Where would you go from here . . . ?

[CJS]

The response I had from my 'photography and pedal power' thread was most encouraging . . . I've not been out on the new bike yet . . . thats one of the weekends adventures, 45 years since I rode a bike . . . trying to remember and in the dark :shake: although they say you never forget . . . we will see

. . . I'm in for an interesting weekend, out on Saturday with my mate pottering about the river Orwell in his old Gaff rigged boat:

He is introducing me to a new yacht club in the afternoon, of course I will have camera to hand all day.

Sunday, venture out on the bike for the first time, once round the block without camera in the 'handle bar bag' . . . then into Ipswich see what I can 'see via the camera'.

And thats the point of this post . . . I lack confidence, so one finds setting plan out very confusing. The plan, well, I think I need advise on camera kit . . . problem no money, not a lot anyway, new dish washer, new vacuum, new bike . . . all since Christmas and a new D90 a couple of weeks before Christmas. Been an expensive December and January!

As I say, a plan and kit; I have a G1/14-45, 45-200, a D90/18-70 f3.5-4.5 and a Sigma 70-300 APO HSM. The bike is going to open all sorts of options in the way of subjects. Is this kit going to be enough, have to say, I've never been unhappy with any of it, probably never really pushed it or me! In fact, considering my options, my lack of confidence, the kit is wasted on me . . . but I want to get out of my self deprecating ways . . . 'the world is my lopster'

Its the D90 that I see as potential for improvement? pictures opportunities; . . . from garden flowers to old building, boats, me taking pics from my boat, river scenes, to birds, wild life and no cash . . .

I've looked at old manual lenses on fleBay, been caught twice! In any case, I find on occasions, I shake a bit these days, so, its a mono pod, have 2, one light and one a hefty Manfrotto, also have a decent tripod.

The bike needs minimalist, light . . . and my shakes might need at some time VR? For the time being I will have to manage with what I have . . . but where would you be looking in the future, what lenses would you kit out with, on a limited budget . . . ?

Not the whole scenario, but hopefully you have a feel of where I think I want to go . . . ? Before you say, 'why the bike' . . . remember, I need to loose weight and get fit :bang: . . . by the way, the associated diet is working, I'm diabetic, (self inflicted being over weight!) and the daily blood readings are lower and have been far more stable this week

Thanks for your time . . . CJS

 

[artyman]

As you say you have no pushed your exiting kit yet so I would wait until you find that you are hampered photographically by it. Ypou will then have a clearer idea what your requirements are to enable your shots to succeed where you fell they are falling short.

Nice looking boat, spent many happy years racing dinghies, too old and creaky to win championships these days!

 

[Tracer]

I don't think you need any more photographic kit at the moment - you seem to have a pretty good set-up there already. You are right that you don't want to take too much kit on a bike, particularly not on the handlebars where too much weight will upset the steering. I would start out with just the G1. It has image stabilisation so you may not need a monopod at all. However you might find your heart pounds a bit at first which could make you hands shake a little.

Later on you might consider a 16-85 VR for the D90 - this is my usual walk-about lens and I love it. I got it before the prices rocketed, but they occasionally come up second-hand on here. Also a small fast prime such as the 35 1.8 could be useful for interiors, if you like old buildings. However I get very good results indoors with the 16-85 and cranking the ISO up a bit.

I love the boat - I'm really envious! Hope it is not too cold!

 

[CJS]

Thanks for the replies. As you say, work with what is available . . . I have trawled through the various ads and fleBay, coming up with nothing accept confusion, hens the post.

Kit ain't the best, but I keep thinking, its not kit, its so often the tog behind the camera . . . O'yes, I have a long way to go . . .

We will see what 2011, the year of 'bike, boat and slim fit'? will bring . . . I need personal confidence . . . I can do this?

CJS

 

[Forbiddenbiker]

Have you got some cycling shorts, kind to ones bottom types, yes they are lycra but you can where them under stuff... your bums goings to go through a pain curve, just work around it and keep going all will be well in the end.

I haven't got much to say about tog kit, just getting enthused by your enthusiasm.
saw you other thread, Brill stuff.

 

[CJS]

Have you got some cycling shorts, kind to ones bottom types, yes they are lycra but you can where them under stuff... your bums goings to go through a pain curve, just work around it and keep going all will be well in the end.

I haven't got much to say about tog kit, just getting enthused by your enthusiasm.
saw you other thread, Brill stuff.

If you saw my bum, you would understand, I carry my own padding and with that nice large sprung 'gel seat', I will grin and bear it I just cant bring myself to think 'Lycra' perhaps an old news paper, school boy style down the trousers

First day on the bike tomorrow, a nice gentle trip into Ipswich, call into the cycle shop on the way, the combination lock I bought is cr*p, its jammed already, fortunately it jammed while I was setting the combination, not on the bike! Its an old fashioned key job I need . . . ?

CJS

 

[CJS]

Trawling through the forums this morning, a review jumped out at me for the 'new' Tamron 18-270 with silent Pizzo Drive and VC, even more compact and lighter. I know, its a compromise, but I dont show my pictures, they are just for me on the computer and an occasional one at 800px on the forums.

Looks like Tamron have sorted the minor criticisms of the MkI. It fits my 'light travel' philosophy and slots into my desire to use the D90 more. I love the G1, it is my 24/7 glove compartment camera at work, but, I do have an affinity towards the Nikon . . . 20 years a Nikon man is a hard habit to break. Pity I've not learnt much in that time . . .

The draw back, an expensive piece of kit . . . but like most things in the camera world, it will come down given a little time? I used a Nikon 18-200VR for a long time, but it was sooooo heavy, the Tamron is 400grs lighter . . . some would say cheap plastic . . . I say, light convenience.

Any one had any first hand experience of the MkI 18-270?

Start saving . . . CJS

 

[Forbiddenbiker]

First day on the bike tomorrow, a nice gentle trip into Ipswich, call into the cycle shop on the way, the combination lock I bought is cr*p, its jammed already, fortunately it jammed while I was setting the combination, not on the bike! Its an old fashioned key job I need . . . ?

CJS

Nice thing about the lycra cycling shorts I talk of is they have a saddle patch instead of a seam...which is cool, in more than one way.

On the subject of locks ... minefield...
Take a look at this you tube clip. Uncovered originally by an old biker friend called Zanx.

Take a look at this one too ...generic rubbish locks get used in many makes ..you know ehere you are with a cubb etc.

Yes that is a plastic pen top they are using to undo all the locks!!