[Closed] Cycling with DSLR

IN a bag clipped to the chest straps of my camelback.

Insure it all risks, throw it in your bag and don't worry about it. Otherwise it'll constantly be on your mind. I have a lowe pro camera bag that'll give good protection but if I only want a small, more bike specific bag, I just wrap in in an item of clothing and push it to the bottom of the bag with second lens. Try clik (or it might be clic) camera bags for compact sports specific bags. Expensive and I don't think they are available over here though.

Some people wrap it in a waterproof and stick it in their bag.

I bought a Think Tank Digital Holster and the chest harness to go with it. You can adjust how high it sits on your chest, how tight is sits & the bag is expandable for a range of lenses. It also comes with a waterproof cover and a normal shoulder strap if you don't wanna use it while cycling.

I was a bit sceptical when I first saw it, so tried one at the Focus On Imaging exhibition and was well impressed. Costs about £50 all in.

EDIT:

One of these: http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/digital-holster-10-shoulder-bag.aspx
with one of these: http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/digital-holster-harness-strap.aspx

SFB uses a LowePro bag I think that fits onto his pack with carabiners - he'll probably post a pic in a bit....

chest pack:
[img] [/img]
very quick to access 🙂

Low-pro nova mini clipped on via carabiners.

wow as if time stood still exactly as above ^^^^^^^^

IN a bag clipped to the chest straps of my camelback.

I've not tried it myself but that sounds like a very bad place to keep it...
If you crash and land on your chest (very likely) you'll break the camera and your ribs. If not you'll break your wrist/arms/collar bone trying to protect your camera!

At the bottom of my bag it keeps the weight low and keeps out the way of trees and low branches. Only down side is I can't get to it in an instant.

I leave mine at home. Rocky descents in The Peaks and expensive cameras don't mix. Take a crappy old compact if you want to take pictures and not worry about breaking stuff.

If you crash and land on your chest (very likely) you'll break the camera and your ribs.

I have extensively tested this. I've never had time to even [b]think[/b] about the camera, but IME they're tougher than I am. One time the vibration reduction on the lens cut out 6 weeks after a heavy crash which I attributed to the impact, but there's never been any visible damage.

Rocky descents in The Peaks and expensive cameras don't mix.

Tart! Sounds like an ideal photo opportunity to me 🙂

I agree. but i work on the fact that if it brakes it brakes,the camera is insured,and i want access straight away,having never fallen on my chest in 20yrs,its something im not going to start worrying about now.
And its not uncommon to fall at least once a ride for me.

I've not tried it myself but that sounds like a very bad place to keep it...
If you crash and land on your chest (very likely) you'll break the camera and your ribs. If not you'll break your wrist/arms/collar bone trying to protect your camera!

I crash a lot, but don't think I've ever landed specifically on my chest. I have however ended up on my back quite a few times. Anywhere has a level of risk, but don't think a camera on your chest is worse than on your back.
It does mean that you don't have to take your pack off every time you want to take a picture though, so it's much quicker and in my experience I am more likely to actually take a pic if it means I don't have to take my pack off...

I use a think tank bag that is on my chest, i either clip it onto my rucksack or use the strpas that it came with that corss brehind your back. Is good.

i foudn havign an slr int eh rucksack not much use as i didn't stop much as i couldn't be botehred with the faff of getting it out and putting it back, or was too slow doing it and missed the moment. so it had to be on my chest and quick access.

Mate of mine was trying to sell one of the think tank bags, this one

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/digital-holster-30-shoulder-bag.aspx

might still be available, let me know if you;re interested. He was looking for about £25 I htink

Not a cheap option this...

Go buy a Panasonic GF1 - it's a small, lightweight DSLR. There are a stack of padded cases with lens flaps and chest or side mountings you can buy. The all important factor here is lightweight and compact - not heavy, bulky and cumbersome.

I keep it in my Camelbak inside a small "river bag", and then inside a padded case with a lens flap. If I see a photo opportunity, I can be arsed faffing about and getting it out. But it only comes out with me when I [u]plan[/u] to take photos.

