Bike-safe camera bag?

[sparklingrobots]

Hi--

I've got a digital SLR and some lenses that I'd like to carry around on my bike (since I don't have a car).

Any recommendations for a case that would protect the camera equipment if I happen to crash (knock on wood)? It seems like a hard case would be best, but potentially kind of heavy. I have panniers and a rack, so there are options, but I was carrying it the other day and nervous about even a minor incident crunching the camera.

Thanks!

[wahoonc]

I used to use a padded/insulated rear rack bag and then the individual camera components were in their own little padded cases. Never had a problem with them. The cases came in different sizes, got them from my local backpacking store but can't remember the brand.

Aaron:)

[acroy]

a plastic hardcase (i.e. Pelican) would suit you well and aren't all that heavy.
work uses them to ship aorund delicate instruments and those things are indestructible.
Plus my uncle is CFO for Pelican so if you go that route, all the better ;)

[gwd]

I got a stiff foam case when I bought my camera and it seems to work. I bike around with it often. I've dropped the camera from the moving bike once or twice with no problem so far. We have had a couple photographers post here so lets hope they'll give their two cents worth.

[patc]

For the past three years I have used a Lowepro backpack most of the time. Well padded, but no rigid sides. I carry 1 or 2 dSLR bodies, 2-5 lenses, flash, flash battery, and whatever accessories I need. (If I remember I also carry my press pass :o ).

That has survived one minor bike crash, being tossed around meeting rooms and job sites, train and bus rides out of town, etc . More than once I have just dumped the whole off my shoulders onto the ground at the end of a long, hard day - only THEN to remember this was my camera back-back, and not just other crap on my back!

When I need the whole studio kit, that is also tossed into padded cases and gets carted around town on my Wike trailer. I've had a few set screws work loose on light stands and such, but none of the camera equipment has ever suffered.

I know dSLRs are expensive, but they're not as fragile as you would think. A backpack allows your body to absorb the harsher road shocks, and is probably much more gentle than putting anything on a rack. When working several near-by sites in one day, I use a gear-belt with lens cases, and the camera just stays on its neck-strap around my neck. I'll bike a flew blocks that way, no problem.

[AllenG]

I've carried a pelican case on a trailer with success, but found it too heavy for the rack. I realized if I did take a spill it was guaranteed to snap off and go skidding along the road. The trailer is more likely to stay upright and my gear is less likely to have to deal with a shock.

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/Pellican.jpg
I used Ortlieb small parts to connect it to the rack, same as with the Osprey bag.



For day to day use I've modified an Osprey bag into a pannier and love it. The Osprey bag has simi-ridgid sides, it'll stay open for you but won't be much good as protection in a wreck. But constantly dragging the trailer around can be just that, so I take my chances when I don't kneed a full kit.

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/CP1.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/CP3.jpg (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=236014)
click either image for info on how I modded the bag.

Hope it's of some help,

--A

[dejinshathe]

I can't ride with a backpack on - believe me, I've tried several - my shoulders are just the wrong shape for it. I ride with a Crumpler courier bag (designed for the bike) with an insert specifically made to turn it into a camera gear bag. Of course, I don't carry a camera in it, but the sectioning and padding is really handy for carring all the things I do carry in it, and I reckon it'd be great for a camera and all the bits that go along with it. Hella stylish, to boot. Yup.

[DannyRocks]

a plastic hardcase (i.e. Pelican) would suit you well and aren't all that heavy.
work uses them to ship aorund delicate instruments and those things are indestructible.
Plus my uncle is CFO for Pelican so if you go that route, all the better ;)
Second on pelican cases- would suggest several smaller ones for different equipment.

I carried a digital camera through a deployment in Afghanistan in one of these, it survived.

[wirehead]

Hm, not to threadjack, but while we're talking about this, what's the best way to carry a tripod on a bike?

[wahoonc]

Hm, not to threadjack, but while we're talking about this, what's the best way to carry a tripod on a bike?

Depending on the size...I have a couple that collapse small enough to fit in my rack trunk other wise treat them like a set of tent poles and strap them to the rack or the top tube with velcro.

