Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I'm looking for something that will hold at most a 70-200 mounted (7D) but more often a smaller lens, or a couple smaller lenses.

Right now I've come up with two options, the first is the ThinkTank Digital Holster which would mount to the handlebar as seen in the pic on the site. I'm not a particularly wild rider but I'm still not sure I'm comfy with my camera mounted there.

The other option is a Lowepro Slingshot 200. I'd use the belt buckle to keep it on my back. The problem with this option is that I can't wear my hydration back pack at the same time.

Any suggestions? Thoughts?

I'm a die hard mtbr, but one thing I found early on is that I can't do both at the same time. Not worth carrying such heavy equipment while on the trail. There is a Lowpro backpack with a built in hydra pack, but you will not be able to fit what you want to use.

To me it's best to have a Camelbak hanging off your back with a point and shoot packed away inside it.

Good luck.

You may want to look into Kata Bumblebee 222 ultra light backpack. Though it is not out yet, I was impressed by the demo model the had at the Henry's show last weekend. The lady mentioned that it might be out by June and the price point was ~250, I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHJCkyKyPs0

That Kata does look very nice but more than I'm willing to carry on a ride and way more than I need.

imageone, I wouldn't consider taking this bag on a serious ride but for a casual spin, which is mostly what I do, I wouldn't mind having my camera.

I like my Kata 3N1-20 bag. Works great on the moto.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c731Fk0 ... re=related

Perhaps the Cotton Carrier system - not a bag but it will carry your camera and you can still wear a backpack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jph91t3M ... re=related
http://www.cottoncarrier.com

I have no idea where to find them in Canada and they look rather expensive, but Clik Elite has some nice looking bags that are aimed squarely at bikers, hikers, and skiers.

Take a look at this Mountainsmith,
http://www.mountainsmith.com/products.asp?productId=271&categoryId=13&subCategoryId=27&subCategory2Id=0

There's no way I'd use a Cotton Carrier to ride. Or with my camera exposed in any way. A fall at Hilton Falls (jaggy rocks) with an exposed camera? Or anywhere else? No way. Plus, the way I ride I think the camera would be smacked across the stem and handlebar far too often (once is too many times and it would happen several times a minute on even a slightly technical trail). Some of those Clik bags look like possibilities but the chest bag could be a problem. For one I don't particularly like the idea of a chest bag and I don't think I'm tall enough to provide for the necessary space for that to work. Like with the CC chest mount I fear the bag would get in the way of the stem and handlebar. I'm about to go for a ride, I will make a point of paying attention how close my chest gets to bar.

Some interesting reading on the subject here: Part I, Part II and a link to the Ortieb Aqua Zoom.

Ah .. didn't realize you were a hardcore rider. Nevermind.

Nah, casual with brief moments of getting myself into situations beyond my abilities.

Ions,

Check out the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW. It is a well designed pack that rides very well. I have worn it while scrambling up steep hillsides without it shifting or throwing off my balance. I haven't tried it on a bike, but I intend to use it with my MTB.

The suspension system has a belt and a chest strap that helps keep it in place. It is much more stable then the Kata 3n1-30 which I also have and have stopped using as a hiking pack since I have the Flipside.

The genius of the Flipside is that the entry for the gear area is on the harness side. So when you put the bag down to get stuff out you get dirt etc on the back of the pack and not the harness. This also provides security since the bag cannot be opened while you are wearing it by someone behind you.

The Flipside will hold your 70-200 on your 7D as it works very well with my 70-200 and D300. With the big pocket on the back side you might be able to put your hydration system in the big pocket (you will want to add some protection to make sure the hydration system doesn't spring a leak and soak through to your gear).

I think you should get into a store and check one out.

DG

PS: Lowepro created a 500 AW for the Olympics and supplied it to many of the photogs. The rep at the Henry's show where I saw the special packs said they may be putting out a version for consumers later this year.