How to carry a heavy lens/tripod on a morning shoot

[Bjornpdx]

Any advice on how to carry this combination of equipment around for a morning shoot: Canon 30D attached to a Canon 600/4 lens which is attached to heavy duty tripod and a Manfrotto 3421 gimbal telephoto support.

I can carry all this pretty well just by holding on to the lens tripod mount with one hand and with the other hand holding one of the tripod legs. But I can't carry it all for an extended length of time without stopping to rest.

What I'm looking for is some kind of strap or something to support the weight and still allow me to quickly set up for a shot. I'm a little leery about balancing it on my shoulder since it seems like it could slip off too easily and also the gimbal mount might wobble around.

Thanks for any input.

[Duke Leto]

Try this click here (http://www.yesitshelpful.com/wheelbarrow.jpg)

Have a happy Christmas :king:B (::king:

[ikw101]

Might be worth trying the Scopac (http://www.scopac.co.uk/). Frequently use it with a scope and tripod. Can't think of any reason why it wouldn't work with a camera/600mm lens combination and tripod.

[mjmw]

I am not sure that a Scopac type of thing will support or balance the weight - a Canon 600/4 is nearly 4x as heavy as a typical scope!

I have the 500/4 and Wimberley head and just balance it over my shoulder, which seems a common method to carry the rig set-up.

[timp55]

I am not sure that a Scopac type of thing will support or balance the weight - a Canon 600/4 is nearly 4x as heavy as a typical scope!

I have the 500/4 and Wimberley head and just balance it over my shoulder, which seems a common method to carry the rig set-up.Try the Scopac, yes the lens is heavier than a spotting scope but you're carrying it above and down the line of your spine, high on the body and this has always been the way to carry the weight of a heavily loaded rucksack so it should work with the comparitive light weight of a camera and lens. Try asking Special Forces troops how they carry heavy loads!

[timp55]

I am not sure that a Scopac type of thing will support or balance the weight - a Canon 600/4 is nearly 4x as heavy as a typical scope!

I have the 500/4 and Wimberley head and just balance it over my shoulder, which seems a common method to carry the rig set-up.Try the Scopac, yes the lens is heavier than a spotting scope but you're carrying it above and down the line of your spine, high on the body and this has always been the way to carry the weight of a heavily loaded rucksack so it should work with the comparitive light weight of a camera and lens. Try asking Special Forces troops how they carry heavy loads!

[Keith Reeder]

Special Forces kit is designed to carry the load you inflict on it though - look at the way the light scope in this picture is pulling away from yer man's shoulders: http://www.scopac.co.uk/photo001.jpg

[Bjornpdx]

Might be worth trying the Scopac (http://www.scopac.co.uk/). Frequently use it with a scope and tripod. Can't think of any reason why it wouldn't work with a camera/600mm lens combination and tripod.

Thanks. I checked out the site, but I don't think the Scopac would work. Doesn't look like I could quickly set up for a shot with that arrangement. Also, my lens would probably rotate a lot on the gimbal mount while I'm walking and bash the back of my head.

[Bjornpdx]

Try this click here (http://www.yesitshelpful.com/wheelbarrow.jpg)

Have a happy Christmas :king:B (::king:


Hey, I actually considered that for a while.

[mjmw]

Try the Scopac, yes the lens is heavier than a spotting scope but you're carrying it above and down the line of your spine, high on the body and this has always been the way to carry the weight of a heavily loaded rucksack so it should work with the comparitive light weight of a camera and lens. Try asking Special Forces troops how they carry heavy loads!

Some packs are designed to balance and carry heavy loads in this way...my point was that the Scopac probably isn't! A 500+ lens and gimbal head is very top heavy and not very balanced.

FWIW, we have a similar thing to the Scopac for my wife to carry her scope and tripod - I am not sure it would hold the weight of a big lens, let alone balance it.

[assayer]

Bjornpdx,

I have a similar setup and haven't found a good solution either. For quick access, I carry the tripod over my shoulder (Added padding to upper part of tripod legs) with camera and lens (Canon 600mm f4) attached. Since I'm in my late 60's, I usually don't carry it this way for hikes longer than a mile; of course I make frequent stops to check for birds...ha, ha! For longer hikes I have a Lowepro Backpack that is made for the long lens and camera, but still carry the tripod w/head over my shoulder, but this eliminates quick access.

If you find a better solution, please let me know.

Dick

[baggy2508]

Hi.
I have also found that over the shoulder works best as you can quickly unload and set up.

[Bjornpdx]

Hi.
I have also found that over the shoulder works best as you can quickly unload and set up.

Thanks. I tried that but the tripod started slipping off my shoulder. I think I just need a different jacket or velcro or something.

[Leif]

There are special long lens rucksacks. I imagine you could quickly stuff the lens in one, then carry the tripod.

I have often wondered about something along the lines of an adapted baby buggy. Some have 3 large wheels and an aluminium frame though I am not sure the idea would work well.

[rezMole]

How about a golfing trolly?

[Roy C]

How about a golfing trolly?
I brought this up a few months ago in a thread about the same subject and the feeling was that unless the trolly had a super suspension you would be in danger of buggering up the lens.

[Leif]

I brought this up a few months ago in a thread about the same subject and the feeling was that unless the trolly had a super suspension you would be in danger of buggering up the lens.

What about a harness made from an elasticated fabric in which the lens is held?

[Claymore]

Any advice on how to carry this combination of equipment around for a morning shoot: Canon 30D attached to a Canon 600/4 lens which is attached to heavy duty tripod and a Manfrotto 3421 gimbal telephoto support.

I can carry all this pretty well just by holding on to the lens tripod mount with one hand and with the other hand holding one of the tripod legs. But I can't carry it all for an extended length of time without stopping to rest.

What I'm looking for is some kind of strap or something to support the weight and still allow me to quickly set up for a shot. I'm a little leery about balancing it on my shoulder since it seems like it could slip off too easily and also the gimbal mount might wobble around.

Thanks for any input.
I usually get one's Ghillie to carry the damn thing! he has to earn his wage somehow! and if he's not available there's always my mother-in-law she may be 87 but she's as strong as an Ox and does a mean Highland Fling LoL
Good day
Brian (the newly crowned Laird Of Glencairn)
Ps my wife bought me the title on Ebay and i now own approx 12" x 12" plot of land somewhere in the Highlands LoL still i like the name its quite catchy? off out to bag some grouse oopppps probably not the best thing to say on a Bird Forum (only joking)