A couple of days ago I went hiking for the first time with my Canon 50D and 70-200 f2.8L lens. I had a small amount of gear in the backpack/camera case but had my camera slung over my should for quick access. After a couple hours of hiking and shooting I became very aware of the camera weight and had a lot of trouble keeping the camera strap from sliding off my shoulder. The simple solution would be to carry the camera in my backpack but knowing my luck, a photo op. would have vanished before I could get my gear out.

Do any of you seasoned pros have any tips for a newbie?

PS - Ditch the big heavy lens is not an acceptable solution!

You could get a Lowepro Toploader (different sizes available depending on lens), I have one, it comes with a chest rig (or did when I bought one), or you could lash it to the shoulder straps of your rucksack so it hangs wherever you like in front of you.

I've tried it, but was never that happy. I usually end up with my camera hanging round my neck, with my left hand supporting its weight, and my right hand free to stop me falling over.

J

P.S. A new neoprene (or similar) comfy strap will help things.

http://cottoncarrier.com/

Plasticphoto wrote:
http://cottoncarrier.com/


That looks rather interesting, I may have to investigate...

Thanks

I carry mine bandolier style. It's comfortable for long periods of time, doesn't swing as much, and doesn't slide off my shoulder.

200231786 wrote:
You could get a Lowepro Toploader (different sizes available depending on lens), I have one, it comes with a chest rig (or did when I bought one), or you could lash it to the shoulder straps of your rucksack so it hangs wherever you like in front of you

I use a Think Tank Digital Holster 50. (the big one) I keep it holster on a Speedbelt, hanging off my left side.

I had the big Lowepro top-loader, but it's a TERRIBLE design for this application. (though it works great as a small shoulder bag)

I love this system. It fits with my 300/4 lens attached, and pulls right out when I need it. I can spot a bird, and be shooting in less than 2 seconds. I can hike for miles, and it doesn't bother me, and if I fall, it offers quite a bit of protection.

It doesn't even interfere with wearing my big hiking backpack (A Gregory Palisade 80) though you have to get things adjusted "just so" for this to work. Basically, you have to keep the pack really tight & high, but that's usually best, anyway.

If I want to switch lenses, I pop the camera off & leave the big lens in the bag. I keep two lowepro pouches on the right side of the belt, to hold these smaller lenses. This also balances the load nicely.

Tip: although not necessary, I also use a firm (not stretchy) suspender with the belt. Similar to their Pixel Racing Harness, but thinner. This lets me keep the belt itself slightly looser, and so it hangs just a little bit lower, giving better access to the holster & pouches.

I wouldn't want a chest harness, even to hold the camera when a smaller lens is on it. I just don't like stuff in the center of my chest when I'm hiking. I don't mind small pouches high up on the sides (which I do sometimes carry, via a molle vest) but not in the center, plus it's too hard to get the camera out if the pouch is that high.
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The only small downside to this whole rig is that, if I use a smaller lens for some shots, then want to continue hiking (holding my poles) I must always first re-attach the big lens so the camera will be protected and not flop around.

I'm thinking now of putting a smaller Digital holster (the 40, as it's the only other one wide enough for a 5D with battery pack) on the right side, and keep a smaller lens in IT. Then there's ample room for the camera as well.

Heck, that's a really good idea!

Use some sort of mechanism to "wear" the camera on your waist. Either a longish lense foot on the camera that you can insert down into your belt (wearing it like a gun) or the Think Tank Digital Holster 50 mounted on a belt (can also use with one strap around your shoulders and under one arm. I do this with the MkIIn and 400/5.6 with hood extended.) The "cotton carrier" looks interesting but for me it would probably get a little hot with all the surface area covering my back and front (at least in warm/moderate temperatures.)

Paul B wrote:
The "cotton carrier" looks interesting but for me it would probably get a little hot with all the surface area covering my back and front (at least in warm/moderate temperatures.)

Definitely!

I also wouldn't want to fall with my gear on that thing. - or even go off-trail and brush against a tree or bush. That's just insane.

Those things might be great for a 2-camera event shoot, but that's about it. (and I personally wouldn't even use one for THAT. Too dangerous.)

Ken_K wrote:
A couple of days ago I went hiking for the first time with my Canon 50D and 70-200 f2.8L lens. I had a small amount of gear in the backpack/camera case but had my camera slung over my should for quick access. After a couple hours of hiking and shooting I became very aware of the camera weight and had a lot of trouble keeping the camera strap from sliding off my shoulder. The simple solution would be to carry the camera in my backpack but knowing my luck, a photo op. would have vanished before I could get my gear out.

