baiskeli

O.K, it is fall in Massachusetts and I want to take photos of fall foliage.

I ride my road bike on the weekends and I want to bring my camera with me. I have a Nikon D70 DSLR that when I pair with a 50mm Lens does not take up that much space. I have a small backpack that I can stuff it in (wrapped in plastic and those wrappie thingies for some protection). I cannot carry a real tripod (of course), but I have a teeny weeny one about4 inches high .

A bit worried if I fall on my back and smash the camera, ($$ouch), or end up with bits of camera in my back (ouch) but then if I fall I have much larger problems to worry about. Does anyone here do this, either carry a DSLR or Film SLR with them when they go riding or am I being stupid?

(Note: I don't intend to take the photos on the bike, I would park my bike and take photos)

mscycler

If you have compression straps on your backpack, you could bring along a monopod. Obviously not as stable as atripod, but its gotta be better than the 4" tripod...

mscycler

7rider

I have a Canon Rebel XT and a Canon 300 SD. I take the 300 SD since it can fit in a jersey pocket. I just don't want to risk damaging my DSLR. If I carried it in a well-padded backpack, it would really cut down on the enjoyment of my ride.

helmets save

Naww, I would be afraid to drop it. Because digital SLR's are extrememly expensive, probably the cost of my bike. I say bring a cheap point and shoot, thats my suggestion.

Hipcycler

Post some of your efforts here after you do this.
I'd just ride slower....stop often....really be careful how you ride just to make to avoid any potential crashing.

You'll be fine. Autumn only comes once....go out and capture it....do something different on the bike instead of the usual training rides. But again, please post some samples here once you do!

einstruzende

Yea, been there, done that. I often ride with a Canon 20D. No tripods though. I use a handlebar bag to stick it in.

I've also taken pictures while riding. Bit scary, but hey, gotta do what you gotta do

Here are some pics i've taken this year.
https://www.pbase.com/eins

baiskeli

Doh!

Didn't think about that. The backpack does have compression and I have a monopod. I have to try it out and see what if feels like.

Thanxs

simplyred

Hmm...
Somedays you'll get away with that... somedays you won't...
You have to recognize that possilbility... and if you're okay with that.. then go for it...

Have you ever crashed? If so, how come? I think you'll be okay though...
But I'd be more worried if my bike got dinged over my camera

What about you?

Cheers!
-Peter

hi565

Jeez I could tell you, but my camera is stuck in #@#%#$^#^%$%$@@!#$% best buy land! Argh, its been a long long long time since I brought the camera in to get fixed. I have a feeling all is lost! And I even have one of the sicket pics waiting to be taken too

KirkeIsWaiting

I have an FZ-1 (55mm digital) features like an DSLR but smaller.
I mount it on my handlebars with a rigged, small tripod head.
Hands free photography in p/s mode or manual.

I don't really trust myself with my DSLR on the bike.
Beside being too awkward.

Chucklehead

i dropped and damaged my SLR a few years ago when i was sitting on the pit wall at a race. never once have i thought, "geez, if i only hadn't used my camera to take pictures..."
stuff happens. if you buy a camera like that and are afraid to have it with you when you have your best picture opportunities, you'll never get good pictures. nothing worse than saying.."damn...shoulda brought the camera!"

Hipcycler

Well put!
Like this picture I took today on my ride:

baiskeli

I have crashed before, only seriously once (cracked hand bone, road rash, scratched up shifter on bike). I am just afraid that if I ride and all I can think about is not crashing that will increase the likelihood of getting introduced to Mr Asphalt. I may compromise and carry my film SLR (old, Manual, cheap) or a digital point and shoot (cheap).

My bike has really scratched up left shifter, some dings, scrapes on frame but I have had it long enough not to worry about dings too much.

baiskeli

Thanks for the encouragement. I will definitely post any pics I take in this thread. I may ride this saturday but its meant to rain all day so there may be no pics.

einstruzende

As an addenum, I rode with the 20D probably 10-12 times this year, however it got to be a burden. I just ordered a Canon SD550 to replace it on rides (roughly the size of an iPod mini).

sirthx

20Ds are pretty heavy to take on a ride, no?? I have the XT and would LOVE to to take it on rides but my photo back-pack would make me way too hot, so I take the wife's 5mgpx point&shoot when I suspect a good photo op.

cutters

I've been hauling around my Canon 1D ( a very big and heavy Digital SLR) on many a ride. Ellie over at ReLoad Bags in Seattle, made me a custom padded messenger bag that I can stuff my gear into. Now it's not ideal to be doing a bunch of climbing with 40lbs. of expensive camera gear on my back….but I have, and often do, when I really need the best photos.

2manybikes

I have a small, almost half size lightweight aluminum tripod it's easy to carry and even fits in a pannier. It's quite light weight.

I use a digital point and shoot with a case mounted like a holster on the stem. It's easy to take lots of nice pictures, even while riding. Even of riders behind me.

dirtbikedude

I have an Olympus E10 that I carry if I do not bring the video camera. It is a bit bulky and adds just a bit of weight but it takes great pics for being an "older" model.

If take on the road I just stick it in my back pack with no worries.

DBD

slvoid

If you fall with a Nikon F5, F6, D2Hs, or D2X, just be careful not to dent your frame with the camera body ok?

baxtefer

i just ordered a Lowepro PhotoRunner beltpack.

https://www.lowepro.com/Products/Belt...to_Runner.aspx

womble

The D70 should be pretty tough. I've got an old EOS 5 which is built to a similar standard, and I've bounced it off rock and concrete a couple of times to no effect. It's usually mated to Canon L series zooms, so probably costs about the same as my bike.

I usually don't use anything more than a neoprene Zing bag to protect it before putting it in a pack or pannier. I've also got a Lowe Pro chest-mounted zoom bag, but it's far too bulky to pack casually.

If you're worried about landing on top it, consider a handlebar bag. Seriously, when I carry my camera gear in a backpack in a precarious situation, I'd be more worried about hurting myself if I fell on it.

ajst2duk

Oh deer

biker7

I don't own a saddle bag...I know...and prefer not to wear a back pack when I ride. What I do is leave one water bottle off my bike and carry my Canon digital in a padded case inside the second water bottle cage. It holds nicely and can ride anyway I want but generally don't ride quite as aggressively as I stop frequently to take pictures. I own a lightweight tripod but choose not to bring it as one can capture good pics without it.
George

Wind 'N Snow

Well, this picture disproves that Kirke has no reflection.