Hi photographicfartoolonganametotapoutonthistinycompu ter... x

When I went to the US for the first time (and bought the XR) I took my 'work' Canon DSLR kit in a Lowepro holster bag that went around my neck and hooked on my belt - either on my hip or infront of me for easy to access the camera...

However, one ride with that set up together with my rucksack and other luggage on the bike was enough - I ended up leaving the DSLR kit with my friends in Vegas and bought a $150 Fuji Finepix compact (A900 model - 9 megapixel), which has more than enough resolution for magazine work, and a good clear/bright lens and screen, plus a few 'modes' to get as bit creative with light, although I usually shoot in Auto (or Landscape if I don't want the flash...) to be honest...

All the pictures in the last two TBM series were taken with that camera, plus my trusty ever-faithful Sony U20 which I wear around my neck on a lanyard - one hand operation for on the bike, and so great for candid shots in bars etc where anything bigger could be obtrusive... it also works very well (better than the Fuji in fact) in low light conditions, and the (fixed) wide angle makes for some great shots too... The only downside is that the resolution is a little low (2 megapixel), but as long as they are not blown up too big, more than enough for TBM - nearly all my on bike stuff is taken with the Sony.

As for carrying the camera/s, as I say, the Sony is on a lanyard tucked into my jacket, and the Fuji in a Lowepro Rezo30 pouch on my jacket hip belt - I like to have the cameras easy to hand for that impromptu shot, and have found the Rezo pouch is surprisingly waterproof.

Personally, I've found that unless you want to do a lot of action and/or long range zoom stuff, the current crop of compacts are more than sufficent for magazine and/or book illustrations... Infact I've just got hold of a copy of the January 09 TBM here in the States, and am really pleased how some of those images of the XR650 turned out on the page?

Hope that helps...

Jenny xx

Old thread, I know, but if you want to save a bit of money (and not give any to Touratech :eusa_shhh:), their Pack-It cubes look to be just re-branded Eagle Creek items, and the originals don't benefit from the TT premium :002:

Good tip - these are the one I like!

the only bags worth using, on a really tough wet trip are andy strapz throw over panniers, made from the toughest canvas. as used by me for 2mths on sibirsky extreme.com. No probs. at all and they,ll float in deep water.

Old thread but good advice, I always wonder about strapping sleeping bag and roll matt into a dry bag and fixing it above a high front fender.

On my TTR I had a rack that sat over the headlight. As these are bulky but light items.:seasaw:

Stu, I carry my tent in a waterproof rollbag bungeed on as you are describing-

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...n/IMG_2592.jpg

Works very well, and no problems to speak of.

great photo and good tip i hadnt even tried that will do it for the next trip

cheers

Checklist
 

I found this and thought it was quite handy. You can modify it for yourself then print it off.

http://micapeak.com/checklists/mclist.html

Bit of fun and a useful tool for those new to the game. Certainly worth a quick look and like the way you can change it to suit. That said, once you have been away a couple of times I reckon that you have it off pat. Mind you 'there are those that like lists and those that just forget things' as my wife keeps telling me!

Thats a neat little tool my Dad loves organisation whereas I normally go for the chuck it all on at the last minute realise I have too much so half it then start again and half it and it seems about right.

Noting things you never use and not taking them again is a help too. Plus not doubling up on things if they are 2 or more bikes going