How to carry OM-D E-M5 to be accessible when backpacking?

I'm thinking about getting an OM-D E-M5 for backpacking and I'm wondering what the options are for carrying it in a way that it is easily accessible while backpacking without removing the pack, that would be handsfree carry (both hands will be on trekking poles) and would provide some security/protection so that the camera isn't going to swing around and bump into things.  It also needs to not interfere or complicate taking the backpack on/off.

Any ideas for how to best carry it?

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John
Gallery: http://jfriend.smugmug.com

I have used the ClikElite Access while riding dirt bikes. Should be plenty secure for backpacking if worn under your pack or can be added to your pack straps with a little effort.

product link.

Used Domke F-5xb on a few occasions wearing it around the waist just above the backpack belt. This way the back can be in front or slightly on the side and high enough not to cause any discomfort when walking.

What I do is put the camera in my Tamrac 5682 pouch that has D rings.  Then I use small caribiners on both sides to strap the pouch across my chest to the pack straps on either side.  That way, the camera is readily accessible, protected from dust and rain, doesn't bounce around, doesn't interfere with my poles, rope, or ice axe; and it's easy to remove if I want to take the pack off.

I've seen guys carry SLRs with Li-Ion batteries naked in really cold conditions with no problems; but in low temps, I carry the camera in a pouch inside my parka.

Dave

I leave it around my neck and pass one arm trough the strap so the camera doesn't bump at every step. I have a 9-18 or 14-150 on the camera and the other lens fits in a hipbelt pocket of my backpack. Couldn't do that with a SLR!

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Erick - www.borealphoto.com

This is what I usually do. I also have a pack with fairly large hipbelt pockets that it can fit into with a pancake lens especially the new 15mm. There are places you can get these hipbelt pockets as add ons (I'm thinking Z-packs et al, but not sure if ultra-light weight is your thing or what the compatibility is).

You can't beat a chest pack for back packing IMO. I have one by Lowepro and one by Think tank, both with chest harness. They allow the camera to be protected but very quickly accessible.

The Access seems a little larger than what I would have thought was required for the E-M5 since it apparently can hold a dSLR.  How do you find the size?

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John
Gallery: http://jfriend.smugmug.com

I have a ThinkTank chest pack now that I've hiked with my Nikon D300 + 17-55 f/2.8 several times (including the top of Mt. Whitney).  I"m trying to go smaller and lighter this time because the hike is the John Muir Trail (212 miles) spanning 3 weeks.

I was hoping to avoid the separate chest harness for several reasons.  I guess that means I'm looking for something that attaches to either the backpack shoulder straps or hip belt or both.  It is very important to me that I be able to get the camera out without taking the backpack off though since I know I'll take 5x as many pictures if the camera is readily available.

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John
Gallery: http://jfriend.smugmug.com

I used a chest pack similar to the lowepro attached to the d-rings on the backpack straps for quite a while. What I didn't like was that it flopped around a lot and that I had to disconnect it every time that I wanted to take the pack off. I guess it also depends on your lenses. I always had the Panasonic 100-300mm on the G2 or Em5, or the 300mm f4 on the Nikon D7000, so I needed relatively large packs.

I don't know what you are planning but simply around the neck is an option.
Of course it flops around and may interfere with other straps. So the best is to hold it in your hands. When the scenery matches that's the way to go anyway...

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And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. - Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

I use the camera clip from Peak Design.

https://peakdesignltd.com/capture/

The thing I like about it is that you have very quick access to the camera so that you don't miss any picture opportunities. They have a plate that is especially designed for Micro Four Thirds, as it is narrower. The plate is also Swiss ARCA compatible. I highly recommend it!

-R

Yep, I understand - but will stay away from replying about a specific gear or pouch recommendations and speak to "where" to put it - and "size / shape / bulk" - and weather resistance - having hiked and backpacked a bunch...

First, figure out what body and lens you think you "have" to have - go small and light if possible - then pick a thinner, smaller, low-bulk pouch to fit.

In general, I've avoided bags and pouches that are "overbuilt" - but to each their own.

As to "shape" - well, the less it protrudes from a harness or waist belt (or wherever) in any one direction the better, as you will not like it being in the way as you move through your hike.

