First post..congratsI would be concerned with vibration when the camera is on the tank like that. You don't want your mirror assembly or lens getting damaged from prolonged exposure to vibration.
Just my $0.02
... and first post... so you can possibly ignore me.![]()
It is a dilemma, nobody wants to trash $2000+ of optical equipment..I've been trying to solve this same delimma myself. A tank bag is ideal because it's right in front of you where you can easily access your camera when you need it.
The downside is vibration as Darkstar mentioned, and also the possibility of the tank bag getting launched in a crash or falling off on a lay down. I'm leaning more toward putting mine in the trunk, secured in a load of foam rubber as you mentioned. It's much more secure, padded much better, but you've got to get off of the bike to access the camera.
I've considered something like a small Givi hard bag attached to the crash bars. Assuming that the hard bag could be padded well enough and assuming the bag will not collapse in a drop this might be an option which would allow the camera to be easily accessible.
My cameras get used a lot while hiking and camping, so they do get a few small bumps, but I do worry that a constant vibration, however slight, might loosen screws and adhesives in the body.
If you make a decision or find a solution that you like please post photos. I'm still pondering this and there are probably solutions that I haven't yet considered.
I hear you, makes sense - I do have my android for these tasks. But my Nikon is a much better camera, and if every time I want to shoot I need get the DSLR out is not going to happen, so I will end up not doing it at all..If you want to take a DSLR that's fine. Put it in your tail bag and use it when you stop. Get a small point-and-shoot for use at other times and keep it in the tank bag. That's the approach I've been using for the past 3 years and it works just fine for me.
I'm not interested in putting one of my SLR's in a tank bag. They are too easily stolen and too easily broken there.
I can't deny you notice it after a couple of hours. Its not bad, but you know its there. I carry the body and two lenses, an extra battery, 2 extra CF cards, and 2 or 3 filters. Its probably 5 or 6 pounds all said and done.@Darkstar: It is a nice idea, but I really don't want any weight on my back.
The days of carrying weight around my body all day long have officially ended when I left the army..weight on the back for me is anti-fun. I'd rather not rideI can't deny you notice it after a couple of hours. Its not bad, but you know its there. I carry the body and two lenses, an extra battery, 2 extra CF cards, and 2 or 3 filters. Its probably 5 or 6 pounds all said and done.
My Android-based phone takes decent photos as well, but either of my DSLR's will blow it out of the water. I carry a Sony DSC-H9 in my tank bag when I travel and use that for quick photos. When I stop for the express purpose of taking photos I will get my DSLR out.I hear you, makes sense - I do have my android for these tasks. But my Nikon is a much better camera, and if every time I want to shoot I need get the DSLR out is not going to happen, so I will end up not doing it at all..
I use a sling bag similar to the lowpro slingshot 100AW.QUOTE]
I do have a sling bag that I use, but I don't think I'd like to wear it on my bike. It's just a personal choice, I'd prefer not to have the weight on my shoulder and back, plus it does shift once in awhile.
I'm not trying to hijack BigMan's thread, but I've also given thought to a smaller camera in the tank bag but my main interest in photography is wildlife. Can anyone recommend a compact camera which works well for wildlife? Instant on, (nearly) instant focus, instant fire when the shutter release is pressed, and a decent zoom range? I'm not asking for much here. :mrgreen:
To me that is probably the best solution. Keep the expensive stuff well protected in a hard bag and have a compact accessible in the tank bag. Unfortunately most of the compacts I've looked at in the past were lacking. Ideas? Recommendations?
BigMan, you're saying that this particular bag you're looking at has straps to secure it to the tank? If so, I'd be a bit more comfortable with that than I would be with only a magnet mount. I'd still want to pad the heck out of it just in case.
I like my old Sony H9 and the H10 is better. The Canon G-10 is very good in decent light, but I've always disliked the performance of Canon point-and-shoot cameras in dim light (even more so than most P&S digitals). I've seen some very decent shots taken with the Panasonic Lumix series, same for the Nikon Cool Pix series.... Can anyone recommend a compact camera which works well for wildlife? Instant on, (nearly) instant focus, instant fire when the shutter release is pressed, and a decent zoom range? I'm not asking for much here. :mrgreen:
The particular tank I'm looking at hooks up the the fuel ring, so it is not magnetic nor straps - that's why I like it.BigMan, you're saying that this particular bag you're looking at has straps to secure it to the tank? If so, I'd be a bit more comfortable with that than I would be with only a magnet mount. I'd still want to pad the heck out of it just in case.
TwistedThrottle.com : Bags-Connection "Daypack II" Quick-Lock Tankbag for SW-MOTECH Gascap Mounting System - BC.TRS.00.008.8000
They're also too big. The high zoom Sony is usually what rides in my tank bag. DSC-HX1 or H50.I'm not interested in putting one of my SLR's in a tank bag. They are too easily stolen and too easily broken there.
Thanks for the link. I like the bag, but I still wouldn't be comfortable carrying my DSLR in it. It's a Canon with their 100-400mm zoom normally attached. Big, bulky, and heavy.The particular tank I'm looking at hooks up the the fuel ring, so it is not magnetic nor straps - that's why I like it.
I do like the attachment of that bag, and may have to consider one in the future.
You're right. I love Canon's SLRs but their compacts leave much to be desired. I've never tried the Lumix series but have read favorable reviews. Nikon compacts, well, unfortunately I've had several of them crap out just after the warranty expires and I don't know that I could pull the trigger on another one.I've seen some very decent shots taken with the Panasonic Lumix series, same for the Nikon Cool Pix series.
They aren't going to be fast-on, or have little to no shutter lag. I haven't seen one that meets those criteria. Focus hunting is still pretty slow on some of them to. My H9 fails all three of those categories, but it is relatively small, has decent glass, and takes decent photos.
I've taken some great shots with the G10, G11, and the S90.You're right. I love Canon's SLRs but their compacts leave much to be desired.
I think the Canon P&S cameras take great images as long as the light is good. I've never owned one but a good friend loves them and has had several. From what I've seen in her photos their low-light performance is not as good as other brands. Has that been your experience with them?I've taken some great shots with the G10, G11, and the S90.
The D10 is waterproof/bugproof/glove friendly and it rides on a handlebar mount sometimes.