bag to make -easy to get at on a bike? (anybody got the new toploader 75aw ?) (update

mipevo6

mipevo6

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Martin
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Folks,

Having recently taken up the bike again, I am looking for a bag to take only the equipment in the title.... (7D with 100-400 attached)

I can then scoot over the park to shoot cricket or deer or birds...

I would like something that I can just stop, whip the camera out and shoot...

Any recommendations ?

Thanks in advance
 
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Handlebar bags have been used for decades by cycling photographers, but not really for that sort of load and bulk. The weight up there works against the self-steering action, so you need to ride sensibly. Ortlieb are a good brand, but one I looked at just now wasn't large enough. One by Carradice was just about large enough, but its flap didn't open away from you when astride the bike.

A saddlebag can isolate the camera from most of the vibrations and be large enough for plenty of shock protection, in case of a fall, and when leaning the bike against a wall. You could use a cheap and light shoulder bag with your own padding or extra clothing and the camera in a Tupperware-style box, allowing you to quickly take the bag from the saddlebag. Frames are available to keep saddlebags and their contents from knocking and abrading against the saddle post, and strap loops can be screwed to the saddle rails if your saddle isn't equipped with them already.

A rack-top box would require a pannier carrier. Maybe your bike already has one?

Another option is a backpack. The Cranes used `em, cycling across the Gobi Desert, but I wouldn't want to, unless I had to. You'd probably have to take off the backpack; rest it across the handlebars to take out the camera; put the backpack back on; start shooting...
 
Thanks both of you.... I hadn't considered either of these options.

1) Messenger

I have a Crumpler messenger style bag already. It is reasonably large and bulky but would take the camera with lens attached. My concern would be it moving around and swinging about as I cycle.

I will have to try it out and see how much it moves

2) Bike attached.

I am generally not a fan of bags on bikes. I will be going over pretty rough ground which would concern me with shock and vibration and mud flying around. The bike is a hybrid so has front suspension but no rear suspension.

3) Backpack

I have a lowepro flipside 400 AW already. It is a decent size and swallows a huge amount of kit. I can flip it around to get the camera and kit out but it is overkill for a quick jaunt over to the park / along the Thames

Are there any other options ?

Hip / belt mounted ?
Chest mounted?

Not sure I can think of anything else that might work ?

Thanks again
 
I use a Lowepro Slingshot 200 with a 7D and 100-400L. Works quite well, I can also get 2 other lenses in there.

The 7D + 100-400 fits with the lens hood reversed and the lens fully collapsed. You then simply swing the bag round to your front and half unzip to pull out the camera/lens. Yes you have to remove the lens cap and if required fit the hood, but the bag is ready instantly and is safely on your back when moving. It also has a rain cover too.
 
Personally I would stick with a backpack but i guess the toploader type thing with or without the optional chest harness might work too?

find lowepro toploader 75 pro aw on amazon to see what i mean as they suggest the chest harness too so you can see that on there.
 
NaturS said:
I use a Lowepro Slingshot 200 with a 7D and 100-400L. Works quite well, I can also get 2 other lenses in there.

The 7D + 100-400 fits with the lens hood reversed and the lens fully collapsed. You then simply swing the bag round to your front and half unzip to pull out the camera/lens. Yes you have to remove the lens cap and if required fit the hood, but the bag is ready instantly and is safely on your back when moving. It also has a rain cover too.
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That sounds like an interesting option.... I will certainly take a look...

It might be a little on the large side as I am looking for the smallest possible option if I can.....


dubcat said:
Personally I would stick with a backpack but i guess the toploader type thing with or without the optional chest harness might work too?

find lowepro toploader 75 pro aw on amazon to see what i mean as they suggest the chest harness too so you can see that on there.
Click to expand...

This looks like an interesting option...

Small neat and what looks like the smallest solution....

My concern would be the size of the harness as someone who is 5 11 says it is small in one of the reviews... I am 6 2 and not a small guy :-)

Anybody tried this solution ?

Cheers
 
The slingshot 200 isn't that large, the 300 looks a lot bigger. The 200 is as small as you can get for a slingshot that will fit the 7D+100-400. I can take a picture later when I'm back hoe if you wish showing the combo in the bag.
 
Get a pannier rack and shove everything delicate on the top part directly behind the seat in a flipside 200 or something lightweight that you can sling on your back if you go over rough terrain. Even if the body and lens can handle those kind of vibrations, its possibly something you might want to avoid subjecting them to. The rest of your gear just chuck in some standard pannier bags.
 
