Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Nashcruiser]

Only curious as I rarely even brace my IPhone to maintain stillness. I carried so much gear all my photographic life that I was thrilled when I found my iPhone could take decent pics, even in fairly low light.

I agree that the iPhone has come a long way but I only have a 7 with the one wide angle lens. When I’ve come across wildlife it leaves me wanting more. Also, I hate portraits with wide angle lenses. The gear load is a pain and I don’t think I’m going to chance carting my 300mm f/2.8 with 2x converter on the bike. But I’d love to find a way.

 

[Dallant]

I agree that the iPhone has come a long way but I only have a 7 with the one wide angle lens. When I’ve come across wildlife it leaves me wanting more. Also, I hate portraits with wide angle lenses. The gear load is a pain and I don’t think I’m going to chance carting my 300mm f/2.8 with 2x converter on the bike. But I’d love to find a way.

Yeah, carrying real pricey/heavy camera gear/lenses on a bicycle is just beyond my desire to do anymore. My wife took this one along the road in Yellowstone last month. It was our last day there and she used my iPhone while I pulled the truck over to the side of the road. I shot the pic of the goat from about 50-75 ft. away on Beartooth Pass in Montana. The ducks were in a pond by a brewery in Bozeman, MT.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Yeah, carrying real pricey camera gear/lenses on a bicycle is just beyond my desire to do anymore.

@David Berry: any opinion on Sony Alpha 7C?

 

[Koi Fish]

I wanted to crow a bit about my 40 mile ride!

I rode from my house to the trailhead then to the end of the trail, then back again. It was a blast and I had 48% battery left (on 17amp hours) when I finished up. Not bad for losing those extra pounds and having a great time in the outdoors!

 

[minigrrl]

Mind your head!

View attachment 102028

Moreton Bay Cycleway
Redcliffe Peninsula​

I've ridden this beachside stretch of the Moreton Bay Cycleway for around fifteen years and watched this mature tulip tree bend over backwards in its attempt to block our progress.

Another year before the council workers attend the scene with orange hazard tape and chainsaws?

Rode under that very tree yesterday... Hopefully they leave it alone!

 

[Nashcruiser]

Yeah, carrying real pricey/heavy camera gear/lenses on a bicycle is just beyond my desire to do anymore. My wife took this one along the road in Yellowstone last month. It was our last day there and she used my iPhone while I pulled the truck over to the side of the road. I shot the pic of the goat from about 50-75 ft. away on Beartooth Pass in Montana. The ducks were in a pond by a brewery in Bozeman, MT.View attachment 102272

I understand your sentiment but with a battery powered bike I feel just the opposite. My bike will allow me to get to places and be my mule all in one. BTW, nice pics.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I understand your sentiment but with a battery powered bike I feel just the opposite. My bike will allow me to get to places and be my mule all in one. BTW, nice pics.

I crashed my Pentax K-1 DSLR on one of my mountain rides. The pannier detached because of the terrain vibration and the heavy lens tore the front of the camera out. It didn't help the camera had been wrapped in spare clothes. And the repair tool a long time and was very expensive. That made me reluctant to carry a heavy/expensive camera on my rides.

If I ever bought a high quality camera for use on e-bike, it should be:

• Of top optical quality
• Lightweight
• Compact.

It is still problematic where I could securely carry such a camera; the handlebar bag cannot be used with my e-bikes.

 

[Nashcruiser]

I crashed my Pentax K-1 DSLR on one of my mountain rides. The pannier detached because of the terrain vibration and the heavy lens tore the front of the camera out. It didn't help the camera had been wrapped in spare clothes. And the repair tool a long time and was very expensive. That made me reluctant to carry a heavy/expensive camera on my rides.

If I ever bought a high quality camera for use on e-bike, it should be:

• Of top optical quality
• Lightweight
• Compact.

It is still problematic where I could securely carry such a camera; the handlebar bag cannot be used with my e-bikes.

There is a risk to it, for sure. I’m not on a mountain bike though. The terrain I’m on is mostly paved. Which will also include automobiles that are certainly a threat. But for the most part I’m riding in areas that are parks or backroads that are pretty safe. I have debated a new compact camera. Like phones, they have come along way. Might be in my future.

