Carrying photography gear on a ride

[seinberg]

Hi all,

I consider myself a "serious hobbyist" photographer -- not professional, but have been exhibited a few times and try to carry a "real" camera with me more or less everywhere I go. Phones have come an amazingly long way, but are still nowhere close to a match for a real camera&lens with someone who knows how to use it

Anyway, normally I'd just carry a photo backpack with me on a road bike, but with my fancy new ebike that has a rack that panniers can attach to, I figured I'd let the bike do the carrying instead of getting all sweaty with a bag on. I thought I'd find a huge selection of panniers specifically designed for photography gear, but alas, there's basically nothing (a few token things I found on Amazon all looked like not what I'm looking for). I'm curious what others have done when they wanted to carry nice camera gear with them.

My current solution is as follows:

First, start with a Peak Design Small Camera Cube, which can hold about two smaller lenses and a camera with a small lens mounted on it. Increase the size of one of the lenses and you're left with two lenses and the body. I shoot with a Sony A7R3 and like to go light so only carry a 35mm f/2.8 Zeiss, 55mm f/1.8 Zeiss, and an 85mm f/1.8 Sony lens. Sometimes I keep just the camera and a 24-70mm f/2.8 GM lens and drop the 35 and 55. You could also do e.g. a 70-200mm f/2.8 and body if you wanted to shoot birds or something like that.


Second, put the camera cube inside a waterproof Ortlieb Downtown 2 padded laptop pannier. It can easily fit a 15" laptop and the camera gear. I tend to put a 13" work laptop & the camera cube in, along with a few odds and ends.


Third and lastly, attach the bag to the bike It works really well to carry along on rides. Getting the camera out can take some time, so I tend to leave the camera cube unzipped while latching the Downtown 2 pannier. But once I'm stopped, getting the camera out to take pictures of whatever is around is super easy and knowing everything is secure is really nice.


And Bob's your Uncle! You've got a safe, doubly-padded camera travel ebike solution

 

[Mr. Coffee]

I'd really recommend adding a tombstone-style front rack to your bike (if possible) and using a Rando Bag. They can come in quite enormous sizes (up to 15L) and will hold an enormous amount of camera gear. It is just in general more convenient if all of the gear is right there in front of you so you just step forward and straddle the top tube and break out your gear.

An added bonus is that on many of the designs the oversize lid is secured by a shock cord you wrap around your stem. That means it is easier to reach into the bag when it is closed and grab a snack or a compact camera or whatever.

 

[PDoz]

Consider how you'd feel if the bike fell over on all those expensive toys, or you caught the pannier on passing traffic.

Have you considered a custom built frame bag? I know they're not cheap, but I guess they are when compared with camera bags......the good ones are built for the bikepacking enthusiasts , so tend to be waterproof, well thought out, and priced to match . This is the only one I could find that fitted my triangle....I'm still procrastinating about spending the $

https://www.ovejanegrabikepacking.com/products/superwedgie-frame-bag

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Consider how you'd feel if the bike fell over on all those expensive toys, or you caught the pannier on passing traffic.

Have you considered a custom built frame bag? I know they're not cheap, but I guess they are when compared with camera bags......the good ones are built for the bikepacking enthusiasts , so tend to be waterproof, well thought out, and priced to match . This is the only one I could find that fitted my triangle....I'm still procrastinating about spending the $

https://www.ovejanegrabikepacking.com/products/superwedgie-frame-bag

If I caught the pannier in passing traffic I'd be much more worried about my leg than the camera gear. Always always always with panniers you must put the precious gear on the non-traffic side.

There are a lot of online tutorials on how to make your own frame bag. In general you'll get better results with a homemade one (in terms of fit) than with any store-bought frame bag. They aren't that hard to make and even if you are inept at sewing you should be able to recruit a friend to make one for you.

 

[seinberg]

Great advice! Thanks all! A bunch of suggestions I hadn't even considered.

I like the idea of bringing a handlebar bag, but most of them look like they mount where my Bosch Intuvia display is mounted. Are there other ways to mount other than literally on the handlebars in the center?

The other limitation with some of the suggestions (like a frame bag) is that my bike doesn't have much room inside the frame -- I don't think much photo gear would realistically fit, not to mention it's wide enough that my legs would probably rub against it as I rode.

One thing I realized that is also more or less a requirement is being able to fit a 13-14" laptop. I use a Surface Book 2 13.5" laptop and a Chromebook Pixel (which is something like 12") pretty regularly and typically have one of them along.

I will say that I'm not very worried about being side-swiped and having the gear ripped off or whatever -- I'd be more worried about myself in that situation, and frankly I live with that risk every day I ride so having a pannier adding a few inches on the side doesn't stick out any farther than my handlebars so I'm not very worried. Similarly with falling over. If it happens, that'll suck, but with double padding in the bag and camera cube I'm pretty comfortable with the risk.

Does any of this information change the suggestions?

 

[pnop]

I carry mine in a backpack. If I leave the bike, everything goes with me.

 

[seinberg]

I carry mine in a backpack. If I leave the bike, everything goes with me.