Wow I'm surprised how many people carry their cameras like that! I see the benefit completely, taking your bag off is a hassle but I would never wear it on my front unless it was a pootle over the hills. I've had several crashes onto my chest and they are always the fast, out of the blue, no time to prepare, didn't see it coming crashes. Rag doll into a tree or over the bars on a steep rocky section where you don't have time to put your hands out and when you do, your hands slip and you hit the rocks full force anyway! I would have done serious damage to myself had I been wearing a 2kg chunk of glass, metal and plastic on my chest!

I agree with sfb, slrs will take far more abuse than people realise, especially the more robust pro models. My D200 has been covered in salt water, dropped and had a lens smashed by my mate running into me on the inside of a berm (the lens was terminal, body was fine!). Fear of damage is never a reason for me not to ride with my camera, only weight and freedom of movement.

Check out those bags I mentioned in my first post, could be useful to people on here.

it's a small, lightweight DSLR

it isn't, no reflex, and only expensive add-on and apparently poor viewfinder!

But it only comes out with me when I plan to take photos

that's every day, all the time for me 🙂 I take my D300 when I go for coffee or shopping 🙂

Well, I've crashed a fair bit in my time (I ride and race DH) and it's very unusual to land flat on my chest. Normally my arms and legs are involved first. Infact the only time I've had chest injuries from a crash was from a very hard impact on my shoulder and face putting me in hospital.

I want to take my camera out too...i'm a keen photographer so my camera's a bit pricey (more than my bike!) so i've been looking for a way of carrying it with minumum risk.

I reckon insurance is the first step, then there's a little pressure off knowing that if I break it I'll be able to claim it back (assuming the policy will cover it - is MBKing classed as an extreme sport?).

Next I was thinking about a pannier thingy on the back with a sturdy bag attached to it. I've seen some in Evans in Canary Wharf with the same interior as a camera bag, i.e. with adjustable velcro partitions. Not sure if my big zoom lens will fit in it, but I think it'll take my other lenses.

I spent much of my summer cycling around the North Downs and saw so many nice views, such as over the Denbies wine estate. Trouble is I was training for cycling the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne so didn't have time to hang around. Now i'm not training for anything I reckon i'll be taking my camera with me.

I don't like the idea of attaching it to my chest...if I was to come off i think I'll do my self an injury trying not to land on it...probably end up breaking my wrist or something.

simonfbarnes - Member

it's a small, lightweight DSLR

it isn't, no reflex, and only expensive add-on and apparently poor viewfinder!

You are right about the "R", I figured here was not the place to go into Micro Four Thirds techy talk. Viewfnder - I don't use one so wouldn't know - but I suppose it depends on which one you buy (it's an add-on). The big fat LCD screen on the back is good enough for me.

It is however a great all-in-one for adventuring.

if I was to come off i think I'll do my self an injury trying not to land on it..

I've had dozens of crashes and never damaged my camera, and it was unmarked when I forgot to do up the clip and it fell out as I rode down some steps 🙂

I do get through lens hoods though...

but I suppose it depends on which one you buy (it's an add-on). The big fat LCD screen on the back is good enough for me.

there's only one as made by Panasonic. IMO big fat screens are very poor for photography, particulary action 🙁 How can you hold the camera steady away from your body ?

there's only one as made by Panasonic.

You can use other optical viewfinders for framing if you are using a fixed lens.

IMO big fat screens are very poor for photography

It's funny, people seem to quite like my photos, even though they are taken with the 'very poor' big fat screen.

How can you hold the camera steady away from your body ?

Easily. What kind of shutter speeds are you using where you can't hold a camera steady without having it against your face?

chuck mine in the wingnut

You can use other optical viewfinders for framing if you are using a fixed lens.

yes, I suppose you could even make them yourself 🙂

It's funny, people seem to quite like my photos, even though they are taken with the 'very poor' big fat screen.

I said "photography" not "photographs", the action of taking the shot, not the result 🙂

What kind of shutter speeds are you using where you can't hold a camera steady without having it against your face?

up to 10s ? I always prefer to remove camera movement as a factor, and I imagine panning would be a nightmare 🙁

Silly me thinking photography was about taking photographs! 🙂

You take handheld shots 10 seconds long? You must be superhuman to be able to get a sharp shot like that. Or do you mean 1/10s?

