Shots From The Bars

[BonusVFR]

No this thread is not about this……….Although it is just as much fun but not particularly productive or praiseworthy.

From VFR bars the shots are lasting and ultimately pleasing as well conducive to long term memory and better trip reports. AND even if the shot is poor it does not leave a bad taste in your mouth. Memories!!!!!!!!!!!

Sedonna

Over the top in the Sierras

About to make the pass and the only MCs I passed on the trip. Heading East on AZ 60 about this time two years ago towards Globe and 191.

On the way to the North Rim of Grand Canyon - ie system works great on both bikes.

Crater Lake

Lots of VFRD members shoot from the bars (beats from the hip) – some use videos but I STILL prefer still. Of course, HS does both – look at his latest in Monument Valley.

I have used both my first generation Canon Digital Elf (2 meg – S100) or the current gen Lumix (7 meg - LS70) Panasonic cameras on my left grip RAM mount. Both are wide angle compact cameras. More about the cameras later.

I prefer the camera on the left Grip RAM mount and keep the Zumo on the Tank Mount. I have settled on the long RAM bar to lift the camera over the screen on the VFR and over the vent on the Wing.

From the left grip it is easy to operate the only two controls that matter – on/off and shoot! Sometimes even a zoom!

Ultimately, I may go to a brake reservoir mount as it looks cleaner. And your clutch housing is less likely to move.

Next Why I use two cameras - RAM and one in the tank bag.

[BonusVFR]

Nice post... :thumbsup:

Is that the 5.25" clamp on the handlebar mount? Does it shoot over the windscreen?

It is the standard "R-A-M motorcycle mount for clutch/brake reservoir" setup. I will try to find more pics.

Will talk about Pro/cons of Windscreen later. Shoot over the VFR and thru the Wing though!

[Guest]

There was already that much snow????? Wild!!!!!

[BonusVFR]

On tour, I use two cameras - saves wear and tear and droppppping! One Camera on the RAM and the other in the trunk/tank bag for walking and get the bike/ in the frame shots. Ie prove you were there shots.

I use this RAM camera adapter to screw on the camera …………..

about $10 attachment screw mount for Camera

As a result when you jump off, it is a PITA to take the RAM camera off and then back on for repeated scenic stops. Once is ok but a stop every 10 miles does not cut it. This is on my Sierras tour in 06 ............back when I took the camera off. Too much hassle means one thing – no pictures!

You can see the Screw standing tall :unsure:. :thumbsup:

Better to leave it on all the time. Obviously you can still take photos from the RAM camera when you stop but ……………..

.........when you step off the bike grab the other camera.

I think one time in an internet daze, I saw a camera quick disconnect mount that worked with the tripod screw mount but have no idea where or when……….

So when you want the obligatory shot to show the bike/steed was there.

You take your camera out of your tank bag/trunk. Off RT36 in Northern California.

Lassen NP – somebody wanted more snow??

I use a Kodak with 10x zoom to get the walk arounds. I have put this bigger camera on the RAM mount once and it was just too bulky.

This means that your RAM camera is always available to take the shots that you would never get from a tankbag or even around your neck

You take shots you could never get with a stop ...............even if you took the time.

Or when your riding buddy has to stop 3ft into the week long ride so his wife can help him read his Zumo screen and remind him to be a good boy. You can circle back and snap without taking off all that F………. gear!!!!

For BailyRock Eyes Only……………..Please Note that is a LIGHT PEWTER METALLIC BOX behind the ………..well GRAY BMW Rt1100

Next Security………..

[Dutchy]

Thanks!

With X-mas approaching with the inevitable questions "what do you want for X-mas" this is it :thumbsup:

[BonusVFR]

I use a sophisticated cloaking device for security. see Romulansbirdofprey.com for more details

A better shot of the Cloaking in action - you can barely see it :beer:

it uses 12 volt power which I run from my aux fuse box.

to keep them guessing sometimes I use the Old beat up Black Helmet defense or What a POS!

Or No Defense

In the evening of course, the camera comes off so you can get a burger shot (see Sebspeeds Album). I find it is actually faster to remove the RAM mount and the camera as a unit. Watch for the bolts on your RAM arm to explode all over the parking lot. :pissed:

Compact/small cameras are best for the evenings when you can stick them in a pocket and have a brew.

Next thru the screen or over and more on RAM mount

[Snafu]

Does the camera get dirty with bugs and stuff being mounted there?

[BonusVFR]

Does the camera get dirty with bugs and stuff being mounted there?

