Table of contents
Introduction
This is my first Camera Ride Report. I love photography, and take a lot of pictures of our trips and the world at large. The idea here is to detail the cameras that I bring on trips, why I bring them, and then show some example images (see Full Trip Image Galley Here). Images shown below have not been color-corrected.
On this trip I brought 5 cameras (which is kind of average for me). All 5 were digital (which is slightly unusual as I normally have something with film in it). All of these cameras also have video capabilities.
Ride Conditions
2025 Micro-Tour 3 was a cold rainy affair (See Ride Video, Blog Ride Report) on April 12-13 to Mountain Lakes in North Salem, NY. It was 37 degrees the entire ride up, with wind and rain. At camp, things were still cold and damp throughout the evening into the next morning. On our Sunday ride home, the temperature climbed to 50 or so, and I swear I saw some sun.
Because I knew it was going to be a wet weekend, I had to adjust my camera and photography strategy. Normally I would have my Fuji XT30-II (my primary camera) on a shoulder/chest sling while riding, I had to put it away (stored in a drybag in my panniers) because it is not weather proof (and I have destroyed cameras in the past this way). In its place, as my "primary" camera I brought my (waterproof) Kodak PixPro WPZ2 to really put it through its paces as a primary camera.
Cameras are listed in no particular order. Hyperlinks (if any) to cameras are not an endorsement of a particular online store or review site.
Fuji XT30-II
Released in 2021, acquired new in 2023. Fitted with a Fuji XF 27mm F2.8 R WR "Pancake" Lens.
As mentioned above, this is my Primary camera. I normally ride with the camera fitted to an easy access sling while riding. the sling makes one look like a Grand Canyon Tourist Dad, but it is such an effective way to safely take pictures while riding.
I was able to whip this camera out once we got to camp and it wasn't actively raining. I find the controls and image quality unmatched compared to my other cameras.
Fuji XT30-II Images
Kodak PIXPRO WPZ2
Released in 2019, acquired new 2024
I got this camera on a whim, thinking that the novelty of it being waterproof would come in handy on trips where we get to swim. This line of cameras is huge in Japan, but I wasn't quite sure how to use it, or when I should even bring it. With big rain forecasted for our trip, I felt this was the time for me to really learn how to use this camera in real-world situations. In the past, it's only job was to take novelty pictures, but on this trip is was going to have to step into my primary camera role.
Kodak PIXPRO WPZ2 Images
Canon Powershot ELPH 190 IS
Released in 2016, acquired 2025
I recently acquired this slim little camera from a neighbor. Its 3 biggest qualities are its small form factor, ease of use and image quality.
On this trip, I just kept it in my pocked and had a really fun time just being able to grab an image at a moments notice. i think this camera will permanently be with me as its just so freakin' small!
Because this camera was so new to me, I spent some time working on exposure values and settings
Canon Powershot ELPH 190 IS Images
GoPro Hero 13
Released 2024, acquired 2025.
This new GoPro replaced the Hero 10 which finally was destroyed late last season. I primarily use this for video (Micro-Tour 3 Ride Video), and carry it near my handlebars in a Feedbag, mounted on the GoPro Volta Tripod/Selfie-Stick/Battery thing.
Because it's all-weather and I use it in a lot of riding/moving situations, the still images I grab from the video are pretty dynamic.
GoPro Hero 13 Images
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Yeah...its just my phone. However, I do find there are situations where it excels and is useful as a camera (primarily is low light/evening campfire situations).
As we all know, smartphone cameras can produce some incredible images. I've done entire trips using only a smartphone. They are in our hands constantly, which lends itself to being able to quickly document things (photo and video).
And, because of the the nature of its inherent formatting and accessibility, I generally think of these pictures in terms of social media.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Images
Full Trip Image Gallery
Here is the entire trip Photo Gallery
Thanks for having a read. I am looking to make more of a global blog post/video in the near future that gets into more of the technical aspect of my gear and my process.
1 comment
I like the Fuji XT30-II mostly because of its “look.” It reminds me of some of the mechanical film cameras of the 1970s, in particular some ill-fated German SLRs like the Zeiss Ikon SL706, the Voigtlander VSL1, and the Rollei SL35M. They are basically all the same camera, the manufacturing having passed from one brand to another as their respective makers went out of the camera business. They all featured that “high shoulder” look, with the prism almost buried in the body. I’ll turn my geek mode off now, and return the audience back to bike camping.