Carrying case/strap/system

[Swampy]

Does anyone have any recommendations for some sort of carrying apperatus where the camera can be whipped out quickly and stored away snugly on my body?

I'm going to be doing a lot of mountain biking, nothing real serious like rock climbing or anything like that, just trail riding and I was looking to find an easy way to carry my S2 with most likely the Nikkor 80-200mm lens. I would also be carrying a small back pack for other accessories and a second lens Or, I one all in one bag or something that would do it all.

Any ideas? I was thinking along the lines of probably having to make something custom with a whole lot of velcro. :) Would rather have something that's tested and works right away though.

What I'll need to carry on my body:

S2 w/80-200mm
24-70mm lens
water
snack
batteries/memory cards/wallet

The bike I have will pretty much only carry a small under the seat bag which I could probably only get away with storing batteries/memory cards/wallet.

BTW, spent many miles on the road with the S2 with the 80-200mm lens and everything held together perfect (lens mount, stock camera strap, tripod mount). Walked around holding the camera by it's grip, strap around my neck and even for a while with it on a tripod over my shoulder in semi rough terrain. With all the comments here, I would have assumed that the tripod mount or the lens mount isn't very strong. Camera seemed to take it perfect.

Bryan

[Wichita Wayne]

I would look for a used Fuji MX-2900 or 4900Z. We own both of these cameras and they are great for quick shots while traveling. You should also take your S2 but the little cameras will definitely earn their keep. The MX-2900 is a real rugged camera that will fit in a big shirt pocket. If you must take your S2 then try putting the strap over your neck and then put your left arm through the strap. This holds the camera very close to your body, but still allows you to get the thing up to your eye. This method worked great for me in combat and when riding a bicycle. With a small lens the camera can even tuck under your left arm for additional protection.

[Tom V]

I spent 7 days riding and gasping for oxygen on my mountain bike and road bike in-and aroundWinter Park, Colorado last summer. I didn't have my S2 then, but I did carry a full size SLR, some lenses, and a rangefinder camera.

I rode 150 miles up and down and over and through rocks and boulders the size of hall closets, Up and down the ski resort mountains, (never took the chair lift), including rides over the Continental Divide on a mountain bike (6 hours Up, 45 minutes down) , and later on a road bike in Rocky Mountain National Park (3 hours up in the cold rain, 20 minutes down!)

I wore a "CamelBak" - a backpack-like "hydration system" (water bag with a drinking tube) to which I attached a Chest Pouch to the front straps using small carabiners at the top and bottom.

Lowe, Sundog, and others make chest pouches. The late Galen Rowell frequently used a chest pouch. Chest Pouches are perfect for active adventure/nature photography, protecting the camera fully, but still allowing for quick access. Photo backpacks require that you take the thing off your body to use it, while a chest pouch is right in front, close to your body, not swinging around, and usable in place. They come in different sizes, the largest of which can handle a 80-200 (without lens hood attached). On a bike, it hung about an inch from my chest, so it didn't hinder breathing or cause too much heat.

I had a large (but not the largest), which I carried a Nikon N8008s, 35-70 ƒ2.8 Nikkor w/ hood, 20mm ƒ2.8 w/ hood, SB-25 flash (for fill flash), batteries, film, filters and step up rings, cleaning cloth (for dust), a Nikon CoolPix 990 digital camera OR a Canon SureShot A1 rangefinder (waterproof) for times when it was raining or snowing (call that a vacation?), walkie talkie, food, maps, etc. In the CamelBak I carried 100 ounces of water, more food, raingear, first aid kit, survival kit, repair kit, etc.

It felt bulky at first, but as soon as I leaned over the handlebars to ride the bike, the weight falls away from you, supported by whatever straps you use, and it is really comfortable. I hardly noticed it while I was riding.

[Mike Flood]

Tamrac has a nice "system" of modular items like water bottle and other "thing-holders" in addition to their line of camera related items. They have belts to hang it all on too.
Their products are well made and durable.

I use a holster which holds my S2 and any lens I have except my 170-500. I can keep my SB-28 with Omni-bounce attached in the front pocket along with spare battery tray and two spare CR-123's

Take a look at Tamrac. Lowepro has similar stuff but I have no personal experience with it.

[bjnicholls]

Whatever system you choose, wear the camera on your body - never strap a bag to your bike. Anything mounted to a bike rack will take a beating, even if it's not rough off-road riding.

I ride with my cameras using two chest harness options:

A LowePro Topload AW-Z case with a chest harness, or with my camera inserted into a Zing neoprene case with a chest band to stabilize it. With the size of the S2 and my lenses, the Topload is the case I'd use. Although the zoom model is the biggest, it can be adapted for shorter lenses. You can't use a long zoom in a short case.

http://www.lowepro.com/pages/series/toploads/top_pro.htm

Here's a link to the Zing Action Cover with a detachable waist strap:

http://www.vdhphoto.com/zing/zing.htm

I like the Sundog mesh harness over the Low product. REI outlet has them at a closeout price:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?stat=8265&langId=-1&storeId=8001&textQuery=688094

I like a chest pack over a fanny-pack for two reasons. First, the camera is very quickly accessed from a chest pack. Second, the chest pack is in a more protected spot if you do take a fall.

[Swampy]

Anyone else? :)

Thanks Wayne, but I bought my S2 to take pictures, not sit at home, no offense please, I know what you're saying. The wife will carry a smaller camera though.

Tom - You're an animal.

Mike - I'm actually using a Tamrac Adventurer 2 small backpack to hold everything I need now and I like the Tamrac stuff. I looked at thier site and didn't see anything in particular that really caught my eye.

BJ - I like the stuff you posted and I'm going to seriously consider those ideas. The Lowepro setup looks about perfect for what I'm looking to do. And, I would never strap equipment to the bike, like I said, batteries, wallet, keys, stuff that can take a beating will go on the saddle pouch. So, looks like I'm looking at the Lowepro and a small backpack for the total package then.

I'll let you know what I decide on when I get the stuff in my hands and am happy.

Thanks again!

Bryan

[Wichita Wayne]

If you do not already have coverage you might check out equipment insurance. I think it will cost about $500 per year but it can be a real lifesaver, or should I say equipment saver. You never know when you might slip in the mud and fall on your camera. That happened to me at Rob Roy's grave last October. Fortunately the ground was soft and neither me nor my Nikon F-100 were injured. In Scotland the ground is usually so soft that all you do when you fall is sink into the mud. Both me and the camera came up covered with mud, but 30 minutes later we were both spic-and-span. Rob Roy must have known that I had a little Norman blood in my background.

[Swampy]

Originally posted by Wayne
If you do not already have coverage you might check out equipment insurance.

Now that is something I will look into. Didn't even think about it before, but you're right, I could jack $4500 dollars with one mishap.

Any idea where I should look for such insurance?

Thanks,

Bryan

[Wichita Wayne]

If not then go to an independent agent. They usually sell everything. You might also be able to get travel insurance that will cover personal belongings for a specific length of time. You should also check your homeowners insurance policy. Our home owners insurance paid us for a stolen Nikon F2 with a 55mm Micro Nikkor lens. Since we did not use the camera in the business we filed the claim with our homeowners policy. Even after the deductable we recovered nearly twice what we paid for the camera and lens, because the recovery is based on current market price for a used item.