I was just getting to that...................

Hint ................kind of depends if you live in Florida or California.

No water and plenty of dry heat..............equals no bugs. Vegetation and bugs don't do well in Fires!

San Diego Landscape circa 2007 fire season.

C14 coming up on my tail ....................... has the biggest stinger in MCing.

Another shot of the mount sans camera.

More on bugs next <_<

[Guest]

That shot of Mt Lassen wasn't anytime recently. It's been two years since we had that much snow.

[BonusVFR]

That shot of Mt Lassen wasn't anytime recently. It's been two years since we had that much snow.

Late May this year...........2007

Not sure if this was from my RAM camera or not. The Top

RAM Zumo shots............ :unsure:

Great road coming up from the South BTW.

[BonusVFR]

Here is the RAM mount which you could put on the left or right bars. This is pretty much what comes with the Zumo kit too.

I did try the Two Ball setup but it interferes with the tank at full lock. Maybe ok with bar extenders/risers etc

The Two Ball mount on left grip works fine on the Wing. But you have lots of room too.

I was a tough towing this tent trailer. :rolleyes:

I have settled on the long RAM bar to lift the camera over the screen on the VFR and to ensure no Full Frontal vent shots on the Wing.

Shooting over the screen eliminates the distortion of the VFR windscreen particularly when panning or shooting to the side. I think snapping straight ahead thru the screen will work if you are worried about bug and mung flotsam on your camera.

Slewing ………….Looking West while heading North on 395 out of Bridgeport CA

Lake Tahoe to the right off Mt Rose

There is little screen distortion on the Wing but once you have seen one Vent shot you have seen enough. I now use the long arm so that the Vent is not in the middle of the viewfinder.

Much Better

Bug hits on the lens are not a major problem out West, except if you are human. And yes that is pewter hair.

Next Damage and doing the Twist.

[BonusVFR]

Now there maybe a down side to my two camera system and all that twisting.

I keep an Allen wrench in my tank bag in case the clutch housing moves a little – like trying to get this Mystery VFR in CO??????

RAM mounted cameras are the only way to get these kind of spontaneous shots.

Or this priceless take away of mighty Buffalo somewhere out of Bluff UT.

Wonder where they came up with the name Bluff - somewhere between Mexican Hat and Blanding. And you do not have to take off your GD gear to get this shot.

Downtown?

This is what my Canon looked like when it went on Social Security…………..early retirement due to repeated road abuse and mauling. As somebody said once about people........it is not the age but the mileage. Also note the cumulative bug strikes from multiple tours. Not too bad really but the West is dry.

Those high tech elastic retention devices are supposed to hold the Memory card and Battery doors on and what is inside. I would have to credit rough handling with the doors being ripped off. Parenthetically, the bands did not work. Have you ever tried to ride a 900lb motorcycle and watch your memory card fly out?

Don’t! I did not get a good shot of that dance.

Well my new state of the art machine, the Panasonic, should last a lifetime……………………

Well 1.25 tours anyway.

Gouldings Campground in AZ/UT……………..good

Creede CO

Some Crater out of Flagstaff (My favorite gateway to the Other West)

More shots when I roll out my CO trip Report………someday!

I was planning a “The best of San Diego Ride Report” so I took a weekend to document the great rides in San Diego.

Cuyamaca State park/ RT79 – Ironically the sight of major fires in San Diego in 2003 – still recovering

A hint of a problem

Then on the way climbing the Hill from Palm Springs on 74, Palms to Pines highway,

the focus was…………for crap on one of the great stretches in California.

Going going……………..

GONE

And it got worse…………I had to return early the next day because my house was under threat of fires AGAIN!

My shot of the Whiteout on Interstate 15 in the Santa Ana Winds did not come out -- pity!

Now my Panasonic is in for warranty repair………………..

Next Camera Features you should look for besides reliability :beer: <_<

[BonusVFR]

Camera Features and Setting I like

The features I look for in a RAM camera:

 At least 5 meg resolution or more (this is not an issue anymore). The Panasonic has 7meg.

 SD card – I want both cameras and the Zumo to use one type of memory card. SD card now seems to be the defacto standard.

 For a RAM mount, Zoom capability is less important than a wild field of view. With high res you can blow up the picture later anyway. You want to aim in the general direction and with wide angle you rarely miss a shot

 Auto focus is standard now on everything

 Image Stabilization

 And most importantly easy on/off with gloves

 Burst mode would be nice to catch that perfect shot but………..I dunno

The Panasonic is the only camera I have found with a slide on/off switch (back left on photo) which is tons easier to operate with MC gloves that a recessed button...............especially if you are in the process of trying to determine if your batteries are fading.

