Taking photos while riding...

[SacramentoMike]

Type motorcycle camera mount on ebay, grasshopper...

I had a mount I made myself, and it worked OK except it was never pointed in the right direction when I'd see something I wanted to catch. Not bad for videos, though.

I have a Canon SD1100IS that turns on and opens much faster than any other digital I've seen, plus the shutter delay is much shorter than others too. My technique has been to keep it tethered to my left wrist using TWO straps, one from another cam, through the little mounting loop, just in case. I found the cam could sit in the left pocket of my tank bag but still on my wrist when I wasn't using it, and with a bit of practice I could turn it on, hold it straight, and push the shutter pretty well with my gloved left hand (unlined leather). I'll probably try the neck lanyard idea, but like the wrist strap, I believe I'll be using two lanyards as well. I can just see the camera bouncing down the road away from me. I'll still let the cam ride in a tank bag pocket, though. The pockets of my Cycleport jacket have such a tough Velcro closure it would be a real pain to get it in or out.

And the standard disclaimer (and it's a good one): practice the turning off and on, the grip, taking the shot, till it's easy--off the bike. Without looking. Not so hard, really.

 

[fjrob1300]

I have my camera velcroed to my dash. It works very well.

 

[UberKul]

Shooting on the fly with the D40 only gains you a fast shutter response but you are still just taking a snapshot. Trying to compose a photograph without a live screen view can really only be done in landscape with a flip or half helmet. I tried using one of those binocular chest harnesses one time but wasn't happy with that either. Best solution, find a passenger to use the D40 on the fly and keep your new D300 in the tank bag for the quality stuff.

 

[Pierre]

Go have a look !

https://www.goprocamera.com/index4.htm

 

[SockMonkey]

Point and shoot digital, tethered to lanyard around my neck. Left jacket pocket open, unzipped, camera lives there when too busy riding to take pix. Easy reach to pocket to fish out camera when time for fotos.
Here's a key principle.. simple as it sounds...

If riding and taking pix, you suddenly realize you need both hands on the bar for whatever reason, let the freakin camera dangle, trust the teather, in all cases, ride the freakin' bike.

Yes, but I noticed on the ride to NAFO that you apparently seldom needed both hands on the bar and many times needed no hands on the bar at all (because both hands were being used to take pictures). You are one seriously talented man, dcarver..!

 

[FJRBluesman]

...Do so at your own peril.

We all like a little bit of peril....

 

[snikr]

I can just BARELY walk and chew gum at the same time. I'll just stick to driving.

Tom

 

[clocklaw]

RAM Mount has a camera mount that works really well.

 

[FatNakedGuy]

This is my solution, it works very well.

To take a shot, I look in the general direction and then depress a mini push-button on the left handlebar (which is tied into the computer)

The computer and wireless access point are kept in the left saddle bag, and are powered by a APC Smart-UPS 1400 battery stored in the right saddle bag

The camera has a wireless card and it uploads each picture taken to the laptop via the wireless access point. Some say writing the images to a laptop might be overkill but I consider it to be good backup policy in the event the camera comes off at highspeed or I have a get-off.

I am looking into attaching a robotic arm to work the zoom, and mounting a heads-up-display in the helmet in order to view the images but that is a project for another day.

Here is a shot from the top down. Notice the sleek aerodynamics of the setup. Very little head-shake is experienced while riding (just slight buffeting at 170mph but it goes away quickly)

A standard airline travel neck pillow is used to absorb vibrations and help to stabilize the camera for a crystal sharp image

Industrial strength packing tape is used to secure the camera and pillow to the helmet. I tried duct tape at one point but when the sun heats it up, it loosens and causes the camera to tilt downward, making images of the tank bag, speedo, and my toes

I have personally tested this solution up to 190mph and had absolutely no issues what-so-ever.

To close, I can highly recommend a setup like this if you are into taking high-quality photos while riding your motorcycle.

 

[donaldb]

:lol:

you forgot to advise this only works w/135,256 or above mp camera(s)

also heard the nascar tape works really good

 

[amansker]

ROTFLMAO!

 

[Duff]

Small, glove friendly digi-cam with a screen (v. view finder). Practice. Don't be dumb about it, either. Shoot your shots blind keeping your eyes on the road and not the shot. And definitely, a throttle lock helps, but here again, use it wisely when taking a shot.
Disclaimer: TWN does not recommend or condone the taking of photographs with hand-held photographic equipment while riding a motorcycle. You risk dieing or worse! Do so at your own peril.

Ditto!

10MP Pentax digicam on a lanyard... been doing it that way for years.

NEVER watch the picture!... watch the road and be ready to let the camera drop at ANY moment. That is why I have a lanyard. I have let it go on more than one accasion. Cameras are cheaper than bikes/humans.

 

[BFehklar]

Doing the hand held or lanyard thing makes me nervous so I opted for a camera mount. I used the gas cap mount system since I already had a tankbag that used the mount. Got it here: TwistedThrottle - Vibration Damped Camera Mount

I use my left hand to turn on the camera and press the shutter button. I don't look at the camera - I just guess for framing - sometimes I get some nice pictures - other times nothing special. One of these days I'll graduate to the hand held lanyard technique that DCarver uses.

Here are some pics of my setup:

Here are some sample pics taken with a Canon PowerShot A590 IS

I like having the rear view mirror in the pictures - gives me two shots in one.

 

[johnny80s]

Type motorcycle camera mount on ebay, grasshopper...

Went to e-bay and bought this clicky

Will let you know how it works out.

 

[Bungie]

After all the talk here about snapping shots while on the move, I just had to try it out. My current digicam is a 4Mp Minolta I bought about 5 years ago (for about $850!). Its getting a little long on the tooth but still functions fine.

So I was shopping around for an A720 as suggested. Then lo 'n behold, last night Staples (just like Office Depot) has Canon a580's (8Mp, 4x optical, digic) on for $98! Thats a deal thats hard to pass up! So I ran over at lunch time and picked one up along with a 4Gb card (as well as 2 2Gb cards for my video recorder.. $20!).

Amazing how the price drops over time.. I'll let ya know how I make out with in. (Just in time for EOM!)

 

[canyonman]

took these free hand with kodak easyshare

If I stop I use an olympus sp-550uz. great camera for the price.

 

[madmike2]

Taking photos while riding..., How does everyone do it without a pillion??

1.) Carefully

2.) Choose your time & place with wisdom

. . . .[SIZE=8pt]Example: Traveling @ 60+ mph in a 45 mph corner is NOT good timing![/SIZE]