Cameras

[Magnum]

I'm sure we'll all want to take as many pics as the trip permits, when we are not hanging on to roads supported by sticks on the side of mountains with 1/2 mile vertical drops (Yoy)

Thought about taking the DSLR but as it weighs about 50% of my bike I've just bought one of these puppies. Should be ideal in the tank bag

So what are you taking to shoot pics?

 

[Invicta Moto]

I'm sure we'll all want to take as many pics as the trip permits, when we are not hanging on to roads supported by sticks on the side of mountains with 1/2 mile vertical drops (Yoy)

Thought about taking the DSLR but as it weighs about 50% of my bike I've just bought one of these puppies. Should be ideal in the tank bag

So what are you taking to shoot pics?

Nice.

 

[alimey4u2]

www.dpreview.com have done several excellent surveys of travel cams. Spend some time checking out the camera reviews ( "conclusion" will tell you most you need to know.)

"Recommended" doesn't make it these days...

 

[cookie]

and/or my iphone.

 

[Joybringer]

Nice bit of kit, Magnum. You won't be disappointed.

Except that it's a Canon

I'm taking my DSLR, as it fits in my tank bag, with a couple of lenses, and I tend to faff about taking landscapes etc. so I won't be leaping into action taking 'action' shots!

I know it's not a photography expedition, but I will want to wander off on some early mornings/evenings, trying not to miss at least a couple of sunrises/sunsets etc.

I might consider buying a cheaper compact for 'snaps', like a Nikon S210, as I can then share memory cards (SD). Good camera, great features, great quality images, and getting cheaper!



JB

 

[Magnum]

Good plan. I take it you are a Nikon fan? Funny how the DSLR world is so polarised. As you've probably gathered I'm a fan of superior Canon

Actually used to be a Nikon user before digital appeared and had an ultra-reliable FE2. I know it's all personal preference but I really like the ergonomics and menu structure of the Canon kit. Both make brilliant cameras though and certainly far better than I am a photographer.

Had thought about taking my DSLR but it's too heavy especially with some of the chunky glass I have. This G10 looks like a reasonable compromise so I'll be giving it a workout over the next few weeks. Known weaknesses are noise at ISO400+ and crappy viewfinder both of which I hope won't be an issue on the trip.

One accessory I might try and find room for is a small tripod. Might be really useful for low camera angles and self/group pics

Oh nearly forgot. I am taking a helmet bullet cam too. Got to capture some of the action on these great roads

 

[Joybringer]

LOL!

I used to be a Pentax man, back in the Dark Ages of 35mm. First camera was a Zenit E

I actually lobbied against autofocus (being a purist, then) and resisted the move to digital and gave up photography for about 15 years! Had a flirt with medium format (Mamiya), but she was too flighty for me.

They're all much of a muchness, really. Only bought Nikon, as I have a deep seated, irrational, loathing of Canon, since the AE-1. I don't know why. Just don't like them!

Anyhow, mine's bigger than yours.



JB

 

[Magnum]

I remember the Zenit E. I had a Zorki 4K. Those were tut days

Did you have a Pentax ME Super? Superb camera and really compact. Around the same time or maybe a little earlier was the Olympus OM1 & OM2. I remember seeing that Zuiko 50mm F1 lens advertised in AP and drooling

I thought about Medium format years ago but decided I would never be able to exploit its full potential. Funny really because I still lust after a 'Blad

 

[Joybringer]

Oh, yes, those were the days...

I had an ME, MX, and a K1000 in my kit, with various Tamron lenses and a lovely Mecablitz hammerhead, that cost me a fortune!

I lusted after the OM1...oh, many a happy day poring over AP! Don't even mention the double-page spread in March '76....

Oh...Zuiko 50mmmmmmmm...suit you, Sir! Oh! What a lovely piece of camera porn!

Mind you....I also wanted the Zenit PhotoSniper outfit at one point1

'Blad 500...now there's a piece of kit

JB

 

[Magnum]

Another thought about cameras. Unless you are taking spare batteries you may need to bring your battery charger with you. Please remember that Switzerland uses a different plug format to the rest of Europe.

More info here (near bottom of page). There's a chance some of the smaller hotels will not have adapters so please think about this in advance, especially for mobile phones.

 

[Joybringer]

Yes - very good point. You can't get these at UK/French ports or airports, like you can the Euro adapter. I had trouble getting one in Geneva, but staying at the Movenpick (sp) they gave them away, as it's a decent hotel.

I have one, which I'm happy to share if I can (I get dibsies! LOL), but I'd recommend that people try and get one.

Failing that, I'll have both a DIN and cigarette 'lighter type' power socket on my bike, if any one needs to charge a phone or iPod, or something, whilst we're travelling between locations?

JB

 

[Magnum]

There's an accessory socket on my BM but I've never used it. Smaller than the usual cigarette lighter I think. Absolutely no idea what I could charge with it

 

[Joybringer]

That'll be the BMW DIN, or 'Powerlet' type - it's pretty much the standard fitment on bikes these days. Or rather, BMW and KTM Advs etc!

You either need to change the plug on whatever it is you want to power/charge, or get an adapter socket to convert cigarette lighter to DIN.

You can also charge the bike's battery through it, but those in 'the know' on here, will correct me if I'm wrong about the newer BMW CANBUS wiring system.

Have a Butcher's at this.. http://www.outdoorgb.com/c/12v_plugs_sockets_connectors/

Yoy

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Following on from the no GPS theme I can't decide whether to use oils or watercolours............................

 

[Joybringer]

Crayons.

PS - those KTM small stickers are excellent, thanks! (Sent early January)

Yoy

 

[Magnum]

Crayons.

Too fancy. What's wrong with pencil?

 

[BM Bandit]

It has to be charcoal, traditional is best! You get better/smoother shading. But the blacks are not quite black enough more a very dark grey.

Bandit

 

[Magnum]

A couple of other things to consider regarding cameras.

The camera I took last year was a digital compact with no optical viewfinder. This was a big mistake as the LCD screen was virtually impossible to see in bright sunlight high in the mountains. You really need an optical viewfinder on a compact or of course a DSLR.

You need the equivalent of a 28mm wide angle lens (35mm FOV) to take in the scenery. Anything less and you are going to struggle in such a mountainous area. A number of compacts now have a 28mm equivalent lens including several from Canon, Panasonic and Samsung. DSLR boys will have no problems here.

Hope this helps

 

[Joybringer]

Yes, has to have a proper viewfinder, really.

Anyhow...I may be looking for one myself...

The KTM tank bag has an inherrent design flaw - you have to take the whole thing off (almost) to refuel. Inconvenient if travelling alone, but will take forever to refuel if I take it in such a large group. The headstock strap falls in front of the radiator when loosened, meaning melted plastic buckle, or 3rd degree burns to hands whilst retrieving and refastening. Arse.

If I can't get a smaller one (looking at Wolfman stuff ATM), to fit at least the body and my 18-105 zoom, then the DSLR will have to stay home. Even then, it could be tight. Bum.

Yoy

 

[Joybringer]

I think I've found the solution in the form of a Wolfman Explorer Lite tank bag.

The present Mrs Joybringer has ordered one for me, and if the dimensions on the websites are accurate, my existing Tamrac camera rucksack combo thing should fit in nicely, meaning I can take my Nikon Superior DSLR, AND fill up with fuel.

Possible result!

JB

PS I know that's an Adv not an SM! ;-)