Photo courtesy of Lowepro
I am an enthusiastic amateur when it comes to photography.
Taking photos is a hobby I stumbled into as an outgrowth of my outdoor trips.
I enjoy taking photos and have received some nice compliments on them over the years.
Enough where I invested in a DSLR camera for the options and the quality of the photos.
It is heavy to schlep at times, but I enjoy the results.
Taking photos at the outlet of Arapaho Lakes. PCO Mark Thomas
Having easy access to my camera is key. If the camera is buried in my gear, I am less likely to use it.
So how to carry the camera?
A simple solution I found that fits my needs is to use a Lowepro Photo Runner 100. It is a solution I have been using ~5 years now.
This bag is technically shoulder bag, but can also be used as a waist pack. More importantly, from my view point, it can easily be fashioned as a chest pack when backpacking.
Winter backpack in RMNP. PCO Andrew Skurka
The camera bag is weather resistant, has enough compartments for two extra lenses (though, I rarely use that feature) and some other storage space for SD cards and similar. It is durable and protects the camera for off-trail hiking and even falls. Not intended to haul gear, I will occasionally stuff a map or liner gloves in the pack as well for convenience sake, too.
The bag is not lightweight..but I am hauling a heavy camera in any case.
Someday I may splurge on a fixed lens camera, but for now, the Lowepro Photo Runner 100 is a very good solution when I haul the DSLR.
Sometimes the weight is worth it…
Disclosure: This camera bag was purchased with my own funds. The MSRP is $50, but it can be purchased for under $40. Mine was purchased at the great camera store in Boulder called Mike’s Camera. Started in Boulder, Mike’s now has some other locations and an online presence. I have no affiliation with this store other than having excellent service in the past from them.
I tried something similar for a year or so for hiking and random wanderings…. then I discovered this gem:
https://peakdesign.com/store/?c=clips
I’ve found the number of pictures I take has quadrupled and as a result, I get quite a few better shots during my wanderings.
I stow my camera when it rains, but the clip really makes it easy (unclip, shoot, reclip) to access my camera.
Looks good but I don’t think it would work for some of the hiking or skiing I do. Probably best for on-trail?
LOVE the Peak Designs “Capture” clip! I have a Nikon DSLR that I take on backpack trips and hikes. I use a shower cap to keep dust and moisture off it? I wouldn’t want to ski or do anything where I might be more prone to falling on it.
It is ABSOLUTELY the best camera accessory I have purchased!
I do enough off-trail hiking and scrambling (rocks or brush) where I would not want the camera exposed like that. But that is just me. YMMV.
This looks like a nice solution – As I started carrying larger cameras on backpacking trips I was faced with the issue of where to carry everything as well and found myself passing up photo opportunities when the camera wasn’t accessible. I think the chest pack method is the way to go – Have been using the ZPacks Multi-Pack which keeps the camera easily accessible, carries a few accessories, and offers good water resistance as well as dust protection for those desert trips. 🙂
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