Camera Gear and vibrations

[mattcbf600]

We'll be taking a variety of cameras on our trip - a selection of point and shoots - mixture of Canon and Sony - and then our 'pro' kit - Canon digital SLR with several mixtures of lenses - so I've been reading this thread with much interest and will use a few of the suggestions to keep the kit safe.

But I want to say thank you for inspiring me to go out and grab an old Olympus OM10 with Manual Plug-in - it was my first SLR and bomb proof - I got one with a simple 50mm and 28mm lens for £50 - it it breaks then it breaks, but I'm going to shoot with really high speed B&W - and with any luck produce some of the most romantic shots of the trip :-)

[Bjorn]

One thing that just came to my mind one week after getting an F650 Dakar is: what tankbag should I get for my new pride & joy?
It's great not having to remove the tankbag every time I fill up – but are there any good camera tank bags for the Dakar out there? Or any normal tankbag where I could fit a Lowepro Microtrekker or Minitrekker?

[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

[photographicsafaris]

Hiya,

I am a Canon convert and a former Nikon user, so this is not easy to say For your needs the Nikon D200 is a better camera: it is stronger (except mirror) plus you could take a Nikon FM as a back up

I have seen two canon EOS 300D's rattle their way to death in a Landrover on a two week safari in Kenya, so i wouldnt recomend them. If you can afford it go for a Professional quality body, like the Canon EOS 1Ds (as opposed to the newer upgrade as you'll save money and it will... should last)

Oh and http://www.7dayshop.com does 4GB memory cards for £18, so theyre cheap, buy 5 of them and you are sorted.

As for the tittle tattle about using a compact camera: if you werent serious about photography you wouldnt have asked for opinions, and any way you cut it a compact doesnt match the image quality.

Oh and the Velbon maxi range of tripods are light weight small and surprisingly good.

[CrazyCarl]

I second photosaf's recommendations. The Velbons are quite a good value for the price and can take a pretty good beating. The lightweight ultra compact tri-pods work for well for light-medium duty work. If you're going to use it for video as well, something a little heavier might be annoying but necessary.

I was thinking about the D200 and it's a great cam but won't exactly pack light and small. As far as the camera's go, don't be afraid to look at the Nikon D80. Lots of people have doubts as to whether they can stand the harsh environments of moto-riding but I'll live and swear by my D70 which has been through numerous spills, from over 5000 to -130m/asl, snow to sand to anything I could throw at it.


CrazyCarl

[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.

[Ozrockrat]

Just another point in favor of using a backpack is that your body legs etc take up some of the vibration that a tank bag / top box will pass through.

[photographicsafaris]

I noticed that you are buying a 1.4 extender, it will not work (if a canon) on your lenses if it is anything other than the tamron pro 300 dont bother, in fact I wouldnt bother with your lenses.

I agree about the 75-300 DOIS amazing little lens ideal for your needs, but store it disconnected from the camera for rattles.

I still stand behind Nikon in this instance, although since last post I now own an XT600 and have been taking my canons (5d and 3) everywhere. with ill effects, though I am suspicious of the 5D!

If I were starting again, it would be my Nikon FM2 with 28mm 2.8 and the Nikon D3 with the 17-35 f2.8, 50 1.4 and 80-200 f2.8 with the 1.7 extender and the SB800. As minimum kit.
Then I would have to have the 105 VR macro and the 200-400.

I take back what I said about compacts and am aiming for a fuji f50fd with underwater housing. as it will go ina jacket pocket for quick reactions.

My minimum camera gear is:
17-40L f4 (weather resistant)
70-200L f4 (internal focusing, no external parts)
1.4 extender
550ex speedlight
EOS 3 and EOS 5D

Where I can I take my 100 f2.8 Macro and my 50 f1.4 and 100-400 or 300mm Sigma primes, but tough on the bike.

I am still working around where to put everything but it is going to have to be pelicase's for me! Currently short trips in huge Crumpler rucksac or crumpler sling bag

Cheers G

[BMurr]

It's about 10 years since I had to investigate what camera to buy. The concensus back then seemed to be that canon lenses had a 'warmth' to them which gave good colour saturation whereas Nikon was a bit 'colder'. Leica were another make I looked into then and their lenses were supposed to be very sharp and more neutral for colour. Is Canon still seen as warmer??

[CrazyCarl]

To be blunt, I think in the digital age most any compensation for color temperature can/will be made automatically in post-process. My guess is body design and features will take precedence over warmth of images.

If you only insist on shooting with the manufacturer's lenses then it may be more of a concern but there are other companies, such as Sigma, who make quite a few excellent lenses for less cost and will also have a slightly different color cast.

YMMV,
CC

Originally Posted by BMurr

It's about 10 years since I had to investigate what camera to buy. The concensus back then seemed to be that canon lenses had a 'warmth' to them which gave good colour saturation whereas Nikon was a bit 'colder'. Leica were another make I looked into then and their lenses were supposed to be very sharp and more neutral for colour. Is Canon still seen as warmer??

[effrider]

Originally Posted by Bjorn

One thing that just came to my mind one week after getting an F650 Dakar is: what tankbag should I get for my new pride & joy?
It's great not having to remove the tankbag every time I fill up – but are there any good camera tank bags for the Dakar out there? Or any normal tankbag where I could fit a Lowepro Microtrekker or Minitrekker?

Touratech makes a camera specific tankbag.
Photographer Tank bag (Camera Tankbag) ,Part Number: 055-1076
--Doug

[AliBaba]

Originally Posted by effrider

Touratech makes a camera specific tankbag.
Photographer Tank bag (Camera Tankbag) ,Part Number: 055-1076
--Doug

The Touratech-bag comes in two sizes.

I have the large one and think it is a bit large, maybe because I’m not a big fan of tankbags.
Anyway it works very nice and the camera is handy all the time. It is padded and keeps vibration to a minimum.
It’s also easy to remove the bag and use it as a rucksack, bumbag or just hang it over your shoulder.

I have no idea how many good pictures I have lost because my camera has been in my panniers. :-(

This is one of the very few Touratech-gadgets I will recommend.

I think I should have bought the smaller one, this is how it looks: