Which is the best camera tank bag?

[dokotela]

Forgive me if this one has been done before, but after a little search, I couldn't find a forum specifically dedicated to which tank bag is best for carrying camera equipment.

I simply use a digital SLR, plus a couple of small lenses, a tripod, and a few other small times. I will also need the tank bag for stuff like spare gloves, water bottle, phone, ipod etc.

I have looked at the Touratech camera bag, and thought it ridiculously overpriced, so have looked at the Wunderlich Grand Tour bag, and thought of adapting it for camera use with dividers.

Do any of the photographers out there have any special recommendations?

Cheers,

Julian

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

I think you already exceeded the capacity of a tank bag! Using an actual SLR on the bike is tough. I've seen very good kits using the luggage rack and a Pelican type case. This included padding etc. But getting all that stuff plus your ditties in a tank bag would be a tough call.

I use one of the cameras just below an slr for trips. Currently a Canon X2-IS which I'd like to upgrade to the more current version. With this type camera, you can quick draw from the tank bag if you pack correctly.

I'll be interested to see your solution. Don't forget to take pics for us

[kidtwist]

I also use a DSLR though I haven't taken it on my motorcycle yet. I was going to just put it in my soft Cortech side bags. And I've been considering getting the BMW hard side cases. They're really expensive, but I wanted to get them anyway; not only for the camera. Another possibility is to get one of those camera backpacks (Tamrac and others) if you don't mind wearing a backpack while you're riding.

[Jedi5150]

I think you already exceeded the capacity of a tank bag!...

Or my suggestion would be to part the stuff out. I just got an SLR as well, that I plan on putting in my tank bag (and I have a small tank bag), but I can't see any reason I'd need spare lenses, tripod, etc. in the tank bag. If you plan on using a tripod or changing out lenses you're going to be stopped anyways. The tank bag and SLR are for shooting on the move or quick road-side photos without dismounting. Just my .02 (and I'm not a photogprapher so take it for what it's worth).

[ContraMoto]

My own view...tankbag is for stuff you have to have "at hand." That would be pretty much just the camera and maybe one lens. See a nice vista...pull over and take the pic without even dismounting and you're back on your way. Did that in Yosemite just the other day....Got the standard collection of roadside shots without stopping more than 30 seconds at a time.

PLEASE don't take pics while riding.

Lenses, tripod, etc....put those in a topcase or saddlebag.

As for what tankbag...pick your favorite bag. Any of them will work. I favor a small one since I have a topcase. If I only travelled with a tankbag, I'd have a bigger one...YMMV.

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

Ya know, the reason to have the camera in the tank bag is to get pics of wild life. So on my Alaska trip I was almost completely unsuccessful in this endeavor. We saw brown bears, moose, black bears, and all sorts of stuff. But I only got a few shots that were close enough to fill the frame (this with a 12:1 zoom). You simply can't stop the bike and draw the camera before the animals take off. These taken from on the bike while stopped:

Elk in downtown Jasper:


Deer on Route 97 after Dawson Creek:


Richardson Ground Squirrel on the Haul road:


Black bear on the Cassier:


You should have seen the ones that got away!

[AncientMariner]

RKA offers a tank bag for the R1200 R that is horizontal on top, but slopes down to follow the curve of the tank. The result is a bag just made for an SLR with up to about a 200 mm lense. Perfect for quick snaps. RKA 19 Liter Expandable Shiloh Road. I also have the optional rain cover for heavy deluges and to make sure my camera stays dry.

By the way, when I totalled my first R1200 R, my GS style handguards and the tank bag were the only salvagable parts. They survived a slide across the road, and roll over down an embankment into a stream. They are now part of my new roadster.

Hell of a good tank bag.

Bruce