Panning is admittedly not a strong point of the GF1, but is certainly possible.

These are very good if you just want to chuck it in a bag and not have the bulk of a lowepro rucksack etc. I have one for each body and they're good if you just want to go out with a camelback not a 'look at me' bag.

http://optechusa.com/pouches/soft-pouch-digital-d-series.html

You can get a gorilla pod for SLRs that might help with slow shutter speeds, or if you could just take a tripod if you can be bothered to carry it.

I prefer the viewfinder myself, you can hold the camera more steadily using that I find, although liveview's useful for awkward shots.

You take handheld shots 10 seconds long? You must be superhuman to be able to get a sharp shot like that

however long it takes! My point is that I don't care to add to the possibilities of spoiling the shot.

Simonfbarnes - as I suspected would happen, you have completely de-railed this thread and turned it into technical discussion on photography.

I think the initial point was the safe transportation of valuable cameras in a relatively dangerous activity.

There... back on track...

I think the initial point was the safe transportation of valuable cameras in a relatively dangerous activity.

and I think they're quite robust and I've never managed to break one despite extreme carelessness. It might be dangerous if you gave thought to protecting it during a crash so don't.

I crash a lot, but don't think I've ever landed specifically on my chest.

I have, loads 🙂

I have an Olympus E620 which I bought because it and the lenses are small. I put it in a small caselogic bag and stick it in my camelbak.

Molgrips - my point exactly. Small but powerful camera, easy to pad out and stow away in a non-rib-or-camera-breaking-location.

If I was intending on riding at 100% balls out, taking risks, riding stuff I hadn't done before etc. I probably wouldn't take my camera.

If I was on a 'normal' ride, taking 'normal' risks I probably would take my camera.

Yes, there's a risk on any ride that you'll damage yourself or your kit but you have to weigh the risk up against the advantages of accepting that risk.

If I carry my SLR in my rucsack I know pretty well from experience that the chances are I won't use it, as to me it is a pain having to keep taking my bag off, unravelling the camera from all the protective stuff I choose to wrap it in & then put it all back.
Yet, I am still carrying it with me and there is still the risk I will damage it. But I gain no benefit of it being with me, so it's a pointless risk....

If I carry my SLR on my chest I can be stopped & ready to take a pic in way less than 30 seconds. I can also get the camera packed away and be riding again in less than 30 seconds. This makes it much less disruptive to others who are riding and it isn't such a pain to use. So, I am more likely to use it.....
There is still a risk involved in taking it with me, but that risk is mitigated by the fact that I am more likely to actually use it & it isn't just a dead weight, or pointless risk.

Horses for courses.......

Another point about the 4/3 or micro 4/3 cameras is the 2x focal length multiplier. So a 150mm zoom is equivalent to 300mm on a 35mm camera. This means that lenses tend to be very small and light, as well as the camera.

Re faffage, I only take the DSLR on solo rides where I know I can stop and fiddle. If I haven't got time to mess around taking photos then I probably won't even take a camera at all.

Just another voice here.. each to their own of course.. We all ride differently 🙂

i take my camera(fuji SL1500)with me most times i go out and when i first started thinking about how i would take my camera with me just happen to come across a thread on here showing sfb with the camera strapped to his cheast and to me it seamed to be the logically way and in a year ive never had a problem and think ive taken more pictures than i would have had it been in my pack plus iam pretty sure that chipps carrys his camera in the same way.

Lowe Pro on my chest. I bought a four thirds camera because it was smaller to carry. Don't fall often but haven't damaged a camera yet whilst out riding with one since around 2004.

plus iam pretty sure that chipps carrys his camera in the same way.

it was he that suggested it to me 🙂

Rocky descents in The Peaks and expensive cameras don't mix.

Tart! Sounds like an ideal photo opportunity to me

If a photo is of such quality it needs the extra IQ of a DSLR then its worth taking properly, which means time. Time that could be better spent riding.

