[288GTO]

If you think an iPhone is a better option than a DSLR, then you probably don’t care about taking good quality pictures.

There’s nothing wrong with that, I’m just saying there’s really no comparison in quality or performance.

I had no clue the iPhone 7 plus I use wasn't as good as my FF Canon 5D4's and Hassy H4D-100 645. Thanks for the lesson. What I was saying is the iPhone makes for a convenient and half way decent option without carrying a heavy DSLR.

 

[Scubapiper]

What I was saying is the iPhone makes for a convenient and half way decent option without carrying a heavy DSLR.

Agree, The best camera is the one you have with you. For the vast majority of folks all they want is a snap shot and most cell phones do a fine job with this. A DSLR or even a compact is overkill if this is all you are looking for.

 

[shekky]

Honestly an iPhone with dual camera like the 7/8 plus and the new X will be a better option, 99% of the time. Camera shoots 4K, has 28mm and 56mm lenses, plus its pocketable with decent image and video quality.

discussing iphones are not why i started this thread. iphones have nothing to do with this discussion.

 

[shekky]

Agree, The best camera is the one you have with you. For the vast majority of folks all they want is a snap shot and most cell phones do a fine job with this. A DSLR or even a compact is overkill if this is all you are looking for.

the best phone is indeed the one you have with you but some of us like to carry DSLRs sometimes AND THAT'S WHY I STARTED THIS THREAD.

jesus.

 

[Scubapiper]

some of us like to carry DSLRs sometimes AND THAT'S WHY I STARTED THIS THREAD.

Yep

 

[288GTO]

I would worry about the glass elements getting loose after numerous hard rides. Cheap glass would be less risky though the cheap build quality would take a beating compared to pro glass. I've had Canon L glass and Contax 645 Zeiss glass elements go loose from normal use. I can't imagine going doing a technical ride through rock garden with $2000-$6000 lenses.

 

[shekky]

"I can't imagine going doing a technical ride through rock garden with $2000-$6000 lenses."

oh, god in heaven NO!!!!

 

[fat-but-slow]

At some point in time people with "high end" camera gear will quit treating it like an antique grandfather clock. I purchased the gear to use. Who spread the rumor that one can't take a 2.8 lens outside in wilderness? Its what they are manufactured for. The cheap plastic ones work great at the rest stops on I-70! Will mysterious sensor erasing fairy dust enter my camera while changing lens on a trail? STOP THE MADNESS! For Gods sake take your camera gear and use it someplace other than a museum! My 70-200 2.8 is awesome, it has scratches, it has experience, I might "and could" use it for a tent stake. It still takes awesome pictures because I take it awesome places!
Did you know that a pro photographer has taken a sharp ended spike and "went at it" on his 50mm 2.8 (universally great - affordable lens) and nay I say could one find "imperfections" on the photos he took with it after the abuse? So if you choose to keep your chosen Grandfather clock lens in a humidor - knock yourself out! In the meantime "other" irresponsible photographers will be out capturing Grizzlies or a random sighting of an Ivory Billed Woodpecker (some say they are extinct).... Ok I'm done. Have great day!

 

[shekky]

At some point in time people with "high end" camera gear will quit treating it like an antique grandfather clock. I purchased the gear to use. Who spread the rumor that one can't take a 2.8 lens outside in wilderness? Its what they are manufactured for. The cheap plastic ones work great at the rest stops on I-70! Will mysterious sensor erasing fairy dust enter my camera while changing lens on a trail? STOP THE MADNESS! For Gods sake take your camera gear and use it someplace other than a museum! My 70-200 2.8 is awesome, it has scratches, it has experience, I might "and could" use it for a tent stake. It still takes awesome pictures because I take it awesome places!
Did you know that a pro photographer has taken a sharp ended spike and "went at it" on his 50mm 2.8 (universally great - affordable lens) and nay I say could one find "imperfections" on the photos he took with it after the abuse? So if you choose to keep your chosen Grandfather clock lens in a humidor - knock yourself out! In the meantime "other" irresponsible photographers will be out capturing Grizzlies or a random sighting of an Ivory Billed Woodpecker (some say they are extinct).... Ok I'm done. Have great day!

i understand your sentiments but i think a lot depends on where you're going and how you ride and why you're out there with a camera to begin with. if i'm on a ride with friends where things are going to get fast and loose, the camera stays at home and i use my iphone to take photos. when i'm riding alone and know my pace and schedule will allow me to take advantage of having a DSLR with me, i bring it. if the D7100 and the 18-200 lens were not so heavy and bulky, i'd carry it when i wanted a DSLR if it were the only camera i had.

i'd rather drop or fall on my 1200D than my 7100 just because the money i earn makes it less painful to replace a $400 kit than equipment costing twice that much.

and just for the record, my ex once dropped an SLR on its lens, damaging the camera in such a way the lens could not be removed without taking it to a shop.

bad things happen.

i can't blame folks for wanting to minimize risk.

