looking for a ride along camera.
#1
looking for a ride along camera.
icyclist inspired this thread with his excellent ride report photography.
i see a lot of you folks photo-document lots of your rides and some of you are excellent photographers, especially to my untrained eye.
i'm looking for a nice, inexpensive ride along camera that is relatively rugged, lightweight and easy to come out of the jersey pocket and snap pictures. my smartphone takes ok-ish pics, but its very cumbersome to use, and even more cumbersome to get pictures off of.
what are you all using?
i see a lot of you folks photo-document lots of your rides and some of you are excellent photographers, especially to my untrained eye.
i'm looking for a nice, inexpensive ride along camera that is relatively rugged, lightweight and easy to come out of the jersey pocket and snap pictures. my smartphone takes ok-ish pics, but its very cumbersome to use, and even more cumbersome to get pictures off of.
what are you all using?
#4
Sua Ku
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 2
From: Hot as hell, Singapore
Bikes: Trek 5200, BMC SLC01, BMC SSX, Specialized FSR, Holdsworth Criterium
Olympus iTough. Waterproof, shock proof, modes, easy one handed operation. Mine has been dropped on the move, ridden over and survived many tropical storms. Before this I killed 2 Canon Powershots
The "best" camera is one that you actually you carry with you, this one is one to put in your back pocket and forget, no ziplocks, no worries!
Some sample images:





The "best" camera is one that you actually you carry with you, this one is one to put in your back pocket and forget, no ziplocks, no worries!
Some sample images:





#5
Administrator



Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 34,344
Likes: 8,488
From: Hudson Valley, NY
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
What's the ISO range?
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
#6
well hello there

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,491
Likes: 390
From: Point Loma, CA
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
I have a little Cannon Elph, which is small and takes good photos but it doesn't take regular batteries, so that's inconvenient. Also, in order to recharge the battery, I have to lug around the entire docking station.
__________________
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
#7
Artificial Member




Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,162
Likes: 7,485
From: The Cloud
Bikes: Retrospec Judd, Dahon Boardwalk, Specialized Langster
I think something like the Olympus is a great bike camera. I'm not sure that concerns over ISO range in a point and shoot are valid. It's going to handle ordinary lighting situations very well. If you are looking for exposure control you need to look at a camera that is configured differently than a weather proof, shock proof compact camera. My biggest irritation with compact digital cameras is the slow shutter lag times.
Nice pictures, ROLLIN. And a nice bike. Do you use those old wheels after you got the Zipps?
Nice pictures, ROLLIN. And a nice bike. Do you use those old wheels after you got the Zipps?
#8
shedding fat
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,149
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
Bikes: LOOK 595 Ultra/Campy Record 10Sp, restored Guerciotti/Campy C-Record 6 Sp, TIME RXR/Campy SR 11Sp, and Colnago C-60 with Campagnolo SR 11sp.
I have one of the Nikon Coolpix. Can't remember the model, but it is ver handy and good. I think the most important things when it comes to a camera you can bring along when riding are resistance to elements, and how easy it is to take out and use while still riding. The iTough above is a good suggestion.
__________________
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
Arguing with ignorant people is an exercise in futility. They will bring you down to their level and once there they will beat you with their overwhelming experience.
#9
Sua Ku
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 2
From: Hot as hell, Singapore
Bikes: Trek 5200, BMC SLC01, BMC SSX, Specialized FSR, Holdsworth Criterium
I think something like the Olympus is a great bike camera. I'm not sure that concerns over ISO range in a point and shoot are valid. It's going to handle ordinary lighting situations very well. If you are looking for exposure control you need to look at a camera that is configured differently than a weather proof, shock proof compact camera. My biggest irritation with compact digital cameras is the slow shutter lag times.
Nice pictures, ROLLIN. And a nice bike. Do you use those old wheels after you got the Zipps?
Nice pictures, ROLLIN. And a nice bike. Do you use those old wheels after you got the Zipps?
Problem with cameras like the G9 on a bike is bulk and fragility. I take a lot of photos on the move, can't do that with a camera in a ziplock bag.
I do use the ESs when I travel and on longer rides, touring on tubulars worries me.
#11
Sua Ku
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 2
From: Hot as hell, Singapore
Bikes: Trek 5200, BMC SLC01, BMC SSX, Specialized FSR, Holdsworth Criterium
actually if I was buying a riding camera today I would look at the Panasonic Lumix (DMC-TS1?) waterproof camera because it has HD video recording. Not sure of the price.
#13
pan y agua