Aaron:)

[sparklingrobots]

Thanks, everyone, for the great answers. I'm going to head to a couple different stores and check out what they've got. It's good to know what has kept cameras safe, and I had NO idea that Ortlieb sold the bits you need to turn a bag into a pannier.

Once I've got myself equipped I'll post pics. Thanks again!

[MillCreek]

Tamrac makes a very wide range of padded bags and backpacks. I own many of their fine products.

[BAH]

Get yourself an xtracycle and your gear is safe in any decently padded bag :)

I truck mine all over town to shoots, with not a care in the world!

http://bikerubbish.com/surly/xtracycle/images/gallery/wedding7.jpg

[gwd]

Hm, not to threadjack, but while we're talking about this, what's the best way to carry a tripod on a bike?
I just bungee it on the cargo rack. I put something between the legs of the tripod and the rack because the sound of metal on metal bothers me. A few weeks ago I posted a photo of how I carried an odd long box on my old blue bike using cellophane tape to stabilize the load. Well, the box contained a huge tripod. I'm not sure I'd carry it around like that regularly. I was just carrying it for a friend who is into photography way more than I am. He is car dependent so he probably won't be hauling it by bike. If I had to carry that thing regularly I'd use a different bike.

[AllenG]

I can lock the legs closed on mine. I hook one of the feet in the "V" of the rack where it mounts to the seat stay and bungee it secure.

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/Bike/Tripod.jpg

[TrackGuy]

Crumpler
http://www.crumplerbags.com/index.php

Camera specific messenger bags.

[Markok765]

Lowepro Micro Trekker 200. Bought it for about $150, but its lower now.

Great bag, carry all my film stuff in it [15lb] and the bag actually saved my head when i fell and slid across a skate park, and no rips, or even evidence. It can also bring a tripod.

[Smallwheels]

I lost my $300.00 digital camera while riding my bike home from a concert on June 27th. It was in a padded cordura bag attached to my fanny pack. The loop holding it on was Velcro with a snap closure. Apparently it wasn’t sturdy enough for riding on any roads with bumps. I didn’t notice it falling off.

I’m sure it is in good working condition for whoever has it now. The case was thick enough to prevent damage to the camera.

My name and telephone number were in the case. I placed lost and found ads and filed reports with the local police agencies with no results.

Whatever case you buy be sure you put your name and telephone numbers on your stuff just in case the person who finds it is honest. Learn from my mistake and buy things with good mounting connections.

[folder fanatic]

I lost my $300.00 digital camera while riding my bike home from a concert on June 27th. It was in a padded cordura bag attached to my fanny pack. The loop holding it on was Velcro with a snap closure. Apparently it wasn’t sturdy enough for riding on any roads with bumps. I didn’t notice it falling off.

I’m sure it is in good working condition for whoever has it now. The case was thick enough to prevent damage to the camera.

My name and telephone number were in the case. I placed lost and found ads and filed reports with the local police agencies with no results.

Whatever case you buy be sure you put your name and telephone numbers on your stuff just in case the person who finds it is honest. Learn from my mistake and buy things with good mounting connections.

Your experience with a lost camera while riding the bike, plus the ever present threat of theft-even out of my hands-convinced me to use a drug store disposible one time use digital camera. It is not the best camera in the world, but it has done it's job. I used a drug store one time use camera for all my photos featured in my Flickr site: World Of Folding Bicycles: Photo Gallery. More photos will be posted by the end of this week. And a new set will be added. See below for the direct link.

[Nycycle]

I got a hang on yur neck SLR bag with belt loops, I hang it on my neck and belt it to my waist right in front.
Camera cost more than the bike so gotta be careful.
I do wish I had a small digital that took reasonable shots that would fit in my pocket in Jersey.

I don't pack the camera very often.

[xcapekey]

i've also modified a smallish pelican case with ortlieb hardware to connect to a rack...you can see the specifics here:

http://russroca.blogspot.com/2007/07/test-flightthe-little-bike-that-could.html

on shoots when I carry more stuff, I'll bring out the xtracycle (with the camera still in the pelican case)...in which case my ride looks like this :)

http://russroca.blogspot.com/2007/07/sometimes-you-have-to-bring-it-all.html