Jamtea said:
Get a pannier rack and shove everything delicate on the top part directly behind the seat in a flipside 200 or something lightweight that you can sling on your back if you go over rough terrain. Even if the body and lens can handle those kind of vibrations, its possibly something you might want to avoid subjecting them to. The rest of your gear just chuck in some standard pannier bags.
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Intention is to take nothing but the camera and lens... I have bags for normal shooting, this would only be for when I shoot over the park / along the Thames mostly for wildlife / cricket hence the 100-400 being the only lens I would take. This means I shouldn't need any other bags/panniers as I will be travelling light :)

NaturS said:
The slingshot 200 isn't that large, the 300 looks a lot bigger. The 200 is as small as you can get for a slingshot that will fit the 7D+100-400. I can take a picture later when I'm back hoe if you wish showing the combo in the bag.
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Does it fit a 7D with the 100-400 attached?

Or do they have to be separate ?

And yes a picture would be fantastic if you can?

Thanks again folks, keep the suggestions coming :thumbs:
 
I've got the Slingshot 300 which is quite a large bag but fits quite securely on your back (there's a waist strap too for extra security) and it can easily take a 7D 100-400mm combo (as well as a 15-85, 50mm, Nissin 866i flash and Gary Fong lightsphere).

On personal experience I think I'd be seriously considering a Slingshot 200/300 :)
 
I've got the flipside 200 that I have used on a bike before. It's actually pretty sweet as you can access all your gear without taking the bag off, but its also pretty secure. It's also a reasonable size without being overly large. Maybe that will fit your brief?
 
OK, the bag with 7D attached to 100-400 and a couple of lenses too...

DSCN0161.jpg


And then the opening as you see it when you swing the back round to your front to get the camera out.

DSCN0162.jpg


As I said earlier, you need to remove the lens cap and optionally reverse the lens hood, but it's pretty quick.
 
NaturS said:
OK, the bag with 7D attached to 100-400 and a couple of lenses too...

And then the opening as you see it when you swing the back round to your front to get the camera out.

As I said earlier, you need to remove the lens cap and optionally reverse the lens hood, but it's pretty quick.
Click to expand...

Hmmm that looks like a decent option.....

Thanks for taking the pics...

I will have to go try it out....

I wonder if the combo would fit in the 102?
 
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I wonder how this would work on my bike.... It looks like the camera with lens would fit perfectly....

Lowepro Toploader 75AW

Youtubevideo
 
Check out www.cambags.com to see if there is anything relevant on there - users upload pics of their bags with various kit in it.. long shot but worth a try.
 
I have a Toploader Pro 75AW. I use it if I only want to carry my gripped 50D with a 70-200L 2.8 IS USM, with or without a Kenko 1.4 Pro TC, fitted. I just tried it slung over my back and I reckon you could easily use it on a bike (I do a lot of cycling). Bear in mind that I am 5' 7", average proportions, and with the shoulder strap tightened as far as it will go the bag was as low as I would want it to be. Also the torso strap is needed to stabilise the bag. I reckon you would also need a rear mud guard to stop crap being thrown up and on to the bag, and/or some kind of cover to protect the bag.
 
magirus said:
I have a Toploader Pro 75AW. I use it if I only want to carry my gripped 50D with a 70-200L 2.8 IS USM, with or without a Kenko 1.4 Pro TC, fitted. I just tried it slung over my back and I reckon you could easily use it on a bike (I do a lot of cycling). Bear in mind that I am 5' 7", average proportions, and with the shoulder strap tightened as far as it will go the bag was as low as I would want it to be. Also the torso strap is needed to stabilise the bag. I reckon you would also need a rear mud guard to stop crap being thrown up and on to the bag, and/or some kind of cover to protect the bag.
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Thanks Magirus,

This sounds workable then.. I am 6 2 so it would be a little higher on me... I could easily just put the AW cover over it when I am cycling, both for dust and mud... :-)

I shall have to try it...

Thanks all
 
Folks,

My Lowepro 75 AW just arrived...

A perfect fit for the 100-400 on a 7D.

This would also work if you had a grip.

Flexible straps, T piece strap really keeps the bag stable....

Thanks for the input folks..
 
Pictures please. Please take them with another camera so we can see the bag with camera and lens inside it. Also please take one with you wearing the bag like you did with the temba. That was really useful.
 
dubcat said:
Pictures please. Please take them with another camera so we can see the bag with camera and lens inside it. Also please take one with you wearing the bag like you did with the temba. That was really useful.
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Here you go...

You can slide the bag round your back, round your front, or wear it either side...

The T piece strap holds it steady.


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a quickr pickr post
 
Oh and you can hang it vertically or horizontally....

And yes I think it works well for what I was looking for...
 
Cool - thanks for that - looks like i'll be getting me one of those too - thanks again

B-)
 
Don't forget guys, it takes a gripped 50D with Kenko 1.4 TC and 70-200L IS USM 2.8 attached. Plenty big!:)
 
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