Carrying my cameras

[rpcrowe]

I need a new way to carry my pair of cameras...

I like using a crop camera with 17-55mm lens along with a full frame camera with 70-200mm f/4L IS lens on photo shoots. I like having a hand strap on the full frame camera with the longer lens because I can steady the lens better with the hand strap.

This precludes my using the Optech Dual Harness because the Dual Harness straps require both of the strap mountings of the camera.

However, I have been very happy carrying the crop camera with shorter lens on a neoprene neck strap and carrying the full frame camera with 70-200mm lens in a Think Tank Holster Case at my side with the carrying strap across my chest "bandolier style"...



This morning as I was setting up to go out on a shoot, I made a discovery... my new 6D2 with battery grip and hand strap will not totally fit into the Think Tank Holster Case.



It fits well enough to keep the camera safe at my hip for today's shoot but, I need to find a new way to carry that camera/lens. I believe that this is the largest holster type case available. I don't like the feel of a Cotton Carrier... So, I am thinking of a Black Rapid Strap but, may put a Fusion Plate on the camera to connect with the Black Rapid.

https://fpgear.com/collections/fusion-plates

In fact, if I have the Fusion Plate on the camera, I might be able to use one of the many other camera straps that I have in my collection (I never throw anything photographic away).

This would solve the problem of using a Black Rapid "type" strap combined with a Arca Compatible tripod plate. I am deducing that the Fusion Plate might place less stress on the tripod screw mount of the camera since the stress will not be directed only against the tripod screw.

The Fusion Plate seems pretty well made and I am assuming that I could trust my camera attached with this plate. That is certainly not the case with the Chinese Knock Offs of Black Rapid Straps sold all over eBay these days...

Or I might wait until later in the Spring when Fusion is supposed to bring out an L-Bracket with a ring for attaching a strap

https://fpgear.com/

[Shadowman]

The sling for my heavy 24-70mm really works for me, I can carry either a backpack or messenger bag for my other gear.

[NorthernFocus]

I use a Black Rapid sling and it works quite well. The camera stays out of the way and less stress on my body than a neck strap. I also use a folding ring shoe like in your link and it works well too.

[mknittle]

I have really bad neck problems so a neck strap is out of the question. I don't like the camera/s hanging on slings banging into things so I ended up getting a Cotton Carrier vest that I am very happy with.

[zen]

Richard,

You might want to take a look at the LowePro Toploader line. I have the Toploader Pro 75AW holster and it handles my 5d4 with 70-200 f4 nicely, but with hood reversed. Comes with shoulder strap. I don't use a battery grip, but the top is large enough square to fit the cam with the grip mounted if I want.

Also, for your wrist strap, take a look at the Camdapter strap, which connects to one of the right side camera lug [looking at cam from the back] and the lug on the RRS plate. This allows use of the wrist strap AND keeping the tripod plate on the cam permanently.

Good luck in your search.

Zen

[rpcrowe]

Thanks Zen, I want a carry that I can use the camera from. The lens hood might not be a big problem because I have often used the 70-200mm f/4L IS lens with a round screw in filter on a crop camera.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Photograp...und%20Hood.jpg

This allows the lens to fit into a shorter holster case. The round shade does a fairly decent job shading the lens. I haven't used it since I purchased the longer Thinktank holster. I have to try it out on my full frame camera to see if it vignettes.

If it doesn't vignette, and I can find a holster with enough room to fit my camera and grip that's te way I would like to go.

[zen]

The Toploader holster works just as you have described. I keep the rig in the holster until needed, then with just a flip of the hinged top cover, I can grab the cam and lift it right out. Very convenient.

Zen

[Tronhard]

I have been using the big Canon bodies with battery grips for some time and I settled (very happily) on the Think Tank system for two reasons:

1. They make holsters specifically to take that kind of configuration, and they have a holster that can expand from smaller lens to longer if you so desire. I keep one smaller one for a FF body+grip+24-105 size lens, and one very long one that can take the 7DII+grip+100-400MkII+1.4MkIII extender.

https://www.thinktankphoto.com/colle...gital-holsters

2. Their holsters fit on a robust belt system that takes the stress off the shoulders and puts it on the hips, which are much better at handling the strain. I can rotate and do whatever without the cameras swinging around all over the place.

https://www.thinktankphoto.com/colle...-and-harnesses

I also like that they have rain covers and pockets to carry the kind of stuff we usually want to take with us.

[rpcrowe]

I have just about decided on the Think Tank 40 or 50. The holster in my photos is a Think Tank 30 which was fine when I was using a non-gripped camera like a 7D or 7D2 but, is too small for the gripped 6D2. However I may just see if I can fit into the Toploader 75 AW which is considerably less expensive than the Think Tank ($50 USD versus $90 USD).

I am not all that keen on harrying a load on my belt. I carried a lot in Vietnam that way (two water canteens, Colt Automatic in holster, two extra magazines, a Kabar knife and a medical corpsman pouch in which I carried about a half dozen rolls of film) and I ended up with hips that were irritated by the friction and the heat and sweat endemic to that area. I ended up with a pair of load carrying suspenders to help keep the belt in place and that helped considerably

[Tronhard]

I have just about decided on the Think Tank 40 or 50. The holster in my photos is a Think Tank 30 which was fine when I was using a non-gripped camera like a 7D or 7D2 but, is too small for the gripped 6D2. However I may just see if I can fit into the Toploader 75 AW which is considerably less expensive than the Think Tank ($50 USD versus $90 USD).

I am not all that keen on harrying a load on my belt. I carried a lot in Vietnam that way (two water canteens, Colt Automatic in holster, two extra magazines, a Kabar knife and a medical corpsman pouch in which I carried about a half dozen rolls of film) and I ended up with hips that were irritated by the friction and the heat and sweat endemic to that area. I ended up with a pair of load carrying suspenders to help keep the belt in place and that helped considerably

Hey Richard I understand - I did my time there too, but at least the belt is optional (although there is a shoulder harness offered as well) and there is any shooting it will be RAW or JPG!

[rpcrowe]

As I said, I don't throw anything photographic away My old Tamrac Zoom 19 Holster Bag will fit the 6D2 with battery grip along with the 70-200mm f/4L IS lens and a screw-in lens shade mounted. I just saved myself close to a hundred dollars

[Tronhard]

It's good to recycle!

I keep telling that to my partner when she sees how much stuff I have held onto... Maybe I can quote you as an example!

[rpcrowe]

Be glad to act as a reference, just don't let my wife get into the conversation. I am afraid that she and your partner might be reading from the same page