What are your MUST HAVE items for an on the go moto photo shoot?

[Mistyz]

I'm getting my Christmas list started and am curious what you all consider a must have for your photo setups on moto trips. Please share! :teeth

[Roadstergal]

dSLR.

Tripod.

Hard luggage to put them in.

In a pinch, my P&S does just fine, and is tank-bag-size.

[Mistyz]

dSLR.

Tripod.

Hard luggage to put them in.

In a pinch, my P&S does just fine, and is tank-bag-size.

What model tripod? :)

[norcal99]

As for myself, the trust DSLR (still using my 10D) and usually 2 to 3 lenses. I'll usually bring my Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 which is decently wide and has a midrange zoom. It's always nice to have a wide angle lens when shooting bikes/cars so I'll bring the 17-40 f/4L and although I rarely use it, the 70-200mm f/2.8L. On top of lens choices, I make sure to have a good circular polarizing filter which helps to cut back on glare if shooting during sunlight and also makes the blues and other colors pop out more. In essence, it makes photos look like they have a bit more contrast while cutting down on glare. Get yourself a good tripod while you're at it. This is often overlooked for daytime shooting but it will make a world of difference (Manfrotto/ Bogen makes awesome tripods). White balance is something overlooked as well so look into a set of 18% grey cards and set a custom white balance to get the true colors that your eye is seeing. Otherwise, you probably won't need a flash but an external flash is recommended with some sort of flash diffuser to reduce hot spots when shooting.

I realize this is probably more than you wanted to know but if you're on a budget, nothing beats a Canon point and shoot with some heavy photoshop :thumbup

[Roadstergal]

A great P&S for the price:
http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-EasyShare-Z612-Digital-Optical/dp/B000DZHA6O/
A great fold-up tripod, on my Christmas list:
http://www.rtsphoto.com/html/cullm2.html
http://www.amazon.com/Cullmann-Magic-Tripod-Ball-Socket/dp/B00005KHSM

My SLR is the Olympus E500 - I got it used when my friend upgraded. It's more camera than I am competent to use, so I'm going to have it for a while. I'll upgrade when I'm a better shot.

I agree wholeheartedly on the rec of a circular polarizer. I have one for both SLR lenses and the P&S. When I remember to bring them, they're great. :(

[sidewazzz]

Canon 20D or better
70-200 F2.8 or F4
100-400 F4
300 f2.8

Your best bet would be to rent the lenses rather than buy cuz it'll run you the same as a new 600:nerd

[sidewazzz]

Tripod.

.


What the heck would you need a tripod for?

[Mistyz]

Thanks for posting what you bring. I appreciate the point and shoot recommendations, but I've got a dSLR Canon XTi with the 18-55 kit lens. Everyone and their mother has this one. :teeth I'm looking at a couple Sigma zooms but really don't feel that I HAVE to have them just yet. I still have a lot to learn.

Roadstergal, I like that that tripod can be used as a monopod as well. I'll be looking up some reviews for it. Thanks! :thumbup

[Mistyz]

Canon 20D or better
70-200 F2.8 or F4
100-400 F4
300 f2.8

Your best bet would be to rent the lenses rather than buy cuz it'll run you the same as a new 600:nerd

My thoughts exactly! Until I know my life would be empty without a $1-3k lens, I'll just pay $30-90 to play with it. :laughing

[Roadstergal]

What the heck would you need a tripod for?

I use it to hold the camera steady for long exposures, but I'm sure there are more original uses. :)

People I know who take far better action shots than I swear by a good monopod for pans, too.

[TylerW]

I'm surprised that no one in here has mentioned the 50mm f/1.8.

Oh wait, I just did.

if I'm on the hoof somewhere and I have no idea what my shooting day will involve and I don't want to bring the full kit, my 17-40mm f/4 goes in my bag along with the 50mm f/1.8. the wide angle zoom is my general walkaround these days, while the prime lens gets me out of trouble once I've gotten into it.

Other than that, I tailor my kit to what I'm going to be shooting, or I just bring everything. But most of the time, the 17-40 does it all. I walked around manhattan one day shooting outside, indoors, in subway stations and everything in between with nothing but that lens in front of my camera.

