Medium format on a bike.

[bdial]

With a camera like a Rollei, you can frame the portrait through the sportsfinder and work at eye level. Some of the models let you focus from that position too. Just because it has a WLF doesn't mean you need to work with it at your belt buckle.

FWIW, my recommendation would be a TLR, for lots of the same reasons already stated.

 

[TimVermont]

Another biker vote for a Fuji G645W. None of the weaknesses of the collapsible model. Excellent for environmental portraits that show some of the surround. Accurate in-built meter, batteries needed only for the meter. Only drawback is scale focusing.

 

[keithwms]

the fuji 645's - I was going to suggest this, however I've read that they have durability problems.

I haven't heard that myself, and the two I had were well used but had no issues at all. And I do not treat my cameras kindly. My standard kit was a 645W and a Zi.

If anyone is more interested in the Fujicas, you might have a look at the dantestella website.

After a year or two with the fujicas, the mamiya 6 caught my eye. I liked the idea of having identical, compact bodies with interchangeable lenses. I have really enjoyed the 6es, they are superb... but for a long and potentially rough trip, I would definitely take two bodies.

FWIW I can offer some comment on the mamiya and fuji RF EBC lenses. Both do not have the kindest bokeh- these systems are far better suited to environmental / documentary work with front-to-back detail than sitting portraits. (and that is not a criticism because, frankly, I don't think the photographic world really needs more ultrasharp noses transitioning to soft ears dissolving into muslin bokeh... but that's just me) The fujis give wicked contrast; I mean it: biting. The net effect is that they seem to give more detail in a scene than you might expect, but the flip side is, again, they are not going to be kind to complexions. The mamiya RF lenses are also quite contrasty, but not quite as much. Both are ideal for reportage, in my opinion. Not for creamy dreamy portraiture.

P.S. I don't understand the comments asserting that TLR don't come between the photographer and the subject. It is always the job of the photographer to make the connection, regardless of the gear. And I find that the more arcane the gear the more distracting it will be to the subject. (N.b. to today's subjects, anything other than a 35mm p&s is arcane) Moreover, there are plenty of smaller slrs (e.g. the mamiya 645 pro) that offer WLF or prism or "sport" composition. I scale focus and wing it from the hip with just about every camera in my collection. It's no big deal, certainly not a special characteristic of TLRs. And by the way you can easily make a hotshoe WLF for an RF or steal one from one of the old folders e.g. a zeiss ikon.

P.P.S. Here is another suggestion: a horseman VH. I had one and, come to think of it, it'd be a perfect travel cam if you don't mind working slowly. You can fold several lenses up inside. You shoot to sheet film or to a 6x9 back; you can also use the mamiya rb 6x7 and 6x8 backs. This camera has the advantage that it folds up into a very durable and compact, light little box. The VH-R offers RF focusing. Obviously one of these mini-field cameras might be a good choice if you want to do some tilt/shift work and also have the ability (via bellows focusing) to do macro conveniently (something that none of the RFs or TLRs are especially good at!). The VH movements are not as extensive as the comparable Linhofs and you can't go especially wide, but on the other hand it's a very light and affordable camera. And the horseman 2x3 lenses are very good. A complete kit should run ~US$1000. I know some (ahem) nut jobs who mount their DSLRs on the back too for stitched LF work

 

[mgb74]

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[Alex1994]

Some of the most compact and lightweight medium format cameras are the Zeiss Ikon Ikonta, Super Ikonta and Nettar/Nettax. They are quite old but also very reliable due to total lack of features, just a light-tight box with a lens, diaphragm and shutter. I picked up one from 1937 that hadn't been used in 50 years and it worked fine. You will need a lightmeter or exposure guesstimation though.

Alternatively, the famous Yashica Mat 124G is small and cheap ;-)

 

[Venchka]

Your plan is sound in thought. Take more than 1 or 2 photos when you find people. Then you can fill in the gaps on all of the days when you won't see a person.

A most ambitious trip. Keep us updated on your progress.