Most cameras have the default auto focus mode plus a Scenic/Scenery mode (sometimes called Landscape) for distant scenery. I leave mine in Auto most of the time but when you have a moving target occasionally you miss. So scenery mode would work well most of the time.

Auto focus gives the capability to catch short range subjects without remembering and then changing camera modes.

But Autofocus is not all good. Think bugs and road gooooo here tooooooo!

Depending on your camera Scenery/landscape may focus in as close as 20ft or so. Here is a Landscape mode shot. BTW these are San Diego back country burned trees and a melted fence not lovely FALL foliage.

Next Those Batteries – Only a Mother would love em

[BonusVFR]

Remarkably, I retrieved my repaired Panasonic Lumix from BestBuy yesterday (about two weeks). They worked with Panasonic to get it fixed – no charge. I did not think anybody fixed electronics these days………..And no extended warranty either.

While I was waiting for the Panasonic repair, I strapped on the big Kodak and took this zoom Concours 14 shot into a large Wing mirror. I had to prove again it could be done. I was tiptoeing thru one way fire damaged road closures in San Diego.

Mirror C14 shot via a Wing Mirror

I still prefer the classic RAM mirror shot though.......

Lovely downtown Bridgeport on 395.

My favorite MC destination - any guess?

Batteries are a problem on tour!! They are a PITA.

Prior to the Panasonic, which uses regular AAs or rechargeable AAs, I had the following battery portfolio.

Two unique batteries for my 10X telephoto Kodak – plus the AC charger

Two equally unique/different batteries for my RAM Canon - plus the different (of course) AC charger

AA rechargeable batteries for my two FRS/GMRS radios plus the AC charger.

DC and AC charger for my Cell phone – no extra battery

Mercifully, I do not need my AC charger for the Zumo as the 12volt direct MC mount hookup charges enough for my nightly route reviews in my dive/tent/chow.

This is on top of my non electronic don’t forget check list!!!!

On tour, I find typical camera battery packs last about two days with moderate to heavy use. The power save feature on modern electronics helps but the third day on tour can be problematic and therefore undocumented.

.

Because of the near certainty that my tent site will not have AC power, I carry two sets of batteries or two devices so that I will not power down.

Morning in Yosemite

Morning in Monument V

Sometimes you can grab an outlet in a “facility” but often you are fighting SomeBerry for the plug. In cold weather, obviously battery life deteriorates.

One of the reasons, I bought the Panasonic was to reduce the variety of batteries/chargers I carry. Although in a lab setting individual non standardized batteries last longer than AA batteries, convenience trumps any performance gain now. For me simplicity is good and rules. In a jam I can get AAs anywhere - even crappy ones.

[VFR4Lee]

And yes that is pewter hair.

But Pewter died a year and a half ago. What are you doing with my dead cats hair? :goofy:

Also your title made me think you were serving up a nice fat straight line for some jokes.

But the very first pic ruined them all. :pissed:

J/K, there's some good shots there. :thumbsup:

I should probably RTFM on my cameras manual. It's only 60 pages or something. :rolleyes:

[BonusVFR]

And yes that is pewter hair.

But Pewter died a year and a half ago. What are you doing with my dead cats hair? :goofy:

Also your title made me think you were serving up a nice fat straight line for some jokes.

But the very first pic ruined them all. :goofy:

J/K, there's some good shots there. :thumbsup:

I should probably RTFM on my cameras manual. It's only 60 pages or something. :unsure:

My Cat is still hanging in there............killed two rats yesterday and got his fanny kicked by a Tom today! Looking for a RAM shot now!

The first Pic is one of my favorite tour moments...On the way to Sourthern Sierras this Spring. The Marine (forever no matter how old) had 3 purple hearts and 4 wives but who is complaining. I think the wives hurt more!

My biggest problem in school was RTFQ. Now it's RTFM!!! But it does help ...........even if the half life on what to do is about 15 seconds.........CRS :goofy:

The repaired Panasonic seems to be working though!

More Fire Damage off RT 94 - Dulzura. BTW newly repaved!!!!

In Landscape mode/scene - check the manual! This may be my default setting from now on.

[V4 Rosso]

Use of AA batteries is a requirement for my next compact camera. Current rechargeable AA have a larger capacity than most camera specific batteries. And, like you said, you can buy replacements everywhere or take a charger with you that fits into the auxiliary plug.

