Camera bag for mtnbiking

[mtndew]

Just wondering if anyone can suggest a bag or bags for mountain biking. Mostly trail riding nothing extreme. A backpack or even a bag to strap to the backrack because its a hard tail.

[james12345]

I mtb too and am waiting for my backpack to come from ebags... I ordered the Mountainsmith Luman and will let you know how it holds up when I get it next week.

[mtndew]

Cool thanks James let me know how it holds up

[merrrrjig]

I have that new Tamrac sling bag, its like a sling but also has a bottom strap that pulls out, I havent riden with it yet but I have walked and ran and if felt nice

[J Rabin]

I prefer nothing on my back when I'm riding. Unstable. Falling hurts me and cam gear. I like handlebar bags for camera, combined with a neoprene protector like Domke. Another backpack weakness is inconvenience retrieving camera. By the time you extract, moment is past. If you're serious cycling, serious miles, get a good handlebar bag, like Jandt or Ortleib, they all come with a removeable shoulder strap for walking about. If you're not serious, low miles, no sweat, no falling risk, then the Tamrac Velocity slings are fine for a Rebel (not deep enough for a 10D).
J

[Jonny]

Falling hurts me and cam gear. I like handlebar bags for camera,
J

That was my first thought. I would want my camera as far from me as possible. 15 stone landing on my 20d would break my heart!

[symes]

That was my first thought. I would want my camera as far from me as possible. 15 stone landing on my 20d would break my heart!

I can imagine it would hurt the camera more with you falling on it but the bike going crashing isn't going to make the camera feel that much better...

[IanD]

Back pack is the only way to go if your off trail. Can not imagine riding the Shore with a handle bar bag and my camera in it bouncing around. Even less so honkin down Ste Anne. Now if you are talking the "Skinny Guys With Narrow Tires Go Fast" type of riding, then a bar bag or even a rear rack mounted cooler type bag will work great. Depends really on where and what you ride.

[jjc1900]

If you can find one you can try the burton zoom pack. It works very well for prrotecting my gear on the slops so I would think it would work on a bike also.

[james12345]

Well I got the Moutainsmith Lumen today and its going back today also... Besides there being a manufacturer defect (puncture hole), here are the reasons why it's going back:

1. Too large for moutainbiking (bulky). Couldnt imagine riding all day with this pack.
2. The only way to gain access to the camera is via the opening on your backside. Does not open like a traditional backpack but on the other side that is pressing up against your back.
3. Zippers are not easy to open, as they get caught on the corners, but not super hard.
4. Inside zippers for the pouches have plastic buckles/tabs and I could see that as a potential cause of scratches and scuffing of my gear.
5. The inner compartments just did not fit my 350XT w/ Tamron 28-75 all that well. Fit like a loose pair of pants. I my opinion, the compartments were designed for larger dslrs and such. I know that I can adjust the insides, but I adjusted as much as possible and still the camera would not sit tight. Could imagine the camera jarring loose while mtb'ing...

The +'s of this pack are:

1. Its large, will hold your body along w/ a few lenses easy... Probably could accomodate some a couple decent sized L's (70-200 and the likes). It will also accomodate a large water bottle (nalgene) and a couple windbreakers along with a small brown bag lunch.
2. The pack seems tough and comes w/ a lifetime warranty.
3. Interior padding is sufficient enough to protect your equipment from everyday bumps.
4. Shoulder straps are sturdy and provide ample support for your long treks.

Overall the pack is super nice... Nice materials w/ awesome moulded shoulder straps and vent padding making it cooler for the active person. Plus it doesnt look like a traditional camera backpack. May possible be the perfect pack for someone else with a massive amount of gear and a larger camera, but not for me.

I hope this helps. I will be posting a zip file of the pictures of the backpack that I took today this coming weekend. If you want, private msg me and I will either send you the link for the pictures or send you the zip file directly to your email. Remember just leave your email.

Hope this helps.

James

[KenE]

James,

Thanks a ton for your review and impression. I'm still torn about the Mountainsmith lineup, but your input helps. When I last left it I was leaning toward a Paragon, but knowing I won't have that much photo gear for quite a while, I'm levitating back toward the Lumen. Just wish there was a downsized version of it, but I guess there is no perfect bag.

Sent a PM for pics.

Ken

EDIT: I'm not really into this for a mtn biking bag, but need the ruggedness that Mountainsmith has traditionally been known for (at least when I was doing more rock climbing). Most my use would be in an expedition vehicle in pretty rough environments with up to day-long trips out to sites. Anything longer and I'll use a regular pack and keep photo equipment to a minimum.

[james12345]

Hey KenE PM sent... Also I have a Mountainsmith Alpenglow on order, so I should get that bag within a week or so.

******
Added pictures of the Mountainsmith Lumen Backpack. I have sent this bag back and am waiting for the Alpenglow. I would have gotten the Lowepro bag, but dont want a bag that resembles too much of a photo bag... Want to stay low. Anyways, here are the pics. Hope this helps.

James

[james12345]

A couple more pictures:

[james12345]

Final picture of the Mountainsmith Lumen Backpack:

[KenE]

I found a local sporting goods store that I've always liked just ran through a stock of all three bags (8 each!) in exactly 1 weekend. Apparently word got out they had them and they were gone in nothing flat.

It was a freak thing in that the store had a sale on all Mountainsmith packs and the MS sales rep talked the store pack guru into including the photo backpacks.

He's going to get more in about a week and a half and give me a ring. Thanks for the pics, they help! I'm pretty convinced the Lumen is what I want- rugged, lifetime warranty, half the price of other similar offerings out there for dedicated photo packs.

Hope you like the Alpenglow better for biking. :D

[mudanoman]

If you can find one you can try the burton zoom pack. It works very well for prrotecting my gear on the slops so I would think it would work on a bike also.

Burton Zooms are now for sale again on Ebags.com

Here is my order journal: http://www.aperturehead.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=155

Cheers,

Ivan