Suggest a Camera Bag (Bicycle Messenger Style)

So I'm in the market for a real camera bag now that I'll be making money instead of paying money to get assigned homework. I'm looking for a bag I can easily and comfortably use while walking/hiking (on/off road, basically anywhere) as well as biking. I prefer messenger bags as they're much easier to access everything in the bag without removing the bag and placing on a flat surface.

I currently own a Timbuk2 laptop messenger bag and a big Crumpler messenger bag. I forget the Crumpler model name, but it's the one that you can get the biggest "photo bucket" for, though I don't have a photo bucket. Both of these bags can be worn high up on your back along with a "cross strap" that secures around your chest to hold the bag tight against your back to prevent jostling while biking/running/etc. This is definitely something I would want on my camera bag as well.

I've seen reviews for the 7 Million Dollar Home, and it looks almost perfect. Except most people seem to wear their bags low, on the waist, not like a bicycle messenger would wear a bag to secure contents on a bumpy ride. Can the MDH bag series be worn and secured in such a manner? Are there any other camera messenger bags that can be worn like a bicycle messenger bag? I'm not stuck on Crumpler, I just know the name.

Alternatively, does anyone have thoughts on the "photo bucket" inserts? They seem like they might do the trick as well, though I'm not sure if I'm better off having a separate "photo bag" and "random stuff" bag.

If there's any confusion about how I'd like to be able to wear a bag, let me know and I'll have my roommate take some pictures (she just got her first dSLR today ) of me wearing one of the messenger bags I currently own.

You might be better off adapting some inserts to go into one of the bags you already like. As people have said with hiking backpacks, I suspect it is the same for camera bag manufacturers making messenger bags -- the models designed for cameras are a few generations behind the bags made by real hiking or cycling companies.

Take a look at the Domke F-803 Camera Satchel.

Jon wrote in post #5549299
Take a look at the Domke F-803 Camera Satchel.

An admittedly quick look and I have to say that bag doesn't look like it'd fair very well on a bicycle. I may be wrong, but the shape of the bag tells me it's made more for walking around than cycling.

There should be more bicycle messengers with dslrs...

look at Tom Bihn bags. Then put a domke insert in it.

j

JohnJ80 wrote in post #5549806
look at Tom Bihn bags. Then put a domke insert in it.

j

Again, while these are definitely "messenger" style bags, a quick look at them makes me think that none of those bags would be suitable for securely wearing high on my back while riding a bike.

As TheHoff mentioned above, it's looking like my best option may be to get a photo bucket insert for my current Crumpler bag. It's frustrating, I definitely want a bag designed with photography in mind, but it seems that all of those are designed to be "hip" messenger bags for walking around. Of course, I can't fault the companies for making bags like that, I'm sure I'm in a minority here .

I'm a cyclist, I have a Domke f-804, and I wouldn't wear it while riding -- you're right to keep looking.

TheHoff wrote in post #5549991
I'm a cyclist, I have a Domke f-804, and I wouldn't wear it while riding -- you're right to keep looking.

Thank you very much for the confirmation. As I've mentioned, I'm just quickly glancing at these pictures and they just look uncomfortable or even worse, unsafe, to ride with. They all look like great bags for walking around, perhaps even moderate hiking, but mediocre to terrible for my intended use.



Maybe I just need to go start my own brand of cycling photographer bags...

Timbuk 2's a re nice, check out Nanue Pro's line. Also...the bucket's are alright, I prefer my own DIY bags.

woloi wrote in post #5549348
An admittedly quick look and I have to say that bag doesn't look like it'd fair very well on a bicycle. I may be wrong, but the shape of the bag tells me it's made more for walking around than cycling.

There should be more bicycle messengers with dslrs...

I use this very bag (Domke F-803) whilst on a bicycle around once a fortnight - it works very well. I even have no issues riding with no hands with it

I shorten the strap so it's quite snug and because of the gripper strap it stays right where I put it. I'd highly recommend it.

I don't ride off-road with it, mind - only urban stuff.

Jim G wrote in post #5551250
I use this very bag (Domke F-803) whilst on a bicycle around once a fortnight - it works very well. I even have no issues riding with no hands with it

I shorten the strap so it's quite snug and because of the gripper strap it stays right where I put it. I'd highly recommend it.

I don't ride off-road with it, mind - only urban stuff.

I'd probably mostly be doing road riding, but when looking at pictures of the bag it just looks like that strap would not be comfortable to wear while biking. I could be wrong, that's the trouble with buying things on the internet, no way to try before you buy.

woloi wrote in post #5551284
I'd probably mostly be doing road riding, but when looking at pictures of the bag it just looks like that strap would not be comfortable to wear while biking. I could be wrong, that's the trouble with buying things on the internet, no way to try before you buy.

Well... I find it to be fine but YMMV. I don't overload the bag when I'm on a bike - usually I take 20D+24-70 or 17-40, 85mm, 135mm. Leaves room for a book and batteries/filters/Stor​m Jackets/whatnot... even a spray jacket if it's the 17-40.

TheHoff wrote in post #5549991
I'm a cyclist, I have a Domke f-804, and I wouldn't wear it while riding -- you're right to keep looking.

The F-802 and F-803 are about half the thickness of the F-804 (4"), and much more in line with the dimensions of any other messenger bag. I wouldn't try using an F-804 on my back without the Domke Backpack straps on it.

802 is, by looks, a lot smaller. Although still depends on what you want to carry.

Either though is great and would be awesome for hiking because of how much they hold. I'd check the reviews on here and cambags.com to get an idea. They're your best bet.

I have what I feel is a perfect setup.. I own a LowePro DryZone Rover, which has a removable lower-padded section (which can hold my 5D+Grip w/24-70 attached, a 1.4x TC, 135mm f/2 and 16-35 f/2.8 ). Stick that inside of a Chrome messenger bag and you have a system that is perfect for hard biking and very little swaying of the bag on your back, and the quickness of the release mechanism on the Chrome bag allows for accessing the gear in a few seconds. Granted, you are buying two bags to do this, but the DryZone Rover is pretty fantastic in its own right for day-hikes and the like. What i like the best is that a Chrome bag does not look like something that is holding multiple-thousands of dollars worth of equipent. As a bonus, you can detach the waterproof portion of the Rover and stick that into a much larger hiking backpack for long journeys. I suppose you can buy inserts and stick that into the Chrome messenger bag (which itself is largely waterproof)