[FotoMoto]

Use of AA batteries is a requirement for my next compact camera. Current rechargeable AA have a larger capacity than most camera specific batteries. And, like you said, you can buy replacements everywhere or take a charger with you that fits into the auxiliary plug.

This is my standard recommendation also.

Another idea for ram mount users: an underwater case but it may not have a tripod mount. Somewhat expensive but cheap in the long run if your killing cameras due to the extreme conditions.

[BonusVFR]

While I was waiting for my Panasonic to get fixed I tried my first RAM video on my Kodak 10X. Lots to learn - focus, sound, light and that is just the start of the process!!!!

Did not even get into Video editing etc! - Read the manual all over again.

This really sucks batteries.

Most digital cameras now can take a video.

My favorite stretch just East of my house.

Otay Lakes Road - You have to click too/two many times but I will get it figured out or put it on YouTube when it is worth something...........Maybe.

I need some lessons ...........back to school again. It never ends! STILL having fun for a C student!

[BonusVFR]

I found a shot from the tour archives a couple of years ago. This shows the view from behind the screen on a 5th gen.

Note the distortion to the sides. This is Joshua Tree and it was cold in February.

And you have to clean the screen more.

[BonusVFR]

Just a quick update on my Lumix still camera.

The camera mount/plastic thread got screwed (appropriate term) up when I took the camera off the RAM mount too many times. I was able to jury rig a new set of threads by finding a generic $1.00 part I found at a camera shop but there is no separate threaded part from Panasonic. Still have not found a bettter on/off switch to operate with gloves than the Panasonic though.

I also found out that this camera is very susceptible to bug hits. Even tiny spots will prevent the lens protective curtain from openning. The lens still goes out with power but the doors are shut or only open partially.

The solution is clean clean clean. Not my strong suit.

I tried running the camera with the Medium RAM bar for my trip to Washington State.

It does provide more protection to the lens but I find I have to slew more than with the long RAM arm. Of course the windshield is in the way more and there are some focus issues but.............

Most likely I will go back to the Long RAM in the future and just leave the camera in Scenic Mode too.

[BonusVFR]

Better shot of the camera location with the med ARM. The Zumo is tucked in there with a Long ARM off the tank mount.

[BonusVFR]

Well another VFR tour is in the bag and I have more lessons learned from my RAM camera.

There were some shots from the RAM camera in Canada. Frankly you just do not get these pictures unless you take some shots at the bars.

And whose VFR is that near the Crowsnest Highway on Canada RT3 west of Creston???? With a SV650 in drag.

First the new gear:

My Panasonic Lumix camera failed for the third time and last time...two warranty repairs and I gave up after just a year. Maybe too many KLR rides but.........really. I got years out of my first generation Canon digital Elf to include multiple drop tests. The Lumix was the most unreliable camera I have ever owned - as I wrote Panasonic this was my first and last Panasonic.

I replaced it with a Kodak with the following key attributes. The brand of the camera is not critical but this is what I look for:

1. Inexpensive and expendible as a RAM camera is likely to suffer some physical abuse and could well be pinched if security suffers/lapses. I remove the camera at night but that is it.

2. Has to have easily selected SCENIC or LANDSCAPE mode.

3. Easy on/off switch that you can operate with gloves - critical feature.

4. Antiblur capability

5. Double AA batteries to reduce on the road battery problems

6. SD card

More than 3X Zoom is not a driving requirement as wide angle shots are the norm from the Bars. Frankly its 9.2 MP resolution is not a driver either these days as any new camera will have better resolution than your last.

Gosh it is Cheap....but the C913 Kodak works

Next my latest RAM setup.

[Guest]

So you're making all of these shots in "green box" mode on the cameras?

[BonusVFR]

So you're making all of these shots in "green box" mode on the cameras?

Not sure what you mean here.

I now use Scenic/Landscape mode almost exclusively which eliminates focus requirements and eliminates time lag too. Most cameras seem to have a quick action button with Jagged peaks/flowers to switch between, which is the same thing.

I do not use the viewfinder/screen whatever. I just twist/point the camera in the general direction, push the button and hope for the best. One of the advantages of modern high res camera is that you can crop and enlarge to get the image you want without greatly impacting image quality.

In the past I used the auto focus more but now I only use the normal/defaultauto focus mode when I am doing weird stuff like this. Cold that day! It is very easy to switch modes on this camera which is another attribute perhaps to look for.

Or something relatively close like this creature - although I did not take this shot. You just do not want to take off all your gear sometimes.