Transporting 8"x10" DDS in the field.

Ian Grant

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There are some very good reasons why some people can't really use backpacks. Because my wife has had a heart bypass she's over cautious, and thinks I shouldn't carry all the weight either in a backpack or 50/50 half hand held the rest in a back pack. You really have to do what your capable of.

If you can use wheels that makes things a lot easier, and much less stressful. I might take the Mickey out of John Powers for using his streamlined pram but its almost what we need, I'm sure it's not perfect but it's quite a way towards being extremely useful - and it is very useful to him.

I can only speak for myself, when I shoot 10 x8 I'll walk 4 maybe at the outside 6 miles with all my equipment, with 5x4 10 - 20 miles, on a bike either format 40 - 50 miles per session.

Ian
 

bill spears

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I spent the last few days humping my 4x5 monorail around here (Bottallack.)
No chance of using any form of wheeled assistance over this kind of terrain !
My Sinar is permanentley attached to tripod which is carried over the shoulder and darkslides go in the backpack.
I guess this is not so easy with your 10 8 though Trevor.

Bill
 

Ian Grant

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Err very wrong Bill, that's exactly how I carried my 10x8 around near Bottalack, on tripod and over shoulder, back in 2006/7. I only took the 5x4 & 6x17 this year

Ian
 

bill spears

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I reckon 'the camera on tripod over the shoulder' method depends on how protective you are about your camera or how much its worth.
I often climb over slippery rocks right down to the waters edge in these locations and I know I'm risking getting my Sinar bashed at some point !
 

Ian Grant

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No, I'm more worried about my shoulder, seriously.

I have made sure the camera is "very" secure on its tripod, it's the tripod that takes all risks not the camera.

Ian
 

jp80874

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It may further explain if I mention that I had a ride in an ambulance two years ago. I spent two days testing in the cardiac wing of the hospital. All they could say was I hadn't had a heart attack. They couldn't say what had happened. My Dr. said until we find out, I want you to lose twenty pounds and walk a mile five times a week. I also had a back injury in my early twenties. After two months the Dr. asked how the walking was going. I said I am having so much fun and finding so many things that I want to photograph that I was wondering if it would be alright if I increased the distance. The Dr. laughed and said that in forty years of practice no one had ever asked that. He said increase slowly and enjoy. I have. As mentioned earlier I now walk 10-12 miles a week and have the two happiest Labrador Retrievers in the state of Ohio. Also mentioned before I am now working on a book. An interview Friday sealed an agreement to have my first museum show this October using 30 of my 7x17 canal pictures juxtaposed with historic canal pictures from the museum's collection. The dogs aren't the only happy campers here.

Thanks Ian. Who is this Mickey guy? Can he carry some of my stuff?

John
 

Dave Wooten

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Ian Grant said:
He's a maverick we don't worship him in Europe

How did he get that Station Wagon halfway up Half Dome ?

Ian
Click to expand...

I think, not sure, the half dome was done on 5 x 7 ? In 1928 or 29? Much later he used the "wagon". (I am in the much later era-apprentice geezer)!
 
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Trevor Crone

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Dave Wooten said:
I think, not sure, the half dome was done on 5 x 7 ? In 1928 or 29? Much later he used the "wagon". (I am in the much later era-apprentice geezer)!
Click to expand...

Dave,

In fact he used a 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" Korona view camera and had with him 2 lenses, two filters, heavy wooden tripod and 12 Wratten Pan glass plates (ref. AA, Examples, The Making of 40 Photographs).

That fellow certainly had stamina, especially in his early years.
 
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Trevor Crone

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Bill,

Not taken the 8x10 to the shores of Devon and Cornwall yet. But at Bottallack I was using my 4x5 Ebony (carried on tripod) but compared to the logistics of transporting the 8x10, it's an absolute breeze.

Happy days ahead!?:confused:

Trevor.
 

AgX

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As I did not get an answer by Trevor, now to the rest of you:

What is a DDS??
 

AgX

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Sorry Trevor, I just realized that my pm has never reached you (as other pms sent to other members...)
 
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Trevor Crone

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I thought some might be interested in this solution to my transportation of 8x10 camera and dark slides.

Attached pic shows Lowepro Super Trekker on shopping trolley cart minus shopping basket. The wheels are excellent for going up and down stairs as they rotate as you do so. Just need to give it a test run in the woods to see how effective it is in negotiating fallen branches etc.

The bag is held to the frame by snap locks so can be quickly detached and the frame folded and wheels detached for storage, although it's compact enough to go in the back of the car as it is.

A really big bonus is the wife thinks IT IS a shopping trolley and she takes it out for me, problem is we keep ending up at the Supermarket!:confused:
 

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  • Super Trekker_1.jpg
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Martin Aislabie

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Trevor, your not looking for a sympathy vote are you?

"Having" to lug around a brand new 10x8 Ebony :rolleyes:

I am sure if you ask, there are a few of us who are willing to lug it around (on our own)

The trolley looks realy neat, may your wanderings be far and sucessful.

I will be interesting to know how you get on if you ever tackle Half Done with it.

Martin
 
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Trevor Crone

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Thanks Martin, would I ever look for a sympathy vote?

Tackle Half Dome with it? I couldn't tackle HD without a camera let alone an 8x10!
 

Ian Grant

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According to the PBS video I was sold in the US St Ansel's wife was far more nimble than he was and he struggled to keep up

So don't worry Trevor if the wifes faster than you let her pull it !!!

I asked the little old lady (volunteer) in George Eastman house if the video could be played anywhere, she looked at the back and said yes look it says 1 world, and it does a no 1 with a world symbol behind. How arrogant can a country be ? Not having a TV or DVD player I had no idea she was wrong.

Ian
 

Martin Aislabie

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Trevor, have you thought about putting some sheets of bubblewrap or similar between the bag and the frame to reduce the levels of vibration on the camera & lenses.

The level of vibrations when dragging hard wheels over uneven surfaces would suprise you

Such levels of vibration will not help the long term durability of equipment

Martin
 

Dave Miller

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Now I know why I recommended a donkey; no vibration.
 
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Trevor Crone

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Martin, this is something I may have to consider although I'm hopeful that the back of the bags heavy padding and harness will give enough protection.

I've also managed to pick up a soft laptop bag made by TechAir which easily holds 4 - 8x10 DDS. This can be slung over the trolleys handle. All I need to do now is bolt on the tripod and Harrison changing bag and I'm good to go

Trevor.
 
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