Isaac Heilbron Posted September 3, 2014 Share #1 Posted September 3, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I am new to the forum so apologies if this is the subject of an old thread -- I looks but did not find one. I use a bicycle to get around my town. The pavement is quite rough which makes for a bumpy ride. I have an M240 and an M3. I have heard various opinions on how robust Leica bodies are. There seems to be a general concern that the rangefinder mechanism can be upset by too much jostling. So am I risking putting my cameras out of register or alignment by putting them in a pannier and riding with them? I cycle commute to work and would love to have one of my cameras with me on my travels but not at the risk of damaging them. The alternative if wearing the camera (in a case ) isn't very appealing and exposes the camera to perhaps even greater damage if I were to take a spill. Any advice would be appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 3, 2014 Posted September 3, 2014 Hi Isaac Heilbron, Take a look here Bicycling with your Leica -- can it withstand a bumpy ride?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jdlaing Posted September 3, 2014 Share #2 Posted September 3, 2014 Pico, where are you? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted September 3, 2014 Share #3 Posted September 3, 2014 That subject came up recently. Perhaps a more detailed search could uncover the thread. I fkly a lot with my M's and have heard that many hours of plane vibration can hurt the alignment. It seems to me your bike is probably safer, but if you do it every day then it might get troublesome. Can you change your route? Or better yet, have your local politician get your route repaved. How about a bike with better suspension? Just joking here. In any event, enjoy both activities. Maybe you will get some stellar images riding to work and back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Heilbron Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted September 3, 2014 Thanks Algrove. I do a lot of flying too. I haven't yet had a problem with a camera but I have with a lens. A screw vibrated out of a new 50/1.4 lux causing the built in shade to come totally loose! I will look for the previous thread on cycling. Where I live there are potholes everywhere so there is no good route. If anyone knows a pannier that has an internal suspension system built for carrying a camera, as opposed to the typical ones designed for laptops, please let me know. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 3, 2014 Share #5 Posted September 3, 2014 At any rate it is next to impossible to get the vertical alignment off by vibration due to the new construction on the240. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted September 3, 2014 Share #6 Posted September 3, 2014 If you are on a very bumby road/trail you might prefer to pack the camera in a backpack. The human Body is a nice Suspension. I have carried digital M cameras in a bag at my bar, or in a backpack when riding the bike and so far never had any damage at the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted September 3, 2014 Share #7 Posted September 3, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/23995-m8-motorcycles-vibration-resistance.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/127619-vibration-m9-durability.html#post1348123 http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-collectors-historica/251236-leica-rangefinder-alignment.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/281321-cycling-leica-m.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/177629-m9-crash-estimate.html And lots more. Besides 'bike' or 'bicycle', enter words like 'vibration', 'RF alignment', etc. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted September 3, 2014 Share #8 Posted September 3, 2014 Pico, where are you? I was about to ask the same. Well, I am in the far back of our yard, drying some laundry and appreciating nature's chaos.. (Great wireless here). To answer the OP's question, I use one of these now. The lower part goes toward the seat. It is good for several reasons. With a layer of bubble pack on the bottom, the Leica (M9 or M4) is isolated from shock transmitted through the frame. Leicas do well when isolated from knocks or hard vibration and the pack clips right off the Bontourager mount so that it is not left on the bike and a concealed shoulder strap is available. Under the bottom of the pack are two sturdy velcro straps to secure it further to the mount to discourage thieves from unclipping it . I don't use them. The very top section opens to reveal a rain cover that can be pulled out to surround the pack. I've not found it necessary because the pack is waterproof enough, even around the zippers, but it is good to have. I used to carry a camera strapped across my chest, but as the OP mentioned a crash can destroy the camera and break a rib or two - which is what happened to me with the M9. (A plug for Leica NJ which restored it in record time to better than new.) As an aside, we do have one road from hell, and big, fat tires are the only solution. I use this old monster in some cases, but I no longer like standing on the pedals to get going. Best of luck! . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 3, 2014 Share #9 Posted September 3, 2014 If you are on a very bumby road/trail you might prefer to pack the camera in a backpack. The human Body is a nice Suspension.I have carried digital M cameras in a bag at my bar, or in a backpack when riding the bike and so far never had any damage at the camera. But you might incur damage to your spine, should you fall off your bike onto your backpacked Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted September 3, 2014 Share #10 Posted September 3, 2014 But you might incur damage to your spine, should you fall off your bike onto your backpacked Leica. Exactly. Rule for motorcycling…attach to bike, not behind rider's back without cushioning, and not on person. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dant Posted September 3, 2014 Share #11 Posted September 3, 2014 I dropped my M240 off a couch on a hard wood floor and it still works. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jto555 Posted September 3, 2014 Share #12 Posted September 3, 2014 I dropped my M240 off a couch on a hard wood floor and it still works. Yes, it will take more than a Leica to break a wooden floor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted September 3, 2014 Share #13 Posted September 3, 2014 My 911 has a choppier ride than my bicycle, and never had a Leica go out of alignment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted September 3, 2014 Share #14 Posted September 3, 2014 At any rate it is next to impossible to get the vertical alignment off by vibration due to the new construction on the240. And yet I managed to have mine go out. And not through any rough treatment or drops. Thankfully it's the easiest of self adjustments now we only need a 2mm Allen key and a dab of acetate. I've not ridden with my M240 yet but I have with other rangefinder, like the XPan, which I rode every day with for a couple of years. I kept mine in a handle bar bag, wrapped in something padded (like a fleece top) and never had an issue. I would be happy to do the same with the M. Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted September 3, 2014 Share #15 Posted September 3, 2014 I used to carry my Leica on vacations in handlebar pack (dropped bars) on our tandem. Of course that was in the 80s, and it was a Leica CL, but it never had a problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted September 3, 2014 Share #16 Posted September 3, 2014 Wrap the camera in a towel, around 4 layers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted September 3, 2014 Share #17 Posted September 3, 2014 Wrap the camera in a towel, around 4 layers Aw gee, Toby, that is too simple, economic, and correct. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Morte Posted September 4, 2014 Share #18 Posted September 4, 2014 I ride my sidecar motorcycle every week-end, sometimes VERY off road, I take my M 9 and 3 lenses in a Bellingham or Domke bags in the Boot of the sidecar - never had any problem. I think if there are enough padding in your panniers, no problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted September 4, 2014 Share #19 Posted September 4, 2014 Well, Christchurch got hammered by the earthquakes and roads are extremely bumpy. I like cycling but don't do it that often because I reckon we need safe off-raid cycle tracks. However, I have taken the M9 about quite bit, by car and bike. It travels in a Lowe-Pro Trekker backpack or in a Lowe-Pro protective case around my neck, slung diagonally. No problems whatsoever. All M series cameras are tough and made to be used but you still have to look after them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tietje Posted September 4, 2014 Share #20 Posted September 4, 2014 I used to carry my Leica on vacations in handlebar pack (dropped bars) on our tandem. Of course that was in the 80s, and it was a Leica CL, but it never had a problem. I did the same but with an M2 and two lenses, using the inserts from my Benser Bag. The Karrimor Bardale was cantilevered out from my drops from the supplied frame and then lashed to the front spindle by two (supplied) bungee cords. So it was kind of suspended. The whole set came off very quickly and you then had an instant camera bag. I think Carradice still do something similar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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