]

I used the Canon 300hs on my last tour. I think it's a great cycling camera for a couple reasons. It's small enough to fit in a shirt pocket or the little pocket on your handlebar bag. It had a tough anodized aluminum finish that makes it easy to grab one-handed while riding. It has a wonderful autofocus and take great photos while riding and also only take 2 second to turn on and take your first photo.

[Eric Norris]

My preference in biking cameras stress ease of use (for instance, can you turn the camera on and use the controls while wearing full-finger gloves) and low cost (in case I drop it and it breaks). At the moment, my biking camera of choice is a Canon SD780. It's reasonably cheap (I found a refurbished camera online for about $100) and the controls are easy to use even with cold-numbed fingers. It also takes great HD video, accessible via a simple switch on the back.

I've owned a Canon S90, and while it took great photos I was always hesitant to carry it on the bike for fear of having it hit the pavement.

P.S. My Canon SD780 was soaked with rainwater on the first night at last year's PBP, to the point where the rear display basically became useless. However, it kept taking photos, and once I finished the ride and had time to dry it out, the display came back. It's a trouper!

--Eric N

On May 31, 2012, at 1:53 PM, Kevin Mulcahy <kpmu...@gmail.com> wrote:

I used the Canon 300hs on my last tour. I think it's a great cycling camera for a couple reasons. It's small enough to fit in a shirt pocket or the little pocket on your handlebar bag. It had a tough anodized aluminum finish that makes it easy to grab one-handed while riding. It has a wonderful autofocus and take great photos while riding and also only take 2 second to turn on and take your first photo.

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[René Sterental]

I believe what the OP is looking for is something like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/39643-REG/OP_TECH_USA_5301002_Stabilizer_Strap.html

Assuming sweating is no issue, this chest stabilizer would improve on just using the camera strapped as a sling. For situations where one wouldn't want to hold the camera on one's body, then some sort of quick-release/handlebar clamp solution could be considered for quick access to the camera, or even taking photos/videos while riding. Some combination of parts/providers may be needed.

René

[Brian Hanson]

I almost went with an LX5/S100, but got a GF3 with a pancake lens so I could get on the replaceable lens format while still keeping the body very small.  There was a killer deal on it a few weeks back, so I took the plunge.  So far, it seems to be nearly as easy to use while riding as my old Elph.  Just need to nail a good harness...

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[Steve Palincsar]

On Thu, 2012-05-31 at 17:18 -0700, Brian Hanson wrote:
> I almost went with an LX5/S100, but got a GF3 with a pancake lens so I
> could get on the replaceable lens format while still keeping the body
> very small. There was a killer deal on it a few weeks back, so I took
> the plunge. So far, it seems to be nearly as easy to use while riding
> as my old Elph. Just need to nail a good harness...

But that leaves you with just the one focal length (or needing to carry
multiple lenses to get multiple focal lengths). That might not be much
of a big deal for "ordinary photography," but when you're taking photos
on a bike ride you often don't have the time to get off the bike and
walk around to get close enough.

[Brian Hanson]

True, but I'm used to zooms, and it was time to start working with primes (for me).  I'll suffer through it - probably end up with a zoom soon :)

[Eric Platt]

Steve - thanks for reminding me of the LX5. Had completely forgotten
about it. Have an LX3. While I love the image quality, hate the
easily moved dial. Lost about 20 percent of my photos while in
Washgton DC in 2008 and in San Diego in 2009 because of the wrong
settings. User error, but it still bothers me.

Most of the time I've been using either a Ricoh GRDIII or lately, a
Fuji point and shoot. Sort of like restricting myself to a prime
lens, but frankly think the 28mm on the Ricoh is too wide for outside
on the bike. The Fuji is more than acceptable for my uses and it has
excellent low light capabilities.

Did see a couple of nice options last night at a get together at
Hiawatha Cyclery for Grant's book tour. Something more to think
about.

Eric Platt
St. Paul, MN

[René Sterental]

I now carry my Fuji X100. With its 35mm equivalent prime and superb image quality, it is the perfect package for me. My other alternative is my PEN E-P3 which I still prefer to use with some of its wonderful prime lenses, and on either a Boxy Rando bag or Riv's small Sackville on the front I can still carry with 2-3 lenses. Been using the X100 lately more though.

 

Will need to explore the padding option to carry my D700 in the front, although I am fine tuning an option to carry a full DSLR configuration on the back presuming that my primary intent on those rides is the photography and not the ride. Am still looking for an optimal way to bring a tripod along.

 

René