My retirement motorcycle photographic trip this summer 2014

[Spicy]

Some great advice in here, especially the "take half the gear and twice the money."

While I've never done a motorcycle tour with cameras, I've done a bicycle tour (similar requirements/concerns). I second bringing the most durable/inexpensive kit that you are 100% confident will give you the image quality you need (noting the difference between this and want).

The M2 will be a stellar camera, but be exceptionally wary of the vibrations, as in my experience they affect RFs more than SLRs. I took my M4-P on a cross-country bike trip across Korea, with an FG-20 as backup. The vibrations ended up working loose the retaining ring on the front element of the lens on my M4-P, and I only noticed when the element came off fully and was rattling around inside the lenscap on the final day (meaning that 90% of my shots were out of focus, which is effectively impossible to do via user-error when using a 21mm wide-angle at F8...). Thankfully, the single roll I shot with the FG-20 "just in case" yielded the 4-5 keepers that I'm quite pleased with.

I realize that this anecdote isn't actually about the RF mechanism, but it's a known weak-point for RFs and that they're less tolerant of impacts (generally these are terminal regardless of camera-type), but also high-frequency vibrations that are common with bicycle/motorcycle touring.

Focus less on the gear and more on making sure your equipment won't let you down (reliability is king), and choosing a great route. In general, the pictures you look at 10-20 years from now will not remind you of "wow I'm so glad I brought my Hasselblad and not my Rolleiflex," unless something breaks or malfunctions, and you will forever be angry and filled with regret about your gear letting you down. I love my M4-P and the 21mm lens, but the thing that I will never forget about that trip is how the lens ring unscrewed itself, little by little.

 

[micwag2]

Give the bike a good once over at least 2 weeks before leaving and take it out for a good shakedown. At least 100 miles or so. It'll work out the bugs and give you peace of mind. I noticed someone had suggested a chain. I would seriously recommend if they haven't also been changed, to replace the sprockets as well. I've seen too many folks break a chain because of the stresses of worn sprockets on a new chain. Sprockets can look good by eye but still be worn enough to cause problems. A good friend of mine who had the very machine you're planning to ride on had this happen. And if it should let loose at highway speed, if your fortunate enough to not have it jam and lock the rear wheel, it'll blow a hole in your crankcase as it whips around. That can ruin an otherwise great experience. In my buddies case, his bike blew a hole in the case.

As far as your camera gear, take something durable. That bike, as smooth as it may seem, will still shake the daylights out of anything you're taking with.

 

[Alan Klein]

Have fun, be safe.

 

[pen s]

Well I sure don't know from motorcycles or road trips but....
This is probably going to be a 'cut and try' type thing. When the trip is completed you will know what worked for you and what didn't. Then your next trip will be more informed by experience, the best teacher of all.

 

[frank]

Thanks again all.

Pen s, you are of course, correct!

Ed in Loveland, we seem to share the same wavelength. I get enjoyment from all aspects of photography, from choosing and using the gear, developing film, darkroom wet printing, and the resulting pictures. It's not all just about the image for me. Just like life, photography is about the process/journey, not the destination/final image. I will be passing through Colorado, my guess is around July 15-18. If that works, please pm me your contact info.

Micwag, I installed a new o-ring chain last season, sprockets look good. I'll be going a a few 500 mile (round trip) trips before the big one. I've got layers of foam under my tank bag to protect the cameras from vibration.

I may take my Konica Hexar camera instead of the M2 or Nikon. It offers RF viewing like the Leica, and built in metering and 28mm framelines (so no external viewfinder necessary) like the Nikon. If I feel it necessary, a Rollei 35 can take the place of the Leica CL to save a bit of space and weight.

 

[paul_c5x4]

If you haven't already done so, fit a Scottoiler to keep the chain lubricated.

Which bike (and camera) you eventually decide to use, have fun.

 

[frank]

Thanks Paul! I have a new(ish) 630 (heavy) O-ring chain, so maintainance shouldn't be a big problem. The 1970's Honda 750's have a auto oiler feature.

 

[andrewf]

Living my dream! Have an awesome time!

 

[analoguey]

Frank,

That looks like an awesome trip - good luck on it!

You look to have your route and camera gear mapped out ! From my experience on long distance rides and leading groups on them, may I suggest some things, ride wise?
1.Get a saddle-bag. Far easier to get cameras in and out. And bag stays put, on curves, plus available in rain proof guise.
2. Get an engine guard fitted perhaps? (Thats what we call it here, dont recall seeing it over in the US - basically a couple of thick SS tubes that more or less keep engine away from terra firma in case of a spill or a stand not being applied properly.
3. Ride per local weather.
4. If you are riding solo, sometimes it gets boring, cos it's highway or concentration lapses - butt breaks every hour or 50-100 miles depending on your riding speed/stamina would be ideal.


And good gear/leathers make the difference between a pleasurable ride and an irksome one.

If you are the kind to take a quick stop, hop off and make some images - the RF 120s would be good fun!

Have fun!



Sent from Tap-a-talk

 

[bobwysiwyg]

Thanks Paul! I have a new(ish) 630 (heavy) O-ring chain, so maintainance shouldn't be a big problem. The 1970's Honda 750's have a auto oiler feature.

Frank, do you still use the auto oiling feature even though you have an o-ring chain? I don't use an o-ring but I shut off the oiler as it makes a real mess of the rear wheel and just about everything else back there. Now my K0 has its original "short " chain guard. I believe Honda changed later models extending the guard length a bit to control the "sling " affect.

 

[frank]

Frank, do you still use the auto oiling feature even though you have an o-ring chain? I don't use an o-ring but I shut off the oiler as it makes a real mess of the rear wheel and just about everything else back there. Now my K0 has its original "short " chain guard. I believe Honda changed later models extending the guard length a bit to control the "sling " affect.

I have it adjusted to minimum. No danger of rust back there.

 

[bobwysiwyg]

I have it adjusted to minimum. No danger of rust back there.

I hear ya.