mountain bikers/hikers, how do you pack?

[tumb]

Just curious, especially for you mountain bikers (because of lack of space), how do you pack your gear? Lense on or off? What kind of bag or containers do you use? It's an issue for either but I'm in the gear buying mode and need suggestions.

Thanks

[Conk]

What camera are you taking with you? DSLR? For the type of mountain biking I do,a DSLR isn't something I'd consider taking with me. Point and shoot, yes. If you are talking light trail riding them I may consider it. Lowepro has a wide selection of bags including a backpack style camera bag. For hiking the same is handy but there is a very nice system called the Fielder. Has a belt that carries lens cases and shoulder straps to relieve weight.

[Jon]

Domke's discontinued the Quest line of gear, which I use when hiking, but you may be able to find some examples around.
Hiker (day hikes) 28-90 or 15-30 lens on. Camera in Domke Giraffe chest holster.
Other of those two, 90 mm macro, and sa variable something else along with battery and flash cards in Domke Roo waist pack. Couple of water bottles on the outside of this.
Rest of the gear (100-400, 1.4 and 2x TCs, ZR70 if it isn't in the Roo, spare body maybe) in the Spider 10 backpack along with lunch, emergency gear. Straps on it for a tripod.
The three all hook together nicely - Spider clips to the Giraffe in place of the backpack straps and the Roo hangs off the bottom.

[crazyfoo88]

I shoot mountain biking for blue mountain here in ontario, and I take my Digital Rebel with me all the time. I use my normal backpack, and put the camera in its own case, in my backpack. It has never been an issue for me, but sometimes I just brought my G3 due to smaller size.

[lucasdigital]

With some difficulty because with the backpack I currently use for cycling isn't quite tall enough to swallow the whole tripod, so it tends to stick out of the top.

I always remove lenses and store away in their own padded area. I'm in the market for a new backpack that will suit my photography needs better.

I love combining photography with my mountain biking, kinda doubling up on lifes pleasures...

[tumb]

Thanks for the replies. I would like to find a form fitting case, something padded and a little more compact that I could throw in the bottom of my pack.

My main camera use is shooting my son and others at mtn bike races so I need something that will provide good protection while being compact.

I have another question, right now I usually use a Sigma 28-105 f2.8, but would like to upgrade to some better glass soon. Any suggestions for my type of use?

[spaceman]

I just did a hike to the top of Mt. Washington in NH today, and I'm getting really tired of packing my DSLR and lenses for these trips, especially this time of year when I have to pack extra clothing/food/survival gear, etc. My pack is getting way too heavy! Looks like it is time to invest in a nice small P&S that can fit in my jacket pocket.

[smudge]

Just started looking at this issue myself ready for the skiing season.
I'm going to buy some good density foam from my local upholsterer and modify my own walking pack to accomodate the camera gear, as the available lowepro systems etc seem too small for camera and your own hobby related gear and a lot more expensive. For the price of a small lowepro daysack you can buy a large quality bergen and mod. it yourself. Quite looking forward to playing bag designer.

[robertwgross]

Cross-country skiers will want a different kind of camera pack from a downhill skier. Also, consider how you fall. If you are skiing, you will fall. When you fall, you probably do not want to fall directly on your camera gear. I've had a certain amount of luck with a belly pack.

---Bob Gross---

[smudge]

Hey Bob,.....I don't fall 8)

Unless of couse I've had a few glueweins at lunch time :wink: