FOAK: Camera backpacks

Oddly, all the cycling/camera forums are being bloody useless so I'll
ask here.

I've got a spiffy new Canon 400D. All the best opportunities I have
for taking pictures generally occur when I'm out mountain biking.

Normally when out on day rides I use one of these...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360021908

Has anyone seen or used anything like that[1], that can also carry an
SLR camera safely? Best I've seen so far is the Lowepro Dryzone
Rover, but at nearly 200 quid it's a fair chunk of money.

A few people have suggested chest-mounting a smaller bag attached to
the straps of the Camelbak but that just seems a bit weird and
possibly uncomfortable.


[1] Note, it carries water, it's not just a rucksack.

 

I've got a 400d too, and have a lowepro slingshot 100aw bag, which is
big enough for the camera with kit lens, 55-200 lens, and room for at
least 1 more lens, plus charger, cables, etc. If you've a regular sized
rucksack perhaps you could drop both that and your camelbak inside.

 

Get one of these. Problem sorted.
http://tinyurl.com/2c24qo

--
wessie at tesco dot net

BMW R1150GS

"Wessie is a lovely man with many wonderful qualities" TM Blaney

 

I looked at those bags the other day, but I think only having one
strap would lead to it being all over the place when riding.

How can you guess I'm plotting for the Scottish trip

I think I may end up using the rucksack I took up Nevis the other year
because it'll take a bladder and it big enough to fit the padded
camera bag I already have inside it. It'll make getting at the camera
a bit of a pain though so I think I'll experiment a bit with a front
mounted bag.

 

I'd still have the same problem.

And you can't ride that up Glentress and Nevis.

 

It's actually got a second strap that comes in from the right hand side,
and clips in, forming a sort of upside down Y.

Quite secure.

I'll probably take my little Ixus 70 for that, and leave the SLR at
home.

 

I've got a brand new (still in original packing) Lowepro Slingshot 300 AW
that *may* be for sale shortly.

It's a great bag but a little too big for my Nikon D80 with the 18-70mm
lens.

I say *may* as I'm hoping to do a deal with Jessops to swap it for something
more appropriate.
Failing that, it will make an appearence on ebay.

 

I'm taking both, mainly because I want to use it. Particularly if we
climb Nevis again, that's just crying out for the SLR.

 

Which model?

 

I'd also go with the chest bag. One you don't want your spiffy nexw
Canon 400D near something which can create condensation, and two, in
case of crash the lens may prove harder than your spine.

 

Any of the Slingshots - just depends how many compartments you need.
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Sling_Bags/Designed_for_Digital/

 

I don't think you're going to find a bladder based backpack that will
deal with camera gear - suggest you go the other way around.

Take a look at the "Stripper Ripper" from Crumpler. It's designed to be
a laptop/slr carrying tool. Has decent padded straps, heavily padded and
ventilated section that goes against your back.

Here's the SLR section, which, incidentally is accessible directly:
http://www.crumpler.nl/?product=Str...size=big&sid=31cb69f535f1240074c960673e758fd9


Here's the inside viewed from the regular top zip:
http://www.crumpler.nl/?product=Str...size=big&sid=31cb69f535f1240074c960673e758fd9

I was thinking that the laptop section would easily hold a bladder or
platypus type device, and you still have some room for a change of
clothes or sandwiches.

Oh, it's pretty waterproof too.

I've just looked at the UK website (http://www.crumpler.co.uk/) and you
might also want to look at a one called "Royal Court".

 

No way of carrying water though.

 

With all those compartments, there must be some way of fitting a
bladder/bottle.

 

Finding a bag is easy, finding a bag that's good for cycling, carries
water, and holds a camera safely and in a ways that's easy to get at
is proving harder.

So far it's good. However I've taken about a 1000 pictures in the
week or so I've had it, and only about 0.1% have been any good. My
first SLR is proving to be quite a steep learning curve.

 

UKRM special? <quote>18 litres, including 2 litre Platypus bladder</quote>

 

<snip>

I just wrap my cameras in plenty of clothing and stash in the tankbag.
Better than in the panniers or top box.

 

What if your bike doesn't have a tank?

 

Oh, they've all been perfectly sharp and in focus. It's composition
and getting bits in focus and bits out of focus that I want that's
proving to be the difficult bit.

But in true IT-practitioner fashion I now have a book and am booked on
a course in September.

 

Ok, update to above....

The deal with Jessops fell thru so the bag's up on eBay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250151641060
if anyone's interested.

ukrm underground accepted in leu of postage.