Compact film camera for bicycle touring

Sam Kanga said:
Thanks Rodchenko,

I didn't know about the Crane Cousins, and just searched them out.

Thanks
Sam
Click to expand...

Nick and Dick Crane cycled from Bangladesh to NW China in their "journey to the Centre of the Earth". Incidentally, they travelled with a Pentax SLR and three lenses (28, 50, and 90 mm). They reported that they didn't need the 90. Their camera meter broke on the trip but they were able to get a replacement in Xining China from a traveller they encountered. Good read. Nick Crane still makes documentaries for the BBC and is the President of the UK Cycle Touring Club.
 
Hi, i´d recommend you the contax tvs I or II, great performers and you can easily zoom them, the lens is simply superb

I bought one tvs for 119 usd !!!!
 
re: Nutters and the great tradition of British explorers & carrying too much

- I will look for Journey to the Centre of the Earth, thanks

Straying off the topic of cameras: there is that great tradition of British explorers, as Rodchenko mentions, and one of my favourite stories is Eric Newby's encounter with the great Sir Wilfred Thesiger (for those who don't know, among the greatest British explorers and a crag of a man). He also by the way took lovely photographs on his expeditions, and I'm sure he didn't have the choice of pee wee cameras we have these days. http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2003/aug/27/booksobituaries.obituaries

In Newby's A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush, Newby and his companion meet Thesiger when on their way back from the mountains (Khyber Pass, I think). To say the least, Thesiger is not impressed when he sees them blowing up their airbeds. "What are you a couple of softies?" (comment edited).

Sam
 
Hmm. Why don't you want to take your Leica?

I would pack my M6 with a collapsible 50 like the Summicron, or compact 35 like the CV Color Skopar 35/2.5.

Still not small enough? The IIIc with the coated Elmar is amazingly compact and very reliable. Slides? Not a problem, just bring a small meter like the Voigtlander VC II.
 
great suggestions. Keep them coming, I'm researching each one. The Contax T3 seems to have an amazing lens.
I used to have the Olympus XA (bought new in Singapore in the 80s) from when I was about 10 years old to about 25 years old. It was my only camera and I miss it. I'm 42 now. But I feel that the lens may not be as sharp as some of the other compact cameras still available.

What do you think?
I have read a few of Thesiger's works. Very interesting writing about when he traveled through the deserts and met with the bedouin.

Currently I'm living in Turkey and ride my bike out to very beautiful scenery almost every day. I have a Minnehaha saddlebag (much like a Carradice) and a front rack to support a front bag. (no side hanging panniers). So with the limited space, I do want to keep the camera size small. With just these two bags I'm able to tour indefinitely as long as I find food and shelter.

Cycling and photography go so hand in hand that it would be a shame to ride without a camera!
 
Try the Olympus Stylus Epic. Nice lens, clamshell design that is easy to work one handed, sturdy and small and fits in a pocket.

They are pretty much bombproof and are easily available on the used market. Am still using the one I bought years ago.
 
Hi Asim,

After the Olympus XA I had the Yashica T4 (not the T4 Super). It was great to use and had a very good lens, however I didn't use it on bike trips. Also if you don't want to have only a 35mm lens, I'm sure someone can suggest a good point and shoot film camera with a short zoom.

Sam
 
Has anyone mentioned the Leica Minilux Zoom yet?

I had one of those for a while and it's a very nice piece of kit. Some people seem to have had their doubts about the lens but my example was sharp enough for a decent 15x12.
 
Maybe some more expensive compacts will give very sharp picture.
I didn't find XA lens to be not sharp for my needs.
Here is the link to my pictures with it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kf095/tags/olympusxa/


If sharpness is so critical Bessa R with Color Skopar 35 2.5 will give it.
The lens is incredibly sharp even wide open. And Bessa has TTL meter, which makes it fast and precise, but not as fast and convenient as with XA.
 
Asim said:
Cycling and photography go so hand in hand that it would be a shame to ride without a camera!
Click to expand...

I have difficulties with photos on tour. You see something and it is past. You constantly think "do I stop or not".

But it is worse in a car. You are not that fast.

How about Leica CL? is cheaper than your MP and takes the same lenses.
 
My traveling choices are almost always an XPan (probably with 90mm lens), backed up by a Widelux.

Portraits, close panos, and wide panos are all covered.

Texsport
 
I use a Bessa T with the 28mm f3.5 Skopar and 28 finder attached. Perfect set-up for me on a bike or as a back-up to my MP or M6 when travelling.
 
Rollei 35 Sonnar or tessar (+ a Watameter rangefinder for critical close ups) if ratios of size/durability (and quiet shutter) matter most.

A cl or cle makes more sense if you want a much longer lens as well as a fast little 40.

Were it my bike trip where slides mattered most, but I wanted a bit more flexibility for other opportunities, I'd augment my Rollei 35s with GXR with the inexpensive 28-300, and stow the Ricoh EVF in the Watameter's berth...
 
depends upon the topo, but hills=Rollei 35 for me...I'm sure that your touring rig is heavy enough already even w/ a triple or compact w/ a monster cog more weight equates to more work...
 
I'd second the earlier suggestions of the Yashica T4. Zeiss Tessar lens.
There's a more expensive but preferable " Weatherproof " version.
Philip
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom