I am looking into a better method of carrying my camera on hikes (8-12 mi day hikes/snow shoeing). Right now I throw it in the bag, so I have to take my pack off to get at it.
Anyone use the Cotton Carrier Strapshot for hiking? How is it? It's supposed to be a pack add-on alternative to the harness.
I use a strapshot with my F-Stop Tilopia Pack and my Standard Mountaineering Pack. It carries well with a loaded pack, but can pull a bit if your pack is very light. Make sure that it does not conflict with where your strap adjusts or your chest strap is.
It is very easy to access your camera with any standard sized lens, but it gets more difficult with larger telephotos like 70-200 f2.8 or 100-400 f4.5-5.6. The camera loads and unloads with the lens horizontal and is locked in when the lens is pointed down. I can also verify that the leash works, it acts as a backup if you drop or miss when you try to attach your camera.
I used the strapshot while ski touring up in Canada. Mine was mounted on a Deuter 22L sized pack and worked great. I often ski or hike with Optek strap, bandolier style, diagonal across chest. The Cotton Carrier worked pretty well for me with 7D + 15-85. I did use it a bit with 70-200/4 mounted and it was ok. I only used it for the touring, not the downhill skiing, when the camera had to go in the pack.
I like my Cotton Carrier Vest for 1 camera model because it keeps the camera centered on my body. i use it more than i thought I would. Whether hiking or on the bicycle it has never got in the way like the Strapshot which I tried briefly.
Perhaps this is not a fair comparison as I only used the Strapshot for about 1 hour.
I used the traditional Cotton Carrier on several backpacking trips last summer and I now find it indispensable. I also used to carry my camera in my pack and found that I hardly used it, since it was fairly inconvenient to stop and take it out.
The only time I find it difficult is when scrambling on rocks or ascending steep terrain. In these cases I usually put the camera in my pack to avoid damaging it.
Corwin and Ihdvries: are you using the CC vest like carrier with your backpack?
I ask because I am interested in something similar as well?
Thanks in advance.
3iron wrote:
Corwin and Ihdvries: are you using the CC vest like carrier with your backpack?
I ask because I am interested in something similar as well?
Thanks in advance.
Not always, but when I do I find my Tamrac 5 series has no problem working with it. If I use the bigger 7series Tamrac I remove the side holster as it sometimes interferes with the larger waist belt of the bigger Tamrac.. The main reason I like the setup is that it totally does away with any swaying effect of the cameras while negotiating Mtn trails where balance is sometimes essential. I usually have the 70-200 on the chest hook up & the 24-70 in the holster.
Yes, I use it with a 70 liter pack without a problem. The only complaint is that it can get kind of hot depending on the weather, though not unbearably so.
Thank you, that is very helpful and explanatory. I had concerns whether it could be used successfully with a full backpack. I like the idea of the better control it gives to the camera while hiking and that it is hands free.
Best to you.
3iron wrote:
Thank you, that is very helpful and explanatory. I had concerns whether it could be used successfully with a full backpack. I like the idea of the better control it gives to the camera while hiking and that it is hands free.
Best to you.
What kind of setup are you looking to carry? I can't imagine choosing the cotton carrier over the capture system for hiking or backpacking with a full pack on.
bpark; My carry pack will be F stop Loka with lenses and hiking gear. But, I will not be carrying it about 1/2 the time, which tends to make me lean toward the CC unit. I do like the looks and simplicity of the capture system but wonder how it will work with my tripod and monopod set up.
Please feel free to share any thoughts you might have.
Thanks and best wishes.
The Capture plate is arca-compatible, so it is extremely simple to go from having the camera secured to the strap of your pack or your belt or whatever to putting it on the tripod.
That said, if you will frequently be out without a pack or shoulder bag, the Capture may not be the best choice for you.
The Cotton Carrier can also be made arca-compatible with a separate clamp from RRS, which is what I did. This allows me to move seamlessly from CC to tripod.
@bpark42 - curious why you wouldn't recommend the CC for backpacking apart from the arca-compatibility issue. I used it several times last year, and even quite a bit off-trail without issue.
I think the Capture is smaller, simpler, and more versatile. I'm sure the cotton carrier works fine, but it wouldn't be my first choice for backpacking.