 

[Dallant]

I crashed my Pentax K-1 DSLR on one of my mountain rides. The pannier detached because of the terrain vibration and the heavy lens tore the front of the camera out. It didn't help the camera had been wrapped in spare clothes. And the repair tool a long time and was very expensive. That made me reluctant to carry a heavy/expensive camera on my rides.

If I ever bought a high quality camera for use on e-bike, it should be:

• Of top optical quality
• Lightweight
• Compact.

It is still problematic where I could securely carry such a camera; the handlebar bag cannot be used with my e-bikes.

I carry my iPhone in any of 3 bags I might use. I even shoot some handheld video now and then with my iPhone as the 12 Pro has very good stabilization. I also use it to control my old GoPro, which I don’t generally share footage from.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I carry my iPhone in any of 3 bags I might use. I even shoot some handheld video now and then with my iPhone as the 12 Pro has very good stabilization. I also use it to control my old GoPro, which I don’t generally share footage from.

I take ride pictures with a Samsung S21 Ultra, which I carry in a deep back pocket of my jerseys or jackets. I also pay with that phone, so I make sure the phone is safely transported. Yet I hate the picture quality of that 5-lens camera. The pictures are painfully over-sharpened. I also miss the dynamic range of a large camera sensor, not even mentioning the proper interchangeable lens has excellent optical quality. On the other hand, I'm not very much interested in photography nowadays.

 

[Dallant]

I understand your sentiment but with a battery powered bike I feel just the opposite. My bike will allow me to get to places and be my mule all in one. BTW, nice pics.

I get it. Best of luck.
As a former professional photo/video shooter/producer for many years, I just got sick of all the equipment. I could figure a way to carry it on my Allant+7 but just don’t want to anymore. The iPhone does everything I need it to do. If I was printing large images, a larger camera sensor would be more important.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Local kids who 'made good'…

Bee Gees, Redcliffe​

Quite some time ago (the late 1950s!) these three boys (born on the Isle of Man, but living in Queensland) went to the same Redcliffe primary school that our granddaughter attends.

It was on the Redcliffe Peninsula that their professional career began. There was just one problem: what to call themselves! Until they were spotted by a local radio presenter, they had simply been the Brothers Gibb playing for tossed coins at a motorcycle speedway (owner, Barry Goode). The radio deejay (Bill Gates, no less) asked their mother (Barbara Gibb) to allow them to sign a professional contract, and the eldest brother (Barry Gibb) chose the all-to-obvious name, Bee Gees.

The iPhone does everything I need it to do.

Whoops! This photo reveals that my iPhone 12 Pro is still attached to the Homage's handlebar! (And the front bag is open.)

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The iPhone does everything I need it to do.

Whatever you do, a smartphone won't ensure the right optical quality.

Not that this photo is especially good, no. Yet show me so shallow depth-of-field with your iPhone.

(But you're happy with the Purion, aren't you) Sorry Dallant "DRail"! I had to say that!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Local kids who 'made good'…

David: That's the optical quality I seek!

 

[Dallant]

Whatever you do, a smartphone won't ensure the right optical quality.

View attachment 102290
Not that this photo is especially good, no. Yet show me so shallow depth-of-field with your iPhone.

(But you're happy with the Purion, aren't you) Sorry Dallant "DRail"! I had to say that!

You’ve spent the last few months kissing David’s butt trying to learn what camera he’s using. Shows how little you really know. Pretty ugly image to use to sell it. Sorry, had to say it.
Mr. Berry has a great eye and his images are great. If you had any eye or knowledge you’d realize it isn’t really optical quality but image processing (either in the camera or by computer) that makes modern images look so good. Stick to your Strava ego boost.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You’ve spent the last few months kissing David’s butt trying to learn what camera he’s using. Shows how little you really know. Pretty ugly image to use to sell it. Sorry, had to say it.

He's a good photographer in the first place. Unlike you

 

[Deleted member 18083]

@David Berry: Any opinion on Sony Alpha 7C?

No… but I'll comment anyway because its retro-styling appeals to me: real knobs and dials!

