Bag or Case recommendations?

Mike Logan said:

Mike Logan said:

Mike Logan said:

I am currently shopping for the least aesthetically attractive product that protects my gear. Appreciate any suggestions!!!!!!!

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Go to Target etc. and buy a super cheap soft cooler bag. They are a fraction of the cost of "camera" bags, yet really are very close to the same thing as the "camera" bags, targeted towards high end buyer$$$. The major benefit is that thieves won't steal your lunch especially if it says "Sponge Bob" on it. LOL
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http://www.karenengel.com

• Karen

Hehe, not a bad idea. I learned a long time ago though to never leave anything at all in a car, desguised or not. Perhaps it comes from years of building custom cars and taking the security of my creations very seriously, but never, ever leave any electronics in the car that aren't litterally bolted down. The heat of a parked car can be damaging to the internals. If it isn't hot and you must leave a camera or computer in the car, make sure to put it in the trunk with the valet switch in the locked position, preferrably when and where no one can see that you put it in the trunk.

With that said though, to all the new answers, thank you for commenting. To the one who suggested the backpack, that would be great, but if you looked at the photo of the bike I am talking about, a backpack would be the most problematic since my back is firmly planted in the seat. As for my question about bags attached to the bike, does anyone know if the bike vibrations are potentially harmful to ny part of of the camera or lenses?

Diaper bag! Who would steal one?

Or, I bought a used (that is very important) surplus rucksack (looks Swiss). It has repairs (two different colors of leather straps), made of very heavy canvas, and had a cumbersome strap system. I took apart the straps, attached them with screws (minus the extra hardware), and use a Domke padded insert inside. Looks like a book bag for a poor college student (ugly faded green), but no one ever gives it a second look. More rugged than a diaper bag and has some water resistance (heavy canvas).

Wayne

I carry a similar kit in a Lowepro 200AW, but it requires careful layout to do it (due to the beer can). I set the dividers for vertical carry of the lenses and the camera just clears the top of the beer can (protected by the end of the divider). But, this does not work well for bike carry, where the vibration will kill your system. Also, the Lowepro Slingshot's tend to loose their shape (mine, after frequent use for about a year - hiking several hours two days a week except when it is snowing or raining)

I now rely on a Domke J803 or a Billingham Hadley pro depending upon how much I carry. The beer can is the issue, and the Hadley handles it and three other lenses (one on the camera) quite well. The Domke can carry two lenses in the supplied padded partition and one on the camera (so the beer can stays home) or the beer can and one lens on the camera (or I can wrap a second lens in a padded Domke wrap).

These bags look much like a soft brief case, and most would not think there is a camera inside. Plus, the canvas is water resistant. But, the Hadley is much too expensive new - find a used one, and the Domke can only be found at a pro level camera store or mail order.

Wayne

PS The F6 Domke bag can hold the beer can in one of the partition slots, and is the smallest bag I have found for that application. The camera would not be protected as well as the optional single compartment section will not fit the 7D or A700 (they are too wide when used with the padding). The A100 and 5D fit fine.

While I really liked the surplus bag idea for the security of it, I think I am going to go with a known quantity because my needs have changed a little after thinking about it. I realized that when I hike with my camping gear, I actually take many of my pictures along the trail. For that use then, I am going to get a holdster or something of that sort, possibly even straps to keep the camera out in front of me strapped to my chest.

For use around the city or travel to other cities and non-camping type trips, I realized I almost always take my lap top and little pocket printer. Currently each of those occupy their own bags, but the idea of three seperate bags is just annoying since I prefer to travel as light as possible. To that end, I looked into bags that I can put all three in and I found the National Geographic Medium backpack, the Kata DR-467, and the Lowepro Fastpack 250.

I like the National Geo best because it still has the rough rucksack/surplus look, holds my lap top in a way that feels most secure to me, and I THINK it is the most comfortable. However, it is also the most expensive, and isn't necessarily the easiest to get into in certain situations. The LowePro is much more rapid access and is the cheapest, but there is no weather protection and it looks like a camera bag. I didn't find it too comfortable either, though my time was really short. Finally the Kata is a little less camera-ish I think, has a rain cover, but I didn't get to try it on. Has anyone had one of these and can share some longer-term opinions or observations? Even better, have any of you had more than one that you may compare and contrast your experiences? They say finding the right bag is the hardest part, and I am inclined to agree!

