BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I had a friend who was making custom messenger bags make me a custom case for my SLR body and lens. Padded, as waterproof as it gets (been in a downpour with it for extended time without trouble) and secure closure with velcro and a clasp. It has belt loops on it that are wide enough to slide it over a messenger bag strap, or to run a pair of toe-straps through it and attach it to the stem.

Someday I'll even take a picture of it.

you could also get a handlebar bag

I used the large ortlieb on my dc pgh trip and it worked well

http://www.thetouringstore.com/ORTLIEB/Ort%20Ultimate%20Bags/ULT%205%20PAGE.htm

I was actually looking for something as well. I have a pretty big trunk bag so I ended up hacking up a fun noodle (you know those floaty pool things) and using it to pad the bag. Works alright to provide some cushioning and the bag's dividers hold the camera in place. It even survived a minor wreck with everything intact. My next project is going to be to carve out some custom foam inserts once I find a source for some good foam.

I would definitely be interested though in finding out if there's a decent frame mounted bag out there so I don't have to sacrifice half of my cargo space.

have you checked out lowe pro?

they actually make a waterproof camera bag with a built in hydration system

http://products.lowepro.com/product/DryZone-Rover,1936,18.htm

I have the slingshot 300aw for my field work and hiking (http://products.lowepro.com/product/SlingShot-300-AW,2036,4.htm), like I said its just too big, and I'm certainly not in the market for another camera bag.

Tried this out today, which worked surprisingly well. Might just adapt this to be easier to take on and off:

my vote is for a handlebar bag.

my friend mark used this bag for his 40d and a spare lens with maybe even enough room for a secondary 50mm lens.

http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/TourGuideHandlebarBag

you could likely modify yr case logic bag to be comfortable and safe on yr bars.

Damn erok, that's a pretty sick little bag. Even carries my tripod? Awesome. Too bad it isn't a third of the price...

You get what you pay for... I'll bet there is $100 of materials cost in that bag.

Camera stuff can be overpriced a bit though, for sure. That said, for the people this is really targeting, who cares if it takes $300 to buy a bag for your $3000 body with $2000 telephoto and $1500 wide angle lens inside.

what about something like http://www.bikeman.com/BG2540.html?utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=GoogleBase&utm_campaign=GoogleBase

or a larger version of http://www.bikeman.com/BG6638.html?utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=GoogleBase&utm_campaign=GoogleBase

thedutchintouch: thanks for those links, they might work, and the price is right. I might also just wait until I get my newest camera and custom make a bag for it.

Keep your eye on craigslist, bags pop up now and again. Might also want to search nearby or even national craigslists, a co-worker picked up the exact Lowe-pro SLR and laptop bag for half price in excellent shape form somewhere in the US.

Those frame bags will NOT fit an SLR. The Jannd frame bag is worth buying anyway just to have. Big tool kit, mini U lock, biggish pump, a bit of food, wallet, keys and maybe a tiny camera will all fit inside.

I think a handlebar bag is your best bet. The Ortleib is very nice, Jandd has this waterproof bag:

http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FOHP

For what it's worth, I found that Lowe Pro bag on Amazon for $214... I might have to think about it.

And yeah I thought those frame bags looked like they might be a little on the small side.

i have a rediculous amount of toil and tears put into this problem, i lived on the northside/regent sq and worked for a photographer on the southside bringing all my gear back and forth by bike almost every day. i would highly recommend using a handlebar bag if you don't want to carry it on your back but i ended up doing this in the end:

I bought the ortlieb hip pack after looking around a whole lot, and successfully using topeak handlebar bag the whole time, but just not happy with the amount of vibration my gear took every day. ortlieb makes a camera insert for another bag that fits perfectly in it (they designed it like this, its not a fluke, their customer service are the ones that suggested this setup) and it adds some really nice padding (and compartments!). there are lots of ways you can wear this bag, and it is very comfortable. there is even a outside pocket for dry days that perfectly stores a medium zoom lens. for days i needed all my gear i would wear my messenger bag like normal and either wear the hip pack over my shoulder (with a compression strap even) like the messenger bag just right on top of it, it is suprisingly comfortable. you can also wear it around your waist below the bag. i just got done with a 6 month sailing trip and used the bag the whole time... including dropping the hip pack into the ocean twice, falling in with it on, and lots of other very wet mishaps not a drop of water got inside the bag. i would definately reccommend it, its even better for days when you just need 3-4 lenses and your camera, the bag has tons of space and can easily accomodate a day trip. if you buy it and don't like it i'll buy it from you.

i got everything for 110 shipped i think, the camera insert is like the third thing down on this link:

http://www.google.com/products?client=opera&rls=en&q=ortlieb+hip+pack&sourceid=opera&oe=utf-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=MLoASqjtOab0Mu-90OYH&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

official specs pdf:

http://www.ortliebusa.com/cartgenie/images/pdf/hippack.pdf