Not technically camping but whatever- I have just bought myself a digital slr camera a few lenses and a tripod and was wondering if anyone else uses there xtx to carry around this sort of gear- and what the best way of doing so would be-
At the moment I am carrying the camera and the gear around in a camera backpack which I have added extra foam to to give it a bit more protection from the added vibrations, but I'm having to leave the tripod at home as its an awkward size and weight- Its never going to fit in a standard set of panniers and if I can help it I don't really want to have to modify the bike- any help would be great- cheers

Hello Mozza,

I have a pelicase mounted on a TT QR mount on the yamaha rack as a top box.
I have a powerlet charging set up in it for the lap top and the camera and lense fits in the foam beside it. Only use a Nikon 18/200vr for every thing.

When i need quick access when on the bike the camera goes in the Famsa tank bag. All works well for me.

Hope that helps

Well it sounds like you are able to carry the camera and lenses ok. As for the tripod surely you can strap it to the side of the bike between the rear foot rest and the rear hand rail. Either that or put it cross ways across the rear of the bike betweent he hand rails.

__________________
Plough on

This might give you some ideas...

http://www.cyclepathic.com/tripodmount/tripodmount.htm

__________________

I actually checked that website out before I posted this ,its a pretty clever way of fitting I suppose but its a bit over the top for what I was thinking of doing. I would rather keep it in its bag so its a bit less exposed to the elements. I think I will just look into getting some pannier brackets and finding some way of clamping it to them- just hoped someone else on the forum might have already had to deal with the problem.

Yes it is slightly over the top, but I'm guessing he's serious about his photography. If you find that guy's mounting position suitable why don't you follow suit but use bungee cords instead?

*edit* What camera set up did you get btw? I've just upgraded my Nikon F801 for a D90, will hopefully get it by the weekend. It's my first DSLR after using some of the older SLR's, like the Nikon, an Olympos OM2 + the Mrs' Canon A1.

__________________

This is my first dslr went for the nikon d3000 I didn't want to go too expensive as I knew I would be transporting it around on the bike- I'm pretty much a novice at the moment, only bought it a week ago- I'm pretty serious about learning more though and having a motorcycle allows me to get to some pretty awsome places which my old sony point and shoot didn't really do any justice to so I thought it was about time for an upgrade.

Not on an xtx, but if my experience on the z can help: camera and lenses go into a carrying bag that goes in the tank bag. Tripod stays home, the bike or other things laying/standing around can double as that.

I was looking for something a bit safer and secure than just strapping it to the side of the bike as it comes in a bag that's just going to melt if its put too close to the exhausts- I get the leaving it at home advise too but I want to shoot some macro and a lot of the pictures I like to take are in low light so I need the stability and flexibility a tripod gives you.
I was wondering if I might be able to adapt some pannier brackets or something or if anyone else had done so.

RAM make any number of clamps, arms and adapters, including a base that will screw into the bottom of your camera - I'd tend to use one of those (on the handlebars for example - similar height to a tripod anyway) rather than carry a large tripod?

Obviously you'll need to get your bike pretty close to where you want to photograph... but failing that, you can get a Gorillapod for DSLRs, or simply prop it up (using your gloves x) and use the self-timer for long exposure shots?

J x

__________________
"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com