I don't like neck straps and I am considering some alternate solution for carrying my camera. I am wondering if somebody here on FM has experience with Cotton Carrier Side Holster (the belt clip only, not the vest) and Spider Holster. I am looking for solution for mid sized DSLR (Canon 5d2) and primes up to 135mm, but comments on usability with a flash or a 70-200 zoom are welcome.


Thanks!

I was in the same boat a few weeks ago, couldn't decide between the Cotton Carrier and the Spider Holster. I carry two 5D's slung over my shoulders with straps, and when you add in a lens bag it gets to be a big tangle.

I did a whole bunch of internet research and finally decided to place an order for the Spider system, and rely on the return policy if it came to that. Although I haven't used it for a wedding yet, it appears well-designed and well-made. I think I'll be able to holster the cam by feel, without looking down most of the time. Downside, compared to the CC, is if you keep the locking mechanism on, you need two hands to release the camera. I'm not sure I'm too fond of that, seems too slow for me. I may keep the lock off; even without the lock it's difficult to dislodge the camera by accident anyway.

No hands-on experience with the Cotton Carrier, but I'm sure it's a very good system too. What made me lean toward the Spider was that it looked less obtrusive, and it provided a straightforward way to mount my tripod plate. Hope this helps.


Edit: Forgot to mention, the 5D "hangs" ok on the Spider with a 70-200 2.8L. The big zoom puts a bit of torque on the ball-head, and weights the belt noticeably, but it's not too big of a deal. Haven't tried it with a flash yet.

I got the CC. It was a pretty easy choice for me since I also use a Thinktank modular belt system. The spider holster belt doesn't seem like it can accomodate the Thinktank modular kit.

As for the CC kit. I have had no problems with it. It takes a little getting use to when you have 4k of gear dangling, but after you put your trust in it, it's so much better than straps. I have had a flash on the CC system, it does protrude quiet a bit, even with the flash bent. I usually take the flash off during downtime.

I shot a 10 hour wedding last weekend and used the CC for the first time. I carried two canon cameras with a canon flash on each on me the entire time. The CC holster was on the vest though, not on my belt. I tried it on my belt and felt it hung too low for my liking - I don't like the way most holsters and slings position the camera so low that the cameras rub against your leg when walking. In short - the CC is a neck, shoulder and back saver. I felt incredibly fresh after 10 hours. I shot a wedding last month where I just used the camera neck straps over my neck and shoulders and I was a wreck half way into the wedding. That experience, actually, is what got me to pull the trigger on the CC. By the way, you can screw a tripod plate directly into the CC connector as well - very user friendly.

Mitch W wrote:By the way, you can screw a tripod plate directly into the CC connector as well - very user friendly.

Hmm, I did not realize that. Scratch that advantage for the Spider.

I can see the difficulty with the CC holster at your hips; the camera and lens point down and could interfere with your legs while walking. It seems optimized for chest/torso placement. With the Spider holster, the camera hangs upside down with the lens level to the ground and pointed back. The camera does swing but keeps out of the way of your legs.

Thanks everyone!!! At this point I am leaning towards the CC, because it looks like it locks in place and does not wobble around as you walk. From the videos from both systems it looks like I won't be able to use it with Arca-Swiss style L bracket mounted on the camera, am I correct?

Sorry, no idea about the bracket. But you are correct about the CC - it does lock in place and does not wobble one bit when walking. You can even run with this thing. It's still too new for me to lock the camera back in place sight unseen tho... but I expect that will come with time. for now it's no problem to quickly glance at the CC to make sure the camera locks into place. Also, with flashes attached to cameras they obviously will stick out a bit. But you quickly get used to it and adapt your movements to it - especially if like me your among a large wedding crowd. No problem. If you are on Facebook there is a CC fan page where you can read positive review after positive review from satisfied customers. Just search Cotton Carrier.

Mirek Elsner wrote:
From the videos from both systems it looks like I won't be able to use it with Arca-Swiss style L bracket mounted on the camera, am I correct?

There is one video on the Cotton Carrier site that shows how to use a tripod bracket like an Arca Swiss style from RRS. Its the last one 4/4. They get an extra lever clamp from RRS and but a CC attachment to the foot of it. That clamp goes into the CC carrier and the lever clamp grabs on to the L plate on the camera. When you want to use a tripod you open up the clamp in the carrier. When you want to hand hold, remove the camera with the clamp and CC hub on it.
Mike K

I dunno anything but when I went to find out what these were I found this: http://forums.steves-digicams.com/pentax-samsung-dslr/159158-cotton-carrier-review-long-post.html Might be helpful.

The belt type looks kewl!

Cotton:






Spider:
http://vimeo.com/7588717

Thanks Bifurcator, I missed this one when I did my research.

NP, after you get yours and use it for a week post a little review and tell us if it actually works or if the camera is hitting your leg too much.

I actually have both the Cotton Carier and the Spider system..as well as the Black Rapid Dual Strap.. I just got my Spider in today so at first glance it is really nice and well built.. Just playing around I actually set it up so I can use both the CC and Spider at the same time since I attached my CC adapter to the spider plate so I can switch back and forth. At the next even I shoot Ill try out the spider in the field and really compare it to both other systems.. So far tho I think that using the CC vest and spider belt is probably the best bet for two cameras lol Once I do a review Ill post it up.

