Cameras for long motorcycle trip

[FrankS]

I had thought of taking 2 Nikon FG's with 28, 50, and 80-200 zoom. The trip would be about 5 weeks long, driving around the US, and photography will be an important aspect of the trip. A backup camera is a must.

Last night I processed some film including a roll that I shot with a Nikonos V and that got me to thinking that maybe a couple of these with 35mm lenses, one for 100 speed film the other with 400, would be a simpler alternative to consider.

Whatever I take needs to be no fuss, rugged, and not expensive. This excludes my Leica M2's with no built in meter and shock sensitive RF.

Any thoughts?

 

[back alley]

sony rx100...
small, no fuss...great lens...fits in your shirt pocket.

 

[FrankS]

You know I'm a film guy, Joe! My iPhone will do for digi happy snaps to share over the web.

 

[back alley]

You know I'm a film guy, Joe! My iPhone will do for digi happy snaps to share over the web.

you are allowed to change grasshopper...it's the perfect travel camera...this way you enjoy the motorcycle and the camera.
$500. used in great shape...i've seen them advertised for that.

 

[Dunn]

I actually think the FG's would be a great choice. To me, it's a great little camera. I don't like zooms though.

Also, if you need an FG, I have one I'm willing to part with.

 

[dave lackey]

I had thought of taking 2 Nikon FG's with 28, 50, and 80-200 zoom. The trip would be about 5 weeks long, driving around the US, and photography will be an important aspect of the trip. A backup camera is a must.

Last night I processed some film including a roll that I shot with a Nikonos V and that got me to thinking that maybe a couple of these with 35mm lenses, one for 100 speed film the other with 400, would be a simpler alternative to consider.

Whatever I take needs to be no fuss, rugged, and not expensive. This excludes my Leica M2's with no built in meter and shock sensitive RF.

Any thoughts?

An excellent choice. If one gets beat up, lost, etc. not much of an expense to replace it while using the backup! A nice compact 35mm Series E would be good too!🙂

 

[OwenStegemann]

If you need the reach of a long lens, then the fg plan seems pretty solid, but since you are also toying with the idea of only bringing one focal length, I'd consider picking up a couple of stylus epics. Super compact, good glass, no fuss. I know when I'm shooting out on the motorcycle I let a lot of pictures get away unless I have something really convenient to work with. Use the extra space for film.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Last summer I did this with an M2 w/50 cron. Take what you're comfortable with, like to hold, and is reliable.

Make sure you pack the camera in a bag where it will be completely surrounded with a very soft type foam. You need to completely isolate the camera from the motorcycle vibrations or the bike will vibrate the camera to death in very short order.

Have a great time.

Best,
-Tim

 

[FrankS]

I have 3 FG's, from garage sales, etc.
A plastic point and shot just won't give me the satisfaction I get from the process of photography. Same with a digital camera.

 

[hepcat]

Whatever I take needs to be no fuss, rugged, and not expensive. This excludes my Leica M2's with no built in meter and shock sensitive RF.

Any thoughts?

Frank, I think you're probably underestimating your M2.

I carried an M4-2 all over the western US in the side and tank bags on my '82 R100RT in just a smallish Lowe Pro bag. I put 60k miles on that bike from '83 to '86; probably 15 to 18k of that with the camera in the bags on the bike. As a matter of fact, that whole M4-2 kit in the Lowe Pro bag went flying off the back of a three wheeler at 30 mph in the Anza Borrego desert one time and went tumbling down a wash. I turned around, picked it up and kept shooting with it for another five years before I sold that one. Not a problem.

They're pretty rugged. I still have that Lowe Pro bag, btw.

 

[nobbylon]

Frank,
I don't see why not to take the m2's. They're strong enough and the rf is not nearly as easy to put out as some would believe. For me there is no point in having great gear that doesn't get used because it's expensive bla bla.
The photos you get will be made by cameras that you like using and you can start a new thread on your return, motorcycle trip by m2!
As mentioned in another thread, I'm off to Holi in India, march 27 this year and I have no doubt that myself and D700 + 24-70 and Leicaflex + 35 summicron will get covered in paint powder and liquids etc however if I get the pics I want it will be worth the clean up later. You'll enjoy your trip more knowing that it's being recorded by kit you like to use.

 

[Dunn]

I know you just said you're not big on point and shoots, but when I added a Ricoh Gr1v to my travel kit I was so happy. It fits in my pocket so I can pull it out very quickly if I need to get a shot that I don't have my M6 ready for. I got so many shots that I would have missed without it. Just a thought.

 

[hausen]

My M6 lives in my panniers. If it was me I wouldn't leave behind M2 on a epic trip like this. Would think that this is what it is made for. Take one of each.

 

[Rogier]

Nikonos 5 with the 35 and 28mm lens.
Keep it strapped around your neck while driving for easy access ;-)

 

[FrankS]

I really enjoy using my M2's when I have the luxury of time and no pressure to enjoy them, but while I am a devoted film user, I am not a dyed in the wool RF camera user. I choose the tool most suited for the task at hand. This long motorcycle trip will not be easy for me, ill be 57 years old in not perfect condition on a 40 year old bike. I'm thinking that a built in meter is required to make photography easier.

 

[thegman]

If you have the Nikon FGs, like using them, then they would seem to be a great choice. Pack some spare batteries, and they're probably all you need. I would consider another Nikon body just as yet another backup, if you have space in the panniers. But if you're going through cities, I'd imagine picking up a Nikon body will be easy enough.

Have an excellent trip.

 

[Efra1]

Hi FrankS
I do that trip 2 years ago, on a Harley Davidson Electra Glide, all the trip I use a Hasselblad xPan around my neck and a Fuji x100 for the fast shoots, in my bag there was a Leica MP as a backup film body, the main reason to use the xPan is the possibility to use as a 35mm and/or as a panoramic mode.
The views you will see across the USA are amazing and the panoramic views will feet very well on that camera.

My best wishes to you on the road.

Ride Free.

 

[johnnyy]

Hi franks,
I think Nikon Coolpix L310 will be better option for you. i have a great experience with this camera.
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Top Ten classified website

 

[FrankS]

So I'm thinking this may be my kit. FG with 28, FG with 50, 80-200, Rollei AF35M point and shoot. The Perkeo ll is the smallest 6x6 I have.

 

[Vince Lupo]

So I'm thinking this may be my kit. FG with 28, FG with 50, 80-200, Rollei AF35M point and shoot. The Perkeo ll is the smallest 6x6 I have.

Too much stuff, if you ask me. Ditch the Rollei and the Perkeo (heck, I'd even consider just taking one Nikon body and two lenses). On a bike you don't have the luxury of space, so the less the better.

I did a 31 day motorcycle trip to Alaska and the lower 48 several years ago, and my camera of choice was a Leica III with a 50/2 Summar. Can't get much simpler than that!