Medium format and motorcycle trip

[FrankS]

Sweet anticipation of my next summer's trip around the US!

I'm thinking now that many of the scenes and vistas I will see, especially in the southwest, demand/deserve medium format. I can take the Hasselblad 500cm with standard 80 Planar lens, or folding Perkeo ll which is more compact but not as confidence inspiring reliability wise.
I'll still be taking a 35mm camera for more spontaneous shots.
Photography is an important aspect of my trip, so much so that I'll find room in my packing for a smallish tripod.

For those who don't know me, I'm a committed (committable) black and white film guy. My iPhone will do for digital snaps to share images along the way over the Internet.

 

[Moto-Uno]

Though it usually lacks in convenience aspects ( weight,size ,etc) there's no denying the satisfaction of playing with a great big negative well exposed ! Peter
ps; I slug my medium format gear around on my bike most everywhere.

 

[Prest_400]

Fellow RFF'er Tsiloknaut did a lot of travel by motorbike and used a Pentax 67. Perhaps if he sees the thread he will enter the discussion.

I've got no experience on motorbikes but I guess that it can be comparable to carry on luggage in flying. Hard to decide what to take.

 

[Godfrey]

Take the Perkeo II or a Rolleiflex TLR. Much as I love my Hassy 500CM, the Rolleiflex is a better camera for a motorcycle trip IMO.

G

 

[FrankS]

How so, Godfrey? They are about the same size and weight.
If anything bad happened, it'd be much easier to replace the Hasselblad than my Rolleiflex E2 with 75f3.5 Planar.

 

[FrankS]

Though it usually lacks in convenience aspects ( weight,size ,etc) there's no denying the satisfaction of playing with a great big negative well exposed ! Peter
ps; I slug my medium format gear around on my bike most everywhere.

What gear for you?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I took a Hasselblad and 3 lenses on my trip to New Mexico in the summer of 2011. I drove my big Crown Victoria, rather than a motorcycle, and it was still too much stuff to carry around. Remember that in most of the USA in summer that temps are high enough to damage your gear and film if you leave them in a car or a motorcycle's saddlebags, so anytime you stop to eat, to spend the night in a motel, etc. you have to be able to carry your camera gear in with you!

I really wish I'd had the Mamiya 6 system I have now. It is much better for trips.

 

[Roger Hicks]

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.

 

[mfogiel]

A Rolleiflex should be preferred - this way you will spare yourself the need for a tripod.

 

[marek_]

I don't ride a motorbike but I do a lot of cycling and my preferred choice is a 6x6 Zeiss folder with a nice Tessar. The simplicity of the camera is important so I can enjoy the actual cycling, the views, the places I'm travelling through. The folder is small and COMPACT, and protected in it's own case, easily carried in my rear pocket. Stoping at an interesting view, get the the camera out, opening it is easy and convenient - I'm ready to shoot and if I choose not to take a picture, the camera is quickly and easily folded and back in my pocket. Having not to worry about safely carrying the camera or whether to use another focal length or having to get off the bike, open a bag to get the camera and then set a bulkier camera up is nice.

A folder in your jacket pocket would be a perfect camera to accompany you on your journey.

 

[hausen]

I cart my Arcbody and two lenses in my panniers all of the time. I used to take more gear with me than I ever needed and really have now come to the point where I only take one system with me on the bike at a time. Space is of a premium and if I leave something on the bike and go a tramp around for a couple of hours you always have that worry will it be there when you get back. For me I would take the system you are most confident with, after all as you say photography will be a big part of the trip.

 

[FrankS]

Hi David, yeah that's why I'm thinking Hasselblad over the more compact folder.

The cameras I decide to take will all fit in a tank bag along with my ipad.
When I go for a hike, I'll take the bag with me.

 

[FrankS]

So, the current plan for gear is: Hasselblad 500cm with 80 (and possibly 50), Leica CL with CV40, second CL with CV21.

I'll make custom foam dividers to hold each item in my tank bag. The ipad will lie across the top.

 

[Mudman]

I backpacked a Hasselblad 100 miles across Scotland. I think it'll be fine on a bike.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Frank, yeah, lots of foam padding. I've run back and forth across the country on my Sporty with a Leica M3 in a padded cell I made for my tank bag, so far so good.

Know a guy who tried it with a Hassy like yours, in one of his saddlebags, without the foam padding. Halfway through the trip it was nothing but a paperweight with metallic bits falling off.

If you find you don't really have space for the Hassy kit, trade out one of your CL's for an M with a nice Summicron. Unbelievable how big of prints you can make with a properly exposed Summicron negative.

Sounds like a great trip.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Godfrey]

How so, Godfrey? They are about the same size and weight.
If anything bad happened, it'd be much easier to replace the Hasselblad than my Rolleiflex E2 with 75f3.5 Planar.

A motorcycle is a somewhat stressful environment for a camera, particularly a large camera. The Rolleiflex is simpler, with fewer moving parts to jiggle out of alignment, etc. There are more opportunities for ingress of dust and dirt on the Hassys due to the removeable back, finder, lens mount, etc.

Of course, if you want interchangeable lenses, you'll need the Hassy or something similar, but generally speaking the Rolleiflex is a more rugged field camera, IMO. I've carried them both: I was just more comfortable carrying the Rolleiflex.

G

 

[nikonosguy]

you need a brooks veriwide, a crown graphic with 50 loaded 4x5 film holders, and a
FUJIFILM/Fuji GX617 Panorama

 

[Frontman]

I probably would not take a Hasselblad, much as I like mine. I would use a Pentax 67, or a Rolleiflex. My oldest Rollei has seen every type of abuse, most of the paint and chrome has been rubbed off, but it still runs like a champ. As for the Pentax 67, it is still the main go-to camera for many commercial photographers who work out in the field. I was watching a photoshoot of one of Tokyo's more famous "talentos" earlier this year, and found that about half the shots were being taken with a Pentax 67, and not a very pretty one.

I have been playing with a 6x9 Super Ikonta lately, but I haven't gotten the film back yet, so I don't yet know how well it performs. I like how light and portable the camera is, but the winding and cocking operation takes getting used to. I have no doubts about the durability of the Super Ikonta, I recently looked at one which had endured an around-the-world trip. The camera wasn't much to look at, but it still worked.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Personally I'd leave the Hasselblad at home and use that room for tools and emergency bike-related items. Particularly with that older bike of yours (I know, it's a Honda, but still), you might need them.

BTW how many bags are you fitting on your bike? Tank bag and what else? Passenger seat bag, saddle bags?

The one thing that helps me when I do long motorcycle trips is to do a 'dry run' -- pack everything you want to take on your trip (and some things that you might not want to take, like an extra quart of oil, chain lube, big crescent wrench, rain gear etc), load up your bike, then go for a two or three hour ride. How does the bike feel with all that stuff on it? How do YOU feel on the bike with all that stuff on it? How easy is it to get your bags on/off the bike? I think if you do that, then it might give you a bit better idea as to what is essential, and what is redundant or unnecessary.

 

[Colin Corneau]

The guy wants to take the Hassy, not sure I see the point of trying to talk him out of it.

So - the main issue will be vibration of the bike. Foam's nice but maybe consider bubble wrap to go around the gear...that will absorb and deflect most if not all vibration from reaching your camera body.