I did fine this year with this setup:
30D with a 17-55 2.8, 85 1.8 and a 70-200 2.8, and a 550EX flash.
I had a belt system going. The camera with 17-55 and flash attached around my neck.
3 lens cases, small, medium and large so I can put each lens in a pouch when swapping lenses.
Now, I just got a 40D, and I wish to bring along the 30D along for redundancy.
I found some photogs slinging two camera bodies on their shoulders or necks. Most would have a 70-200 on the secondary, and the walk around lens on their primary.
I don't know how they do this. Especially with flashes in the mix.
I have no freedom of movement with the 2nd camera on me. If I have the 40D on one shoulder, I have the 30D with the telephoto under my armpit (across my chest). I would have to thread my elbow through the strap so I can bring the viewfinder eye level. When switching back, I have to reverse the step.
Anybody care to share what they do? I would like to keep most of my gear on me for a couple of reasons. One is having it all there so it's handy. The other is for security. Theft is on the rise big time.
I was thinking about the Think Tank Holster 30 so I can carry the 30D and 70-200 in one bag, and that would replace the large lens pouch on my belt.
I don't know if this helps you, but i often use the sunpack hand straps. they come in helpful for me. to balance two cameras. either can go over the shoulder, or on the hand. that's what i do anyways.
There was a large thread about carrying two cams at once a while back (few months?). Might help to dig it up from the archives...anyone have it bookmarked?
This is a big problem for me as well. I've never found a workable slinging method that eventually doesn't get me tangled at a critical moment. I just end up putting one on the ground or a nearby surface and grab as needed. Hand straps are definitely helpful.
I carry one camera-lens combination in a shoulder bag (with other accessories) and the other around my neck or with my Camdapter handstrap. I prefer the shoulder bag to the belt. The belt always makes me feel like I'm in a Western ready for a shootout in the street - can never rest my arms along my side without hitting a lens pouch, other. The bag I can swing out of the way as needed when going through a crowd, etc.
I believe I know of the thread a prior poster mentioned - can't find it, but I recall ChrisDM showed his two-camera-carrying strap system. Before I bought my bag recently, I checked with him to see if he'd finalized work to sell it (as he'd said was his plan). He had not yet, but hoped to in early 2008. He may be able to post a link to that archived thread.
I always carry 2 bodies one with 17-55 and the other 70-200. It's not as convenient as having 1 but to me it's well worth it. It may take time getting used to. I use 2 medium lowepro lens case on my belt to put stuff in. At the end of the day, i maybe hurting a little bit but until I can afford another assistant, it works for me.
MJH1 wrote:
I carry one camera-lens combination in a shoulder bag (with other accessories) and the other around my neck or with my Camdapter handstrap. I prefer the shoulder bag to the belt. The belt always makes me feel like I'm in a Western ready for a shootout in the street - can never rest my arms along my side without hitting a lens pouch, other. The bag I can swing out of the way as needed when going through a crowd, etc.
I believe I know of the thread a prior poster mentioned - can't find it, but I recall ChrisDM showed his two-camera-carrying strap system. Before I bought my bag recently, I checked with him to see if he'd finalized work to sell it (as he'd said was his plan). He had not yet, but hoped to in early 2008. He may be able to post a link to that archived thread.
Mike...Show more →
Ooh, I think I remember that work in progress thread. I can't wait to see the product.
What I do... Camera on left shoulder with 17-55f2.8 right shoulder with camera 2 and 70-200 f2.8. Belt system with extra flash, batteries for cameras and flashes, 3 other lenses. Works out good. You will get use to using 2 cameras on your shoulders. Its really not that bad
My system is very similar to paparazzinick. One camera on each shoulder, flashes and lenses mounted. From time to time they try to slip off my shoulder. Fortunately, they have never fallen completely off. Been doing it this way as long as I can remember. Also looking into a holster type pouch for the belt to use for the long lens combo. Not sure I would like it though. Still considering it.
if you've got a camera hanging on each shoulder, you can take a piece of soft fabric (I used some black fleece scraps from a sewing project) to make a 1" wide band that connects the two straps over your shoulders... does a fantastic job of keeping your cameras on your shoulders. Instead of having to readjust every 1-2 minutes, this drops that down to every 10 minutes.
I have been carrying 70-200 on left shoulder and 17-55 on right shoulder for the last couple of years. You do get used to it, but I will try to set one down if I can do it safely.
On a related note, the rumor mill says a Nikon 24-120mm VR 2.8 is on the horizon. Has got me thinking real hard about carrying 1 camera in the future, just not sure if I can get away with the loss on the wide end.
Would love to have an 18-200 VR 2.8 pro lense. I would gladly pay $5000.00 for it, but I don't think it is even a physical possibility.
Sorry for the delay guys, but I do plan to continue development on my 2 camera strap early next year. I just got slammed in Nov and Dec and didn't have any time ot work on it. But I do have a consultant handling patenting and manufacturing plans now. Here's me using an earlier prototype. The best thing about this system is that each camera hangs individually, and the weight is on your shoulders like a backpack, not around your neck. For this reason it is even more comfortable carrying 2 cameras like this than one around your neck:
one camera around the neck (neoprene strap feels so much lighter than most), and one camera ready to go in a thinktank holster (wrist strap instead of shoulder strap on 2nd body). avoids having too much stuff around the shoulders/neck swinging around, which in turn makes you a little more mobile for those awkward moments where you're stooping or squatting or even running to get into position to get the next shot. and if you're carrying 2 bodies at once, you may already be using a belt for the accessories anyway.
i have a steroid speed belt with a "digital holster 20" and it's a nice fit without being too bulky (i have a 5D, no grip). moreoever, it doesn't sag away from the belt. plus, i like that i can slide stuff around without sliding the actual belt around; there have been many times that i've simply slid the holster from my side to my rear, so that i can more easily pass through crowds or narrow passages.
by comparison, i previously had a Lowepro toploader AW 70 with a deluxe belt, and that was definitely too bulky for weddings. probably would have knocked over a cake eventually.
I was looking at the think tank holsters. Do you find it too bulky?
I haven't tried them Butch, but I can still be very certain I would prefer my two strap system. The reason I shoot with 2 cameras is that I want either of them available instantaneously, and the strap provides that. As a photojournalist, I literally want to be able to fire either camera in an instant. I'm not sure that would be possible with the holster.
I remember at one time you had posted a list of parts used to make this harness system. Are you willing to repost that for us? Your system looks great. I'm tired of fumbling around at weddings as well (in October, my 24-70L took a dive out of my pouch and on to the concrete). Thanks for sharing this info with us...
