Best Bag for carting around a DSLR...

[Futurelooks Guy]

What bag do you guys use to cart around the DSLR when you're out riding? I saw a case that allowed you to stow your DSLR on your chest, but it looks kinda dorky. I've got a Nikon D50.

Any suggestions?

[matt shaw]

http://www.facewest.co.uk/pp/dakine/dakine%20images/packs/winterpacks/sequenceblack.jpg

buy my dakine sequence

[Emmens]

Get a small lowepro backback. They're not exactly cheap, but damn good quality.

-StuKen

Oh, P.S. Nobody cares that you have a dslr, nor is there any difference in the camera bags.

[Scott]

Get a small lowepro backback. They're not exactly cheap, but damn good quality.

-StuKen

Oh, P.S. Nobody cares that you have a dslr, nor is there any difference in the camera bags.
haha why throw the nobody cares in there?

[Futurelooks Guy]

Why'd you bother to answer then? Move along... Next!

Get a small lowepro backback. They're not exactly cheap, but damn good quality.

-StuKen

Oh, P.S. Nobody cares that you have a dslr, nor is there any difference in the camera bags.

[Futurelooks Guy]

That looks a bit big. I just want something that will allow me easy access to my camera while still being able to ride. I have a Dakine bag that has a full face helmet compartment and reservoir and I don't want to have to ditch it.

http://www.facewest.co.uk/pp/dakine/dakine%20images/packs/winterpacks/sequenceblack.jpg

buy my dakine sequence

[S-Dawg]

how much does that bag cost and is there other storage as well or jsut the camera?

[Emmens]

Why'd you bother to answer then? Move along... Next!

Um, he did pretty much tell you the best bag to buy.

-Mark

[Futurelooks Guy]

I should probably clarify...

Need a bag that I can ride with, that will allow me to tote the camera with me while using my DAKINE APex bag, or replace it entirely, while still allowing easy access to the camera, water, place to put the full face, and most importantly, ride...

If I buy a straight camera backpack, no more helmet mount, and no more water. I need something that will allow me those things, while giving me a safe place to store the camera. The camera I have is compact for a DSLR and I'll only have an 18-55mm lens on it when I'm out on a ride. I will actually have to climb to get to where I want to ride so the solution will still need to be agile.

Hope that helps. Sorry about the confusion. Apologies to those that don't care, but thanks for your helpful comments anyway.

[Emmens]

I should probably clarify...

Need a bag that I can ride with, that will allow me to tote the camera with me while using my DAKINE APex bag, or replace it entirely, while still allowing easy access to the camera, water, place to put the full face, and most importantly, ride...

If I buy a straight camera backpack, no more helmet mount, and no more water. I need something that will allow me those things, while giving me a safe place to store the camera. The camera I have is compact for a DSLR and I'll only have an 18-55mm lens on it when I'm out on a ride. I will actually have to climb to get to where I want to ride so the solution will still need to be agile.

Hope that helps. Sorry about the confusion. Apologies to those that don't care, but thanks for your helpful comments anyway.


Oh. Just get a small Lowepro bag, then. I don't think they make the one I have anymore, but most of them will do fine. I have a film body from the 80s, and a cheap 28-80mm lens (lets say 6" long?), and it fits tight, but well. I usually just throw that in my backpack.

Most any decent camera store should have a bunch of different models, and you can just pick one that fits your camera, and will fit in your current backpack.

Something like this should work, I'd think.
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Toploading/classic/Topload_Zoom_Mini.aspx

-Mark

[white ri0t]

I know that MEC has that crazy waterproof camera backpack, you can drop it in the ocean and it will float! something like 250ish or so. Overkill in most situations. I also know that they have another smaller pack that can fit your SLR and a few lenses for around $100 or so. I saw it at their NV location but I can't find it on their site. prolly your best/cheapest bet. Bit small for me, Can't fit a laptop or any real big lenses and my flashes in it. Or try this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=363836&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
pretty deadly, but kind of pricey.

[Futurelooks Guy]

That isn't bad. While there, I spotted this one too:

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Toploading/allWeather/Toploader_65_AW.aspx

One of the options was a front chest harness. Even has a bad weather (in this case mud) cover. I wonder if someone has this one for some feedback.

Oh. Just get a small Lowepro bag, then. I don't think they make the one I have anymore, but most of them will do fine. I have a film body from the 80s, and a cheap 28-80mm lens (lets say 6" long?), and it fits tight, but well. I usually just throw that in my backpack.

Most any decent camera store should have a bunch of different models, and you can just pick one that fits your camera, and will fit in your current backpack.

Something like this should work, I'd think.
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Toploading/classic/Topload_Zoom_Mini.aspx

-Mark

[Futurelooks Guy]

Yeah, that one looks like it'll be overkill :( Strapping it to the Dakine Apex would be the ideal situation, but it can't rattle around or come around and hit me if I huck off something with it.

I know that MEC has that crazy waterproof camera backpack, you can drop it in the ocean and it will float! something like 250ish or so. Overkill in most situations. I also know that they have another smaller pack that can fit your SLR and a few lenses for around $100 or so. I saw it at their NV location but I can't find it on their site. prolly your best/cheapest bet. Bit small for me, Can't fit a laptop or any real big lenses and my flashes in it. Or try this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=363836&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
pretty deadly, but kind of pricey.

