Camera for carrying in a bike bag

[Robert Brummitt]

Hello,
I know there are a lot of you bicycle/ photography folks out there and I hope you can help me out.
I bought a bike and the wife bought me two saddle bags and what I want to do is travel with a camera and small tripod. I'm looking toward Baby Speed graphic or Busch camera. Both are 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 in size. I was told that the Busch camera have swings and tilts and the Graphic doesn't. I would think that both weigh about the same. I could also look into full size versions of the cameras above and use a roll back.
My wife suggest I use my RB67 but I would think that beast would require a larger tripod then I want to lug around. I use a Ries for both my RB and 4x5.
So what type of camera, lens and light weight tripod should I investigate?
Thanks

[John Kasaian]

Hmmm...how about a Gowland "All Moves" Pocket 4x5? Ultralight, inexpensive (comparatively) avalable used and you don't need a real substantial steroidal "LF" tripod---one that works for MF would be just fine. Downside---not the greatest on windy days (but what view camera is?) unless you've got a windbreak of some sort. For a lens consider a diminuative Kodak Ektar 203, Kodak 135 WA or 150mm G-Claron---all teenie-weenies.

[131802]

Hi Robert;
I have some experience cycling with 35mm cameras, but not medium format or larger units. You should be concerned about weight, but you also might want to think about vibration. I live near enough to Portland to know that our roads produce LOTS of vibration, even in a well-padded saddle bag. When on my bike, I leave the Leica at home and take my Nikon N65 and just one lens. The N65 (and many other plastic cameras of the 1990s) is relatively light-weight, but also reasonably sturdy and shock-resistant. The other thing to remember about weight and cycling: it's far easier to loose pounds by pushing back from the dinner table before desert is served than it is to shave an equivalent amount off the bike. I think this goes for photo gear, too. Good luck.

MB

[Robert Brummitt]

Well, I have thought of 35mm but I like big negs. I'm not going to great distance just around town to photograph and as you know traveling on a bike can get me there faster then by car. I also think a small LF camera because I could have better controls.
Boy, you sound like my wife. "It's far easier to push away from dinner" But I like my cooking!

[jeroldharter]

How about a Canham DLC (durable, compact, reasonably light weight), a Rodenstock Sironar-S 135 mm lens, and a Feisol carbon fiber tripod? That would weigh less than 10 pounds. The camera has full movements and a long bellows. The entire kit could be used for other purposes as well. Put the camera on one side, the lens/meter/a few film holders on the other and the tripod strapped to the top of the rack and you can go anywhere.

Check out this pack:

http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/...?pid=106&cid=2

[Jon Shiu]

Hi, I've brought my Tachihara 4x5 and a 5 lbs. tripod on my bike with no problems. 15 to 20 pounds on the back of the bike is not really any problem, unless you have to carry it up stairs etc.

Jon

[pgomena]

Robert --
Find a good used Fuji GS690III. 6x9 negative, tough plastic body, great lens. A bit pricey, but light and fairly compact.

Pete

[Mark_S]

I ride a touring bike with a rear rack. I have an Arkel Tailrider bag which sits on the top of the rear rack. Holds a MF camera (I have a 'blad 501CM) nicely, and has a little rain cover. I use the handlebars as a support to steady the camera for landscape shots. I have thought of carrying my LF camera in a pannier, but have not gotten around to setting up a bag for that....

[kirkfry]

4X5 Crown, and small 3 section Slik tripod. A crown folded up not all the big. Bungie the tripod to the bike. Works fine. If you are going to go to all that trouble don't mess with anything smaller than 4X5. Forget about the movements for a bike deal and mostly you don't need them. A crown is mostly a point and shoot affair. K

[Colin Corneau]

I'd agree with Kirkfry -- Crowns are terrific travel cameras. I fit mine with holders and accessories into a Lowepro Slingshot200 bag and carried it ON FOOT throughout China.
Compared to that, a bicycle is easy.