| Sign in: |
| Members log in here with your user name and password to access the your admin page and other special features. |
|
|
|
|
|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Long Trek Kit Suggestions
Chris Milliman, Photographer
 |
Lyme | NH | USA | Posted: 1:04 PM on 04.21.05 |
->> So it looks like I've gotten an assignment to shoot a week-long mountain bike event this summer and the only way to shoot it right is to ride the entire route myself. There is no possible way to do it with my DSLR kit, just way too heavy and bulky, as I'll be on the bike upwards to eights hours on certain days.
So any good suggestions for light, portable camera kits that would still produce professional quality images? Looking at Contax G2. Other ideas?
Thanks,
chris |
|
Joel Kilby, Photographer
|
Charlotte | NC | | Posted: 5:11 PM on 04.22.05 |
->> Hit the trainer, man!!! Most all the bike-based photogs I know (myself included) ride with fullsize gear in tow. It's a different style of riding, and you won't take every piece of equipment with you obviously. Of course there are other options... Some of the best mtb photogs are known to shoot with all sorts of cameras, point & shoots included. Nevertheless, I'm positive you could make some great photos w/ the Contax. I've been looking at that one myself.
What event is it? What kind of bike are you riding? If you've got a light(ish) hardtail or something, I'd suggest rigging a commuter rack on the back of it to stow some heavier stuff. If your bike is already on the heavy side, though... that might not be the best idea. |
|
Chris Milliman, Photographer
|
Lyme | NH | USA | Posted: 8:46 PM on 04.22.05 |
->> Joel,
For two to three hour rides I bring all my gear, but I'm doing the TransRockies race in Alberta. Up and over the Canadian Rockies for seven days. I've ridden with my full-size gear enough to know that there is no freakin way I can do all that climbing with an extra 20-30lbs swinging around on my back. I have a dualie, which for the long days, some stages take people almost 10 hours, is going to administer lesss of a pounding. It's a pretty light bike, but for how much riding I'm going to be doing the added weight of SLR equipment just ain't happening. I've taalked to a photographer who did it once with a small RF Leica and he said anything bigger would make it impossible. We'll see. |
|
Craig Peterson, Photographer
|
St. Petersburg | FL | US | Posted: 9:24 PM on 04.22.05 |
| ->> When I go hiking or kyaking I take a Canon AE-1 with a 50mm 1.4 and a cheap flash. Light to carry and if it breaks, no great loss. This setup works well and is alot cheaper than a Leica setup. |
|
David Boily, Photographer
|
Montreal | QC | Canada | Posted: 9:35 PM on 04.22.05 |
->> Chris,
Hows it going? Just an idea, but a 20D is pretty damn light and compact (with no grip) and will likely keep up with your shooting needs. The batteries are uber light (2.5oz), small (about the size of a roll of film), cheap and last forever. You could use your existing lenses too. A 50mm f1.8 MkII weighs nothing and is quite sharp (just don't drop it). I have one and I wouldn't hesitate to use it for such an assignment.
Dave |
|
Nick Short, Photographer
|
Ogden | ut | USA | Posted: 11:40 PM on 04.22.05 |
->> canon powershot pro 1... depends on how much money you have to drop... find the specs online
they are a bit expensive i think for a single use camera, and they dont work below freezing. |
|
Pete Lorence, Photographer, Student/Intern
|
Loughborough | Leicestershire | UK | Posted: 8:32 AM on 04.23.05 |
| ->> If you want something that's uber small, relatively cheap and produces decent enough photos, take a look at the new 350D. |
|
Max Whittaker, Photographer
|
Yuba City (Sacramento) | CA | USA | Posted: 12:58 PM on 04.23.05 |
->> Chris,
Sounds like a great assignment! I've always wanted to do the TransRockies or TransAlp. It will be a definite challenge to make pictures in the midst of all that suffering.
The thing to think about with rangefinders, is that it's a whole different way of shooting altogether. Do you have much experience with RFs? Have you shot with them enough to be comfortable with them, for what sounds like a big assignment?
I've shot with rangefinders (leicas and a voigtlander now) on and off for years, but I'm not sure that I'd shoot a mtb race with one. Will there be power available between stages? If it is, a 20d or D70 plus a small zoom will only be marginally heavier than a rangefinder and offer more functionality. If there's no power, a canon a2 or nikon n90 film camera would work well.
hope that helps... |
|
David Boily, Photographer
|
Montreal | QC | Canada | Posted: 4:27 PM on 04.23.05 |
| ->> I think that unless your heart is set on film, I don't see the point of a film body. A 1 Gig card will take almost 260 pictures at the highest JPEG settings and over 500 at higher compression on a 20D. That is more than 7 (or 14)rolls of film and you can still chimp at the end of the day to cut it down. Assuming you are still a Canon user, buying a 20D will cost you less than a whole new system and you get 5fps, fast focus and 8 beautiful noisless megapixels. One battery should last you over 1000 flashless actuations. The pop-up little flash can be pretty usefull for fill as well. |
|
Return to --> Message Board Main Index
|