[djscred]

hu tank mount pod!!!!
just got mine and it brings so much life to your pic/action pics!

[pitslave]

They also sell bean bags that attach to the bottom of cameras so u can just prop the camera up on any uneven surface and its much more portable than a tripod

[watsgowinon]

What model tripod? :)

Can't go wrong with a Bogen-Manfrotto tripod. I might sell mine soon. I'll let you know for sure.

I just sold a Giottos monopod here not too long ago. My friend is selling his too. It's exactly like mine. I'd recommend it if you don't have a battery grip installed on your XTi

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa156/autosportaddict/IMG_5839.jpg

[Roadstergal]

They also sell bean bags that attach to the bottom of cameras so u can just prop the camera up on any uneven surface and its much more portable than a tripod

This is what I'm making do with at the moment - the REI minipod. It can attach to poles, twigs, handlebars, etc, and is teeny.

http://www.rei.com/product/411061

[VillageIdiot]

lipstick :)

[Roadstergal]

Where do you put it?

[VillageIdiot]

uh...Pocket? yeah pocket sounds good right? :)

[John-O]

I have a pretty big setup when I go to shoot motos. Nikon D200, with an 18-70 /f3.5 for stuff happenin' around the paddock, a 70-200 f/2.8 with a 2x teleconverter for a lil more reach on the track, and a 50 f/1.4 when the sun goes down. I can carry all this around in a slingbag at the track. When its time to go home it all fits neatly into a Pelican 1510 case along with my macbook.

[pitslave]

I have a pretty big setup when I go to shoot motos. Nikon D200, with an 18-70 /f3.5 for stuff happenin' around the paddock, a 70-200 f/2.8 with a 2x teleconverter for a lil more reach on the track, and a 50 f/1.4 when the sun goes down. I can carry all this around in a slingbag at the track. When its time to go home it all fits neatly into a Pelican 1510 case along with my macbook.

That's a lot of stuff to carry on a bike.

[pitslave]

This is what I'm making do with at the moment - the REI minipod. It can attach to poles, twigs, handlebars, etc, and is teeny.

http://www.rei.com/product/411061


Here's another option for a portable tripod. I have seen someone use this to attach their dslr to the chain link fence at Laguna Seca and used a wireless remote to take pictures.http://www.gorillapod.com/

[TylerW]

Here's another portable mini-pod: http://www.pedcopods.com/specsup2.htm

[norcal99]

OK I think we need some clarification. What exactly do you mean by moto photo shoot? Are you talking about taking pics of a still bike meaning you lug your gear in a backpack and hop on the bike, or shooting moto GP? That will ultimately affect what gear you decide to bring.

[Demoni]

The answer really depends on what you plan on shooting, how much stuff you want to carry and how much you want to spend.

Since you have the 18-55 I think the best bet for a second lens would be something to get you out to 200mm at least (300 if you can). 18mm is enough wide angle for most people ( I love my 12-24 I would go no where without it though). Can't really give you specific lens advice since I shoot nikon.

Mono pods are great since you can also use them for walking sticks on hikes too. If you plan of doing any long exposures or family photos a tripod is the better option. You can get a good mono pod for 30-80 and a good tripod from 70-500.

Stuff I carry with me when I am out shooting.
Nikon D70
12-24mm f/4
18-80mm f/2.8
70-300mm f/4
flash, filters, ballhead, pano rig, tripod, extra battery and memory card

Everything except for my tripod can fit into my tank bag (16L) when I need it to. Normally it all goes into my camera backpack.

[Wayneb]

I used to carry a cullman shoulder pod like this with me on my bike.
you can brace it on your shoulder.
http://www.cullmann-foto.de/en/products/tripods/travelpods/0080.htm

I never tried this one but I thought of buying it many times.
http://www.cullmann-foto.de/en/products/tripods/special/2702.htm

[ian408]

What is it that you want from your photos? For me, most of the time a good P&S is
enough. A Canon SD800is or maybe the new Canon G9--which is like a 40D without
interchangeable lenses. Either of these will give you good shots in most situations.

