Motorcycle trip photo kit

FrankS

FrankS

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I'm enjoying musing about an upcoming motorcycle tour of the US. As well as thinking about motorcycle preparation and packing, what camera gear to take is a delicious quandary. It is an enjoyable exercise for me, not one that causes the dreaded paralysis of choice that some seem to experience.

Which bodies and lenses to take is affected by how significant photography is on each trip out the door. For me on this trip, it is important. So currently, the gear I am thinking of taking is a Leica M2 with Summaron f2.8 and CV meter ll as my primary tool. This is pure and simple. I figure 95% of my photography will be done with it. Photography is important for me on this trip so backup and range of focal length is required. To fulfill this role, I plan on taking 2x Nikon FG with 28f3.5 and 50f1.8 E lenses. This will all fit in a tank bag.

It seems silly to take an incompatible system as backup, but the SLR offers a different shooting experience that may better match the situation or my mood at the time. Also, the cost of this backup gear is quite low, so I won't be worried about its safety.

I may very likely change my mind on this a few times before the trip, but as I said, it's an enjoyable pastime. Your thoughts on this?
 
I have similar kits as you - though the Nikons are an F and a FM. The 50 1.8 is my favorite all-around lens. I'd likely skip my film Nikons though and take a D200. For an epic trip like this I'd want both film and digital. M2 and D200.

Ride safe and keep the shiny side up.
 
Thanks Jonny. Digital will be my phone, film is all B+W. I have (many) other Nikon SLR's, but am favoring the FG's due to their small size and light weight, as well as their low cost.
 
I think it's a good idea. Although I personally would pack another Leica lens and leave another Nikon lens at home.

I took a *very* used pentax 67 to Italy and it performed flawlessly. The purpose of the backup is to be just that... a contingency. You probably won't shoot with with the Nikons at all.

So I would take this:
One Nikon body with 50mm as backup
Leica with Summaron and wider option if you have it.

Just my .02 :)
 
I was thinking "one camera, one lens" as my primary tool.
I could easily do with just one FG body and the 28/50 lenses.

The CV21 ltm lens with adaptor and viewfinder could take its place.
Then there is the Elmar 90 ...
 
Frank...

From riding with my M6 in a side saddle bag for the entire summer, I ended up knocking the alignment out slightly by the end of the season. It doesn't really concern me at this point as it's minimal, but something to consider for taking a rangefinder unless you are going to have it in your backpack or something.
 
I've travelled with RF's in my tank bag often on shorter trips with no problems. But that consideration is another reason my backup is an SLR. I could bring a Rollei 35 as backup, but prefer the greater capabilities of the FG.
 
Hi Frank. I think I remember responding to a similar thread in the last couple of months, some good information there.

This past summer I did a cross country ride on my Harley, which is kind of a vibration machine. I brought one camera and lens, my M2-S and my 5cm Summicron collapsable. And my small Sekonic. Kept the camera and lens on me while riding, in a small pouch or jacket pocket, to save them from the vibrations.

My buddy rode up to meet me at Sturgis (he's in the southwest, I'm on Lake Michigan), and he brought two MP's with motor drives, and a 50 cron and 35 lux. He was also on a Harley, and he used this super dense, super soft foam to pack his cameras and lenses into one of this saddle bags.

Neither one of us had any camera failures. And the day we spent in Sturgis shooting, I didn't regret only having the 5cm cron, and he commented that he kinda wished he had only brought one camera and lens also.

Riding cross country on a bike was a fabulous experience and one I highly recommend. Not only a great way to see the country, but a great way to reconnect with yourself.

Have a great trip.

Best,
-Tim
 
M2 and a Place to Stay

M2 and a Place to Stay

I do a lot of travel by bike as I am retired. And El Paso lets one ride year round. I am leaving Tuesday for Cambodia with the thought of renting a motorcycle for a week. Like you, I plan on an M2 but with a 50mm (and an X100 for 35 focal length.)

I have a big house and if your trip includes El Paso I am offering a place to stay and/or work on the bike if needed. I will be back from SE Asia about 13 Dec. My email is ktmrider2@live.com and telephone is 915 588 5054.
 