If I was out on a ride specifically to take photos then I would just put the camera in my rucksack, ride slowly and take my time taking pictures. If I'm out on a ride with mates then a small tough compact is much better than a DSLR for documenting the ride and won't slow you down or be at risk all the time.

(Maybe living in the peaks has made be a touch picky on both photography and riding opportunities)

Another lowepro chest pack user here. Carrying a D80 with 18-135mm lens. I crashed over the bars last week. Didn't even think about the camera until reading this thread, it's been working fine since.
The convenience of the chest pack is fantastic.

I use a Kata T212. Comfortable, secure, padded chest bag with easy access
[img] [/img]

then a small tough compact is much better than a DSLR for documenting the ride and won't slow you down or be at risk all the time.

every compact I've ever seen is as slow as shite 🙁 As for taking time over photography, I lack the patience for that 🙂

The Micro Four Thirds technology is still a vast canyon of unknown-ness for some peeps.

They're not "compacts". Not as fast as £3500 DSLR - but WGAF? Unless you're a paparazzi on a mountain bike?

is still a vast canyon of unknown-ness for some peeps

more like a minor backwater ?

you have completely de-railed this thread and turned it into technical discussion on photography

more than people dragging toy cameras into a question about carrying DSLRs ?

Stop trolling Simon :yawn:

eeek it's trip-trap-butterfingers Grum 🙂

I know I'll get flamed for having a jack of all trades master of none Panasonic FZ38 Bridge camera but I've found it fits perfectly in a Lowe Pro Apex 60 bag and isn't too big or heavy for my chest strap. 12M Pixies 18x zoom and a veiwfinder for £250 isn't bad in my book.

flamed ? More of a toothless gumming perhaps 🙂

That's the same case I use for my GF1 with 20mm lens on my chest strap - no zoom though, but I don't often find it to be a problem.

I helmet mount mine with a cable remote on the chest strap.

Similar to this.

[img] [/img]

eeeek, that'll have TJ kicking off!

Now all I need is to learn to take pictures like Grumm but not SFB as I would probably end up with a restraining order. 8)

but not SFB as I would probably end up with a restraining order

you may have missed the fact that the women in question often bend over when requested to give a better view and don't seem to be bothered at all except the lovely but body dismorphic Lisa 🙂

That's where I've been going wrong - I should have realised that I need a 200mm zoom and 6 fps to take pictures of girl's arses - that's what photography is all about. 😛

I need a 200mm zoom and 6 fps to take pictures of girl's arses - that's what photography is all about.

I can't think of anything better 🙂

Get yourself one of these...

[img] [/img]

DSLRs aren't completely safe in a backpack. It wasn't in a case and I did fall onto a sharp rock.

[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4678884359_0477f8d0f9.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4678884359_0477f8d0f9.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/crewlie/4678884359/ ]June 7th[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/crewlie/ ]crewlie[/url], on Flickr

I wrap mine in a T shirt and sling in the bottom of my bag. I actually carry my camera out riding very infrequently as I can never be bothered to run off and hang around for the other riders, but have still managed some spectacular crashes with the camera in the bag.

They do get damaged every now and again, but I get all my camera repairs and servicing done for free so couldn't really give a monkeys.

simonfbarnes - Member

you have completely de-railed this thread [...]

more than people dragging toy cameras into a question about carrying DSLRs ?

Merely exploring options my good friend. I presumed anyone risking a DSLR on a hazardous ride was doing so for the purpose of engaging in some high quality photography... arguably one of the main reasons why the micro four thirds was conceived.

All the awards bestowed on the Panasonic GF1, and the fact it is a first choice "expedition" camera for some pro journalists', has a little pish your wee bonfire.

Does that Nova Mini bag have 4 loops on the back then?

I presumed anyone risking a DSLR on a hazardous ride was doing so for the purpose of engaging in some high quality photography

for me it's not got much to do with quality, it's just that my DSLR has the handling and characteristics I want. As for hazards, I only think of them in respect of myself, the camera can take what comes

Does that Nova Mini bag have 4 loops on the back then?

mine has 2 rings, one each side near the top either side, and I sewed a piece of webbing to the bottom to clip onto my pack's waistband - this stops the camera bouncing around.