Unless you really need it, I wouldn't take a full on tripod. I take a little REI tripod.
It will hold a small P&S. Since my P&S has image stabilization, I can often hand hold
the shot. The REI 'pod can be easily stored in a tank bag and it's easily tied (using a
velcro strap) to the bars or something else for taller shots.

Rarely do I take anything more than a P&S. It's easy to carry on a lanyard and stuffed in
a pocket. I can shoot while riding :D

I do sometimes carry a dslr with a short zoom (24-105 f4) and medium length
zoom (70-200 f2.8) but only when I need the focal length. Examples would include
close up shots of high speed objects (P&S have a very noticeable shutter lag--the time
between when you press the shutter and the image is made on the sensor).

I'll give you some examples if you like. Let me know.


:wave TylerW

[Mistyz]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and for sharing what you use.

I've looked into the Gorillapod for a neat little tripod, but I had only seen the original and saw it couldn't handle the weight I need. I didn't see the other models, so thats good to know. The ultrapods look pretty promising too.

Basically, I was looking for what you feel YOU need for what YOU shoot, and what is worth lugging around to you for whatever you are going to shoot that day. I am mainly planning on going on rides and wandering off to take photos, and the occasional in motion bike pics. I am a little limited with my kit lens, but it still has a ton to teach me before I get into zooms.

[Rambeezi]

Maximum camera gear when riding is my 30D, Sigma 17-70mm 2.8, Nifty fifty, and my 420EX flash. Since I don't do landscape or much night shooting I don't lug around a tripod (its a Manfrotto 190 w/ Manfrotto ballhead) so it's pretty heavy for lugging around on a motorcycle. I have a few different types of backpacks/bags depending on what I want to carry but the above is max. carry gear. Currently I've just been carrying my 30D and the nifty fifty. :cool

[StreetRacr 67]

A lot of great replys here....

If you shoot in RAW, you might want to look into a WhiBal Card. Makes adjusting your white balance a breeze.
http://www.whibal.com/products/whibal/index.html
Lens Blower such as a Giottos.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Images/Other/Giottos-Rocket-Air-Blower.jpg
Double Bubble level.
http://www.pindelski.org/Blog/DoubleBubble.jpg
Lens Brush is always good to have around.
memory card holder....Im always misplacing my cf cards

[Mistyz]

A lot of great replys here....


Ohhh cool gadgets! I'm working on understanding RAW, so I may pick one up. :)

[Rambeezi]

Here is one of my favorite riding camera gear bags. Perfect for riding. Wear it on your back and whip it around when you stop and pull out the camera and shoot. Whip the camera back in, pull bag back on your back, and ride off without having to take it off completely. :cool Mine is a Velocity 7.

http://www.tamrac.com/frame_velocity.htm

[pitslave]

I have a Velocity 9 that I'm selling. If anybody is interested.

[elegost]

mah hoez, mah homiez, a pitbull on a chain.

[slydrite]

and make sure the hoez are not very attractive and wearing bikinis, while hanging out in a parking garage...

[greggargubby]

not to be a snob, but if you can afford an 18-200, it really is a great all-arounder. i shoot nikon, so i'm not sure if there is one available for canon, but i'd bet there is. for example, that supermoto photo thread (hammie tards) i put so much up in a few weeks ago, all those shots were taken with my 18-200, i didn't even bring another lens with me. that said, i just picked up a 12-24 today, so i might have a different answer tomorrow. :confused

i agree about the hard case. the most common brand i know of is pelican. for example, i have one that easily fits in my tank bag w/o having to remove my lens. so, i just toss the camera in the box, put the box in the tank bag, and away i go. i think it was about $60, maybe $70 or so. not sure. waterproof, too, so no worries if you get caught in the rain. not that this is much of a consideration, here, though. anyway, if you have a spill bad enough to damage your gear in one of those boxes, you'll likely have more to worry about than your camera. :(

also, i think a grip is worth the money. before i got it, i thought they were kinda BS and wasn't willing to spend the cash (they seemed to be a penis extender sort of thing to me). so i asked for one for xmas and mom got it for me. i have to admit, now i hate shooting without it because my camera feels so unbalanced and jittery.

oh, and the usuals: a spare memory card, extra batteries, etc, etc.