Do any of you seasoned pros have any tips for a newbie?

PS - Ditch the big heavy lens is not an acceptable solution!




Why isn't ditching the big heavy lens an acceptable solution ? Canon makes a stellar 70-200 F4 and 70-200 F4 IS, both are reported to be even sharper than the f2.8 version and much much lighter.

What do you feel your gaining by hauling all that extra weight around ?

Are you shooting something that has fast action or portraits where you need the shallow DOF out on the trail ?

cotton carrier is the ticket.

The other option is the detachable camera straps (think tank, optech, upstrap etc...) that supply a set of tails that connect to your backpack harness.

like this from think tank:

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/camera-support-straps.aspx

These will attach to pretty much any backpack.

J.

holster-style bag is perhaps the answer. Kinesis, Thinktank and Lowepro all sell them and in most cases you can attach them to the front D-rings on the main straps or a regular backpack.

I use the LowePro Primus AW and I am very happy with it for hiking. You can access the camera relatively quickly without taking off the backpack. And there is a separate space for personal things, enough for a 1day trip.
http://products.lowepro.com/product/Primus-AW,1995,14.htm

I'm telling you, the way I outlined above is the best answer, if you're after quick access to the camera. I do a ton of hiking/shooting and have tried many other methods.

Two more things:

1: Don't get the Think Tank Steroid belt, as it doesn't let you put pouches near the buckle.


2: I haven't done it yet, but I'm slowly working on the idea of turning one of my hikiing sticks into a sort of monopod. Basically, just attaching a simple ballhead (probably the Manfrotto vertical pistol-grip head) to the top.

Put this monopod-walking stick on a short leash, so it stays upright when you let go, and it should be simply to quickly attach the camera & shoot.

The other way would be to simply keep an actual monopod lashed to you pack or belt, but why carry all that extra weight? For this type of shooting, you would rarely need to quickly adjust the height. Once you make camp, and don't need the sticks for hiking, you could then extend it a few more inches, for a more comfortable height.

for later. My gear is killing my neck and back.

I did my normal 8 mile daily walk (2hrs) with a 1ds2 and 85 1.2 today. I have a Domke Gripper that I usually use on my shoulder but for this type of walking/hiking I'll wear it bandolier style. But at 65 I'm starting to think of a lighter weight setup.

I never tried it, but I sort of like the Cotton Carrier Camera System. If you can't replace the 70-200/2.8 with F4 version, then you could perhaps get 200/2.8 or 135/2 & TC at some point and leave the zoom at home...

JohnJ80 wrote:
cotton carrier is the ticket.

The other option is the detachable camera straps (think tank, optech, upstrap etc...) that supply a set of tails that connect to your backpack harness.

like this from think tank:

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/camera-support-straps.aspx

These will attach to pretty much any backpack.

J.

I 2nd getting a detachable camera strap and hook it up to your backpack harness. Takes the weight off your neck, yet easily accessible to take a photo. I've done many miles of hiking with the think tank set of straps without any fatigue from the weight of my camera. Give them a try...they are very cheap for what they accomplish.

Boy this is a tough one. First, thanks for all the thoughtful responses. Many of you made convincing arguements for your favorite products. This seems like one of those issues where "Try before you buy" is indicated however several of the products seem to be mail order only.

get a good backpack from an outdoor company.

I keep one hand on the camera to help take the load off my neck. The bag with the lenses is being carried by my neck, so I try to use my hand as much as possible to carry the camera weight.

i went through this last summer. we went on a five day hiking trip into the yosemite backcountry and i wanted to bring my d300. after a lot of inquiry, i settled on a thinktank holster in front with their auxiliary straps which hooked onto the front straps of my backpack. i also used a small bungee cord on the bottom of the holster (again strapped to my backpack somewhere) to keep the entire thing from moving around. the setup worked perfectly. it took me literally 3 seconds to access the camera and it was very well balanced and comfortable. i saw others on the trip who kept their cameras inside their backpack and they hardly used them since it was such a pain to access. i took almost 600 images on the 5 days and never even had to stop to get the camera out! all i ended up taking was my 18-200vr and sigma 10-20. this worked out well as we were at altitude the entire time and didn't see much wildlife. it was much more about the scenery.

I used to hike with a 1D, 2 or 3 lenses and a monopod, but the weight was killing me so I gave up and now carry a Panasonic LX3. The images really arent that much different in decent light. Of course, there isnt the same flexibility and if you want to catch birds or wildlife, the Lx3 wont be long enough, but for wider landscapes it's great.

The new Panasonic GF1 looks very interesting too...