HUM469 said:

Here's a photo of the type of bike I ride for those not familiar with
recumbents:
You can see how bags can mount over the seat. On mine, I also have a
cargo rack that sits over the rear tire there just behind the bag.

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Most of my camera carrying for touring upright I designed and sewed a special handlebar bag for the camera. A nice suspension and instant access. I used a Olympus IS1 then. My camera for less photo oriented touring now is a Minolta Z6. I hardly ever cart a full DSLR kit on bike tour.

But, I'm even more exotic than you now:



A Greenspeed GTR touring (recumbent) trike. If you want more photos look here:
http://wwknapp.home.mindspring.com/Greenspeed/my_gtr.html

For now I'm carrying camera in the RT60 panniers in a top pocket, or in the tailrider. The top pocket of the RT60 is just behind my shoulder in the photo. Not the most convenient to get at as I have to stop to turn around and get it out. I've been thinking about sewing a special to mount on the fairing bar I'm using for the mapholder, though I don't keep that bar on all the time. Or else a under seat bag. I've tried several small bags over the back of the seat but nothing works well. Going to be back to sewing my own probably.

Walt

HUM469 said:

I was starting to look at bags from the
perspective of modifying one to mount on the bike and on my backpack
when a thought occured to me. Aside from the ovious damage potential
in a crash, is there any potential trouble just from the ride itself?
In other words, if I mount a good padded case onto the bike, there
still are times when the vibration or bumps of the road can be harsh,
is this vibration likely to damage something or thow something out of
alignment? I really do not have an answer for this so I thought I
should ask.

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I put quite a few thousand miles on a Olympus IS1 out bike touring. It never had a bit of a problem. But, as I noted in another post I built a special handlebar bag with a custom suspension that cradled it and kept the bumps away.

The Minolta Z6 I'm carrying now is so light and in a position where it cannot hit anything hard I don't worry much. It's also not expensive.

Be sure you have good rain protection. I've spent whole days riding through a downpour.

The trick with bumps and bangs is that the camera does not hit anything hard, and is not stopped too abruptly when bouncing. That's padding or suspension.

Remember thousands have carted a camera clear across the US on a transam without damaging it. Mostly just a little padding in a pannier or handlebar bag.

Walt

Thank you Walt, I am familiar with the Greenspeed trikes and why I had a blast on them. I think the point that was brought up was about the A700 in particular. I know I can carry my 828 with and not have any problems, but what about the SSS system in the A700? It isn't really clear if the SSS mechanism actually has some sort of locking mechanism when it is off, or if the sensor is still suspended by the actuators. If it is still just suspended, then it at least SEEMs possible that the vibrations and pothole hits could damage it in some way. Part of what got me wondering was the thread "A700 hit the ground hard". I understand that properly cusioned under normal riding, my cam should never be subjected to forces of that magnitude, but repetitive lighter forces have been known to wear things down too. I don't know though, I suppose I could just stick with the 828 on the bike. I am just absolutely love shooting with my own A700 now, I don't want to leave home without it!

Do you know the Ortlieb series of waterproof outdoor equipment?

I've used the bike panniers for many years now and wont have
anything else on my bicycle - e.g. for long distance touring in
wet areas like Alaska, New Zealand and Scotland.

They also have a handlebar bag for which a special camera
insert is available. I have the handlebar bag, but not the insert, so
I can't really recommend it but it might be worthwhile to look into.
On bike trips I keep my camera (Lumix FZ20) in the bag inside a
bag originally made for a Minolta Vectis

The home page is http://www.ortlieb.com

Mike

HUM469 said:

Thank you Walt, I am familiar with the Greenspeed trikes and why I
had a blast on them. I think the point that was brought up was about
the A700 in particular. I know I can carry my 828 with and not have
any problems, but what about the SSS system in the A700? It isn't
really clear if the SSS mechanism actually has some sort of locking
mechanism when it is off, or if the sensor is still suspended by the
actuators. If it is still just suspended, then it at least SEEMs
possible that the vibrations and pothole hits could damage it in some
way. Part of what got me wondering was the thread "A700 hit the
ground hard". I understand that properly cusioned under normal
riding, my cam should never be subjected to forces of that magnitude,
but repetitive lighter forces have been known to wear things down
too. I don't know though, I suppose I could just stick with the 828
on the bike. I am just absolutely love shooting with my own A700
now, I don't want to leave home without it!