[JSinclair]

Depending on the lens situation (Ie length) you could opt for the Pelican box scenario.

They are water proof and military grade, come in all sizes and have foam inside that you cut to fit.

Upside is they would be WAY more protection than just a normal bag, downside is they are hard plastic so don't mold to shape at all.

something like this.
http://www.clavey.com/db_pelican_1200.html

[connor]

I have one of these.
http://www.m7action.com/site_files/pages/products_page/Sea_to_Sky.htm

works pretty well, good padding, sealed zip, etc. I can fit my Digi Rebel in it with a 28-80, but it's a nice snug fit. Comfy to wear too. They have them at Foto Fun in New west.

[Futurelooks Guy]

That is sweet! I will definitely check that out. Thanks for the linkage! I've sent them an email in the hopes that they'll send one over for me to review :)

I have one of these.
http://www.m7action.com/site_files/pages/products_page/Sea_to_Sky.htm

works pretty well, good padding, sealed zip, etc. I can fit my Digi Rebel in it with a 28-80, but it's a nice snug fit. Comfy to wear too. They have them at Foto Fun in New west.

[pete@nsmb.com]

I would stay way far away from a chest harness for riding. If you fall on it, you'll be looking at bad injury potential.

Peli cases are great, but very bulky in your pack and you may find that the effort required to open them all the time means you take less photos. But that's a function of your protection vs convenience need. If you're riding lots of nasty stuff and fall reasonably often, you may want the extra protection. if you take it a bit easier when you ride with a camera, you may find the peli case is overkill. But in general, they are awesome for protecting your goods.

[connor]

I would stay way far away from a chest harness for riding. If you fall on it, you'll be looking at bad injury potential.

Peli cases are great, but very bulky in your pack and you may find that the effort required to open them all the time means you take less photos. But that's a function of your protection vs convenience need. If you're riding lots of nasty stuff and fall reasonably often, you may want the extra protection. if you take it a bit easier when you ride with a camera, you may find the peli case is overkill. But in general, they are awesome for protecting your goods.

I don't think the risk would be any greater than having a rigid case on your back, and falling on that. I always find that I am pretty careful if I have my camera with me anyways.

[skifreak]

You can get a fairly small pelican case that would carry say the camera a couple of extra batteries and extra memory cards. They are customizeable foam so it's gonna fit snug... it can be fairly small so that it would fit in the bottom of your current pack and I would suggest you'd be fine even if you fell on it as the water pack is inbetween anyways

I've got a smaller point and shoot nikon coolpix camera that I have a chest pack radio harness (for the motorola radios that patrollers use) and it works great but too small for a digital slr - but a cool option for an easy access camera pack.

[Mr. Charles]

I don't think the risk would be any greater than having a rigid case on your back, and falling on that. I always find that I am pretty careful if I have my camera with me anyways.


except for death.

[Mr. Charles]

I would stay way far away from a chest harness for riding. If you fall on it, you'll be looking at bad injury potential.


completely correct.


if this were me, and it will be me soon, i would just get a small padded camera bag and toss that in my Dakine sack. all this fancy crap is well... just fancy crap.

[JSinclair]

completely correct.


if this were me, and it will be me soon, i would just get a small padded camera bag and toss that in my Dakine sack. all this fancy crap is well... just fancy crap.


Depends how much gear you have.

Look at guys like Ferguson, Harooks, Livingston and Levin and they need the space and compartmentalization of something like a Dakine Sequence or Lowepro.

When I build up my kit, I will probably get a Sequence or Lowepro because I will need the space for lenses and gear.

Depends on what future needs there will be.

but for sure, if you are just sticking with a DSLR body and one lens, get a small padded camera bag and stick it in your Backpack.

[JSinclair]

Harooks loaded up.

http://wheelsandwax.com/educate/witb/images/harookz_backpack.jpg

[Futurelooks Guy]

Holy Crap! Way too much stuff for me!

I just got the opportunity to take a LowePro chest bag for a spin. If I don't eat it, I'll report back on how it works ;)

[Nick2468]

bigfish has some water proof camera bag, i dont really know anything else about it try to PM him

[fergs]

Depends how much gear you have.

Look at guys like Ferguson, Harooks, Livingston and Levin and they need the space and compartmentalization of something like a Dakine Sequence or Lowepro.

When I build up my kit, I will probably get a Sequence or Lowepro because I will need the space for lenses and gear.

Depends on what future needs there will be.

but for sure, if you are just sticking with a DSLR body and one lens, get a small padded camera bag and stick it in your Backpack.

Word booty. Sometimes you have to cart all your gear around. A big sturdy bag is absolutely necessary. The down side is you get to add 20+ pounds to your riding weight, and if you're like me, your day of riding turns into a day of avoiding all technical stuff and commuting around like a sissy instead. Gotta love it when your tripod smacks the back of your helmet anytime you have to take a drop or ride down something steep :D

[white ri0t]

remember if you fall with a camera strapped to your chest odds are you'll at least bruise your ribs if not break them. and that sucks!

[Futurelooks Guy]

I guess I could always roll to the side? :lol: