Camera choices for off the bike

motosera

Weirdo, mosher, freak
Jun 4, 2020
283
418
63
Cambridgeshire UK
www.motosera.com
I ride a
Honda CBR1100XX and Buel XB9R Custom
I could just use a GoPro, but they have their downsides when you put them on a tripod and want to use them for photography too...

I currently have a Sony A57 dSLR which I have had for years, I love it because all my old Minolta 35mm lenses still fit it and it means I have lenses to get me out to >1000mm focal lengths when I really want to. Not that I use that often! But it only records in 1080p, although I would say the quality is pretty good.

Anyway, I am considering getting a newer camera that I can use for both photography and tripod/handheld footage for my channel. Seems to be lots of choices, several rather expensive!

My requirements are:
4k video
3.5mm external mic jack
Full frame, mirrorless
Interchangeable lenses

A lot of people seem to rave about the Sony A7ii, but am interested if anyone has any other thoughts. Sadly it doesn't look like anything is compatible with my existing a-mount lenses, which is a real shame.

Anyway, any thoughts welcome!
 

Theodor

Don't wannabe
Nov 16, 2017
1,121
1,737
113
39
Estonia
I ride a
Valkyrie 1500
The Sony camera you mentioned is basically a pro level camera. I have a friend who makes a living with videomaking and he used A7, until recently.
From portability perspective, is large camera really that good of a choice? Many cellphones have optical stabilization and optical zoom, separate wide angle lenses etc. Have you weighed the pros and cons? What benefits would you get from full frame and interchangeable lenses, that outweigh the price and bulkiness?
Not picking on you. I am genuinely interested, why would someone want to carry so much heavy glass, with a bike.
 

motosera

Weirdo, mosher, freak
Jun 4, 2020
283
418
63
Cambridgeshire UK
www.motosera.com
I ride a
Honda CBR1100XX and Buel XB9R Custom
The Sony camera you mentioned is basically a pro level camera. I have a friend who makes a living with videomaking and he used A7, until recently.
From portability perspective, is large camera really that good of a choice? Many cellphones have optical stabilization and optical zoom, separate wide angle lenses etc. Have you weighed the pros and cons? What benefits would you get from full frame and interchangeable lenses, that outweigh the price and bulkiness?
Not picking on you. I am genuinely interested, why would someone want to carry so much heavy glass, with a bike.

Because I like to be able to do 'proper' photography when travelling - I've been doing semi-pro photography since I was a teen, started on 35mm and progressed to digital, always had an SLR/dSLR. Yes phones are good, but they really can't touch a 'proper' camera, especially in low light or sub optimal lighting conditions due to sensor size.

I have an S20 Ultra as my phone, pics are fantastic for a phone but can't touch my now 11/12 year old A57 SLR if you want to do something more than take a quick snap.

The original A7 is 1080p only so I've ruled that out.
 

Moto Mengy

Motovlogger from PA, USA
Mar 23, 2020
1,115
1,709
113
51
I ride a
2018 Honda Goldwing Tour DCT
I just use my GoPro Hero 8 for off bike filming. If I don't need the sound (or if I'm using my cheapo lav mic pinned to my chest) then I use the Hero 7, but my Hero 8 has much better wind noise reduction so if I'm capturing sound too then I have to use the Hero 8. It works fine, I just have to juggle cameras off and onto the helmet a lot and such. Small price to pay.
 

YBGuy

Yellow Backpack Guy
Aug 14, 2020
621
663
93
San Francisco Bay Area
ybguy.com
I ride a
2005 RC51, and a 2004 Honda CBR1000RR
Off bike? If I am doing a YouTube tutorial, head mount adapter for my GoPro Hero. If hand held, either of my two phones, the Google Pixel XL or Sony Xperia X Compact. Or if I want some mega sharp b-roll and I have the extra time my Canon 50D running Magic Lantern firmware and 24-70mm L lens.
 

motosera

Weirdo, mosher, freak
Jun 4, 2020
283
418
63
Cambridgeshire UK
www.motosera.com
I ride a
Honda CBR1100XX and Buel XB9R Custom
I think I need to rephrase....

This is for photography, as well as 4K video. It won't just get used for vlogging, its actually primarily for photography, but it would be very useful to have 4k video capability too.

I have a phone and a compact, but the image quality from them is nothing like a good full frame SLR, especially if you want to crop in, low light or long focal length images.

I'll probably just end up getting the Sony A7R ii
 
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YBGuy

Yellow Backpack Guy
Aug 14, 2020
621
663
93
San Francisco Bay Area
ybguy.com
I ride a
2005 RC51, and a 2004 Honda CBR1000RR
I think I need to rephrase....

This is for photography, as well as 4K video. It won't just get used for vlogging, its actually primarily for photography, but it would be very useful to have 4k video capability too.

I have a phone and a compact, but the image quality from them is nothing like a good full frame SLR, especially if you want to crop in, low light or long focal length images.

I'll probably just end up getting the Sony A7R ii
I use my Canon 50D for mostly photography. My favorite lenses are my 24-70mm 2.8L, 70-200mm 2.8L, and even my cheap 50mm 1.8 for max background boka effect.
 

Meifesto

Semi-Suicidal Dutchie
Jan 5, 2013
1,802
1,608
113
The Netherlands
I ride a
Yamaha XT660R
For photography i still use my oldskool Nikon.

For offboard filming, on tripod or in-home i prefer to use a high-quality camcorder, Sony is what i have now.
Smaller and lighter, so easier to take with you.

