General Cycling Discussion - Cycling Photographers: What and How?

Cyclists who also have a passion for photography:

What equipment do you usually carry and how do you carry it?

On foot, my most usual kit is a DSLR, two zooms, a macro lens, and a hefty tripod. Even without the tripod this seems too unwieldy for the bike. A good point and shoot camera with manual override and RAW mode would seem to be an option. But I'm far-sighted, and putting on reading glasses for framing/focussing, or to see menus and controls, is bound to become irksome.

How do you do it?

The first reason I wanted to add an XtraCycle kit to my bike, lugging tripods.
On my regular bikes I fitted Ortlieb attachment parts to a shoulder bag that I find to be an ideal camera bag, turning them into panniers. I also added Ortlieb attachments to a pelican case for a hard shell rack trunk/camera case.

My camera kit can vary from a single body and lens to multiple bodies, varying formats, lights, tripods, etc.

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/CP1.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/CP2.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/Tripod.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/Pellican.jpg

I carry a Nikon D50 with the 18-55 in my Arkel small handlebar bag and a lightweight tripod in a pannier on my touring bike and my around town bike. If I'm on my road bike, it's a Canon PowerShot SD630 in my jersey pocket.

AllenG, that's a clever idea -- converting a good camera bag to a pannier.

No problems with a digital in either a pannier or handlebar bag? Although I wouldn't want to go back to film, I sometimes look at my Canon 300D camera and wonder just how long it's gonna' last. (Yeah, I know, I was the one who bought the cheapest model.)

If you're concerned about insulating your gear from trail shock, the best place for your gear is in a backpack.
An added bonus is that you are not compromising your bike's handling.

I tried that during a hiking/biking trip to Ireland (rented bike). I had rain gear, lunch and extra water in the top of a Rover II backpack along with the camera gear in the bottom. The camera was slung bandolier-style across my chest.

It was not a great experience. Much can be attributed to the fact that I am just returning to cycling and am out of shape. However, I felt like I was going to bust a gut going up a couple of the hills. When trying to climb out of the saddle, the backpack weight made me wobble and sit back down.

Still, for shorter rides (on my folding bike with no racks), I will be looking for some 'close-body' solution. I'm considering either a P&S such as the Canon G9, or small DSLR kit in something like a KATA T-212.

http://www.pbase.com/burnettjn/ireland

No problems with a digital in either a pannier or handlebar bag?

No problem. I had my sister sew a padded insert for the handlebar bag. Works just fine.

Good ideas for the DSLRs. I'm fixing up a bike now to be my "go take photographs" bike to take my "big" camera on.

Until then, this is my "take quick pics while cycling" set up:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/1881918177_97fba8e733.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2290/1882741260_f79bab9055.jpg

All of these photos (http://www.flickr.com/gp/40454265@N00/6xk56b) were taken with this setup.

That's kinda' cool. Of course, seeing the cyclists with the armadillos on their helmets gives one another idea about a POV camera.

I'll be interested to see what you end up doing for your other camera.

AllenG, that's a clever idea -- converting a good camera bag to a pannier.

No problems with a digital in either a pannier or handlebar bag? Although I wouldn't want to go back to film, I sometimes look at my Canon 300D camera and wonder just how long it's gonna' last. (Yeah, I know, I was the one who bought the cheapest model.)

Thanks. No, I've had no shock or jolting problems with my bodies (I use a 300D for my backup body). Riding on the back of the bike doesn't seem to be any more jarring for the camera than the bags hanging from my shoulder. Accidents involving coffee tables seem to be the demise of my cameras.

I use a 130 dollar sony camera. Since I only take the pictures for my own personal amusement, I never did find a need for anything else.

Lowpro camera backpack. Fits 2 bodies, 2-4 lenses, flash, etc. All-weather cover keeps everything dry.

Canon SD-550 in jersey pocket. Used while in motion (~25mph):

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1369/1014432340_3f5064b944.jpg

I take pictures while moving all the time, but I don't see a need for a handlebar mount unless you're taking video.