Motorcycles and cameras

[famousperson]

"SLR is simply too bulky to haul around."

I have a Canon 20D DSLR and I simply make room for it. Maybe it's just me but when I see a picture I want most times a point and shoot just won't satisfy. Maybe it's all in my head.
Mark

I have a Nikon F6 and a Nikon D300 and when I want to take serious pictures, they are the obvious cameras. Usually what I want when I am riding around is something simple to pull out of my pocket to take a snapshot. And on my upcoming camping trip I will be carrying enough stuff so an SLR would be just one more thing to pack.

The little Nikon P3 point-n-shoot I am taking is 8.1 mega-pixels and has image stabilization. It will be plenty good enough to document where I've been and what my various campsites looked like (and post on here if they're interesting enough). I suspect that the pictures Joe took on his last trip and posted here were taken with a point and shoot.

I don't think it's in your mind. I've never seen a thorough lens test done on a point-n-shoot's dinky little lens but I can't imagine that it would measure up to a medium good SLR lens. I seldom blow photographs up enough so I'd be able to tell the difference, though.

[Lost Rider]

The little Nikon P3 point-n-shoot I am taking is 8.1 mega-pixels and has image stabilization. It will be plenty good enough to document where I've been and what my various campsites looked like (and post on here if they're interesting enough). I suspect that the pictures Joe took on his last trip and posted here were taken with a point and shoot.

I don't think it's in your mind. I've never seen a thorough lens test done on a point-n-shoot's dinky little lens but I can't imagine that it would measure up to a medium good SLR lens. I seldom blow photographs up enough I'd be able to tell the difference, though.

Good thinkin' moving this somewhere else...
Yes I used a Cannon AS710IS, and for a P+S it takes nice pictures. I would like to be able to print some of my shots, that's the main (justification in my head) reason I bought the D40.
The difference in the pictures is very obvious already, and I don't even have good glass on mine, just a step up from kit lens.
The biggest mistake people make is thinking the mega-pixels have everything to do with image quality. It doesn't, that's why I didn't get any kind of larger MP P+S, mine's just 5MP.
Just like the famous guy said, it has to do with the size of the lens, and also the size of the sensor that collect the image. Your lens has way more to do with image quality than MP.
The D40 has a 23.7 x 15.6 mm CCD sensor, while the 710IS has a 1/2.5 " Type CCD. Your lens
Unless you're doing large scale print, have a real expensive SLR camera and/or you have great lenses most people will never be able utilize over 6MP.
For posting images online or on a blog I agree that a P+S camera is good enough, and will still take mine on trips...

My 2¢.

For more info on any camera look here:

http://www.dpreview.com

[AllanCook]

Speaking of photos, isn't that your bike over on the MOA site?

[taosports]

Unlike Joe, I'm a proponent of buying the highest pixel camera you can afford - especially with a point & shoot camera. I can't tell you how many times I've cropped into a photo because my camera lens could not get me close enough to my subject. The more pixels you have to work with, the better the image will hold together in such cases.

Just my 2 cents!

[famousperson]

The more pixels you have to work with, the better the image will hold together in such cases.

Intuitively, I agree with you. It just seems to me that the more pixels you have per unit area (i.e. the higher the resolution) the clearer the picture has to be--to the limit of the lens resolution, of course. If 5MP gives a sharper picture than 1.3MP (the typical resolution of a phone camera), then it stands to reason that 10MP is going to give a clearer picture than 5MP. It's interesting that I have never heard this discussed in any of the digital photo magazines or websites.

Thoughts? Has anyone seen a test?

[dialdn]

Very true. I'm on my 8th digital camera and cropping is an unfortunate evil of not getting the shot you planned. I have a Canon 20D but now almost always use my Canon 870IS for external shots. The reason being that I don't have light issues as I would inside (dreaded flash an inch about the lens for the P&S cameras), I don't need the zoom and it is plain easier to carry around. Also, the video capabilty of the little 870IS is awesome.

