DSLRs & Mountain Biking

Genoma

Genoma

Genoma

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Joined
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Shropshire
Any one have experience with riding offroad with a DSRL? I have a Lowepro 16L AW which I could use for my 650D, but a bit worried about vibration leading to damage?

Also what about humidity? In the winter I'm pretty sure I broke a point and shoot Canon due to humidity after climbing a local hill on the bike with it in my pack.

Any advice?
 
I've taken my 650d out with my a few times but generally only when the weather is good and I've not had it mounted to the bike. I think it would be a little bulky and would need a very very solid mount to stop it shaking all over the place due to its weight.
 
Provided you have a decent bag with quality zips and padding inside, I don't think it'd be much of a problem. Obviously some decent weather proofing would make sense too, may be a good idea to put the camera (and maybe some of the lenses) into some sort of case/wrap for added protection?

What am I saying, I don't know what I'm on about. :D
 
Depends what you mean by mountain biking really. If you are just riding on roads, or up bridle paths up hills and walking type trails, then it will be fine in your backpack. Presumably just using your bike to get somewhere that you want to shoot?

If however you are talking proper mountain biking, riding singletrack trails which might have technical features on such as roots, rock gardens and drops then I wouldn't bother taking a DSLR. You will be putting it through a lot of vibration, even on a full suspension bike. You can quite easily crash which will could result in damaging the camera, or worse, if you land on your back, thats a camera now dug into you doing damage to your body.

As for condensation, just treat it how you would in other outdoor situations with temperature variables. Seal the camera in a large ziplock bag and allow it to adjust to temperature changes before using.
 
Nexus said:
Depends what you mean by mountain biking really.
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Thanks, very useful. Yes I was thinking full on technical trails, not so much for the scenery but to take some action shots with the lads at key points in the trails, jumps for example. I was concerned about vibration, I'm inclined to agree with you - too much vibration.

For weather conditions I like the ziplock idea. That will come in handy walking!
 
Phal said:
I've taken my 650d out with my a few times but generally only when the weather is good and I've not had it mounted to the bike. I think it would be a little bulky and would need a very very solid mount to stop it shaking all over the place due to its weight.
Click to expand...


Hehe no I wouldn't dream of mounting a DSRL to a bike! :)
 
Your best bet might be to aim to take shots of biking that occurs either near to the car park, or near to a trail where you can drive the car up to.

For instance, I'm taking my newly-acquired 40D up to Glentress this weekend, but the skills park is right next to the car park so I can leave the camera in the car while I ride the trails, then while I'm messing about on the jumps and berms the mrs can use the camera without having to lug it around :D
 
Yep and they are pretty cool for it. A friend of mine is a RAF pilot/flying instructor and a great downhill mountain biker - needless to say he's got some great footage with the GoPro "in the office" and on the trails :)

I would quite like one to take scuba diving, but our diving trips abroad are few and far between so not sure it's worth it.
 
It normally takes me a good 10 - 15 minutes to clean up the casing from my GoPro 3 after a motorbike ride, and that's just from bugs and a bit of grit! I'd hate to think what an SLR would be like after being attached to a mountain bike without any comprehensive protection, never mind the weight and imbalance that would bring!
 
As far as carrying one in a bag, I don't think there's a problem there. Your body and the bag will absorb most of the vibrations so unless you're doing some rather hardcore downhill stuff, the camera will be fine in the bag. Of course, if you take a fall then all bets are off but I can't imagine damage from simply having it in the bag.

Weather would be the only real worry, a decent back and some plastic in your bag around the camera would suffice to protect it but if you wanted to use it then that would be a different thing :P
 
I don't know, there could be a lot of constant vibration, even in the bag. These are pretty mechanical beasts, not sure they would survive that well.
 
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