Dedicated camera case.

[Ollie]

This project was born out of the frustration of trying to carry a DSLR on my bike and the simplicity with which I can just grab the camera and shoot. Originally, I stored it in the hard case but it gobbled huge amounts of space because of the Lowepro bag it was in. It was also just inconvenient enough to get to it that I found myself taking fewer and fewer photos. So, on my last big trip, I used a couple of Rok Straps and latched the camera case to the outside of my luggage and it was so much easier to get to. The problem with that was that my camera was vulnerable to theft and weather. So, my final solution (hopefully) is a semi permanent Pelican case attached to the OEM rack. I went back and forth between using the rack or the mounting surface under the pillion. I chose the rack because it allows me the ability to still mount a large dry bag perpendicular to the bike on the pillion. Oh, and it weighs 7.5 lbs with camera, phone, and charger. The photos show an abbreviated version of the construction.

Hardware List: Pelican 1400 case. 5/16" stainless bolts, nut and washers. 5/16" ID Rubber grommets, washers and silicone.

 

[Ollie]

Re: Dedicated camera case.

Continued....

 

[ThatsLife]

I like it, nice job! I've been brainstorming things like this myself. Camera bags for a DSLR and a couple lenses are cumbersome on the bike for sure. I have to force myself to pack light!

 

[Ollie]

^^ thanks. I just hope the oem rack holds up to It's end of the bargain. I will most likely tether it just in case. I'm not to worried about it on the Tarmac but another inmate and I will be doing a chunk of the CDR this summer. That will be a true test of its Metal...er, plastic. You're exactly right about packing, though.

 

[switchback]

Nice work Ollie, but... (don't you hate when they start like this) I would be afraid to mount my SLR in the place where things bounce the most. I remember my first snowmobile ride where I packed a box lunch in the rear storage compartment. Lets just say the sandwich, chips and snack were joined in a conglomerate of stuff that was not recognizable. I worry most about the moving parts inside the SLR. The more I think about it the more I am tempted by a mirrorless system for bike travels. Probably being over cautious but thought I would bring up the topic.

 

[Ollie]

I agree with you 100% about the bouncing and camera internals in that location. That was one of my biggest concerns when I chose to mount it in that spot. It's a bit of a gamble and I'm hoping the plucking foam will help mitigate that. I considered mounting it in place of the pillion but then that would have divided my cargo space in half. Fingers crossed that my camera doesn't end up like your sandwich. :'(

 

[dcstrom]

I agree with you 100% about the bouncing and camera internals in that location. That was one of my biggest concerns when I chose to mount it in that spot. It's a bit of a gamble and I'm hoping the plucking foam will help mitigate that. I considered mounting it in place of the pillion but then that would have divided my cargo space in half. Fingers crossed that my camera doesn't end up like your sandwich. :'(

Ollie - same issues here. I wanted to mount the top case further forward in the hope that it would be gentler on the camera and computer gear. It doesn't have plucking foam in it but I guess it could. Camera and lenses are currently going to be in a padded camera backpack that fits the case fairly snugly - the bag will make it easy to take the gear when I leave the bike. If using plucking you still need a separate camera bag?

I'm hoping the camera bag will be protective enough...

As far as dividing up your luggage space, I still have space for a medium duffle behind the case. It will have light bulky stuff in it, so no worries about the weight being that far back.

 

[Ollie]

Your setup looks good. I've had no problems in the past with the camera getting damaged in its protective bag. The biggest issue I had was that the bag takes up a huge amount of space and requires an extra step to getting to the camera. The plucking foam will allow me to stop, pop the case, grab the camera, shoot and go.

I also miss the lockable glove box that the KTM 990 had for (keys, cell, etc...) when I am riding around town and don't want have the panniers mounted. I wish Yamaha had added some little lockable compartment to the tenere. I have that now with the little pelican case. Also, It would also be darn near impossible for a ner do well to steal the case. They could likely get the rear two bolts out but the two closest to the pillion would require some serious determination because there's no way to get a wrench up under the rack. They'd have to resort to ripping the whole rack and case off the bike.

 

[dave6]

Here is what I did for camera gear.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zEwi__mYeOmPZ0pgPjlHztMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yOCgATw8R5VMIJIvGExOs9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CealH3adckqqbq_dwwYkntMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

 

[switchback]

Nice work Dave ::008::

 

[dave6]

Nice work Dave ::008::

Well thank you, it sure works well for what I do.

 

[Ollie]

Dave, those are some well thought out cases and great craftsmanship in your construction. I like the false floor box for your camera gear. Very nice!