Taking the Rebel on a motorcycle?

[kride123]

Hi all-

I'm new here, and new to photography...I'm going across the country on my motorcycle and want to take the camera (of course!) - but how should I pack it?

I have the Canon camera bag that is water-resistant, but it is awfully bulky. Keeping the camera dry is not the problem, but I'm wondering about the vibes (no, I do not ride a Harley! :lol: ).

So, the Canon camera bag has good vibe protection, but I also have very old harder cases (chipboard, maybe?) that will hold the body and smaller lens, and a separate one to hold my zoom. This second option would be better in terms of room, but what do you think about protection?

TIA, and sorry for the long post! :o

[acidhouse]

if you've got a tankbag/topbox or panier .. padding padding padding. as much as possible but not excessive.you still need room your your other kit. its the vibration rather than the big jolts that'll break it.

if you can, carry on a backback, your body will absorb the vibration.

remember also that in the even of an accident, anything on your back will cause you injury. unfortuantly thats the trade off us biker have.

and remember the small/twisty roads have the best scenery. hope you have a good trip.

[kride123]

Acidhouse - Thanks for the reply. Hmmm - back pack...I wasn't wanting to wear anything for 6000 miles, but I might have to check it out.

Right now it's going to be mounted on a tail rack inside soft luggage, also inside the padded Canon camera bag - what do you think?

[acidhouse]

I ride with mine on a top box inside a Crumpler Puppet backpack, to hold more kit.
Not sure how padded the Canon bag is but the puppet doesn’t move inside the box and its been fine so far.
6000 miles, hmm not a UK cross-country run then. Defiantly everything on the bike. Just make sure your soft luggage is well bungeed to the back.

[Darter]

It doesn't sound like you're particularly interested in whether the bag goes or stays. if so, just wrap your gear in clothing and leave the camera bag behind. The clothing will provide plenty of vibration protection. the key is simply to eliminate solid contact between the gear and the rack.

Just be sure to wash your underwear for the camera's ride home! :)

[kride123]

Just be sure to wash your underwear for the camera's ride home! :)

:lol: Good one, Darter.

OK - So you're saying eliminating solid contact is key - do you ride? I am just wary of how much vibes will ruin the camera or lenses... :)

[Darter]

I do ride, but admittedly not nearly as far as you! :)

Think of it this way...a cushy seat reduces vibration to your backside. But notice how much vibration is transferred to your hands via the handlebar, or even just touching the gas tank.

[kride123]

I do ride, but admittedly not nearly as far as you! :)

Think of it this way...a cushy seat reduces vibration to your backside. But notice how much vibration is transferred to your hands via the handlebar, or even just touching the gas tank.

Good points...

Darter and Acidhouse...thanks for the advice and info. Now hopefully I'll be able to take and share some nice pix on the board after this trip! :D

[acidhouse]

Or you could use a RAM Mount. http://www.ram-mount.com/products/motorcycles.htm , I have one of these for my GPS. dampens most of the vibrations.
this would allow you to take pictures as you ride (with a remote) as long as you weather proof the camera.

[Skip Souza]

This is how I solved this problem. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=87768

[kride123]

Skip-
Nice work! That's pretty cool. I just bought a Lowepro Nova 1 to suit my needs for this trip. Is your tank bag magnetic? If so, are you worried about the magnets messing with the camera or do you have extra padding, etc.?
Thanks!

[Skip Souza]

Skip-
Nice work! That's pretty cool. I just bought a Lowepro Nova 1 to suit my needs for this trip. Is your tank bag magnetic? If so, are you worried about the magnets messing with the camera or do you have extra padding, etc.?
Thanks!
No, my tank bag is not magnetic. Even if it was I do not believe that it would bother the camera. If you had any doubts a sheet of foam rubber, say neoprene or something similar, in the bottom of the bag should do the trick. My kit will also fit inside of my Tour Master tail bag (no magnets there) but I prefer to have it in front of me :lol:

[kride123]

Thanks again, Skip. I can't wait to ride around the country and take some pictures!