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I know the feeling, I've carted SLR kits all over the place hiking, sometimes bike touring. Hate to leave them home too. You will find that bike touring with a DSLR will add lots of weight as you just have to have this or that lens along....

I'll have to look in the sony repair manual as to how the unit is supported. I'm sure there are no parking locks as such, but it may pull up against some stops. And I know the mechanism frame is bolted to the main body subframe. I think it just suspends on the actuators and the tracking surfaces. But it's worth remembering the sort of forces just the regular operation of the SSS puts out. Rapid acceleration and decel is just normal for that mechanism. And lots of fine movement normal. It would take a lot to straight wear it out.

I would think that padding, or a shock suspension would take care of it. The main thing to avoid is sharp fine vibration, which is fairly easy to suppress. Your body will probably complain before the camera. And you know how long that takes.

Actually my Minolta Z6 has the same type of stabilization system. As I've noted I've yet to ruin it in several thousand miles of riding. And it's probably a lighter built mechanism than the a700.

Walt

Mike, thank you for taking the time to respond.

Yes I do know about Ortlieb, but the handlebar bag is of no use since I have no handlebars to mount it to. Of course I do, but since they are down under my seat, I don't think that is a great place for a bag! I am still thinking aout how to do it, but my biggest concern was how to protect the camera, from impacts as well as vibrations. It is possible I should just not bother and keep carrying my F828 on the bike instead, but I cannot seem to make up my mind on that count or on the idea of which bag I should buy for non-bike use either!

For some reason I thought the Minolta P&S cams used some sort of optical system. Either way though, I suppose I have some choices to make, most of which the board cannot help with. Oh well. Concerning my post below about LowePro vs Kata vs National Geographic though (the second "New Question" in this thread), have any experiences or thoughts you can share on that? I need to order something soon.

HUM469 said:

For some reason I thought the Minolta P&S cams used some sort of
optical system. Either way though, I suppose I have some choices to
make, most of which the board cannot help with. Oh well. Concerning
my post below about LowePro vs Kata vs National Geographic though
(the second "New Question" in this thread), have any experiences or
thoughts you can share on that? I need to order something soon.

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The way I operate is to have my system, which is quite large, in a couple large system bags and several individual bags for large lenses and tripods and such. Then I have an assortment of smaller bags and for a individual foray I'll choose an appropriate bag or set of bags.

I did get the feeling for some of your uses the modular systems of Tamron or Lowepro might suit. They are complex to sort out. I've thought of using some modules with the Greenspeed. Worth looking at.

I think what I'm saying is to expect to end up with several solutions, not one.

I checked the repair manual. Not much help there as the SSS is replaced as a unit, so no breakdown of it's design. It mounts behind the shutter, has one screw adjustment on it for the alignment, and the sensor mounts on the back of it.

Walt

Yes, I see (or saw, really) the problem with the handlebars

The reason I suggested the bag is because of the sort-of free-swinging
mount. I think that helps reduce the 'bad vibrations' compared to
an attachment which is directly on the bike.

Could you adapt the handle bar mount for use on your seat back?

This would probably leave you with a specialized solution for the
bike, though.

Mike

It might be posible to modify it for the seat, though the cross bar is on the seat pretty low down and the swinging could end up as banging on the rear rack and trunk that sits on top of it.

In any case so far, I have decided to let the bike part of my issue sit for a while and instead focus on all my travels where in I need to fit my laptop, camera gear and little 5x7 printer in one bag (for the plane/boat/cab switches, hiking through never ending urban areas, etc). For that, I found the LowePro Fastpack 250, Kata DR-467, and National Geographic Medium backpack. I ruled out the LowePro so far because it did not have any water protection, did not feel very rugged nor fit all too well. I cannot decide between the Kata and the NatGeo though because of several reasons. They seem to fit/feel similarly comfortabe, my lap top fits better in the NatGeo, the printer fits better in the Kata, the Kata is cheaper, the NatGeo looks better and has more room for small bits (lots of pockets), the Kata seems slightly lighter, and so on. It's enough to drive someone crazy. I can read many good reviews on both, but in all cases no one seems to be able to compare these two directly. I can find the Kata for about $89 and the Nat Geo for $130. I don't think the style alone is worth $40 to me, but is there something I am missing that makes the NatGeo bag better in other respects? Or am I just searching too had because I don't want to ADMIT the style is worth $40 to me?

Oh well...