Camera Gear and vibrations

[Ekke]

I think Helge Pedersen uses a backpack like this http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Back...yZone_200.aspx

He straps that to the passenger seat/luggage rack, it is completely watertight and has plenty of vibration dampening padding. But then he's a pro photographer and carries a lot of equipment.

Me, I love my Canon S3 IS for its versatility and size.

[Matt Cartney]

Hi,
I have one of those backpacks and they are excellent, but a bit too much to carry around when you are off the bike doing a bit of sightseeing. That's why I had a little side case which I carried around, generally with just my digi body and short zoom in. I did think about carrying it in my pannier but it didn't quite fit and with so much kit in there it would have been unsuitable to just leave strapped to the bike.
I have thought about custom building a top-box or side box to exactly fit my Lowepro backpack, but that's a whole other plan for another time!
I believe Lowepro do backpacks which have a little camera bag in the bottom with an ordinary 'daypack' style top section which might be suitable for keen amauter snappers.
Matt

PS- If you are new to digi photography and are wondering wether it is worth it then I have to say it is. If you are keen then you will see your 'learning curve' get much steeper as soon as you switch over. The ability to look at a pic just after you've taken it, see why it does or doesn't work while you can still remember the conditions and what aperture/speed/iso (and being able to remind yourself in EXIF!) you took it at is brilliant. Then being able to fire off shots till you get it right, not caring about the cost of film...well, digi is probably the greatest leap forward in photography since colour film.

[Vaufi]

All in all I prefer to carry my camera in the tank bag. It's easily and quickly accessible and relatively safe. Besides having a padding under the tank bag I use an Ortlieb waterproof (and dustproof) bag specially designed for SLR cameras, which is also padded. Thus the camera is double padded. This has done the job for thousands of kilometers and many of them on tough dirt roads.

Hans

[The Cameraman]

Hi Bjorn,

I use a Canon 20D and my long standing Canon D60 SLR camera's, complete with L series lens'. I'm sure that the constant vibrations form the motorcycle help to keep the CCD dust contamination to a minimum, just remember always to store the body with the CCD vertical and try to keep a lens for each body, therefore reducing the dust ingress problems even more.

If you saw the dents that my kit's been inflicted with you'll realise they don't get a gentle life!

Regards

Reggie AKA The Cameraman

[Matt Cartney]

Hi Reggie,
I store my cameras generally facing down with a lens on. Why do you store them with the CCD vertical, is it just so the dust doesn't accumulate on a flat surface or is there another reason?
Cheers,
Matt

[The Cameraman]

Hi Matt,

exactly as you say, if the CCD's vertical then there's less chance of any dust landing on it and also, if the focal plane is in it's normal orientation then there's less forces affecting the equipment as you ride along.

[Matt Cartney]

Cheers, will consider this when I work out how I'm carrying my kit next time!
Matt

[Xander]

I am no pro but I like Matt, cant travel with out my camera, I love it. But anyway I only carry the camera gear that I am going to use. No extras (this does already mean 2 DSLRs, and a point and shoot) I use one of these.The Official Tamrac Homepage - The leading manufacturer and distributor of camera, photography and camcorder bags
I found them great they sit in my rear top box hold everything i need, and i never leave the bike with out it, the point and shoot sits in the tank bag. funny thing though is i am going to lose the point and shoot. There has been maybe two times when i wanted to stop and shoot something that did not require me getting off the bike and getting the SLR out anyway.. My wife and faithfully pillion takes all the happy snapps (us at pub type shots) which i would not do anyway.
BTW I am a nikon fan for stills and canon for video..
The one thing i have to say about digital is get a media Vault cus you can lose images all to fast and card space is an issue!

[mattcbf600]

Well I got it - just bought the Minolta Dynax 500si from a friend having a clear out - came with the standard 35-75mm lens and a 24mm wide angle - have also bought a 75-300mm telephoto.

So with that lot I think I should be able to cover most situations.

Now given the only shots I'll be taking are going to be 'arty' B&W jobbies for the blog and trustedplaces I reckon that'll be enough.

Xander - thanks for the heads up on the Tarmac stuff - looks like it'll do the job perfectly.

m

[Ozrockrat]

I will second this recommendation having used one in Africa as well as here in the USA. The Dryzone bag will protect your gear. It is bulky to use as a backpack though. Check out the newer version which includes and area for a hydration bag etc. Lowepro - DryZone Rover

Originally Posted by Ekke

I think Helge Pedersen uses a backpack like this Lowepro - DryZone 200

He straps that to the passenger seat/luggage rack, it is completely watertight and has plenty of vibration dampening padding. But then he's a pro photographer and carries a lot of equipment.

Me, I love my Canon S3 IS for its versatility and size.