How to carry dslr on a bike ride?

[hopeg]

With spring coming up, I plan on riding my bike around town to practice my camera skills. I'm stuck on how to carry my camera around. Im afraid to put it into a bike bag on the back rack for fear of it getting shaken around too much. Im planning on probably purchasing this > http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007V66OFG < small camera bag, would this be sufficient if I pulled the strap nice and tight against my body? Of course, with that comes the fear of if I for some strange reason would fall, I'd damge the camera. I'm thinking if I could somehow keep the camera bag attached to my back, that would help. Just not sure, still freshly new to all this. Any suggestions or experience would be greatly appreciated!

[Manfred M]

I've always carried mine around in a pannier bag on the back of my bike. Frankly, the camera probably gets a smoother and gentler ride and when it is bobbing around on my body when I am carrying it that way.

[pnodrog]

I used to do a lot of cycling long before I got really keen on photography. However one of the cyclists was a very avid photographer and always had his camera in a bag hanging from the front of the handle bars. He could stop and without getting off the bike could quickly take the camera out.

Similar bags are still available.......http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Tourgui.../dp/B001T316RS

[Shadowman]

A few options.

http://www.bgrip.com/

[rpcrowe]

Perhaps a Bino Cam Harness
http://optechusa.com/bino-cam-harness.html

or Stabilizer Strap
http://optechusa.com/stabilizer-strap.html

I used a stabilizer strap and don't like it in any sport in which perspiration can come in contact with the camera body like when riding in a biking jersey in hot weather...

[William W]

. . . I plan on riding my bike around town to practice my camera skills.

I would choose to walk with a camera in hand: one usually sees more.

If you need to get to the destination by bicycle then just sling the camera over your shoulder, across your chest.

I wouldn't waste any money on a camera bag, for this exercise.


WW

[shreds]

Having ridden in the UK from Lands End to John O Groats (around 1200 miles in a fortnight), in the past, as well as many other miles in the saddle, I would strongly caution against carrying any camera around your body. It will chafe and bang against you and in any accident will get damaged, but more importantly becomes something that WILL hurt you too.

I know many cyclists who are fairly serious photographers and most use a bar bag, like the Topeak one illustrated. It is amazing how stable it is and for ease of access, is just perfect. Would strongly recommend you go down this route. There used to be a company called Camera Care Systems (no longer around) who marketed specific lined cycle bar bags along these lines.

If you have lots of big lenses, then use a rear pannier system as it keeps weight low down, and the lower, the better, regards additional weight. Put the lenses or camera in its own pouch/cover and then blow up small plastic bags and pack these at the base and around the camera / lens.

Can't be beaten and is so good that I used to show students that if you wrap an uncooked egg around with air filled plastic bags, you could drop it out of a three storey building and generally the egg would be unbroken!!

It is always worth while remembering that it is ALWAYS far better to let the bike carry the weight rather than you.

[William W]

. . . riding "around town" with "my camera" is not a 1200 mile trip over the period of a fortnight with lots of big lenses - or even more than one lens that is on the camera.

If the OP is going on a long ride or going on a trip over many days and/or with a camera and kit of lenses: that's a different kettle of kippers and the subsequent advice would (most likely) be different.

WW

[dabhand]

Hope - I'd go for a handle bar bag - simple reasons - should you fall off for any reason, if you carry the camera in/out of a bag on your person it will end up getting squished to one degree or another, whereas if it's in a bag on the handlebars, the ends of the handlebars should hold it clear of most sources of damage. That type of bag doesn't have to be expensive, the Topeak may be 'tops' but there are others much cheaper which I would think will serve unless cycling is going to become a major activity for you.

Ian also has a valid point - it is far better to let the bike carry the weight rather than you, as does Richard when it comes to perspiration.

[Glenn NK]

. . . riding "around town" with "my camera" is not a 1200 mile trip over the period of a fortnight with lots of big lenses - or even more than one lens that is on the camera.

