Which camera bag

[Chris Smith]

I'm after a camera bag for a digital slr and a couple of lens'. Preferabley waterproof. I've looked at the Ortlieb bags but I'm not sure. The Lowprow Photorunner looks good 'cos its got plenty of room and doesn't look too much like a camera bag (if you know what I mean!). Any recomendation would be apreciated. I want something I can carry all day long and stick in the tank bag when I'm on the bike.

Cheers

Chris

[A.B.]

Any bag not designed to hold a camera (i.e.: Ortlieb) won’t have the proper padding to protect your equipment against bumps and vibrations. As far as I know, you will only find all weather camera bags with rain covers, but not water proof. That means if properly sealed it will protect the equipment from rain or water spray on a boat for example. If you want waterproof I think you’ll gonna have to go with a hard poly or aluminum case like Pelican or Otter box.

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A.B.

OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations.

[MickBaines]

I frequently take cameras onto boats and have used peli cases in the past, but have recently investigated options for soft waterproof bags. Lowepro now do such a thing - the DryZone 100 and 200 bags. They look pretty much like ordinary rucksacks in yellow or grey. Pretty expensive in the UK, but check out Ebay - they are much cheaper from Canada.

Details at www.lowepro.com

Mick

[Chris Smith]

Cheers for the replies. In the end I went with the LowPro Photo Runner which is more like a large padded out bum/fanny bag. Its not waterproof but its the most practical for getting off into the mountains and away from the bike and just big enough to take an SLR and a couple of lens' and filters + flash or a second compact camera. The Lowpro waterproof rucksacks look good but its a little big for my needs.

AB - Ortlieb do do a number of dedicated camera bags which are padded and similar to a normal 'over the shoulder' camera bag. They're waterproof (or sand proof). I didn't go with one though 'cos they look like a camera bag. Thanks for your comments though.

The only reason I didn't go with the Ortlieb was that it looks just like a camera bag - which tels everyone you've got a camera. The Photo Runner looks like a bum bag so it doesn't suggest its got a camera inside it so 'maybe' I'd be a bit less of a target in market places or wherever. (Maybe not too but atleast I'll feel better about it!)

Cheers all

Chris

[dw]

No No No No No! Uggh, I hate those bulky bags. What you need is a Domke, the choice of pro's. Beautiful, rugged, extremely well crafted durable canvas bags keeps your gear dry in incredible deluge's. They're black or brown, that's about it, some well sized pouches and a gripper strap so it doesn't fall off your shoulder. Built to last, and subtle on the streets.

Remember.....

DOMKE!

Don

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www.donaldweber.com

[jklotz]

I bought a Pelican, extreemly rugged and waterproof. I am currently trying to find a way to strap it on the bike, as it is a little large....

[fireboomer]

Considered bolting it down to the lugage-rack? That way they can't steal it that easy or not at all:-)

[fireboomer]

On our next trip I wonna take our (newish) Nikkon D70 with us + 2 lenses.

I am thinking of placing it in the tankbag. Quick acces and so on + tankbag can be used as daypack when not on the bike.

Touratech has a model that is made for camerastorage.

Any other options? Any reasons not to put the camera in the tankbag?

[ekaphoto]

Any other options? Any reasons not to put the camera in the tankbag?[/B]

If it is a soft bag and you drop the bike on the side, the entire weight of the bike will impact the camera. Can't be good for it.

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John

[fireboomer]

John,

That is just what you avoid by putting it in the tankbag (not in a sidebag). Thought is was a reason to put expensive and fragile gear there.

Pieter.

[ekaphoto]

Doooh. I was thinking of mine that sit on the side of my tank and hook over the gas cap.

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John

[fireboomer]

Just came up with a possible major pro for the touratech tankbag.
My girlfriend has the Touratech tankbag with the sidebags on het BMW F650. And she is very happy with them. I also have to say that they look a lot better then mine from H&G.

Now I am considering buying the same Touratech set up but not with normal tankbag but with the 'fotogear-tankbag'.
I am then hoping that my girlfriend and I can switch tankbags from day to day. So that both of us get a change to take picture without having to bother the other one for the gear. Allows each his creativity from day to day.

Two questions left:
* Is the touratech tankbag for fotogear worth it? Will it do the job?
* are the two tankbags (mine would be for a Honda Transalp) and the one for a BMW F650 compatible?

[Jerome]

Hi FB,

I found the Toura camera bag too small and more difficult to open quickly.

I use the enduro bag with a solid block of foam inside which i cut to shape to take two slrs side by side:

- a 70-200
- a 17-35

I can stop, open bag, take shot fairly quickly and dont lose time changing lenses, risking dust getting inside, dropping camera or lens etc.

Too slow and the shot has gone.

Rain - the fairing protects it very well. i olny use the rain cover if its really pissing.

ive dropped my bike many times and the cameras (touch wood) have always been ok.

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Jerome

http://www.fowb.co.uk

[fireboomer]

Hmmm, just got a mail from touratech. No VP45 tankbag for the Transalp...
Any other good options out there?

Thinking of keeping my old HG tankbag with sidebags and putting the camera in there with protective foam around. And around the foam a plastic bag to waterproof it.

I am hoping to be able to just place the whole foamblock inside my girlfriends tankbag every day. And switching in that way.

We are taking a Nikkon D70, 38-70 and 70-300. This is what should go in the tankbag + the filters you wonna use from time to time.
Rest of the material (spare battery, charger,...) can go somewhere else.

What kind of foam should I look for and how do you cut foam best?

[Lafitte]

I use a TEK backpack by Tamrek . Well padded , straps to GS about anywhere and wearable while off the bike. Holds D70, lenses and mini tripod . I really like the backpack bags for being hands-free .
http://a1672.g.akamai.net/7/1672/116.../444764393.jpg