Cameras and Biking

mercphoto

Not sure where to post this thread, so Accessories is where it goes. Does anybody hike or mountain bike and bring a camera along? (by biking, I mean casual, not hard-core, using the bike as a means to hike to a photo-op faster than walking).

How do you bring your camera along? Backpack? Even on a bike? Or do you strap the bag to a rack?

Thanks,
Bill - Mercury Photography

wxwax

Can't help you with bicycling. Do a motorcycle all the time, tho. I use a backpack, that fits in my luggage. Carbon fiber tripod, folds small enough to fit in luggage as well.

digismile

Bill,

I have used a regular backpack to carry my slr and 1 - 2 lenses for a lot of years. The only thing I can tell you though is that I add a little padding so that nothing scratches in case something moves. Lowepro makes a whole whack of different backpacks for cameras that might be worth looking at.

In my case, I typically like to carry a camera, as well as stuff like bag lunch, light wind breaker, trail mix, water bottle, etc. I'm not sure if the Lowerpo bags have room for this other stuff. Maybe someone out there has one and can give you better feedback.

I have done this both hiking and biking in the mountains.

Regards,
Brad

Harpseal

Camelbak Transalp
For the past 5 years I have used a Camelbak TransAlp. I believe it is still their largest pack. It has an internal compartment that is large enough for me to put in my Tamrac bag which is real similar to this http://www.tamrac.com/515.htm The Tamrac bag holds my D70 Nikon digital with a Tamron 28-300 lens. If I want to carry additional lenses or a mini tri pod I can put them in the rest of the Camelbak bag outside of the internal compartment. Initally I lined the internal compartment of the TransAlpo with a thin layer of bubble wrap. But typically I have enough other stuff (Clothes etc) in the Camelbak to protect the camera it so I don't need this liner. Plus the Tamrac bag provides some padding as well. With the TransAlp you will have plenty of other room for clothes and mountain bike stuff. Plus it has a water proof cover you can pull out to cover the entire pack if it looks like you are going to get bad weather. I have never had any problems with dirt or water getting near the camera.

Art Scott

Harpseal wrote:

For the past 5 years I have used a Camelbak TransAlp. I believe it is still their largest pack. It has an internal compartment that is large enough for me to put in my Tamrac bag which is real similar to this http://www.tamrac.com/515.htm The Tamrac bag holds my D70 Nikon digital with a Tamron 28-300 lens. If I want to carry additional lenses or a mini tri pod I can put them in the rest of the Camelbak bag outside of the internal compartment. Initally I lined the internal compartment of the TransAlpo with a thin layer of bubble wrap. But typically I have enough other stuff (Clothes etc) in the Camelbak to protect the camera it so I don't need this liner. Plus the Tamrac bag provides some padding as well. With the TransAlp you will have plenty of other room for clothes and mountain bike stuff. Plus it has a water proof cover you can pull out to cover the entire pack if it looks like you are going to get bad weather. I have never had any problems with dirt or water getting near the camera.

WHOOOOOOOOA!!!!! Talk about and erec.......I mean RESSSERECTION From the long ago files.....rofl

But still valid...even tho there are many threads on this, as I have often suggested the LowePro 75AW's on a Military Pistol belt and suspenders if the belt and bag try to slip off....mine did...... but I carry 2 bags with dslr and 70-210f2.8 in one and the other has dslr+24-70f2.8 and other small stuff...easily accessible while riding also...so I added the military suspenders to solve the prob.....but a great working solution to needing cameras accessible while riding.......Motorcycle that is.

ziggy53

Harpseal wrote:

For the past 5 years I have used a Camelbak TransAlp. I believe it is still their largest pack. It has an internal compartment that is large enough for me to put in my Tamrac bag which is real similar to this http://www.tamrac.com/515.htm The Tamrac bag holds my D70 Nikon digital with a Tamron 28-300 lens. If I want to carry additional lenses or a mini tri pod I can put them in the rest of the Camelbak bag outside of the internal compartment. Initally I lined the internal compartment of the TransAlpo with a thin layer of bubble wrap. But typically I have enough other stuff (Clothes etc) in the Camelbak to protect the camera it so I don't need this liner. Plus the Tamrac bag provides some padding as well. With the TransAlp you will have plenty of other room for clothes and mountain bike stuff. Plus it has a water proof cover you can pull out to cover the entire pack if it looks like you are going to get bad weather. I have never had any problems with dirt or water getting near the camera.

Harpseal, welcome to the Digital Grin.

Thanks for sharing your experience and recommendations.

angevin1

Yes. I bike quite often, bringing my camera along with me. Actually its the only time I use a camera strap and I just sling it around my neck putting one arm thru so it rides on my back. The reason for this is I often stop and shoot or sometimes ride and shoot, just for fun!

but I like that tamrac-pac the other grinner linked us to..!!nice!


cheers, tom

mud390

I take my D80 and a couple lenses in my LowePro Sling Shot 200AW with no problems. The second strap keeps the bag from swaying to much so long as you keep everything snug. It has worked really well for road riding and casual/non hard core mountain biking to get to that bluff for a great vista shot.

Kris

Art Scott

Crooked Horn Outfitters

angevin1 wrote:

Yes. I bike quite often, bringing my camera along with me. Actually its the only time I use a camera strap and I just sling it around my neck putting one arm thru so it rides on my back. The reason for this is I often stop and shoot or sometimes ride and shoot, just for fun!

but I like that tamrac-pac the other grinner linked us to..!!nice!


cheers, tom

Might I suggest the next time you are in a Wally World, near a Dicks sporting Goods, Gander Mountain, Sportsmans Warehouse,...etc etc that you look up the bino straps by Crooked Horn Outfitters.....or take a look at them on line.....The bino-strap hold my Konica Minolta 7D/w Sigma 70-210 f2.8 right against my chest depending on how I have all the straps adjusted ..... very nice for short rides that I know I will be often stopping and shooting from bike.....I have 2 one for the 7D/w70-210 and 1 for 7D/w24-70.....I have worn both at the same time shooting concerts.....and they take the weight off the neck and SPPPPPRRRRREEEEEAAAAAAD it across the back......