This is the second video in our new “What’s In Your Camera Bag” series. People are always asking me what camera and backpack I use when I’m mountain biking. In this episode I show the camera equipment I typically carry when I’m out on my mountain bike and how I carry it. Major issues for riding with a camera are carrying a hydration bladder in your pack and the possibility of breaking your camera – especially if you want to ride with an expensive digital SLR. Weight is also an important consideration. These are big concerns for a lot of people but to me and other working pros they’re really non issues. The bottom line is, you either ride with your camera or you don’t get the photos. I’ve been riding with a digital SLR for well over ten years. Let me show you how I do it.
Here’s a (huge) gallery with some of my mountain bike photography:
Photo-John’s Mountain Bike Photos >>
Here’s a list of the camera gear that appeared in the video:
Lowepro Sport 200 AW Camera Pack >>
Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR >>
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Zoom Lens >>
The video was shot with the new Nikon Coolpix AW100 rugged, waterproof point-and-shoot camera.
I hope you found this video useful. It should informative for hikers as well as cyclists as you carry a lot of the same stuff and have some of the same challenges on any serious day hike. If you also ride with a camera, please post a comment below and tell us about the camera gear you ride with and how you carry it.
I carry a Sony tx10 in my pocket. I saw that lowepro pack at Best Buy. Looks nice.
I also have that same vest. But my arm warmers are cooler.
-M
The Lowepro is pretty sweet. It carries a lot of gear although the camera compartment doesn’t hold a ton.
You have bacon arm warmers now, don’t you? Are they wool?
OK. I’m sold. Getting that pack! Nice vid!
Nice coverage. I’m always on the lookout on how to add a tripod to that scenario. Thanks for posting.
Glad you like the video, David. Sorry I won’t be at Snowcial this year. I owe you
dollop – tripods are always tricky. I don’t carry one. I’ve got a little bean bag thing with a tripod mount on it called “The Pod” that I do carry and sometimes I also pack a clamp with a tripod mount. But tripods always end up hitting me in the back of the head when I’m on the bike. I need one that’s super short when collapsed, I guess.
I like your video. I’m amazed at all the stuff you can carry. I know you carry as much skiing as biking. I couldn’t lug all that stuff around all day.
I carry a Canon 40D with a big Canon EF70 – 200 mm F4L zoom in a wide handlebar bag because I’d rather that the bike carries the weight instead of me. I’m usually on a road bike, but I use the same gear off road. Although I’ve had trouble with the camera rubbing on the handlebar bag frame, I’ve solved that with some foam padding, a rolled up sock, and a handkerchief! Maybe some day I’ll get brave and buy a camera backpack so I can add a wide angle lens and put my lunch in the handlebar bag.
I’ve got a ski camera pack video too, Dad
http://www.photographyreview.com/reviews/camera-bag-video-photo-john-ski-pack
I’ve got some camera packs you can try out when you visit, next week.
When I am riding to shoot photos I usually carry a couple of camera bodies and 3-5 lenses, all within the burton f-stop bag, which I did a quick review of here- (http://justinolsenphotography.blogspot.com/2009/10/camera-bagsburton-f-stop.html) If I am out riding to ride, I usually bring a Canon G12 in my camelback.
Thanks, Justin. You are on the far, super-pro end of the spectrum
If I’m going out for a more serious shoot I will carry more gear, although not as much as you. But I almost never ride without some sort of interchangeable lens camera, One reason is just so I stay used to that weight on my back. That way I’m always comfortable with it – same goes for skiing.
We should do a video of your pack setup! Wanna be my next victim? I’d love to get your snow photo pack setup.