If your camera was a bicycle- what kind would it be?

I have a bunch of cameras and I also have a bunch of bicycles.

I suppose I could draw some parallels between the two.

Leica M4 = my old Vitus 990. German camera, French bike. Sleek, fast, simple.

Nikon F2AS = my early 1980s Miyata 600 touring bike. Does everything. Light enough to go reasonably fast, but also heavy enough for touring. Can take some dirt roads just fine.

Nikonos V = my 1996 Specialized Stumpjumper. Last of the hand made Tange Prestige frames. This is set up as a two-speed via a Sturmey-Archer kickback freewheel hub, otherwise it's full Suntour XC Pro. This bike can handle just about anything, anywhere.

Nikon F3HP = my other 1996 Tange prestige Stumpjumper. This one is a full Shimano XT 3x7 with topmount thumbshifters.

Nagaoka 4x5 = my 1956 Rudge Sports. The end-all-beat-all apocalypse bicycle. More versions of this bike have been made than any other mechanical mode of transportation ever. This one was made by Rudge of Ulster (same marque as the motorcycles) licensed under Raleigh Bicycles of Nottingham, England. The Raleigh was made by everyone, even Huffy, which I used to have. These days they can be found brand new by the name Flying Rigeon. If there was ever a case for buying a bicycle simply due to the sheer amount of spare parts available, this would be it. Stick any lens you want on the camera, as long as you make a board for it and you have a means to control exposure.

Phil Forrest
 
I have a bunch of cameras and I also have a bunch of bicycles.

I suppose I could draw some parallels between the two.

Leica M4 = my old Vitus 990. German camera, French bike. Sleek, fast, simple.

Nikon F2AS = my early 1980s Miyata 600 touring bike. Does everything. Light enough to go reasonably fast, but also heavy enough for touring. Can take some dirt roads just fine.

Nikonos V = my 1996 Specialized Stumpjumper. Last of the hand made Tange Prestige frames. This is set up as a two-speed via a Sturmey-Archer kickback freewheel hub, otherwise it's full Suntour XC Pro. This bike can handle just about anything, anywhere.

Nikon F3HP = my other 1996 Tange prestige Stumpjumper. This one is a full Shimano XT 3x7 with topmount thumbshifters.

Nagaoka 4x5 = my 1956 Rudge Sports. The end-all-beat-all apocalypse bicycle. More versions of this bike have been made than any other mechanical mode of transportation ever. This one was made by Rudge of Ulster (same marque as the motorcycles) licensed under Raleigh Bicycles of Nottingham, England. The Raleigh was made by everyone, even Huffy, which I used to have. These days they can be found brand new by the name Flying Rigeon. If there was ever a case for buying a bicycle simply due to the sheer amount of spare parts available, this would be it. Stick any lens you want on the camera, as long as you make a board for it and you have a means to control exposure.

Phil Forrest

Excellent. You’ve got me real interested in the rudge sport- never heard of it but it looks so familiar.

I agree with the touring bike- something that does it all, can be a little heavy but in it for the long haul.
 
Camera? Who has a camera these days?
My Leicas as snobby city bikes.
My Nikons are old style not Walmart made in China bikes.
My Canon EF are eBikes.
The only parallel I can’t find are FSU cameras pile I have. I simply cannot recalling any bikes to be this junk.
Where are dozen of bicycles in our home garage, btw.
 
This is one of the several things which differentiate a Rudge from a Raleigh.

P1000087.JPG


The Red Hand of Ulster chainring was a part of just about every Rudge and made them very unique among Raleigh pattern bicycles. There are enough bicycles of this type (Raleigh, Rudge, Robin Hood, Triumph, Huffy, Flying Pigeon, Hercules, Dunelt, the list goes on...) for about 1/3 of the entire population of the world to have one.
The typical Raleigh pattern bicycles came in three sizes and several different "grades" which were how they were optioned. The "Superb" usually had a fully closed chaincase, a 3 or 4 speed Sturmey-Archer freewheel rear hub, front and rear hand-brakes, a springer saddle like a Brooks B33, a luggage rack, a generator hub with light and an integral frame/fork lock which rendered the bicycle inoperable if ridden away. Without the ability to steer, a would-be-thief will quickly crash, because it takes a bit of work and finesse to get a 30lb bicycle moving. The fork lock was what really set the Superb apart from the lesser grades.

The "Sports" model had a 3 speed Sturmey-Archer hub, front and rear hand-brakes, a B66 or B72 Saddle, an open chain-guard, generator hub and light, and an optional luggage rack. The frame material in the Superb and Sports was often lightweight Reynolds tubing and can be seen on the frames in a script on the top tube reading "Genuine English Lightweight".

Any "lesser" grade usually had just a front hand-brake and a 3 speed Sturmey-Archer hub with a coaster brake. Saddles were not leather, but a "mattress" type usually of vinyl or a leather/cloth material. The frames on these lower end models were not bad but not up to the level of finish in material or paint as in the higher grades.

Some of the Superb and Sports versions were made by a subsidiary of Raleigh and they are called "Carltons". They are rare and were always handmade to a higher standard than the rest. They usually have brighter colors and always have a pair or two pairs of "foil" stripe decals on the seat tube.

Some of the other little bits that are of interest are nickel plated parts from Pre-WWII era bikes. These are on the older rod-brake bikes mostly and they glow with a warm shine that really sets them apart. The most common colors of these bicycles are black and a deep maroon, which is more uncommon the older the bike is.

If it were serious bug-out time and I had to take only one bike as a mode of transport, it would be the Rudge, hands down. It's not a mountain bike, but like my slow 1972 diesel Mercedes, it will go and outlive me as long as I keep feeding it oil and tires.

Phil Forrest
 
I have an M4-2 and an old CCM. I’m such a hoser, eh! It’s embarrassing. At times.

When I found out CCM made bicycles, I always wanted to ride one wearing my hockey skates. Never had the opportunity though and now if I did, I'd be afraid of breaking something. On my body, not the bike!

Phil Forrest
 
My classic film cameras (Nikon F2AS, Olympus OM, Mamiya 6) would be titanium road bikes. Classic, durable, and ever lasting appeal with a focus on the essentials.
 
My knowledge of bikes is poor.

What is the camera equivalent of:

- a 1960's Schwinn Stingray bike with banana seat and high handlebars? What if I add cards between the spokes?

- those folding bikes with little wheels, but you sit and pedal normally?

- a recumbent bike?
 
My bicycle:

...

That is awesomely tough-looking - I like it!

But why are there so many gear selections only on the rear wheel and none on the main... main... pedal gear thingy (not a technical term!).

Isn't there usually like 3 in front and 7 at the rear, or some sorts? Why the difference? This variation is interesting from a mechanical standpoint.
 
I have a road bike, hybrid and a beater MTB for winter when there's snow and ice.

built/upgraded the parts myself.
 
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