going to iceland in june and booked a trip to go horseback riding on some lava fields. REALLY COOL trip, but Im having serious doubts about whether or not I should bring my camera. I have a canon backpack (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/248295-REG/Canon_6229A003_Deluxe_Backpack_200_EG.html) but I dont know if its enough protection from all the movement. Itll be a 40D with a 16-35 or a 24-70. what do you think?
As a horse rider in rough terrain, it depends on how long the ride is, your riding experience and skill and the particular horse's ability to stand still, assuming you want to shoot while horseback. If you're just transporting your gear and will shoot on the ground, no big deal. Otherwise, I bring a P&S. If Islandic horses, I think they are tough and they should take good care of you. Sounds like a great trip. Post pictures of horses.
Shooting WHILE riding is hard as heck unless the horse is stopped... just run the strap over your opposite shoulder like a bandoleer and you should be fine.
Most backpacks are challenging to use while they're on your back (kata makes some that will sling around) so if you want to use it without having to get off the horse to get in your bag, just keep it available.
When I spend time on holiday horse riding I take a P&S. Its quick, easy and light. You can easily spend too much time trying to get the photo's you might want with a dslr, if your in a group you could end up slowing the ride up, and miss out on why your there in the first place ( riding holiday I'm guessing ?? ). If you haven't got a good P&S maybe consider getting/borrowing one for the trip, or maybe even something like a gf-1 / epl-1 with 20mm lens ??
You will probably be riding icelandic horses, being in Iceland and all.
They move their legs differently compared to almost all other horses.
Have a look.
I take my horses out often (one is from Iceland ). I just take a P&S or at most a m4/3 camera. A m4/3 camera is still kind of bulky and hard to shoot while riding. Getting it in and out of a pack presents a hazard for dropping the camera. My friend brought his 7D once and it was just too big and in his way all the time, and he hasn't brought it again.
Travelling light will benefit the horse as he carries your arse over hill and dale (hopefully you'll be trekking in the mountains?). You will also likey carry your upper body better riding without a pack. Being able to sit more gracefully and balanced on the horse makes it easier for him to do his job of carrying you.
A lowepro slingshot will allow you to access your gear without detaching it from your person and you can do so with one hand. It also has a bilt-in rain guard in case you have poor weather.
I took a week long photo trip in Yellowstone on horseback a couple of years ago. I took a 30D, Tokina 12-24, Canon 24-105, Canon 100-400 plus 430 flash and accessories in a Moose Peterson MP-3 bag system and it worked great. It is two bags that we tied to either side of the saddle pommel, so it was right over the horse's shoulders and in front of your legs. This is only for taking photos on the ground, I would take a P&S for shooting while riding.
The MP-3 is pricey, but I have thought about selling mine, send a private message if you are interested.
Personally, I would cancel the trip and buy more camera gear....then think about what trips I would like to go on with all my new gear, but realizing I can't because I just spent too much money.
Good luck with trip......post lots of picks (set IS to #2 as I assume the horses go up and down more than to and fro)
yeah itll be in the backpack while riding, I want to use it once we get to our destination. If anything ill give the bag to my wife who has ridden horses competitively. I just want to make sure the movement wont rattle the camera to bits.
I went on a horsepack trip last summer in Yellowstone. The outfitter wouldn't let me wear a backpack or sling pack for fear that it would throw off my balance. So I used a Lowepro Toploader - AW55 (I think). Tied off to the saddle horn. I carried a 40d, 17-55 and a 300 f/4 IS with a 1.4tc, extra batteries (no plugs in the back country), filters and the cleaning stuff without a problem. It was the only time I ever used the bag (need to sell the thing now that I think about it).
One other thing to mention - if you don't have lens caps with a way to attach them to the camera, get the little string things. The horse keeps moving when stuff falls, and they don't seem to care. And it's crappy to be in the back country and have to figure out how to protect a lens without a cap.
For what it is worth considering the post originated several years ago...
If you are going to be active and want to shoot hand-held: buy a Cotton Carrier vest.
Tried to get an adapter from them to use with a gimbal... doesn't work.
But still, this is the best way to carry expensive gear safely and still have it instantly accessible.
I took a 5 hour trail ride high up in Montana last summer - had my 40d and 25-104 - used my cotton carrier - worked great- had no problems - it rained - did not have the best of weather - used my Think Tank holster rain cover to put over the camera while wearing the CC - great combo
). I just take a P&S or at most a m4/3 camera. A m4/3 camera is still kind of bulky and hard to shoot while riding. Getting it in and out of a pack presents a hazard for dropping the camera. My friend brought his 7D once and it was just too big and in his way all the time, and he hasn't brought it again.
You will also likey carry your upper body better riding without a pack. Being able to sit more gracefully and balanced on the horse makes it easier for him to do his job of carrying you.