I've had good success with my solutions - use trekking poles - and often forget I even have a camera pouch on - especially once I enter the Zen of moving miles down the trail - and THAT is nice.

Worried about protection and weatherproofing?  Find something with thinner padding - or add your own (like foam packing sheets) - and take along a zip-lock bag - or such - for when the weather turns.

In-pack, on-the-back solutions haven't worked well for me - as I like a cam to be in very quick easy reach - without having to stop a remove a backpack or CamelBak...

So:

I have found that for a small P&S or small-bodied m43s cam - since I am right-handed - a left upper harness small pouch works best - enabling me to quickly retrieve the cam without removing a pack.  If the pouch isn't especially weatherproof, I slip a zip-lock bag over it (friends sometimes use a sil-nylon ditty bag or shower cap) and have found one of those simple solutions faster and quieter to use than zippers or velcro; especially for capturing wildlife shots quickly.

If I'm using a larger m43s body and lens, a larger but adequately thin pouch or small fanny pack mounted on the left front backpack waist belt works well too.  If the pouch is mounted on the waist belt too far around toward the side - it is in the way of arm / trekking pole movement.  If it hangs too low while more around to the front - it gets in the way of leg movement.  So, a more horizontal pouch toward the front works best.

The key, for me, is quick accessibility without the cam / pouch being fiddly, loud, or in the way.

In good weather - and when I am in an area I know wildlife is abundant - I'll leave the top-zip pouch partially or wholly open - being mindful all the time.  Think:  top loading pouch here.

Either of the pouch positions described is out of the way of almost all my arm and leg movement - and works for about everything but more extreme rock scrambling in tight places.  Then, its a choice of being uber-careful - or placing the cam temporarily inside the backpack or CamelBak.

In general, on longer trips I carry a smaller cam, on shorter ones a larger one; but it depends on what I am after.  Weight, bulk, capability, situation, and weather are always tradeoffs.

Pouch size and position on a harness or waist belt are key.

Less may be more.

Cheers,

Scott

When you are hiking the probability is that you will be wearing at least two layers around your chest. If your outer layer has a front zip then all you need to do is to keep the camera around your neck on its neckstrap and inside the front zip.

I do this when both walking and cycling either with a GF1 or an LX3 protected in both cases by a leather case, although the E-M5 water resistance would render that extra camera layer superfluous.

I agree with BigBarney.

One or two big Napoleon pockets are a wonderful thing; and an easy solution IF the camera will fit and the backpack or CamelBak harness is not in the way.  Just as a precaution, try to determine if the cam in a Napoleon pocket will cause uncomfortable binding under or next to a harness while you move.  It may or may not - and you may have to experiment some.

And, BTW - chest camera packs can add unwanted bulk and weight - and can kank needed ventilation and be HOT - so give that a little thought...

Scott

Agreed. There are chest straps out there that are designed to use in conjunction with the regular strap; the chest strap is used to contain the camera from swinging around.

Another means is using something like a Lowepro top loader with it's chest rig option. The bag is right there on your chest, ready to pull out a camera and shoot.

Small holster attached to my pants belt. I have a small Loewepro holster that fits the E-M5 with the 14-45 mounted. That's the way I normally carry the camera, not only when backpacking.

Google "Peak Design Capture". Its made for exactly this purpose.

I use a top loading camera bag with a foam strap over the shoulder to carry the weight and slip the pack waist belt through a loop on the back of the top loader to keep the bag from bouncing.

http://webbox.lafayette.edu/~reiterc/hikes/adir/2013/01d/wp1240139.jpg

http://webbox.lafayette.edu/~reiterc/hikes/adir/2011/04/wdscf7674.jpg

I am in the market for a new top loader but will wait an see which lenses I favor carrying. So far I've been pretty happy with the 9-18 but once the birds start chirping I will want more.  Best, Cliff

I use a fanny pack type bag strapped around my waist, then rotated so the pack is in front.

The back pack waist belt fastens beneath the fanny pack and helps hold it upwards.

The fanny pack is accessible at any time without removing the back pack.

The limitation I see with the Olympus OMD for back packing is battery life.

Are you going to take a solar charger?

maljo