I've been experimenting with Digital Camera(DC) and Action Cam(AC) for a while now and was wondering how other people setup their cameras.

I carry my digital camera (Panasonic LX10) in my top tube bento bag and pretty happy that I can access it easily. However, there were a couple of times I almost drop the camera.

My biggest issue is with my AC. I mounted on my handlebar, chest and my helmet, but the videos were all too shaky. I'm thinking about getting GoPro Karma this year and use the grip to stabilize the camera.

What and how do you guys setup your cameras?

Quality Handle bar bags, notably Ortlieb, offer a padded liner with a cradle for DSLR lenses to lay in..

I toured with 35mm film cameras and brought a compact Tripod, (20 years ago)

If I bike in the city, I carry my cameras in a camera bag which sits in my backpack (a camera bag is an extra security measure). I'm planning to start a tour this summer, so been thinking on how to carry cameras and a transformer tablet. As long as I'm a photojourno, I will take 2 cameras and a set of lenses. The cameras are little system cams which I use and abuse a lot during different expeditions, so they are pretty sturdy and reliable, but small and not heavy at the same time. So, here are my thoughts on "how-to-carry-equipment" (at least how I see it before I hit the road. things can change on the way, so any ideas are appreciated).
1. One camera (as well as wallet, cards, batteries, phone and small stuff like a knife and a phone) comes into a waist bag with backpack straps. Got one on aliexpress, seems great and comfy with additional backpack straps.
2. The second camera, lenses and batteries come into a camera bag which is put into a front pannier.
3. The tablet goes to a protective hard case (which seems to be water resistant as well). Got it in a local supermarket for around 12$, but it seems sturdy. All this goes to the same front pannier.
+ batteries, chargers, cables and some more stuff come into the pannier.
So, the idea is that I have one camera with me all the time, so I can stop and put in out of the bag and shoot almost immediately. If the main camera gets f&!cked (if I fall or anything like that), I always will have the second one which is protected on the right front pannier.
Again, when getting supplies (so the bike is left outside a store), I have a small bag on my waist, so only one front pannier should be taken with me (to make it more comfy, a shoulder strap can be used). So, most expensive equipment and papers and stuff is always with me.
/ if you guys have any suggestions, please, let me know /

About dropping a camera. Just take one rule seriously - ALWAYS USE A NECK STRAP. Put it on your neck before taking a pic. It takes only 1-2 secs to put it on, but can save you some real $. It's just my #1 rule when shooting.

About stabilisation of an action camera. Try and search on the web. This year I met a guy who runs a videoblog about adventures, so he bought a stabilizer for a gopro. I tried it and loved it. Really good stabilization, comfy and the battery is great. Unfortunatelly, I don't remember the name, but I do remember that the guy bought in online in one of Chinese stores. The guy also told me that the same company produces stabs to use on bikes.

edit: found how the stab looks like https://chako.ua/upload/iblock/0e4/s...-for-gopro.jpg. the price on aliexpress is around 250$. suppose, more stuff like that can be found and maybe even cheaper.

I've used a low cost Garmin Virb with acceptance results. I mount the unit on handlebars and film during scenic descents.

In Italy:
In Illinois on gravel:

Oh Tripod. Never thought of using one. I might experiment with that.

I don't think I need a backup. One of the things I learned from travelling was that you can buy stuff locally if you need something. Neck strap is pretty difficult to use if I don't stop. I take more photos while I'm on the bike so I'm thinking retractable tether like the ones they use on GoPro. And Karma kit comes with Karma Grip so I think it will do.

DSLR and Lenses. I guess you guys are much serious about taking photos than I do.

Haven't toured with my DSLR. My point and shoot generally goes in my back jersey pocket.

My GoPro is mounted on my handlebars. I don't find it to be all that shaky of video.

Linus. I always carry 2 cameras. It's my main piece of equipment, so I can't risk and end up with a broken camera in the middle of event/reportage/expedition And another reason is that I shoot with fixed lens, so one cam has a 28 on, another has a 50 (in case of reportage or shooting a story).

A neck strap is okay if to make it a bit longer. Was shooting like that right while riding a week ago.

This is a copy of a post I made earlier to another thread:

We carry our cameras in our bar bags in a padded case.


Extra lenses are small enough to also fit in the bar bag with other valuables. The bar bags with all important items (passport, wallet, spare batteries and SD cards, etc.) always stay with us, on or off the bike. We also don't use lens caps, so it is easy to reach into the bar bag while riding and slip the strap over my head. I take a lot of photos of other riders while riding.

My last camera drowned in a handlebar bag that let rain in quickly and out slowly. I just got a small waterproof camera that I plan to carry in my jersey pocket (rinse the sweat off.) I can also carry it in my fishing vest and not worry about it if I step in a hole.

Try an Ortlieb bar bag; they are really waterproof. On one tour we had 35 days of rain, not a problem. However, I have often had the same thought that it would be nice to have a waterproof point and shoot for shooting in downpours. I'd still carry my "good" camera, but use the P&S in really wet conditions.




Our entire family uses Ortlieb bar bags and panniers.

Maybe I just need to edit my footage better.

I had my camera inside my jersey pocket once, it just almost dripping wet. Never again.

For the action cam it is very easy to mount it on a selfie stick, then zip-tie a short piece of pvc to where handlebar meets the stem and keep the camera there. For rain - either put on the waterproof case or move the camera somewhere else.

For the stabilization, i have used a gopro for few years and if not on pavement or a decent dirt road the footage is almost unusable, very happy with one of the sony action cameras that have optical stabilization. That and not making double file sizes makes it better than the gopro, even if the software/shooting options are not as great.