Motorcycle & Photography cases

[jibbonpoint]

This may be a strange request, but I've just purchased a 1984 BMW R65LS Motorcycle so that's taken up my time for the last few weeks. What I want to do is take Photo Gear with me in the Panniers. The Pelican type case would seem to be way to go & I've noticed these Adorama's & others on the net reviewed http://www.photographyreview.com/pls_3123crx.aspx

But maybe someones got some specific success with MotorCycles. (Pictures will be forthcoming of this gorgeous machine)

[kiwi]

Pelican cases are the bees knees....but would they fit on a bike, I dunno

[Wayne]

The only prospect of fitting a Pelican is as a top box. I have an R1150RT and the panniers are not even close to water/dirt proof. I wouldn't even put my camera gear in a side pannier if it was wrapped in waterproof bags etc. You can always use a back pack or a tank bag, I use both and the large tankbag (Bagtser) has a great rain cover. I took my D700 - 70-300 +charger, SB-900, CF cards on a trip to the snowies earlier this year using only the tank bag, and it was fine, just put a small towel in the bag to sit the gear on for some padding.

[Cage]

The operative word in whatever you choose is 'padding', lots.

I'm still smarting over losing 7 x 36 shot rolls of exposed film because something weird happened to my old AV1 in my topbox. Well actually they weren't exposed, but the film was winding on and letting me think they were. But I now have a bloody good excuse to do the west coast again.

To be truthful I take my 8Mp Canon P & S in my pocket when on the bike.

Cheers

Kevin

[Mick B]

Up until July this year I ALWAYS carried my camera with me on the bike. That camera is a smallish Panasonic FZ5 which just fitted where ever I put it. Now days I have a Canon DSLR plus stuff and keep it all in a Lowepro Nova 190 AW shoulder bag. This bag measures approx 300mm long x 220mm deep and 230mm high and fits easily in my top box (Harley Davidson Ultra Classic). I mostly still take my Panasonic because "A" - I don't want to risk carting my good gear around with me on the bike and "B" - because it takes up less room. My wife and I are doing the Snowy Ride this coming weekend and because it is only a one night stop over and we won't have much luggage to take, I will take the DSLR. The only thing I make sure of is that the camera bag (and contents) do not bounce around while in the top box. I just put a jumper or something on top of it to keep it from moving. Earlier this year we did a 14,000 km trip around Australia and took the Panasonic of course, and when (not if) we do it again I would have to take the same camera again (or similar sized) because of space commitments.

[jibbonpoint]

Thanks Fellas.

I might have a look at a Pelican type that will slip into a pannier for weekend trips. I don't think I'l be taking the R65 LS around Oz; the Bandit 1250 might be better for that excersize. We'll see.

[Cage]

Thanks Fellas.

I might have a look at a Pelican type that will slip into a pannier for weekend trips. I don't think I'l be taking the R65 LS around Oz; the Bandit 1250 might be better for that excersize. We'll see.

My 1200 Bandit did the 22,000 Ks without a hiccup.

[bdparker]

I use a LowPro Slighshot backpack (102 AW) which has its own raincoat, and also has a side entry for quick access to the camera.
it would be fair enough to say that I only a small amout of equipment (one pentax k7 & 2 lenses) and ride solo.
It also fits into my saddlebag (without fource) and I can still access to camera from there.
I recently did a trip from Melb to Syd (11 hrs each way) with it, and yes it did rain a litle, nothing got wet or damp.

[jibbonpoint]

Thanks for that, fella's. Now I know what works, I can work out what suits.

If I come up with anything brilliant, I'll advise. I don't like riding with a backpack.

[old dog]

like Kevin said.....lots of padding. I also take my wife`s p and s in a zipped pocket when on the bike. Rarely do I take the slr. I had a R100 way back and would not hesitate in taking the R65 around oz if it was all up to speed/serviced correctly. They are a great bike.

[Brian500au]

Ok I know this is a bit old - but I rode a BMW GS1150R around Australia 2 years ago - 50% was offroad - in fact i pushed my bike through crocodile infested rivers up in NT. I used a bagstar tank bag which i filled with dense foam I bought from Clarke Rubber. I then cut the foam for my 1DMKII with a lens and then a 100-400 next to it. It was always handy and I could stop my bike, grab the camera out, lift my helmet and start shooting away.

Here was my set up

[Macca2188]

Good set up. I've mainly used backpacks for short trips but i'll be giving your idea a shot

[jibbonpoint]

The bike's a work in progress at the moment; I've had to reco the Cylinders & Heads; now I've got a fuel problem. Arrghhhhh!

Anyway, I did get a Joby Gorillapod for Christmas & purchased the Joby head later. I've only used it a couple of times but it will be a "winner" on the bike. I tend to take my tripod everywhere I take the camera.