Touring with a DSLR

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

By the way, the title of the thread needs to be sung to the tune of a certain Beatles song.

But anyway, have any of you done any touring and taken a DSLR with you? I'm wondering if the extra size and weight is worth putting up with for the better pictures of the trip?

Specifically, I'm going to Morocco and will be riding off road for most of the time including riding on sand. My luggage is rated IP 6 dust-proof so in theory the dust won't be a problem but I'm wondering if nearly two weeks of riding over rough terrain will be a problem for the camera?

Also, the size of it plus any lenses etc soon mounts up - I was hoping to take my 70-300mm and my 50mm prime. Should I take it or just use my iPhone camera which has the advantage of being on my phone which I'll be taking anyway plus GPS tagging? Also, it's easier to whip out and take a quick photo.

Does anyone have any experience with this and what decision did you come to and do you think it was the right one?

Thanks

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Not sure what 70-300 you've got, but my mid-range (well, a bit better than the cheapest anyway) is pretty chunky.

Presuming you've got a crop frame, I'd have thought you'd want a wider angle - if it's a canon, the 15-85 would give a nice range for typical 'travel' pictures I reckon and has a good reputation. (But isn't cheap, which is why I don't have one Sad

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Back in the 70s my parents toured with the original Olympus PEN-F - I'd definitely be tempted to look at that sort of thing (well, the modern ones) if I had the budget for a dedicated 'touring' camera, though Ideally I want a mirrorless compact full frame interchangeable lens Smile

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Dust will still be a problem when you've got the camera out. Don't expect your luggage to stay sand-free however hard you try.
I'd definitely look at some reasonable padding around the camera - though you may able to make a lot of that out of clothes etc.

I definitely liked having my LX3 mounted on my handlebars for easy picture taking - on a quick release so I could grab a picture on the go easily. I had mine inside a waterproof snorkelling bag style thing - so it stayed pretty well protected while sat on the bars.

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

The 70-300 is the EF f/4-5.6 IS USM so fairly chunky but might be useful for some action shots of Silky and Tatters pretending they are taking part in the Dakar.

Getting a new camera or lens is not an option as my budget is tight.

I suppose it's more a question of dust and packing options now and general hassle. I suppose I could put up with the hassle as long as I could prevent the camera getting damaged.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I've got the Tamron equivalent of that lens and it's fairly chunky.

For me, I wouldn't bother for telephoto shots personally - as I reckon the terrain you're in you should have plenty of opportunity to get close-up pics, though telephoto gives you opportunity to take lots of pics from another dune, rather than just passing etc.

Even the 50 (effective 85) is going to be a bit restrictive for that epic scenery.

c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

I toured with a DSLR last summer, well worth it. I've a D50 and stuck with one lens. Got some nice photos, which are actually on my wall at the moment in 30"x20" posters.

The DSLR goes in a tank bag easy enough, no worries. You can't beat the dust, so learn to live with that. It shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Just take a versatile lens and you're all set. Or if you have to, a wide angled lens and one more suitable for portraiture.

Of course it's not as small as a micro 4/3 camera, but if you enjoy your photography, then it's worth while.
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Stevie GooGs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Karma :

Anyone use any hard cases in soft luggage for the their DSLR? I have soft luggage but trying to find something to hold body and lens separate or together.
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parkmoy · Scooby Slapper Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Karma :

If you really can't budget for another lens (or camera such as an LX5) then I think you would be best with the 50mm as it's your widest angle and relatively light and compact.

I'm a Nikon man myself so don't know much about Canon lenses but aren't there any 'old but good' secondhand primes going cheap on the Bay that would give you a wider angle? Something like a 20mm which even with the crop factor would give you a wide-ish angle and still be OK for general shots.

You wouldn't want to be changing lenses too often either in dusty conditions or your sensor will look like it has measles Very Happy

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

£45 will get you an 18-55. Not nearly as nice lens as the 50 from what I've seen, but for me I'd definitely want something on the wide end for travelling.
Ignore the vignetting due to the cover not being on quite right, but this sort of thing wouldn't come close with a 50 - Ideally I like a bit more (have a 10-24 now.)

jay12329 · Dr. Evil Joined: 02 May 2003 Karma :

I've been touring with a 5d with 24-105 f4. Just used a couple of towels folded up one below and one on top to prevent excess rattling around in the box.

HTH
J

Stevie GooGs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Stevie GooGs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Karma :

621andy · Scooby Slapper Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Karma :

I ride a fair bit offroadish in Turkey with my 7D and a couple of lenses in my topbox.
I've had a bag specially made to fit the camera, and it just fits in my Givi E36(?) box. Only extra padding is my bike cover!

Dust there is a big problem, but you just have to minimise it as much as possible.

Not ideal, and I'd be interested in other options.

Mate of mine has a Pentax(?) FZ35 bridge camera and he takes some stunning pics with it. Cheap as chips, but a good lens. ..and the places he goes with his bike are scary!
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TheDonUK · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Karma :

Im not taking the Canon Eos 550D on my upcoming Mongolia/Russia trip. Bit too bulky, would be too worried about damaging it, and im no professional photographer anyway. Going to stick to the Iphone/Canon Ixus.
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Pernig · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Karma :

This would maybe be no good, but I have a Canon EF 30-70 you could borrow. I can't remember what the aperture is but perhaps that won't be an issue in that brightness and at that focal length.
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..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Thanks chaps, I think I'll just be taking my 18-55 lens and keeping it in a tank bag like this one

https://www.windingroads.co.uk/shop/shopimages/products/normal/Web_CIMG1640.jpg

After all, if the camera isn't readily to hnd the likelyhood of me taking many pictures is slim so rather defeats the object of taking it in the first place.

Can anyone see any major flaws in that plan, bearing in mind I could be doing thousands of miles over rough terrain?

Cheers.

v4forlife · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 31 Mar 2003 Karma :

dont worry about dust. My 550 is on its 2nd tour of afghanistan and all i have had is a broken 50mm. good luck!.
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Stevie GooGs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Karma :

I would personally not travel with the lens connected to the camera.
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Stevie GooGs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Karma :

I would personally not travel with the lens connected to the camera.
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..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Stevie GooGs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Karma :

Only my opinion unless it's pretty well protected and won't bounce about.
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parkmoy · Scooby Slapper Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Karma :

Stevie GooGs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Karma :

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Stevie GooGs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Karma :

Yeah if you can stop the movement.
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