Why would any sane person forsake a proper steel expedition bike?

http://www.co-motion.com/reviews/pdf/Review-Co-Motion's%20Americano.pdf

"The whole idea behind the Americano is that we're making all these bikes
that can easily handle 400 or 500 pounds," said Co-Motion's Dwan Shepard. "Why doesn't
anybody make a touring bike that can handle that load? "You see a lot of collapsed
wheels, a lot of shimmy at high speeds, a lot of touring bikes that feel so soft. By the time
you get the chainstay length you need on those bikes, the stays are long and skinny and
the thing doesn't climb worth a darn. "Everything on the Americano is scaled up to be
tandem-like, so it can handle the load that you can carry on a touring bike without getting
too noodly. " Indeed, it is.

Your web page would be comical if you weren't taking yourselves so seriously. You claim to be following the Pan-American Highway. Yet you are hugging the west coast of Canada & the US. Personally, I don't think that you have a clue what you're in for. How will you get to Prudhoe Bay? It's not eactly a tourist destination.

I could go on. Never mind. You know what you're doing. Good luck.

Dorothea Lange did somethig similar. Rollei TLR and Agfa L ISS 100 film. Lovely film. I used it for a year in Germany with my first MF camera: Mamiya TLR.

http://www.lunacommons.org/luna/servlet/view/all/what/Agfa+L+ISS+film

 

[olleorama]

Hello, I haven't read the whole thread. But I have gone by bike with a MF camera. I put my RB67 in a homemade padded case, with a 90 mm and a back mounted, also carried two extra backs. Out the case in my carradice camper long flap saddle bag and strapped a small tripod on the top of the saddle bag. I still had room for lunch and a few sundries in the saddlebag.

If I would go touring I would definitely use the same setup, but add panniers for the 'real' luggage, E.g. tent, stove, sleeping kit etc.

 

[Venchka]

I have backpacked with a Pentax 6x7. To 12,500+ feet in Colorado. I cherish the negatives. If I were doing that agian, I think I would leave the Pentax at home and take the Hasselblad. I never dreamed that I would have such options.

 

[McRoo]

Your web page would be comical if you weren't taking yourselves so seriously. You claim to be following the Pan-American Highway. Yet you are hugging the west coast of Canada & the US. Personally, I don't think that you have a clue what you're in for. How will you get to Prudhoe Bay? It's not eactly a tourist destination.

I could go on. Never mind. You know what you're doing. Good luck.

He Venchka, thanks for your reply. Looked up your posted link. Never realized it was Dorothea that shot the famous Migrant Mother picture back in 1936! You are correct on the more than 1/2 shots a person. Indeed, days will pass without people to photograph, the 1 shot a day is just an average number. From my own experience I know it sometimes takes a lot of shots to get that 'right one'.

I'll definitely keep you guys updated!

On your comments concerning the bicycle trip, I can say that the bamboo frame we will be using has been tested to handle over 600 pounds loaded on the rack. In addition, people report that the bamboo is much more comfortable as the material is more flexible than steel, thus absorbing more shocks. A well, this is not the place to go into this sort of technical stuff . For the fun of it, check this picture of the bamboo bike we're going to cycle on:

Getting to Prudhoe bay is easy; take the plane. The Dalton Highway will be tough, but more than enough bikers ride this 500mile/no stop road every year. We do claim to ride the Pan-Am, yes. To be clear, no comprehensive pan-american route is officially defined in Canada and the United States. The Pan-Am will provide us with a rough line to follow, but of course we will sometimes take side roads etc. Nothing wrong with that. It only means we have to cycle a couple of additional miles...

If I were doing that agian, I think I would leave the Pentax at home and take the Hasselblad. I never dreamed that I would have such options.
Hey Venchka, actually I was thinking about a Hasselblad. However, its quite expensive compares to a budget TLR. Then again, I'm also taking quite some dollars worth of digital equipment with me...Concerning weight, a basic Hasselblad set up doesn't weigh that much more than a basic TLR...The Hassy might be a good option after all.

If I would go touring I would definitely use the same setup, but add panniers for the 'real' luggage, E.g. tent, stove, sleeping kit etc.
Hi Olleorama, how much I would like to take my RB67, 3 kilo's is just to much for this set up. If you compare it with an average TLR wieght of 1 kilo and a Hasselblad set up of 1,5 kilo, 3 is just to much. I have to compromise somwhere, hehe. Plus, one of the major advantages of the RB67, the revolving back, will be not of to much use for me since I will not be shooting landscapes with it. 6x6 seems perfect for portrait photography.

