Sorry, I haven't read the rest of the thread. I shoot professionally with
Nikon D1 and D2. I would never, repeat NEVER, consider taking either
of those cameras, or any other SLR, on a bike tour that involved riding.
If I was shooting the tour as a documentary, I'd take all of my gear
including a locking transport case that was affixed permanently to the
SUV that was carrying me and my gear. I tour with an old 1.4
megapixel Canon with a broken LCD.
I get asked about digital cameras often. Here is my usual reply to
snapshooters:
1. You do not need fancy equipment to have fun creating memories on
a bike tour. Obsessing over your photo gear diminishes the touring
experience (unless this is something you do often).
2. You do not need huge megapixels. Most of your shots will be
downconverted to itty bitty jpegs for email or uploading to social sites.
One to four megs is more than you need for this simple task. Digital
zoom is meaningless, buy only optical zoom range. Weather sealing is
nice but unnecessary if you are at all careful about your electronics.
3. Buy a camera with controls you can use on the bike and operating
software that does not require carrying the manual.
4. I once recommended only AA battery systems. You must be
confident you can recharge or purchase fresh batts on your route.
5. The camera is only part of the purchase. Get a water resistant case
for storage and a different case that mounts conveniently on the bike
(if you can't get to your camera, you won't use it). You need a lanyard
that will keep the camera from falling into your spokes while riding.
You want a little tripod or some other mount for self-portraits
(armlength is s-o-o boring). You want at least one spare card, maybe
two.
6. Do not buy a camera you can't afford to lose or break on your tour.
If you are thinking you want to learn to be a better photographer, you
pay the price for your equipment and you accept the burdensome task
of hauling it. You accept the risk that it will be stolen or severely
damaged. You know ahead of time--and you must inform your
traveling companions-- that your tour is mostly about developing your
skills as a photographer; your tour is not about riding your bike.
(Imagine your traveling companion informing you that her tour is
about completing her lifetime birding list, not about riding her bike
with you. She carries the tools she needs: identification books,
excellent and expensive binoculars, and her logbook.)
david boise ID
go, ristretto, FCP/AE
"Read the manual."