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,812
Likes: 1,234
From: Jacksonville
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Canon's S90 surpasses the G11 (the current G series) in a lot of ways. Like the G11, it shoots RAW files, has the option of manual control for everything,same sensor as the G11.
But it has a faster lens, and the S90 fits in a jersey pocket.
Only disadvantage is lack of an optical viewfinder.
But it has a faster lens, and the S90 fits in a jersey pocket.
Only disadvantage is lack of an optical viewfinder.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#14
pan y agua

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,812
Likes: 1,234
From: Jacksonville
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Another option travelling light is a cell phone camera.
My Bahamas pictures, which admittedly are pretty much just record shots, were taken on a Blackberry.
My Bahamas pictures, which admittedly are pretty much just record shots, were taken on a Blackberry.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#15
#16
Canon's S90 surpasses the G11 (the current G series) in a lot of ways. Like the G11, it shoots RAW files, has the option of manual control for everything,same sensor as the G11.
But it has a faster lens, and the S90 fits in a jersey pocket.
Only disadvantage is lack of an optical viewfinder.
But it has a faster lens, and the S90 fits in a jersey pocket.
Only disadvantage is lack of an optical viewfinder.
#18
Artificial Member




Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,162
Likes: 7,485
From: The Cloud
Bikes: Retrospec Judd, Dahon Boardwalk, Specialized Langster
#20
I use an Olympus Camedia C-560 Wide Zoom on the bike. I made a lot of the on bike shots on VeloWeb with it. Video quality is very good as well (compressed example). It is pretty bulky though. For Paris-Brest-Paris, I borrowed a waterproof Pentax Optio. It rained the whole time but I just pulled the camera out of my soggy jersey pocket and grabbed shots. Great little camera. The new W80 -- 12.1 megapixel Waterproof, Dustproof, Coldproof and Shockproof Wide-angle 5X internal optical zoom -- looks awesome and I'd like one of those when I can afford it.
#21
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,894
Likes: 5
From: Upland Ca
Bikes: Lemond Chambery/Cannondale R-900/Trek 8000 MTB/Burley Duet tandem
I had fun with the camera but for now, I'm having fun with the videos!
...Extract still shots, not as nice as a digital camera but the vids are cool
The video
BF'er Dutchboy2 and The Greasers

RiverVelo riders, few BF'ers in the mix

Gina, all smiles when it's over!

The video
BF'er Dutchboy2 and The Greasers

RiverVelo riders, few BF'ers in the mix

Gina, all smiles when it's over!
#22
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,486
Likes: 4,563
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
my daughter has this one and I was thinking of getting the same for my rides:
Nikon - Coolpix 10.0-Megapixel Digital Camera
Model: L20 | SKU: 9220167
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+-+...ikon%20coolpix
Nikon - Coolpix 10.0-Megapixel Digital Camera
Model: L20 | SKU: 9220167
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+-+...ikon%20coolpix
#24
Administrator



Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 34,344
Likes: 8,488
From: Hudson Valley, NY
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
I disagree, but I won't argue about it, I'll just look it up. Thanx!
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
#25
pan y agua

Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,812
Likes: 1,234
From: Jacksonville
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Cell phone cameras are getting better

Me, until I started using an S90. You can hold a camera more steady to your face, than arms out in front of you, and you can see better in bright daylight that washes out the screen.

Me, until I started using an S90. You can hold a camera more steady to your face, than arms out in front of you, and you can see better in bright daylight that washes out the screen.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.