If the OP is going on a long ride or going on a trip over many days and/or with a camera and kit of lenses: that's a different kettle of kippers and the subsequent advice would (most likely) be different.

WW

Seems reasonable. OTOH it matters not if one is traveling 1200 miles or two blocks - if one falls down, the result is the same.

[shreds]

it matters not if one is traveling 1200 miles or two blocks - if one falls down, the result is the same.

Hope, you do as you wish.

I cycle probably three times a week less than five miles at a time, always with the camera in my bar bag.

I don't see why WW is making a big issue of it.

The distance is not important, as Glenn NK says.

I only mentioned the long-distance to give an idea of my experience, and I don't do that regularly, it is just that when you do that sort of distance, you learn a helluvalot about cycling in general, much of which is not written in books and soon dispels myths and heresay about what is safe and sensible both for the rider, other road users and your equipment.

[William W]

I don't see why WW is making a big issue of it.

It is not "a big issue". Nor am I making it a "big issue". Sorry if it seemed that I was having ago at you: I wasn't.

I was pointing out that the thrust of my answer was (as per how I directly quoted the OP's question and as per my first sentence in my response to the OP) is that I do not think it is a the best idea to ride "around town" to get in "photography practice".

"around town" (at least to me), be it either in a rural or city area - place where pedestrian travel would be far better suited to practicing one's photography skills.

*

I only mentioned the long-distance to give an idea of my experience.

Understood.

I also ride (both road and mountain bikes), not so much now as before, but I have covered a lot of distance on my road bikes. I have carried my camera, slung as I described: the camera strap diagonal across the chest (and the camera is at the back).

*

Seems reasonable. OTOH it matters not if one is traveling 1200 miles or two blocks - if one falls down, the result is the same.

Agree.

Yes if one falls there is a chance of injury from the camera, but it is unlikely that one falls backwards – if one falls forward, then I suspect there is more chance of injury from hitting the headset in the groin than any damage the camera strap will cause. If one lays the bike I suspect that there is a chance of falling sideways that the camera will slip and one will fall on it.

*

The bottom line is that Hope has different points of view to consider and that it is (hopefully) understood that there was no ill feeling contained in respondents’ replies.

WW

[JR1]

Would a compact not be easier.

I am an avid DSLR user but would never carry one cycling

[Saorsa]

I carry mine in a handlebar basket. A messenger type bag like the Tamrac 5534 fits into it nicely.



I fold the shoulder strap under and when I get someplace to walk or enjoy, the bag just hangs off my shoulder.

[shreds]

The bottom line is that Hope has different points of view to consider and that it is (hopefully) understood that there was no ill feeling contained in respondents’ replies.

WW

No hard feelings.

Just passionate cyclists!!!

[RustBeltRaw]

I fold the shoulder strap under and when I get someplace to walk or enjoy, the bag just hangs off my shoulder.

Having something which could easily transition from the bike to you seems like a good option. If you stop and lock your bike, you will probably want to carry the camera with you for security. If you do get a bag you can also carry, I would advise against getting one which exactly fits only the gear you have now. Leaving some room to grow is usually wise, even if it's a long way off.

Chrome makes some extremely well-built bags (most have lifetime warranties) designed for and by bike messengers. I have a 5-year-old Metropolis messenger bag which is still my favorite carry-all, and feels tougher than my Think Tank pack. Chrome's lineup includes a very low-profile camera pack called the Niko Messenger. At $120, it's not cheap, and I haven't laid hands on one. But it might fit your needs quite well.

[barrydoig]

I'm a 78yr old geriatric and I bought a bike last year. I used to love to ride around town and our foreshore with my Nikon dslr camera around my neck, and it has opened up new photographic possibilities. After a near tumble I bought a smaller second hand Canon G1X compact that fits into the bag, also second hand, on the front. I cut a hole in some foam plastic and padded the bag so the camera fits snugly. I leave the dslr at home. Now both me and the camera are safer, and I still take geriatric pictures.
Barry

[chauncey]

I love when I have a reason to post this...camera goes in basket when moving much.


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