 

[Andy K]

On your comments concerning the bicycle trip, I can say that the bamboo frame we will be using has been tested to handle over 600 pounds loaded on the rack. In addition, people report that the bamboo is much more comfortable as the material is more flexible than steel, thus absorbing more shocks. A well, this is not the place to go into this sort of technical stuff .

Want to bet? (there was a url link here which no longer exists)




I like the bike. Not sure I would attempt such a journey on a bamboo frame. I would prefer a steel frame. If a steel frame breaks you will always find someone who can bend or weld it back into shape. That may be a problem with bamboo.

 

[McRoo]

Want to bet? (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Haha, great. Never thought such a thread would exist here on APUG! Actually, a lot of (professional) photographers I know are also into cycling and vise versa...

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Keep it simple and light. That must be reinforced. You'll be carrying a huge load and cameras should be contributing to that.
I still do not agree with a bamboo bike for this sort of endeavour. The commentary by Dwan Shepard is ridiculous; custom-made touring bikes can handle well in excess of his stated loads; the Japanese have been touring with humungous loads for decades. Another point: all of your luggage must be evenly distributed front and rear, not just lumping it all onto that rack on the back: a very heavy load here will sway and put enormous stresses on the rear triangle, and it will break (not "can", but will), possibly far from help. Where is the low-geared triple front? And wide-range rear gearing, low rider and front topracks, reinforced rims...? I should hope to be proved wrong that the photo you have supplied is not the finished configuration.

Weights of 1.5kg are a concern that must be watch, on a bike, a deadweight of 3kg (like the tent, water etc.) is a pain. "Take care of the ounces, and the pounds will take care of themselves". For the lightest camera of all with multiple formats, take a pinhole camera (390g for a multiformat 6x6/6x7/6x9 running 120 film) and a simple lightmeter, and in doing so, show the world using foundation skill as it was seen by the earliest of visionary photographers.

 

[Andy K]

I would use either this or this. The first because it carries the load suspended, the second because it has a Rohloff hub, and Rohloffs are damn near indestructible.

 

[McRoo]

Post
.

Hi Poission, the picture of the bike is most definitely not the end product we will be riding on. The frame however is. We will be building up the bikes ourselves (I have experience with that). I posted the picture to give an indication of the frame we will be using. All the rest such as rims, gearing, front fork, topracks, saddle etc, will be proved touring material and of the highest quality. In addition, we will be touring with a bob. You see, we know the bamboo frames are a novelty, not much data on touring with this kind of frames. Hence, we want to load the bike itself to an minimum. Think of 1 handle bar bag and two small front panniers. Sleeping back on the back rack and the rest of the gear in the trailer. The trailer gives another advantage (which is also a disadvantage ), that I can carry a slightly heavier load compares to a combination of front and rear panniers.

Thank you for your constructive criticism, really. This help a lot and forces me to think about all the issues I might and will encounter.

Now back to the camera. I really have the 6x6 format as a minimum in mind. No 6x4.5 I guess. 6x7 is an option though, although I think I would really appreciate the two more frames I would be able to shoot with 6x6 compared to 6x7.

 

[McRoo]

Just to prevent an offtopic discussion. Bamboo is the frame choice. We at least want to try and make it on these bicycles. If somehow the frames would not be up to the task, we have funds available to purchase a 'conventional' frame. But in the end, if that situation presents itself, at least we tried.

Of course we will test our bamboo bicycles before we head for Alaska, going on multiple week(end) trips in rough conditions, fully loaded.

 

[athanasius80]

I've done all day bike touring with a Franka Solida. You have to estimate exposure and focus, but its easy, simple, not too much to break, and its small enough to fit in my shorts' cargo pocket.

Here's a couple examples of it in use.

 

[tim elder]

I like the idea of a Rolleiflex or other TLR. It's a beautiful camera and hopefully will provide a bit of ice-breaking between you and your subjects. I bought a Mamiya 7ii for a trip far less rigorous than yours and I found it perfect for my needs; I feel like you should check out the Mamiya 6 or 7 as they are very compact and you might really like them.

Whatever you take, the most important thing is that it works. Don't skimp on something like this.

Tim

 

[Sirius Glass]

You will need more rolls of film than you have budgeted for. Some rolls will be dropped during loading and unroll on the ground. Then there are the photographs taken with the lens cap on ... take extra rolls.

