I know we have some great photographers here, I was wondering how you carry your camera so its within easy reach but still secure. Any bag, sling, etc recommendations would be appreciated. Im not looking for something that can support a full slr setup, but a decent hybrid style camera.
I'm also interested in this. I can provide some datapoints for solutions that didn't quite work, in the hopes that it'll inspire a good idea from someone.
- Handlebar bag. It's very handy, but I worry about how much it bounces around, particularly when I'm on a trail.
- Luggage rack. Very secure, but difficult to reach. No good for taking quick snaps.
- Pocket. I sweat a lot.
I'm not much for carring a camera, but something
like this (for binoculars) might work.
depends on the type of riding. if you're just going to be riding around town or calm trails I'd sling it over my shoulder. it'll lay on your back and be accessible whenever you need it.
the other option I like is a nice hip pack. I use a thinktank one, fantastic but you'll have to pull over to take a photo. I use this one with my D700 (lens attached) with two additional lenses.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/speed-freak-belt-pack.aspx extremely comfortable, waterproof cover, padded, carries a lot of stuff without being too big.
they have smaller versions, or lowepro makes a few as well.
For my point and shoot, a pair of shorts with a outside thigh pocket is the best solution. Extremely easy to take out, shoot, and replace.
I've experimented with a few setups, and I've got the following conclusion for riding with a DSLR:
Handlebar bag: Great for stopping and taking out your camera, if you shoot while riding, you'll end up leaving it open, one good bump later you're camera flies out of the bag. I used this solution when I shot the ms150 last year and it worked alright, but I nearly lost my camera a few times.
Slung over the shoulder: Using a standard canvas/vinyl strap over your shooting arm will have a tendency to fall in front of you if you ride anything close to prone. If you sling it over the opposing shoulder, it helps a little in keeping it at your back, but a couple bumps later it'll be dangling right in front of you again. If you can get a neoprene rubber strap this works out pretty well if you wear it a little tighter than you normally would - your camera will dangle at your chest and be pretty safe, but within reach. Problems with this setup are that the camera is left out in the elements, and if you need full range of motion shooting, you'll have to un-sling and sling it over and over again.
Hip pack: Great solution, keeps the camera safe, easy to access, but while shooting you're left one handed and the camera is un-tethered, which could lead to the end of your camera.
My newest setup will be a Black Rapid RS-7 strap combined with a very simple hip-pack that holds my camera in a holstered, not packed positon. This keeps the camera safe when it needs to be, but easy to whip out, as well as keeping it tethered, so the camera wont fall to the ground, and I can drop and reach for the handbar in an instant if I need to.
Some other things photogs may want to consider, is that if you're shooting with a more mechanical/older camera, you really shouldn't mount your camera to your bike as it can put a beating on older components (modern slrs/point and shoots can handle a good bouncing a lot better), jarring lens mounts, aperture leaves, levers, etc.
If I wanted to constantly have a camera at hand when riding, I think I would get a simple small handlebar basket, like a Wald 933, or something. You could even get really elaborate and get some of that gray foam and cut out a friction fit hole to hold it in.
I've heard of people getting wicked bad bruises from falling on sling mounted cameras.
My newest setup will be a Black Rapid RS-7 strap combined with a very simple hip-pack that holds my camera in a holstered, not packed positon.
great idea! gonna try this tomorrow.
While I was riding down the GAP/C&O, I used a handlebar bag that had an elastic mesh pocket on the side that secured my point-and-shoot quite nicely. Easily accessible and the elastic ensured that no flying cameras would result.
i have many times carried my camera the same way you carry a messenger bag, taking the cross strap off the bag and putting it on the camera strap... this works well if you need to have the camera on your person and can't miss shots (i did this for the g20)
almost nothing is worth not having my camera in a padded pack though... i can stop and have my camera out and shooting in 10 seconds, never been a problem. if i were shooting with a point and shoot i probably would change my stance on that though.
If I carry my little Canon point and shoot (SD1100) it's in my jersey pocket in a plastic bag. Fast and simple if you are taking pictures while stopped. It's a little more of a challenge while riding since dropping the camera is a more expensive error than dropping an energy bar or Gu, but it can be done.
So.. I ordered a Fujifilm HS10
http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/s/finepix_hs10/index.html
SO I guess what I need would be more like what you would use for a slr without all the accessories. My point and shoot I also keep in my jersey pocket.
I have seen a couple sling style bags that look ok. I do worry that if I keep it just slung on my back tho that if I wrecked or whatever it would be toast.
On my road bike, I carry my point and shoot in my jersey pocket in a waterproof sleeve:
If I carry my DSLR I use a waterproof bag with fleece lining and then carry it in my bag. I don't want to carry a camera bug, they are too bulky, but I want to pad it and keep it safe from rain and sweat.
Oh I also make them 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/soulrun?section_id=6992130
-Joe
