Aaron F, there is no *perfect* solution.

I used to be a pro photographer (NFL, MLB) as well as a photojournalist for a few papers. There is no perfect bag for what you want.

Some more thoughts on the matter:

1) A backpack with a strap pocket for your point and shoot. This will place the camera on your chest in front of your shoulder for easy access. If you get any decent hiking day-pack it will have attachment points on the straps. Any camera shop will have small bags that will attach there.

2) A photo belt pack system (fancy name for a fanny pack). I used the Think Tank Photo system with about 5 bags and lens holders. I looked like batman running down a NFL sideline but all the gear was easy to reach. 2 bodies, 15mm, 17-35, 80-200mm, 300mm (all f/2.8). Honestly, that's overkill for travel photography.

3) If you have just one lens on your DSLR, just use a fanny pack.

4) The very last thing I would use is a messenger bag (see my post about cavernous interiors). You don't want your gear rattling around bumping into other gear in one huge *unpadded* bag.

5) Gonna leave the gear in individual cases while in the messenger bag? Well, then now you've got a bag in a bag. You just threw "convenient" out the window.


By the way, I was a BMX freestyle photographer before I did pro sports. I had to haul cameras, lenses, lights, flash triggers, light stands, etc...on the BMX bike while humpin' it to the spots where the guys would do the tricks. I agree that a backpack is a pain for quick shots. But, a messenger bag isn't the answer.

Uhhh...I could be misreading the original post, but if what you want is a bag that will give you easy access to a camera while you're riding a bike, I'd suggest a handlebar bag. Maybe something like this:



Little bit of a pain to carry around when you're off the bike, but I'm sure you can either find one with an integrated shoulder strap or rig something up. But for convenience in grabbing something while you're riding, whether it's a camera, or a hat, or a snack, hard to beat having it right by your hands.

Just get a bento box.

Screw using a bag and lugging around a bunch of photo gear! Just do this:

i did that and wasted money
timbuk2 sucks ass

Good (or bad) for you. I love my T2 bags and they're awesome to deal with.

By the way, if it is a specific photo bag, look at the F-stop line. i nkow you said you wanted a messenger bag, but these packs are designed specifically for active photographers

except if you wear them high up the plastic buckle digs into your shoulder. great design id say

Wear it on your other shoulder. Serious. I got a right-handed one because I'm right handed and I wear it on the wrong shoulder because: 1) I like it better that way, it's what I'm used to, and 2) because I didn't know any better when I bought it.

Your supposed to wear them high up as far as I know, I used to hate mine and then I figured out that when its on you right (which will only ever happen whilst on a bike) you really can't feel the straps at all, who knows maybe I'm wearing it wrong and the right way sucks.

I don't have that trouble at all. I wear mine up high and the buckle is nowhere near my shoulder. Perhaps you're slightly deformed?

Besides, the newest ones have redesigned buckles.

Sweet flash deflector!!! How's it do when you get up past 8 mph?

Dude's got good taste in PnS cams, though. I love the Lumix.

Same here, except I actually knew it was dominant arm opposite shoulder. Then I pictured myself wearing it and was like, no way this is going to be comfortable.
And I was right

Manhattan portage makes some kick ass stuff

im not a fan of my left shoulder. i wear my bags super tight, like i have to slip them off and on with some force tight

I personally like Chrome, but then again, I haven't tried anything else xD lol! However, my chrome bag can be a ***** though, like trying to access it comfortably when standing and everything. Oh and their accessories are pretty pricey.

I have a cheap ass one strap backpack I got from Gap years and years ago and it's still working fine.

My vote for courier bags is the Bailey Works line. Had an old Patagucci Critical Mass Bag for years that was big enough for work clothes and groceries on the way home, but not water proof. Bailey Works is a step above Chrome IMHO. I have a XXL Super Pro for work clothes and lunch with room to spare. Solid workmanship, made in USA by hand one at a time. Check out the DeMartini Globe for the original messenger bag design.

One design element I like is a bag that lets you loosen the strap with one hand, swing the bag around to access it, swing it back, and re-cinch it super tight again with one hand. No need to slip out with force.

i have a camera bag in my messenger bag when i carry around my dslr. that way it wont bounce around. so far so good.