Medium format and motorcycle trip

[FrankS]

Vince, tank bag and large duffle bag on passenger seat/luggage rack. Will take a basic toolkit, spare clutch and throttle cables, points plate, plugs, fuses, bulbs, fuel line/syphon hose. Minimal clothes, rain gear, a tarp.

I could mount my BMW's Krauser hard bags on the Honda, but I don't think I need them.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Is that luggage rack behind the rear wheel? If so (and if you haven't already done so), you may want to load it up and test it out. One of the things that I learned when packing for a bike trip was to keep the load low on the bike, and ahead of the rear wheel. Any kind of weight that's behind the rear wheel can really mess with the handling of the bike. Don't know if you have access to saddle bags, but if you do, they'd be a good place to put the heavy stuff.

I think as long as your stuff is in a nicely padded camera bag and in your tank bag, your cameras should be fine. If your bags aren't waterproof, it might be an idea to put everything in a garbage bag, then put your stuff in your duffel/tank bag.

If your Hasselblad kit can fit along with everything else and it's comfortable for you, then why not. But as Chris mentioned, the more stuff like cameras etc you bring along, the more you have to worry about and lug around when you're off the bike.

As a total aside, if it would fit into your finances, something like an Aerostitch suit might be worthwhile, as it offers great protection and is waterproof at the same time (no need to carry a separate rain suit). I use a Belstaff outfit, and the waxed cotton (when properly treated) offers excellent rain repellency. Only additional thing I need to carry are waterproof gloves and boot covers.

 

[noisycheese]

I've carried Mamiya RB67 AND Mamiya 645 (mine and my wife's); and 'Baby' Linhof Technika; and 4x5 inch; and you know what? It didn't matter a damn.

Cheers,

R.

@ Roger,

I'm not sure what you mean here - was it that it didn't matter a damn in terms of size/weight/bulk, or that it didn't matter a damn in terms of the images you were able to create?? 😕

I'm guessing that you meant option #1, but I'm not sure...

 

[Moto-Uno]

Vince and Colin's advice is wise ,I've carried my Busch Pressman D over my shoulder in an old denim bag on a 7 hour trip,not too uncomfortable,my Bronica ETR's have been on my back (with 2 extra lens and filters) in a LowePro back pack ,very comfortable as it rested on the edge of the back saddle and I've put the same Bronicas in a padded California lunch bag of my wifes in the saddlebag,all for hours on end,the Bronicas are mquite robust. I've also brought my Mamiya 7 with 3 lens and filters,etc on a sling bag over my shoulder,not too sure I'd do that for any length of time again.
Peter

 

[FrankS]

Peter, carrying something as large and boxy as a press camera on my person while riding is not something I'd do, for safety's sake and because of fatigue.

 

[Moto-Uno]

Not completely suggesting it,just the Pressman D folded up is less than 4"deep and fit in this old denim bag which let it rest slightly on my thigh and was more comfortable than I'd have imagined. But, the point was, that I've carried many cameras for quite some time on this bike ( how many hours a day would you expect to ride?) As was hinted at earlier, a few good test rides should pretty well reduce your choices. Peter
ps: should you ever pass by Burnaby,B.C,email me and we can go over your bike, heaven knows I've worked on many of those ol' honda 4's

 

[defconfunk]

I took my Yashica Minister on a weekend motorcycle trip in 2012 and had to realign my rangefinder afterwards (thankfully, a super easy thing to do on that camera). I now give more thought to how I isolate my cameras while riding.

The one thing I'd recommend, especailly if it will be on your tank, is put a good vibration reducing layer underneather it. Thick bubble wrap, two or three layers of regular bubble wrap, some other air bladder, gel, maybe thick memory foam, whatever; lots of options, just not hard foam.

Motorcycles transfer a lot of vibration through their tanks. Ignoring the shock of hitting potholes and frost heaves, even a smooth inline four transfers a lot of vibration when spinning at highway speeds. A good test is to place a glass of water on top of the tank (or where ever you plan on storing your camera) while stationary, and rev it in neutral to cruising
rpm. Watch how much the water shakes, and try your vibration isolation material underneat it.

For this summer's trip I took my AE-1 and rested it on a layer of thick bubble wrap. No issues, but then, the AE-1 is a very different beast from the Minister, so not really an apples to apples comparison.

Have a great trip!

 

[FrankS]

Thanks Peter! On this trip I'll be staying south of western Canada.

Matt, I'll have layers of the blue closed cell sleeping mat foam, and a layer of the softer, beige open cell foam.

Vince, if you're still reading, how far are you from Winchester?

 

[hausen]

I think the time you will appreciate having taking the Hassy is when you get home and see the negs🙂

 

[FrankS]

I think the time you will appreciate having taking the Hassy is when you get home and see the negs🙂

Exactly my thought!

 

[Ranchu]

Kodak Duaflex III or IV (coated) with Kodar lens, have to re roll to 620 though. Field strippable with a screwdriver (not my flickr).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jstancel/2902468835/

 

[Vince Lupo]

Vince, if you're still reading, how far are you from Winchester?

Winchester Virginia (you're bringin' me down!) is about 2 hours west of Baltimore.

 

[FrankS]

Ahhh, there would have to be a compelling reason to use a 620 camera (which I don't have) instead of a Hasselblad, Rolleiflex, Fuji 6x7, or Perkeo folder, before I'd even begin to consider re-rolling 120 roll film!

 

[FrankS]

Winchester Virginia is about 2 hours west of Baltimore.

I could scoot over to say Hi.

 

[Ranchu]

Ahhh, there would have to be a compelling reason to use a 620 camera (which I don't have) instead of a Hasselblad, Rolleiflex, Fuji 6x7, or Perkeo folder, before I'd even begin to consider re-rolling 120 roll film!

Why I suggested it is it weighs 18 ounces, has no protruding bits, and does not have to be unfolded and then folded again. Quick to deploy, and simple enough to be vibration resistant.

🙂

 

[Vince Lupo]

I could scoot over to say Hi.

Sure -- my little Honda gang can also meet up with you and we can go for a ride.

 

[FrankS]

I'd love to meet your honda crew. Skyline drive, or is that too far? You may know something better.

 

[ianstamatic]

leave the hassie behind.
I think the perkeo would be far more relaible, or even a tlr.

also for the weight of the blad you could take a stripped down crown graphic and two or three lightweight lenses. probably infinitely more reliable too. get a 6x9 roll back for color and use 4x5 for bw.

 

[Vince Lupo]

I'd love to meet your honda crew. Skyline drive, or is that too far? You may know something better.

Probably too far for my guys (they'd probably be more Gettysburg!) -- but we can talk more about it as you get closer to your trip date.

Part of the crew -- yes we are a scary-looking lot.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Gotta say, if that's what you're planning on bringing, that looks like a lot of stuff (and would take up the entire tank bag)! But I do understand the idea of this being potentially a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so I can't blame you for wanting to take the CM.