I have a beach house a couple of hours south of Auckland and my wife and I have an agreement if she wants me to go regularly she takes the car and I take my bike(Triumph Rocket III). A great reset mentally for me. This week I had M9 +M6 28/50/90 Summicrons and PC28/2.8SA R in my panniers. A mate and I are planning a ride across US in next year or so. On a long ride I think I would keep it simple though 2 bodies and a couple of lenses would be my idea.
 
i've done cross country a couple of times...many years ago.
i took a few snaps but kept a journal of my travels and that is my 'memory' of the trip.

i think i spent about 26 bucks in gas money one way to new york from edmonton.
 
FrankS said:
I'm enjoying musing about an upcoming motorcycle tour of the US. As well as thinking about motorcycle preparation and packing, what camera gear to take is a delicious quandary. It is an enjoyable exercise for me, not one that causes the dreaded paralysis of choice that some seem to experience.

Which bodies and lenses to take is affected by how significant photography is on each trip out the door. For me on this trip, it is important. So currently, the gear I am thinking of taking is a Leica M2 with Summaron f2.8 and CV meter ll as my primary tool. This is pure and simple. I figure 95% of my photography will be done with it. Photography is important for me on this trip so backup and range of focal length is required. To fulfill this role, I plan on taking 2x Nikon FG with 28f3.5 and 50f1.8 E lenses. This will all fit in a tank bag.

It seems silly to take an incompatible system as backup, but the SLR offers a different shooting experience that may better match the situation or my mood at the time. Also, the cost of this backup gear is quite low, so I won't be worried about its safety.

I may very likely change my mind on this a few times before the trip, but as I said, it's an enjoyable pastime. Your thoughts on this?
Click to expand...

For me, that's simply too much gear to manage while traveling ... especially on a motorcycle trip. One camera body, two—maybe three—lenses is all I usually want. Sometimes a second camera of a different type entirely as well, just for variety, with one (fixed) lens.

For example, a great kit is a 35mm format camera (digital or film) or APS-C digital camera with 21, 40-50, and 90 mm lenses. I know in advance that I'll likely use the 40-50mm lens with either of them 90% of the time. A GXR or M with those three lenses (and everything else you need) will fit in 1/3 of a modest tank bag, but I never carry camera gear on the tank. In a small shoulder bag, stuffed into a bag on the back of the seat protects against vibration damage.

Taken with the GXR and M-Rokkor 90mm f/4 ... 1/4 of the APS-C frame:

s22.b.jpeg

Go light, go simple.

G
 
Familar with Advrider?

Familar with Advrider?

Dont know the type of bike you are using but check out the site www.advrider.com. It is dedicated to enduros and dual sports but many of the inmates have everything from a thumper to a BMW. And it has a section with wonderful travel photography.

As you can see by my email and avatar, I was into KTM's in a big way. Now, it is a BMW GS.
 
Those little FGs with a 45 or 50mm pancake would make a nice compact kit. No matter what you take line that tank bag case with foam so the vibrations don't back out some little screws.

Have fun!!
 
Thank you for your thoughts, gents!


KTMrider, thank you for your offer, I hope to take you up on that! ADVrider is one of my most read forums these days. I'm pretty sure that ill be doing this trip in 2014 on my new to me 1975 Honda 750.

M2 with 21/35
FG with 28/50
 
On my various long trips, my equipment evolved from a Leica IIIf with 35, 50 & 90 lenses to an M2 with 35/90 or a Nikon FE with 35/85 (and, no, batteries were never a problem with the FE). They were carried in a tank bag (mostly an old Eclipse) with a tray made of blue camping foam to hold camera, lenses and meters firmly in place and absorb vibration. A well-tested and proven rain cover kept the tank bag contents dry. In thousands of miles nothing was damaged or failed. And I never bothered with a back up!
 
When I do long bicycle rides and I want a camera with me, the Olympus Mju II comes along. The fact that it's splashproof (and cheap) is quite useful.
 
On a motorcycle I have the luxury of more carrying capacity than on a bicycle. Photography is a of significant importance to me on this trip so significant photo gear is essential.
 
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