I will never give up or sell my DSLR because it has able to handle lighting much better and provides a means through manual controls and lenses, to produce better pictures. I wish I had a full frame DSLR but I am happy with the magnification factor of the 20D :-) But, my first priority is buying an R1200R

D

[dialdn]

Very true. I'm on my 8th digital camera and cropping is an unfortunate evil of not getting the shot you planned. I have a Canon 20D but now almost always use my Canon 870IS for external shots. The reason being that I don't have light issues as I would inside (dreaded flash an inch about the lens for the P&S cameras), I don't need the zoom and it is plain easier to carry around. Also, the video capabilty of the little 870IS is awesome.

I will never give up or sell my DSLR because it has able to handle lighting much better and provides a means through manual controls and lenses, to produce better pictures. I wish I had a full frame DSLR but I am happy with the magnification factor of the 20D :-) But, my first priority is buying an R1200R

D

[Lost Rider]

Taken from Ken Rockwell:
"Forget the silly debate over pixel counts among digital cameras. There is little visible difference between cameras with seemingly different ratings. For instance, a 3 MP camera pretty much looks the same as a 6 MP camera, even when blown up to 12 x 18!" I know because I've done this. Have you?"

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm

Any thoughts in regard to this statement?


In preparation for the big day I can get out and take some pictures, here's how I'll be carrying my camera, IR remote, spare battery, charger, extra SD card, filters, and cleaning stuff in my tank box.

Speaking of photos, isn't that your bike over on the MOA site?

Yes it is.

[taosports]

Taken from Ken Rockwell:
"Forget the silly debate over pixel counts among digital cameras. There is little visible difference between cameras with seemingly different ratings. For instance, a 3 MP camera pretty much looks the same as a 6 MP camera, even when blown up to 12 x 18!" I know because I've done this. Have you?"

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm

Any thoughts in regard to this statement?

Joe,

I agree that with all the great advances in digital photography, it's difficult to tell these days the difference between a 4MP and a 10MP 12 X 18 inch print. That is, as long as the image is not blown up (cropped in) to any extent. When it is, the lower pixel image will fall apart much sooner than the higher MP image.

That's why I always recommend buying the highest pixel camera you can afford - especially with the point-n-shoots that have limited zoom (telephoto) capability. You'll often find yourself frustrated by the lack of an adequate telephoto, so your only option is to blow the image up in post-processing which will quickly show the limitations of a low pixel camera.

Here's an example of a 10MP image full frame and then the same frame blown up to an extreme. Note that it still holds together - at least enough for the web. I guarantee that if the same image was taken with a 4MP camera, it would have fallen apart and looked like crap.





It's too late tonight, but tomorrow I'll be happy to post the differences in the images between my 4MP point-n-shoot camera and my Canon Mark III 10 MP. The photos will look close to identical...until you start to crop into them - and that's the whole point of my above post. If you think you'll want to crop into some of your photos - and most of us do with the limited zooms on our point-n-shoots - then buy as many pixels as you can afford.

[celticus]

Chitown, What did that nice little Manfrotto tripod cost?
Mark

[Lost Rider]

Chitown, What did that nice little Manfrotto tripod cost?
Mark

It's a Manfrotto 785SHB and I bought it on Amazon for around $80.
I obviously can't vouch for it's durability yet, but it feels very high quality and should be a perfect travel tripod for me.
Here's a few pics showing its different configurations.

[Dan-A]

Delete this.

[Dan-A]

The more pixels you have to work with, the better the image will hold together in such cases.

Intuitively, I agree with you. It just seems to me that the more pixels you have per unit area (i.e. the higher the resolution) the clearer the picture has to be--to the limit of the lens resolution, of course. If 5MP gives a sharper picture than 1.3MP (the typical resolution of a phone camera), then it stands to reason that 10MP is going to give a clearer picture than 5MP. It's interesting that I have never heard this discussed in any of the digital photo magazines or websites.