Yes, totally! That's key - easily bringing along. That's why I use the QL3.1 system version of the Downtown 2 bag -- it has a shoulder strap and is super easy to disconnect and take along (literally just lift a small metal wire and pull it off).

 

[pnop]

Yes, totally! That's key - easily bringing along. That's why I use the QL3.1 system version of the Downtown 2 bag -- it has a shoulder strap and is super easy to disconnect and take along (literally just lift a small metal wire and pull it off).

I looked that up. I'm curious about something. How is that for jarring while on the bike? If the backpack is on me, I absorb a good bit of the jarring.

 

[seinberg]

I looked that up. I'm curious about something. How is that for jarring while on the bike? If the backpack is on me, I absorb a good bit of the jarring.

There're definitely vibrations, but the camera cube and padded pannier both absorb all the jarring vibrations. The QL3.1 system is very secure, so the pannier isn't rattling around on the side; it's pretty firmly secured to the rear rack. The vibrations of the bike aren't enough to worry me -- it's worth it to me to not have a sweaty back, but I know camera gear can be even more precious than bicycling gear to people so understand the desire to keep it in a backpack

 

[City Commuter]

I bought my Canon Rebel T2i in 2011 when they just hit the shelves, it has traveled in panniers on various bikes every bike season for thousands of miles. I fold a flannel shirt up and set it in the bottom of the bag with the shirt mainly up against the bike frame inside. The camera never gets jarred that way except for dampened movements transmitted thru the bag, and it does not experience any harsh vibration. It's approaching 14,000 pics and still works like the day I bought it. I still use the original battery, HA! wish ebike batteries lasted that long.

 

[Bicyclista]

I'm a professional photographer specializing in architecture and interiors, and I use my car for those assignments due to the sheer weight and quantity of the equipment required: three cameras, several lenses, an electronic gimbal, and a very sturdy tripod. Sometimes a drone.

But I use my full suspension e-mountain bike to access and photograph wildlife, mostly birds. At first I would simply take my camera and a very long zoom lens in my Thinktank Glass Taxi, a backpack specifically made for long telephoto lenses. Then I got an Old Man Mountain rack, the only one that would fit over my 3-inch tires, and is securely supported by my rear axle. I made a custom camera bag out of an Ortlieb pannier, using cushioned dividers to protect the camera and lens from all sides. I carry a Nikon D500 with a 200-500mm zoom lens in that pannier. There is also a compartment for a Leica Monochrom with either a 28mm or a 35mm lens.

Ortlieb sells a water bottle cage for its panniers, and I use it to carry a monopod. The monopod rests in the water bottle cage and the top is clipped to a pannier D-ring for security.

I find that I can get my equipment out and set it up faster with the Ortlieb pannier than with the Thinktank Glass Taxi. Quickness counts when you're photographing birds. I also prefer not to carry a heavy backpack when bicycling.

In two years and maybe 2,500 miles, I have crashed more than once (off-road) while carrying my photo equipment inside the Ortlieb pannier. The equipment has never suffered a scratch. Me, I've had many scratches and bruises!

 

[PaD]

I usually carry my camera on my back with the ordinary neck/shoulder strap. I would like to have some kind of light chest harness to have the camera ready for a quicker grap and shoot. When using the shouldr strap I often have to move the camera back in position to my back. But I’m used to that
My setup is an Olympus EM5 mk ll with an Olympus 9-18mm (18-36mm equiv. on a Sony A7) and a 45mm (90mm equiv.) that I put in the handlebar bag. This is a Micro 4/3 system so my gear is smaller and lighter than @seinbergs Sony and Zeiss gear.
I also use my iPhone 8 as I don’t always bring the Olympus for shorter rides.
Earlier I had a Canon 40D and a 17-55mm and that combo weighed 3.2lb. Carried that over my shoulder for week long bike tours.
The M4/3 setup weighs 1.7lb, camera and the 2 lenses. Maybe I’ll get a 12-40mm 2.8 to replace the 2 lenses on bike tours but I like the 9mm wide angle possibility.

 

[seinberg]

I usually carry my camera on my back with the ordinary neck/shoulder strap. I would like to have some kind of light chest harness to have the camera ready for a quicker grap and shoot. When using the shouldr strap I often have to move the camera back in position to my back. But I’m used to that
My setup is an Olympus EM5 mk ll with an Olympus 9-18mm (18-36mm equiv. on a Sony A7) and a 45mm (90mm equiv.) that I put in the handlebar bag. This is a Micro 4/3 system so my gear is smaller and lighter than @seinbergs Sony and Zeiss gear.
I also use my iPhone 8 as I don’t always bring the Olympus for shorter rides.
Earlier I had a Canon 40D and a 17-55mm and that combo weighed 3.2lb. Carried that over my shoulder for week long bike tours.
The M4/3 setup weighs 1.7lb, camera and the 2 lenses. Maybe I’ll get a 12-40mm 2.8 to replace the 2 lenses on bike tours but I like the 9mm wide angle possibility.

