[rob.char]

I'm starting to really enjoy photography, picked up a dslr recently, however I cannot justify bringing it for a ride and run the risk of a fall and have something happen to it. What type of camera does everyone bring with them on rides? Are we just talking a Canon/Nikon/etc. point+shoot?

 

[skiahh]

I bought the Olympus 770sw a few years ago; they're now called the Tough series. Waterproof to 33', crush proof (220#), freeze proof (14*F), drop proof (5'). Perfect for mountain biking, skiing and other stuff.

It's no where near a DSLR, of course, so you do give up some picture quality, but for a point and shoot, they're just fine. And for a go anywhere camera, they're pretty darn good. Read some of the reviews... I was going to upgrade to the 8010 but it seems a bit slow. Might wait one more generation or just go for the 6000 series. Here's a riding picture taken with the camera:

And as a great bonus, I can let my 4 year old - and have since she was about 2 - use the camera and see the world through her eyes. She's taken some really good pictures, too!

 

[p nut]

Any P&S would do fine. Mostly, I just carry my iPhone, as it doubles as my ride GPS.

 

[Outsider]

If you care about the picture quality, you want one of these. They are not waterproof, but most compact cameras do just fine in bad weather as well.

 

[CraigCreekRider]

I vote for the cheap point and shoot. I would rather to not have to worry about my camera too much when riding, and even the cheap ones are pretty good.

 

[p nut]

If you care about the picture quality, you want one of these. They are not waterproof, but most compact cameras do just fine in bad weather as well.

I personally wouldn't bring a $500 camera mountain biking. I'll toss in a $100 Canon or Nikon in my pack and be on my way. With post-photo processing software, pictures will turn out just fine. Fine enough for me, anyway.

If I really was worried about picture quality, I'll bring my DSLR in a well-padded pack.

 

[Judd97]

I went the same route as skiahh although I have a slightly different camera:

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-...tal-Cameras/2010-LUMIX-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-TS2A_11002_7000000000000005702

I mainly bought it so I could have a good camera for whitewater trips, but it serves just fine mountain biking as well. I throw it in my pack and take it out when I need it. It takes pretty nice pictures for a point and shoot, but of course it isn't anywhere near an SLR or a DSLR. 14 mp is nice, especially for macros, and I never worry about it getting wet or damaged. In fact, a few months ago I accidentally slammed it (hard) in the trunk of my truck and it emerged unscathed (but I sure was scared for a few moments!) minus a small indentation in the cover.

 

[ProjectDan35]

I use a Kodak m753. Small Pocket camera, 7 mega pixels.

I want to pick up a Cannon 70d.

 

[tmccrohon]

check out the snapshooters unite thread

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=626343

The link should get you to the thread. It is all about point and shoots and peoples favorites shots with them. There are some surprisingly nice shots in that thread for Point and shoot cameras. I can't carry around my dlrs most of the time, but i carry my Casio exilim all the time.

 

[larlev]

Why not buy a GoPro or ContourHD? They take stills, have a timer for group shots and shoot HD video.

 

[Judd97]

Why not buy a GoPro or ContourHD? They take stills, have a timer for group shots and shoot HD video.

Actually the ContourHD doesn't take stills, at least the 720p model that I have does not. I'm not sure about the 1080p or the new GPS models.

 

[Stewmander]

My gf has a panasonic like judd's link and it takes great photos and is really tough and weather resistent. Took it to palm springs long valley in a snow storm with no prob. For myself, I use an Olympus XA, it's a film camera but is very compact, made w metal, has an awesome clam shell, and takes nice photos.

 

[larlev]

Oh..your wanting professional type stuff...gotcha. Too many options for me to even try and learn how to use, and too bulky to carry in pak.

 

[larlev]

Well heck my GoPro to takes better stills than my Canon. I guess I just don't understand "basic photography stuff "

 

[blue109]

i have a pentax W90. works well and its stout.

 

[Grip]

Get a cheap nikon dslr, if you drop it and break it...who cares, its a nikon.

 

[Bro]

Speaking of.... I took my school journalism class's DSLR on a ride once to get up and over the mountain for some good vantage points for photos of a story I was writing.... Wearing my jersey, sans backpack, so I swung it around my back, strapped it up tight, and prayed. Nothing bad happened, but let's just say I'm not taking that chance and weight again. I'm not at all a weight weenie, but the pressure of that camera on my back was more than enough.

When I'm just taking regular photos, my parents' low-end point-and-shoot works just fine. It fits perfectly in a jersey pocket too. I've no idea what kind though. :thumbsup:

 

[rob.char]

Get a cheap nikon dslr, if you drop it and break it...who cares, its a nikon.

Haha AMEN, I have a Canon EOS love it.

The Lumix heavy duty camera looks like the best option. I ride hard and the last thing I want to worry about is falling and rolling over on a camera. I've just been using the camera on my cell phone (env3) I have a go pro helmet cam it has the viewfinder however I don't want all my photos to have a fish eye resemblance. The env3 isn't bad, but isn't good either.

 

[mikesee]

My answer is in my sig.

 

[neveride]

I bring my Canon S90 with me in a ziploc bag.

It's the right size, can shoot fully manual, great in low light, fast aperture, minimal shutter lag.

I actually have been using it more than my dslr (Canon 50D) and 4/3rds camera (Panasonic GF1) for non-biking situations.