Steve

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

To hell with being "off topic": this topic needs really good sorting out before you step out the door for the wild blue yonder!

Yes! A BOB trailer is an excellent choice; I used one extensively until trading-off my 15-year stalwart heavy touring bike; it regularly carried 50kg of camera gear over extended distances with small (30 litre each) rear panniers (c. 14kg each) and a handlebar bag, so you've got some things in that department well sorted. Disc brakes are strongly preferable to caliper brakes. The load distribution now makes much more sense. To repeat, just make sure you've got really grippy brakes with a heavy BOB load, and it takes quite a while to stop on a steep downhill (but don't all touring cyclists look forward to "every uphill has a downhill!" ? ).

Thank heavens you've got contingency plans in case the bamboo goes bananas.

 

[Venchka]

I don't think so

...
Of course we will test our bamboo bicycles before we head for Alaska, going on multiple week(end) trips in rough conditions, fully loaded.

Nothing in Europe, short of possibly following the Arctic Circle across Scandinavia, will prepare you for North & South America. Europe is much too tame, flat & humid. On the other hand, a month in Alaska will be good preparation for the rough bits further south.

The advise of taking extremely simple equipment, recycled even, is more in keeping with your goals. Why must all of these "Save the Universe" schemes be documented with 21st century paraphernalia and umbilical like connections to technology?

I only mentioned the Hasselblad because I have one. For the trip you are proposing, I think a Leica and 1 or 2 lenses or my late father's Konica I would be correct. A thoroughly rebuilt folding 120 camera would be in the running if I could find and afford such a camera.

Unless you've been here, you can't imagine what you are in for. Prearranged package drops at post offices will handle resupply and film shipping in North America. Once you leave the USA, all bets are off for mail service.

Good luck. I hope to ride into the sunset soon on my Americano. Towing a BOB loaded with 4x5 stuff.

 

[Vaughn]

...(but don't all touring cyclists look forward to "every uphill has a downhill!" ? ).

I suppose so, but hippy bikers leave no turn unstoned...

But there should be no worries, as long as Bicycle Repairman is around... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54CpPlCnM4I

 

[df cardwell]

However much I'd LOVE to drive this off topic,
we can invite McRoo to talk about this in the Cyclists social group.

Out of sheer perversity,
how many posting advice here, on carrying a camera on a bike,
let alone on a trip of this magnitude, have ever ridden, say, a hundred miles in a week,
or - more to the point- a thousand miles in a month.

Who has tried taking a picture after riding 50 miles,
or who has even ridden a bike with 30 pounds of stuff on it
20 miles up the side of a big hill ?

This isn't a ride in the park, it is an expedition where the notion of "road" is amorphous,
and, I can't help it, the thing that would worry me isn't the bamboo, it's the carbon fiber and epoxy holding it together.

 

[Resoman]

Regarding your MF camera choice, I've got both the Fuji GW690 and a Rollei twin lens. The cameras aren't in front of me right now, but there's not a lot of difference as far as weight or volume is concerned. For me, the Rollei makes a better portrait camera, but the Fuji has a lot going for it if landscape is a consideration.

Neither camera uses a battery, which has to be a plus on a long, remote trip. They've both been very dependable, as well. In particular, using the Fuji has always given me the feeling that it's an indestructible machine. It has been, so far...

Good luck,

Gary,
East Snook, TX

 

[tequilabong]

Lightweight? Get a Holga. What do they weigh, about 3 ounces??? It is also unproven machinery!!

 

[Vaughn]

DF -- Well, I rode for 5 months solo in New Zealand with 80 pounds (sometimes more depending on how much food I had to carry) on the bike (add my weight at the time of 220 pounds -- that is 300 pounds besides the weight of the bike). I had a 4x5 on board and an Olympus XA as my snapshot camera. Little of New Zealand is flat.

My average pace was one day of riding in every three, and averaged 42 miles per riding day, with a couple 70 mile days and one 100 mile day. My purpose was to photograph -- not make distance. Total milage with full weight was 2000 miles, with an unknown amount of miles with just the 4x5 on board (and several 5 to 7 day backpack trips, too, with the 4x5). I was also a young punk of 32 years at the time.

Vaughn

PS...if I did it again I would take an 8x10 on a trailer and a Rolleiflex as my snapshot camera (and be tempted to bring my Diana camera for the pure fun of it.)