If the only thing I'm looking for is an convenient, unobtrusive belt holster, would you recommend the Spider or the CC?

Its really hard to say..if you are comparing just the CC holster and the Spider system they are very similar. But I think being belt mounted the Spider is better..They are so similar tho its hard to say but I feel that the holster mounted on the chest part works best because really the only difference is how the cameras stay with your body.. with the CC the cam is pointed down which is great on the chest but I find when its on a belt the lens comes down and tends to get moved around by your leg while walking..where as the Spider holds you cam upside-down and closer to your body so it moves around less.. Its really hard to say..But either one you wont regret..

I use the Cotton Carrier vest w/holster, using the angle pro-body units with a D3s 70-200 VRII on the chest and D700 24-70 max in the holster on vest. I use the Luma loop as a security back up attached to whatever body I have on the holster, I cannot fathom having a D700 or D3s/14-24 test the laws of gravity. I have not had this happen but I constantly check the units and retighten if needed.

I also have the Black Rapid System, which I used until I tried the Luma Loop. I like the Luma Loops as they are always attached and out of the way on all my bodies. On my chest the 70-200 has a two piece foot that allows me to remove the the L part, this is where I prefer to attach the mounting unit vs the camera body.
It takes awhile to acclimate to the vest but I can carry both bodies plus another on a monopod and longer lens,(200-400) covering just about the range I need.

I was messing around and I came up with a way to use the CC, Spider and Dual Strap all at once..lol I mounted the spider onto the CC vest replacing where the CC's holsters went..It keeps the camera a little more out of the way this way since I also use a ThinkTank belt so when the camera is on the CC holster and pointed down it usually gets in the way of the lens bags..and then I attach both camera to the Dual Strap..So while shooting Im using the dual strap so its easy to get to the cameras to shoot..but when Im not using a camera or both I can lock one into the CC vest and the other to the spider..lol Ill post some pics tomorrow,.

Ok so I have looked into both the CC and the Spider myself in the brief time that I wanted to have something to use for my second camera body to hang off either a belt or some other type of "sling" design and here is what in the end makes me lean towards the Spider.

The CC uses two materials that I don't like being used to rely upon when a $3000+ camera and a $1000-3000+ lens is being mounted to it.

"Plastic and Aluminum".

I understand the plastic part is aircraft quality but the fact of it is it's still plastic. Even if you were to use Carbon Fiber instead for the same application it would still be exactly the same.

Several things I learned when I was a machinist and welder and all around thrasher of bikes when I worked in the cycling industry.

You never try to use Aluminum, Carbon Fiber, or any type of plastic in a load bearing application. If you do have to use it, you either gusset the hell out of it (welded), make the piece larger (Cast) or you have to build up the joint with layer after layer after layer (Carbon Fiber).

The reason is that you have what is called a "Catastrophic failure" issue. Aluminum, plastic, and carbon fiber doesn't ever give you an indication of when it's going to break before it does.

It goes straight from "hmmm, looks fine" to "Whammo, broken".

Steel (Stainless, Chromoly, etc...) at least 90-95% of the time is going to give you some type of a crack before it fails. And you can still even use it in most applications. The other 5% is because the load was so great in the first place which is why it failed.

Ever wonder why when you get a cara-beener from a tourist place and it's aluminum, it always says "not load bearing" on the side? And why all professional climbing cara-beeners are steel? Even better find out what percentage of roll cages on NASCAR cars are Aluminum.

Aluminum is a great material for various applications, just not many that are load bearing will you see anything but either steel or even titanium.

My other favorite metal, besides Megadeth!



Honestly I would rather that Spider use an all Stainless steel setup because of this reason, and who knows maybe over time they will. Or even better use a Titanium mounting plate because of weight and strength. But in the end it comes down to a cost factor.

I am going to try the Spider design because it just looks sturdier than the other. And I want to use a 1D MK III and 300mm f/2.8 non IS lens on it.

That's my 2 cents worthless...

Ross

that would be carabiner. the ones pictured below are 7075 series Aluminum alloy.
i'll have to explain to Black Diamond, Mammut, DMM, Wild Country, Omega Pacific and a few others that their use of alloy biners in Technical climbing is totally inadequate even though the rated load on thes gate closed is about 24KN and open gate 7KN. oh by the way those are the PROFESSIONAL makers of CARABINERS in the world plus a few more. i climbed since 1972 and even back then it was aluminum alloy biners. they were heavier then the ones today. never had a biner fail just the rock around where the chock was placed. we don't use steel. the middle one called the xenon lite weighs in at 29gms and has a UIAA closed gate strength of 24KN or 5395lbs. you get anywhere near that load and your jello

I don't mind Lexan and aluminum alloys (it is what my camera is made of anyways), but based on previous feedback in this thread I decided for the Spider. I received it several days ago and did not have opportunity to test it outside, yet.

It has multiple options how to hang the camera and I think that makes it better for my purpose. I found it can be also used with RRS L plates, though in a limited way. I am very pleased with the overall build quality and I think it will work well. I'll report back when I have some actual experience.

After three months of casual use: The Spider is great. It is way more comfortable than a neck strap and the camera is readily available. It does not seem to draw to much attention, either.