Camera Strap and/or Bag for Cyclists

[gcoates]

In addition to being a photographer, I am a cyclist. I mostly commute to work on my bike, but I have aspirations of bikepacking and gravel rides.

I'd love to find a camera strap that would let me securely hold my camera on my back or side--preferably my back to even out the pressure--and provide easy access in case I want to grab it for a photo. Does anyone have suggestions for such a product?

I'm also curious as to general camera-carrying solutions for cyclists, particularly if you want to take a more complete kit such as a camera and more than one lens on a bike. I worry about vibrations if the bag is on the bike instead of the cyclist, but I really hate wearing a backpack while I'm riding. Any good solutions here?

Right now, I'd be carrying a 35mm SLR, but it would be cool to ride with a 4x5 kit into the wilderness.

 

[adelorenzo]

Almost all my riding is either off road or on snow. Here are some things I have used.

• A Black Rapid Sport or similar strap works well. You can lock the camera in place on your back when riding and then unlock it to slide forward. No protection from the weather though and it can bounce around. Used to do this with my Pentax 645.
• A Mountainsmith or other really big fanny pack will hold a big camera. Have used this setup with a Nikon F5 with an extra lens for some pretty gnarly riding and bushwhacking. Provides good protection and fairly easy to spin the pack around to the front.
• Currently have a Cotton Carrier chest mount. Haven't really ridden with it much yet but it's a great setup for hiking around. Mostly used the F5 so far.
• On multi-day trips I've used various sized top loading pouches attached to my chest via the backpack harness. Have carried cameras like the F3, Fuji GS645W and the Mamiya C330 this way. Camera is well protected and easy to access but it can bounce around on your chest if you don't have it rigged properly.
• Using a camera insert inside of a regular backpack is also a good setup but of course you have to take off pack to shoot.
• Dedicated photo packs are another option. For the 4x5 and larger Icaneras mountain bike with a large Evoc photo pack it fits really securely. I'm probably going to back the new Shimoda Designs pack on Kickstarter.

 

[Helios 1984]

Milk crate, lots of padding.

 

[gcoates]

Thanks, Anthony! That's a wealth of knowledge.

Has anyone tried either the Mettle Speed Strap (https://www.mettlecycling.com/thegoods/mettle-speed-strap-pre-order) or the Outer Shell camera strap (https://www.outershelladventure.com/shop/camera-strap)?

 

[cramej]

As for bags - some messenger bags, for example the Tenba DNA Messenger 15, have d-rings for a waist strap to secure it if needed. I haven't used mine cycling, but I might be tempted to choose a backpack instead of messenger for that.

 

[AgX]

I am still evaluating myself. I wonder if not a hardcase on the body would be the better option in case of crash (quite likely in german traffic) or even to mount a hardcase on the bike instead. I am testing a slingbag too.