Thoughts? Has anyone seen a test?

From Shutterbug Magazine, The End of Megapixel Wars
http://www.shutterbug.net/features/0105 ... ndex1.html

[Lost Rider]

I think this quote from that shutterbug commentary says it all....

"But keep in mind that no matter how advanced the technology or how modernistic the media, it is the eye, the heart, and the soul of the man or woman behind the camera that really matters."

[celticus]

Bogen/Manfrotto is a good (only one for me) tripod to go with. I see you are quite the gadgetier. I carry my camera in a Batman thermal lunchbox. I have thought about a Pelican Box (which model did you buy?) but have never pulled the trigger.
Mark

[Lost Rider]

Bogen/Manfrotto is a good (only one for me) tripod to go with. I see you are quite the gadgetier. I carry my camera in a Batman thermal lunchbox. I have thought about a Pelican Box (which model did you buy?) but have never pulled the trigger.
Mark

Just go for it!
There's only one choice IMO to protect expensive, delicate gear and that's a Pelican case. Besides using them on a daily basis while working, I own 6 of them in a wide range of sizes, including my working travel luggage.
It's a small piece of insurance for your gear.... and it's a funny thought to know when your flying if you crashed in the ocean, you might die but your luggage would be found and your stuff dry....

The Pelican I'm using is the 1200 series.
Your camera is .5 inch taller than mine, (4.2 vs 3.7 inch) and I can fit mine in with the tripod mount still on it. I would imagine yours should fit, but if you wanted more foam or to leave a tripod mount on you could get the 1300, it's 2 inches deeper...
For me the 1200 works well because it fits on my tank nicely, and the other one I have fits in a normal size backpack.
You can find a 1200 online for $40...












I have way too much free time....

[Dan-A]

I have many gadgets in common with you guys.

I am shooting an EOS 40D with an assortment of lenses, and I keep an A710 IS point and shoot handy at all times.

[Lost Rider]

Micheal,
I understand what you're saying about pixels, it makes sense...

If I may, I have a couple of questions for you...
With all this time off my imagination has been running wild, and I want to get a Magic Arm, like you listed in your Spring Wildflower Ride. Oh the posibilities....
Anyway, I've worked with these types of clamps before, just on a larger scale for film or video camera's or large studio lights. The stuff I have access to is too big to carry on a bike so....
My question is, which one?
I found 2 different Magic Arm's, one with a quick release, one with a permanent Camera platform. Looks like you have the permanent one.
I like the idea of the quick release so I could leave the Arm on the bike and just pop the camera in when it's the right time. But.... the more connections the more chance for a failure. Have you ever used the quick release type Camera platform?
Would you trust it?
I guess I can go to Helix Camera and take a look, but I'm hoping to order it online to save some cash, and I'm not the type to go into a store to look at something then go home to order it online...

Thanks.








Dan - I also have the A710IS, great camera, and very durable. With 1000's of pictures taken and all of the symbols and logo's worn completely off it just keeps on clicking.
How do you carry your 40D, and what lenses to you use the most? - assuming you take it with you on your bike.

[Dan-A]

Dan - I also have the A710IS, great camera, and very durable. With 1000's of pictures taken and all of the symbols and logo's worn completely off it just keeps on clicking.
How do you carry your 40D, and what lenses to you use the most? - assuming you take it with you on your bike.

I used the 710 for the pics I posted of the shocks/fender hugger and gps mount. It takes very good pictures.

I have been reluctant to take the 40D on the bike. I have a Lowpro fanny pack, and a sling back back, which I usually throw one or the other into the top box or tail bag. I use the 17-85 IS lens the most for shooting around. My prize is the L series 70-200 mm IS F-2.8. All Canon Ultrasonic. I should get a hard case I suppose. We carry UK (similar to Pelican), so it's not like I don't have access to one.

How are you attaching the Pelican case to your gas tank?

[Lost Rider]

\
How are you attaching the Pelican case to your gas tank?

Here you go:
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11206