I have added another camera and off camera flash unit to my gear. This leads to finding a way to carry the gear. Some time ago this topic was covered well but need some input again. One camera has a neck strap and the other with a wrist strap. The question is, when I want to use the one with the neck strap how to carry the one with wrist strap. So, let’s show your gear carry set up. I picked this up this from another topic by Ray. Looks kike having the belt strap and also shoulder straps

I thought you might be talking about bags....as my gear grows I am need of some way to organize it in bags....

as to your question: - this year i've been shooting 1 body with a belt system to carry lenses and stuff (70-200, 17-55, 10-22, 85 1.2 each have a pouch even with a lens on the camera. one more pouch carries spare batts, stofen, off shoe cord. op/tech pro strap on the camera.

Last year I ran two cameras (no ass't), fewer lenses (18-50 and 70-210 50 1;8). each body ran an optech pro strap around my neck, 70-210 hung under my arm with the strap on top of the other one so I could swing it up into action.

I like the belt system better and have gotten accustomed to lens changed and one body.

Problem is I plan to add more primes and there is only so much that fits!

Gear we took last night:
3 bodies, 6 lenses (soon to be 9), 3 on-camera flashes, 1 tripod, 2 PWs and cords, 2 card wallets, misc batteries for all this. For the church formals we also had 3 studio srobes, stands, umbrellas, vagabond and cords, lightmeter and more PWs.

The lighting carries pretty easily, but I have one backpack and it overflows now, so am thinking of a second (lowepro something for about $80) but have seen folks with BIG cases on wheels ($250 range) and am thinking maybe one of those, but it may be overkill, or just good for organizing....I don't want to become a bag-whore!

belt systems at work


second with belt system (holding camera) my ass't with my belt over his neck/shoulder and carrying ladder - assistant's are great, i recomend you get one.

I don't have a pic handy, but two cameras...each over a houlder using upstraps. A Boda bag for Macro lens, backup batteries, extra flash, etc.

works well.

RedWhiteandRed wrote:
works well.

I must say I'm a little shocked at how casual your dressed for shooting a wedding?

jomor wrote:
I must say I'm a little shocked at how casual your dressed for shooting a wedding?

I would say that's the most working professional's wearing, business casual works great for wedding photographer

One camera around the neck, or over the shoulder with a long strap. The second camera on the neck with a short strap. This is when two cameras might be required (not really advisable to do this-it messes up your mind).
Three lens pouches on your dress belt.
I don't use a 70-200! I used to use the 180mm F2.8 but now I use an 85, 50, 35 and 20mm.

i don't see anything wrong with his attire. bugger wearing a tux as a photographer. bad enough for guests, let alone when you carry a camera

I normally have a camera around neck, and one ready to go on my shoulder.

I try to have my camera bag near me as I mostly use primes, but when I can't I normally put the 35 on on camera and the 85 on the other

to be honest it's pretty uncomfortable and I should look into the belt packs and so on

my camera bag is one of those massive backpacks that is designed for the wildlife guys. it takes 2 bodies, 6-7 lenses including a 200/1.8 and a few flashes. it also weighs a ton so I'll buy a roller bag soonish

I would never shoot a wedding in even a suit jacket or a skirt unless it was specifically required...then I might rethink taking the job at all. I just can't work in it, most people can't. Business casual is okay for me, I wear all black, so even more casual fabrics and styles look more formal anyway.

which belt/shoulder harness system are you guys using? Are those the think tank pixel racing harness's?

I have this one CLICKY HERE

I also have the shoulder harness but rarely use it. It comes in handy though but very rarely necessary.

I also have the light belt lowepro has, I just find it too flimsy for carrying heavier gear or more gear but it would be suitable for a couple primes and a flash or something light like that.

The only thing that bothers me about the lowepro system is the lens pouches. They are great for storage and protection but not the greatest when trying to pull out a heavy lens with the hood on. The main problem is some of the cases are snug with the lens hood and the zipper top won't stay open so it's a bit annoying. Other systems have a better approach for quick access.

Hi All, Thanks for the input....

Please keep focus on the forum topic. Please Please do not go off the rail we are talking about carrying equipment NOT HOW YOU DRESS. Keep your focus on the topic.

We don’t want to discuss about the dress please open another topic if you want to talk about the dress code.

I have tired a couple of different things

Went from LowePro S&F to
Thinktank Belt sytem to
Just carrying two cameras to
Boda Bag and now I am on
ThinkTank Change up.

There are + and - to them all.
In terms of quality of construction, Thinktank is the best. In terms of design, I really did like the boda bag. Price- Lowepro I think was cheapest and most available.

I may go back to carrying only cameras again soon. I always end up taking off the belt by the end of the night anyway, I find it a little to hard to dance with one on.

One on neck with 24-70 or 35 one on shoulder with 70-200 or 85 or 135. Battery pack for flash in pocket next to car keys.

Wife with 5D and 50. All other gear in zip up roller bag with someone watchful eye on it.

And just to wind up the OP a bit, I dress smart but functional.

williamkazak wrote:
One camera around the neck, or over the shoulder with a long strap. The second camera on the neck with a short strap. This is when two cameras might be required (not really advisable to do this-it messes up your mind).
Three lens pouches on your dress belt.
I don't use a 70-200! I used to use the 180mm F2.8 but now I use an 85, 50, 35 and 20mm.

Primes are lighter, aren't they? The 70-200 is a beastie thing.
I'm looking for a 28 2.8 and then prolly the 135 F2 and see how they work out.

I use ThinkTank belt system with harness for more support plus two cameras using OpTech straps as illustrated by the photo.

Boda Bag forces lets carry less and move more. Though TT is also up there as for comfort and capacity. I've lost interest in my Domke's and Lowepros and Crumplers altogether.

-m

Maurice - Didn't you once recommend one of those chest bags that war photojournalists use? If so, I'd like to see of shot of you in action wearing that. I guess I can't visualize it for a wedding photographer.

Yeah, the Newswear Chestvest. Used in a bunch of weddings this year but after seeing myself in one of the pro wedding videographers have decided to leave it to other stuff. It's really, really comfy but it's too military-looking for inside of a church.

-m

Maurice - Thanks for sharing your experience. I was really curious about it, but it looked out of place for a wedding. I may need to start looking at belt systems.

I carry everything around my neck. At worst Camera 1: 17-50, flash flip bracket, cords leading down to a Quantum Turbo (strapped around the neck) with a PocketWizard clipped onto it. Camera 2 has 70-200is on a long strap. I'll occasionally move the pc sync to the wizard from the wide to the long. All in all, that's 3 straps and two cables to manage.

Usually I leave one set on the table or pew though.