 

[Scubapiper]

Sony a850 full framer and my Zeiss 24-70 2.8 stays home when I ride. Yes they are tools but not ones I'm willing to roll the dice on riding with. Instead I ride with a cheap a100 ($100 or so on fleabay) with a kit lens. For me this is the best combination of capability of kit vs. the cost of a potential disaster. Probably this has a lot to do with the fact that I keep the camera on my hydration pack strap so it's very vulnerable if I were to crash. If I were planning on riding with photography as my main goal I'd pack the a850 with the Zeiss and at least a monopod if not a tripod.

Not saying this is what is best, just what works for me.

 

[JohnMcL7]

Good topic, it's been interesting seeing the various solutions people are using.

I go between the Sony RX100m4 compact, Sony NEX-6 with the 16-50mm lens and the Nikon D750 with the 20mm F1.8 lens. The Nikon obviously offers superb dynamic range and high iso performance but it's bulky and heavy, I usually take it in its own backpack and stuff my bike bits around as I can. Those factors combined with the risk of being damaged if I crash mean I don't take it that often with me. I have looked at other FF options, the A7 series looks good on paper but I find as a package it's not that much smaller in practice. I've also looked at the Sony RX1 series but the fixed 35mm lens is limiting when I primarily shoot wide angle when out on the bike.

 

[dbflg]

Most of the time I ride with my Sony RX10. It has a good zoom range (24-200mm equivalent) and constant f/2.8 aperture. Its weakness is the AF-C focusing doesn't always hit it exactly.

Occasionally I will take the Nikon D750 and either a 16-35mm or the 24-120mm zoom lens. AF-C focusing is very good.

If I wanted a pocket-sized camera, I would probably consider the Sony RX100 series.

I use a Camelback Blowfish and the DSLR carries well in the pack. I just make it a point not to crash and land on my back ;-)

-db-

Edit: typo

 

[shekky]

Most of the time I ride with my Sony RX10. It has a good zoom range (24-200mm equivalent) and constant f/2.8 aperture. It's weakness is the AF-C focusing doesn't always hit it exactly.

Occasionally I will take the Nikon D750 and either a 16-35mm or the 24-120mm zoom lens. AF-C focusing is very good.

If I wanted a pocket-sized camera, I would probably consider the Sony RX100 series.

I use a Camelback Blowfish and the DSLR carries well in the pack. I just make it a point not to crash and land on my back ;-)

-db-

your sony seems to be highly spoken of. it's an expensive little bugger, though:

The 10 best bridge cameras in 2017 | TechRadar

 

[dbflg]

That is the model III which has the 24-600mm lens. I have the original version with the 24-200 lens.
It's still available and much cheaper—and a fair bit smaller than the newer versions.

Compare camera dimensions side by side

-db-

 

[BeDrinkable]

I just bungee cord it in the Topeak bag. View attachment 1155471

That is honestly amazing!

I usually don't carry one, mostly because I hate stopping. But if I think I'll want to, I have a Nikon 5200 that I usually carry with a relatively small 35mm lens.

If I'm with my wife I will sometimes take my 18-70 walkaround lens, but it is a little heavier and a little bulkier. But we travel at slightly different speeds so I know I'll have a chance to take some shots.

 

[grumpy old biker]

No, I don't carry anything with me except keys to home, things tend to get broken or lost when I ride.

Also it is always wet, these days dark and wet, it is only 3 minutes to where trails start, so I can always limp back home, hopefully.

Now if I could find a friend to go ride with, it would make more sense to have photo sessions, but when all riding is alone, only camera I have with me is action camera and that is usually mounted to bike or helmet.

Also when I ride, I'm usually at race mode, trying to break records, so not much chance of getting photos.

 

[shekky]

No, I don't carry anything with me except keys to home, things tend to get broken or lost when I ride.

Also it is always wet, these days dark and wet, it is only 3 minutes to where trails start, so I can always limp back home, hopefully.

Now if I could find a friend to go ride with, it would make more sense to have photo sessions, but when all riding is alone, only camera I have with me is action camera and that is usually mounted to bike or helmet.

Also when I ride, I'm usually at race mode, trying to break records, so not much chance of getting photos.

thank you.

i was just going to type something mean when i went back and looked at my original post.

 

[grumpy old biker]

thank you.

i was just going to type something mean when i went back and looked at my original post.

When I began cycling, I had a basket on my bicycle, then it was easy to carry DSLR and also snap pics as my fitness did not allow me to much more than a mile before I had to stop, that was long time ago though.

Used to take more than 20 000 photos in a year those days, now it is barely 100 for whole year.

Might be good to put basket on my bike again, sometimes slowing down might be nice.

But I still get to take pic here and there, look and behold this quality of Eken H9R, when it is dark and wet:

 

[USAFF4]

Eastern scretch owl.

Took this past Sunday on a ride.

 

[Scubapiper]

Love the owl shot. What did you use?