Yes, that does mean that sometimes i have to take both the Nikon and the Sony with me, but most often only the Sony is fine.
 
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UncleL

Uncle LongBeard
Feb 29, 2020
113
170
43
49
Midlands, UK
I ride a
HD, W800, RE
It's not the camera responsible for better footage, but the operator... However - if you have some spare pennies then go with A7S III ;) Want to spend less money and have some cheaper lenses - go with new Panasonic (I don't know which one though).
I have plenty of good pro level full frame cameras but on a bike I use lightweight sony a5100. SImply because it's smaller and lighter... and cheap. I miss the 4k quality though as it records 1080 only
 

WEB

L Plate Member
Feb 14, 2020
255
370
63
35
I ride a
Triumph Thruxton + Harley Lowrider
I have a Nikon D600 and a BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera with a Metabones Nikon F > BMPCC adaptor depending on what i'm doing

I couldn't care less about 4K though so this doesn't help.
 
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UncleL

Uncle LongBeard
Feb 29, 2020
113
170
43
49
Midlands, UK
I ride a
HD, W800, RE
I couldn't care less about 4K though so this doesn't help.
I don't care either but I like 1440p. There is a big step in quality between 1080 and 1440, also YT codecs are better for 1440, and not much advantage of going up to 4k. But some recordings especially the drone footage is good to have in 4k when you want to zoom in. Other than that it's pointless IMO
 

WEB

L Plate Member
Feb 14, 2020
255
370
63
35
I ride a
Triumph Thruxton + Harley Lowrider
I don't care either but I like 1440p. There is a big step in quality between 1080 and 1440, also YT codecs are better for 1440, and not much advantage of going up to 4k. But some recordings especially the drone footage is good to have in 4k when you want to zoom in. Other than that it's pointless IMO

Nah I don't mean like that.

I mean as in... camera bodies are irrelevant

When buying into a system, the most important thing is the glass. That's what determines so much in regards to the light. (It's also the expensive part)

I mean, if you want to take video of birds off in the distance and your system has no good telephoto lenses then what's the point of a camera body with all the features?

All the pixels in the world don't matter if the camera is looking through shit optics - But due to the expense it also dictates so much into what you need. Pretty much every current camera system out there will do 4K... but... that doesn't even mean anything. Look at Micro 4/3rd's vs. Full Frame - FF sensor collects more light, more depth of field, better low light performance.... so it's better, right? Why's a GH5S cost three times more than a D600? Well, the MFT sensor in the GH5S is specifically designed for videography and hence GH5S demolishes the D600 in low light situations, Panasonic VLOG, blah blah blah... BUT when we're talking glass, I own a range of full frame Nikkor 50mm lenses from the 70's, 80's and modern ones and also the Panasonic 25mm MFT (so 50mm equiv) and the Panasonic glass produces decent video..... but it's nowhere near as good to look at as the Nikkor glass... but that Panasonic glass was $250 brand new, I don't even want to think what some of these old Nikkor lenses would have cost.

On the flip side, old, well built glass is heavy. MFT glass is light and cheap. If you're out travelling, do you want to be out carrying full frame shite? I certainly don't. Not to mention i'm sometimes out late at night, do I really want to be carrying $5000 worth of kit around in full sight of junkies looking for a cheap hit?

There's so many variables to which carry system to buy into, and IMHO the actual technical capabilities of the camera itself is the least important (and one of the cheaper things to replace anyway once you have all the lenses in the focal lengths you'll want).

Due to all the glass I own, i'm stuck with Nikon or MFT bodies forever. Will I upgrade to a Nikon Z system? Maybe one day - but... also... I get excited about all the new developments but then I think to myself... why?

As for OP's question, i'd drop the full frame requirement and look at something like a Panasonic GX8. You'll get a full system with a bunch of glass for the same price as the A7II costs by itself, and it's lighter, smaller and there are adaptors so you can use your A mount glass on them too.
 
Last edited:

motosera

Weirdo, mosher, freak
Jun 4, 2020
283
418
63
Cambridgeshire UK
www.motosera.com
I ride a
Honda CBR1100XX and Buel XB9R Custom
I fear everyone has totally missed the point - this is a camera primarily for photos and not for use or lugging around on the bike. Although I will when space allows.

In short, I used to do a lot of photography as a result I have a lot of high quality A mount glass. Was hoping for some recommendations rather than being told what I should or shouldn't be carrying on my bike and what I need or don't need.

Probably the wrong audience to ask - doesn't matter. Sorry I asked in the first place now.
 

UncleL

Uncle LongBeard
Feb 29, 2020
113
170
43
49
Midlands, UK
I ride a
HD, W800, RE
Probably the wrong audience to ask

That might be, but it might just be a wrong question ;)


camera that I can use for both photography and tripod/handheld footage for my channel. Seems to be lots of choices, several rather expensive!

My requirements are:
4k video
3.5mm external mic jack
Full frame, mirrorless

It does not suggest that you asked for the camera not for use or lugging around :)
For photography any full frame mirrorless will do (even a7 mark I) but then you're asking for 4k, audio jack etc. And here you have your answers... So, any a7 mk III or canon R
 

TMackie

Up Shift Freak
Jun 12, 2020
106
174
43
60
Alberta , Canada
I ride a
Victory Vision 8 Ball , Indian Chieftain
I have an older Olympus 410 Evolt DSLR , but it won't do video. I have a Pentax Optio WG-1 that I use from time to time, but I want a Canon GX-7 . I have too many cameras at this point. :)
 
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