You might consider the Peak Design Capture Clip. That would solve the shoulder strap problem for you, but you’d need something on your body to clip it to like a backpack strap or something like that.

I used to shoot with the first version of your camera, and in fact took it with me on my honeymoon to Scandinavia (Stockholm, Oslo, some Fjords in Norway, and Copenhagen) several years ago. Really great camera and system. I traded that older version and my Canon gear (a full frame DSLR) for the Sony system about a year ago. A bit bigger, but having full frame and only a single system was worth it to me.

 

[PaD]

You might consider the Peak Design Capture Clip. That would solve the shoulder strap problem for you, but you’d need something on your body to clip it to like a backpack strap or something like that.

I used to shoot with the first version of your camera, and in fact took it with me on my honeymoon to Scandinavia (Stockholm, Oslo, some Fjords in Norway, and Copenhagen) several years ago. Really great camera and system. I traded that older version and my Canon gear (a full frame DSLR) for the Sony system about a year ago. A bit bigger, but having full frame and only a single system was worth it to me.

Thanks a lot for info about the Capture Clip. I’ll look into that.
I fully understand you wanted a full frame camera with the picture qualities and possibilities and the Sony is quite compact too.

 

[Jimfastcar]

Was about to post a thread about this, and presto ! There it was listed below (a feature I have never seen in other Forums BTW)
Anyway, last response almost 2 years ago - any new experiences to relate ?
I am leaning towards Peak Design camera cubes inside an Ortlieb pannier, both of which I already own.
Thanks

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Be careful Jim. It all depends where and how you ride. If it is rough terrain, take great care of how the bottom hook of the Ortlieb pannier is oriented. It should point upwards to prevent vertical movement of the pannier.

If the hook points down, it is very easy to lift the pannier from the rack. Unfortunately, the pannier/rack cannot understand your intention. If you rode a rough trail with the hook down, the shock might release the pannier exactly as you lifted it yourself. Such a mistake cost me almost 800 CAD (equivalent) in repair of my Pentax K-1 DSLR camera.

Bear in mind: The bottom hook should point diagonally upwards. And avoid serious shock on your rides!

 

[Jimfastcar]

Be careful Jim. It all depends where and how you ride. If it is rough terrain, take great care of how the bottom hook of the Ortlieb pannier is oriented. It should point upwards to prevent vertical movement of the pannier.

If the hook points down, it is very easy to lift the pannier from the rack. Unfortunately, the pannier/rack cannot understand your intention. If you rode a rough trail with the hook down, the shock might release the pannier exactly as you lifted it yourself. Such a mistake cost me almost 800 CAD (equivalent) in repair of my Pentax K-1 DSLR camera.

Bear in mind: The bottom hook should point diagonally upwards. And avoid serious shock on your rides!

Thanks for the comment. I do not anticipate rough terrain as I will be doing mostly "Old Man riding"

 

[luka82]

I saw once on a Youtube video that there is a special backpack with a big sponge inside for carrying cameras inside. Anyone have any idea on where I can buy it from?

 

[Mr. Coffee]

I saw once on a Youtube video that there is a special backpack with a big sponge inside for carrying cameras inside. Anyone have any idea on where I can buy it from?

You don't want a backpack full of expensive and heavy things while you ride your bike.

Depending on how much you want to spend there are some great options for camera backpacks:

https://www.amazon.com/Backpack-Waterproof-Weatherproof-Durable-Accessories/dp/B07ZYVXFYD/ref=asc_df_B07ZYVXFYD/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459717376558&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16314045949423637833&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033660&hvtargid=pla-1015862631117&psc=1

McKinnon Camera Pack 35L

Not just a camera bag, the McKinnon Camera Pack 35L offers thoughtful compartmentalization with customizable dividers. Choose how you want to pack!

www.nomatic.com

Atlas Athlete Pack

All packs in stock! The Athlete Pack was awarded "Best Camera Bag for Travelers" by National Geographic. Finally a comfortable camera bag with lots of space for non-camera gear. #atlasathletepack #carryon

atlaspacks.com

My advice, you're better off with a decent bike bag.

 

[Jimfastcar]

You don't want a backpack full of expensive and heavy things while you ride your bike.

Depending on how much you want to spend there are some great options for camera backpacks:

https://www.amazon.com/Backpack-Waterproof-Weatherproof-Durable-Accessories/dp/B07ZYVXFYD/ref=asc_df_B07ZYVXFYD/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459717376558&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16314045949423637833&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033660&hvtargid=pla-1015862631117&psc=1

McKinnon Camera Pack 35L

Not just a camera bag, the McKinnon Camera Pack 35L offers thoughtful compartmentalization with customizable dividers. Choose how you want to pack!

www.nomatic.com

Atlas Athlete Pack

All packs in stock! The Athlete Pack was awarded "Best Camera Bag for Travelers" by National Geographic. Finally a comfortable camera bag with lots of space for non-camera gear. #atlasathletepack #carryon

atlaspacks.com

My advice, you're better off with a decent bike bag.

Agree, I do not think I would want to ride a bike with a high center of gravity