It's also compact and has an electronic viewfinder. As far as I am aware, Sony has chosen to bypass optical viewfinders.

One thing to check on any interchangeable-lens camera:

Does the shutter close, thereby protecting the sensor, when the camera is switched off?​

If the sensor is visible to us when lenses are changed, there's a good ('bad', actually) chance that the sensor will be exposed to dust.

Of course, there are other factors that determine which new camera to choose; for example, owning a fabulous 300mm f2.8 lens would probably ensure brand loyalty. (Wish I had one of those!)

DPReview on the Sony Alpha 7C.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thank you David. I read the DP review already. Am sceptical.

If you had any eye or knowledge you’d realize it isn’t really optical quality but image processing (either in the camera or by computer) that makes modern images look so good.

I use digital image processing on a daily basis.
Only you cannot make a cow to become a horse, even with digital processing. And you cannot make over-sharpened, low DR, and noisy smartphone photos as good as ones coming from the full-frame sensor.

Stick to your Strava ego boost.

I might say: "I used E-Bike Strava Segments before it was popular"

 

[DiggyGun]

Years ago on my travels, I used to have a Canon EOS 35mm film camera and a Canon Video tape camera. Was a bit of a pain heaving to carry two items around, but was the only way to do if then. I then produced a montage show of the photos and a video of the trip.

After that I moved on to a Panasonic LUMIX digital camera that took pictures and video. Again produced the same output.

Now I use an iPhone 11 Pro Max. Also now only produce a single montage combining a mixture of photos and videos.

Overall, using just the phone I find much easier than lugging two pieces or one piece of extra equipment around in addition to the phone. It’s also much quicker and simpler to film, just point and shoot (the quality is fine for me and my family). I’ve probably got more content now because of this not having to worry, what setting to use, should I use the camera or video?

I admit that I have looked at the latest digital offerings and ended up not getting one due to the simplicity of using the phone. One type of holiday that I do enjoy, as well as cycling, is escorted coach battlefield tours. Using the phone, usually hung around my neck, as well as giving me good pictures, gives the additional benefit of recording where the location is. This helps with the context of the tour and when adding labels to the montage film. Also, editing the photos, if required, on the coach is an easy thing to do.

 

[Dallant]

Years ago on my travels, I used to have a Canon EOS 35mm film camera and a Canon Video tape camera. Was a bit of a pain heaving to carry two items around, but was the only way to do if then. I then produced a montage show of the photos and a video of the trip.

After that I moved on to a Panasonic LUMIX digital camera that took pictures and video. Again produced the same output.

Now I use an iPhone 11 Pro Max. Also now only produce a single montage combining a mixture of photos and videos.

Overall, using just the phone I find much easier than lugging two pieces or one piece of extra equipment around in addition to the phone. It’s also much quicker and simpler to film, just point and shoot (the quality is fine for me and my family). I’ve probably got more content now because of this not having to worry, what setting to use, should I use the camera or video?

I admit that I have looked at the latest digital offerings and ended up not getting one due to the simplicity of using the phone. One type of holiday that I do enjoy, as well as cycling, is escorted coach battlefield tours. Using the phone, usually hung around my neck, as well as giving me good pictures, gives the additional benefit of recording where the location is. This helps with the context of the tour and when adding labels to the montage film. Also, editing the photos, if required, on the coach is an easy thing to do.

Wifey and I visited beautiful New Zealand on vacation back in the ’80s. I insisted on dragging my full sized Calumet 4x5” with two lenses, my Century Graphic with two lenses, my Nikon with three lenses. Fantastic optics and the best films I could get at the time. Had a great time and some great images but got sick of dragging so much stuff around in the small compact car we rented.
As a pro videographer, I often carried over 60 lbs of camera, recorder (yes, before camcorders), tripod, batteries and tape around on all day shoots, including inside a nuclear reactor building in 90+ degree temps with me and my equipment wrapped in plastic to protect from contamination. Followed firefighters training up stairs with simulated smoke and flew around hanging outside helicopters as scientists darted elk.
Bottom line is I‘ve just been there and done that and certainly understand why folks want to carry more & better gear. Years ago I went whole hog for digital and light weight and I’m glad I did. My iPhone is all I need.