do you bring your expensive DSLR when mountain biking??

denzzz28

I noticed quite a lot of good pictures upload in bike radar forums and most are taken whilst MTBing and i was wondering if it was taken from a DSLR or a compact one?

if anyone do bring his DSLR camera on bike trails how do you keep it safe? and what kind of bag do you use? MTBing and photography are both my hobbies and i would really like to combine both.

flet©h

No

supersonic

Depends what I am photographing. If just basic landscape shots, or pics to show people where I have ridden I simply use my phone. If I want a more professional look, I'll take my bridge camera - quite compact, so easy to sling into a backback with a little stand.

robertpb

You carry everything in a Lowepro Mini Trekker.

It's a veritable Alladins Cave.

Anonymous

I sometimes take my D70. Just chuck it in my Camelbak Hawg and slap on the 18-200 VR lens which is a good all rounder for travel use, and don't care at all if I take tumbles with it. I don't take loads of lenses and an all-round lens means not having to change it on the trail with dust getting in there.

In fact I've taken many tumbles with it, both on the bike and when skiing. Not a dent on it as the result.

SLRs are rugged beasts as are the lenses. Don't worry about shattering lens glass, they are thick and sturdy. Scratching is the main risk, so just make sure there's good padding and minimal risk of stuff getting in contact with the front element.

In my Hawg there's just enough space to put the camera with lens on in there together with the other stuff I carry, and it's a snug fit so it won't be rattling about. The back of the Hawg (or at least the Hawg NV) is padded, plus you have the bladder with water as padding.

People are afraid of landing on it, but how many times have you come off a bike and landed on your back? Head plants and chest are my main impacts.

Of course if you're doing crazy DH stuff you might want to keep it at home, or at least leave the bag with someone whilst you do the run, then use the camera to snap your mates.

Personally I don't think about the cost of the camera. It should be out there being used, not being mollycoddled. Much like a bike.

It depends on the ride though. Sometimes I just want to ride and not be weighed down by an SLR. If you take the SLR the ride could be more about getting shots than riding which gets in the way of actual riding. Tricky as MTB and photography are my two main hobbies

denzzz28

deadkenny wrote:

I sometimes take my D70. Just chuck it in my Camelbak Hawg and slap on the 18-200 VR lens which is a good all rounder for travel use, and don't care at all if I take tumbles with it. I don't take loads of lenses and an all-round lens means not having to change it on the trail with dust getting in there.

In fact I've taken many tumbles with it, both on the bike and when skiing. Not a dent on it as the result.

SLRs are rugged beasts as are the lenses. Don't worry about shattering lens glass, they are thick and sturdy. Scratching is the main risk, so just make sure there's good padding and minimal risk of stuff getting in contact with the front element.

In my Hawg there's just enough space to put the camera with lens on in there together with the other stuff I carry, and it's a snug fit so it won't be rattling about. The back of the Hawg (or at least the Hawg NV) is padded, plus you have the bladder with water as padding.

People are afraid of landing on it, but how many times have you come off a bike and landed on your back? Head plants and chest are my main impacts.

Of course if you're doing crazy DH stuff you might want to keep it at home, or at least leave the bag with someone whilst you do the run, then use the camera to snap your mates.

Personally I don't think about the cost of the camera. It should be out there being used, not being mollycoddled. Much like a bike.

It depends on the ride though. Sometimes I just want to ride and not be weighed down by an SLR. If you take the SLR the ride could be more about getting shots than riding which gets in the way of actual riding. Tricky as MTB and photography are my two main hobbies

we both have pretty much the same set up (50D + 18-200 tamy VR). i guess you are right about it depends on what kind of riding i would be doing and weight consideration. i guess i might bring it once im familiar with the trail so in know where to ride safely. for the mean time ill stay with my compact.

by the way i saw a guy who brought his SLR in this video:

http://vimeo.com/11988079

any chance that youre him? lol

Anonymous

Yeah that would be me

Results of which here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/deadkenny/ ... 012984249/

Lots of scenery, little action though. Something I need to get practice with.