Thanks - I wouldn't mind something chest mounted that doesn't need a camelbak to attach to, I don't always ride with a camelbak

for me it's not got much to do with quality

🙂

I carry a EOS7D with a decent lens around with me in my camelbak - I stick it in an open lowe pro holster (more to keep it away from dust than anything else). Never had a problem in the 5 years I've been doing this (obviously with previous gen DSLRs). I just roll ahead and then get pictures of my mates coming down - lets me combine my two hobbies...

Whilst I'm a little tempted by the GF1, its a little wanting from the FPS point of view for sequences and very wanting from an autofocus point of view.

Carrying a big camera does mean I have a heavy pack, but I guess I just MTFU. Crashed on it loads of times, never a scratch. It's insured anyway so I may as well use it. Just did two weeks in canada doing fairly large drops and jumps and it was fine...

All the awards bestowed on the Panasonic GF1, and the fact it is a first choice "expedition" camera for some pro journalists', has a little pish your wee bonfire.

well, I shall take another look if I ever go on an expedition, but I prefer to use my own criteria of use rather that those of people I don't even know 🙂

Thanks - I wouldn't mind something chest mounted that doesn't need a camelbak to attach to, I don't always ride with a camelbak

[url= http://www.clikelite.com/shop/ ]Clik Camera Bags[/url]

jamesgarbett - Member
Thanks - I wouldn't mind something chest mounted that doesn't need a camelbak to attach to, I don't always ride with a camelbak

Like the Think Tank stuff I linked to at the start of this thread?

The link below is for the harness, but shows a pic of someone wearing the harness and bag. The harness & the camera bag (or digital holster as they like to call them) is about £50 for the lot.
The straps aren't bulky so don't get in the way, can be clinched up really tight to stop the camera moving or easily loosened & the bag comes with some decent features (waterproof cover, separate shoulder strap, expandable end for different lenses, scratch guard for the LCD etc)....

[url= http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/digital-holster-harness-strap.aspx ]Think Tank Digital Holster[/url]

Pic from the website! It's not me, although maybe I should take some at some point so people can see what they are like.....

[img] [/img]

EDIT - the bag can sit low down or high up, so don't think from that pic it's going to get in the way.......it doesn't.

DSLR I'll carry on my chest.

The GF1 is a good camera, I've taken an action shot for a Magazine cover with mine.

My D300 with either Sigma 10-20mm or Nikon 17-55mm comes on every ride with me. Lives somewhere in a backpack with lunch, jacket and tools, usually wrapped in a fleece.

As post on page one, insurance is the key. I have a backup at home in case I fall on the camera and ride in the full knowledge that I can creddly card a new body / lens for the weekend wedding and my insurance will pay out in the very near future.

I'm with the chest carrying camp. It's uttererly pointless having it somewhere on your back where you can't get to it. I can be taking pics within 5 seconds of stopping.

I bought mine mostly for MTB photography. So that's what it does. I've fallen on it once and chipped a bit of plastic off the edge of the lens and also thrown it down a road at 15mph trying to take a low down backwards shot. Bent flash mount was the only damage, so I bent it back. There's no point being precious about them. It's just a camera. And as for only taking them out when you ride alone, what a waste of time and money! A decent compact can do good static scenery shots, because that's all you'll be taking! Anyone can do that!

Note: Do not buy 2nd hand cameras from PP or me :o)

Indeed Simon. Mine is starting to look rather well used now. But it keeps on taking pics without complaint, I'm used to the button layout and the functions, and I'm still getting better at using it, so there's no point replacing it right now 🙂

PeterPoddy - Member

I'm with the chest carrying camp. It's uttererly pointless having it somewhere on your back where you can't get to it. I can be taking pics within 5 seconds of stopping.

That's a very good point...stopping to get my Camelbak off to get more gels is a pain in the ass. I'm warming to the chest pack idea now, especially the thinkTank one, I'm a fan of their bags as they're well made.

Might use it snowboarding too.

stopping to get my Camelbak off to get more gels is a pain in the ass.

definitely, when I switched I found myself taking 10 times as many photos on a ride 🙂