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carrying camera and big lens 'over the shoulder' (1 Viewer)

R

'roy

Well-known member
Hello all,
I've recently waded into the DSLR game, having bought the industry standard EOS 30D and 100-400 IS lens. I'm worried about my method of carrying the combo in the field. I tend to carry the camera using the standard strap (the one that came in the box) over my shoulder, with the heavy lens attached, so the camera takes the whole weight of the lens. Is this a good idea? I'm worried about putting too much pressure on the mount.

I've searched the forums and found a few threads on this topic, but nothing too specifc. I plan to get a proper rucksack/bag for really long walks in the field, but I'd generally rather have the full kit over my shoulder and ready to use. How long could I carry the camera like this before I risk damaging the mount? Can anyone recommend a better way? (One that does not involve putting the camera in a bag...). Does anyone sell a strap that attaches to the lens, rather than the camera?

Many thanks in adv.,
James
 
Hi James, welcome to birdforum, we hope you enjoy the site.
I would suggest purchasing an neoprene Optech Pro strap and attach it to the lens, the combo will feel far lighter as a result. Straps supplied with cameras/lenses are very unpleasant after the luxury of a padded neoprene one.

Lens mounts can take a reasonable amount of weight... some camera bodies are very heavy and these effectively hang off the end of a supported lens.

cheers,
Andy
 
Another vote for the neoprene Optech Pro strap - far better than carrying a telephoto lens with the supplied strap.
 
Thanks will have to get one as the one i have slips of my shoulder all the time its the one that came with my Canon 400D.
 
Andy Bright said:
I would suggest purchasing an neoprene Optech Pro strap and attach it to the lens, the combo will feel far lighter as a result.
cheers,
Andy
Click to expand...

I have that strap somewhere i'm sure ... My question is how do you
connect the strap to the lens ... Do some prime's have the attachment
for such a strap,
Thank's,
Take care,
John,
 
Modular said:
I have that strap somewhere i'm sure ... My question is how do you
connect the strap to the lens ... Do some prime's have the attachment
for such a strap,
Thank's,
Take care,
John,
Click to expand...

Most reasonablly sized zooms and primes have fittings for straps.

cheers,
Andy
 
John,
Haven't tried these, though I have thought about it. There is an item on the American eBay icalled a Lens Cradle, it is a second strap for the lens itself. I searched for Lens strap and came up with the lens cradle, might be worth taking a look at.
Having trouble putting in the link for some reason.


 
Aside from the Optech recommendations (with which I heartily concur!) there aren't any strap connectors on the 100-400mm.

I use the same camera/lens combo and potter about for hours at a time with it. I carry the gear on an Optech strap (attached to the camera) around my neck, but I always support the weight of the lens with one hand.

Even though the 30D has a very strong magnesium body, the lens mount is something I don't want to muck up: the 100-400mm isn't featherweight and I'd rather not take the chance that its weight - especially when I'm on the move and the kit is bouncing about - might overstress the mount.
 
I know you don't like camera bags, but have you ever looked at one of the "holster" type bags? They are easy to carry (the one I have can also be carried as a back-pack for long hauls), the camera is easily accessible, but protected from the environment.
 
Modular said:
I have that strap somewhere i'm sure ... My question is how do you
connect the strap to the lens ... Do some prime's have the attachment
for such a strap,
Thank's,
Take care,
John,
Click to expand...
There is not an attachment for a strap to be mounted on my 400mm f5.6 prime. I use the Optech strap attached to the Camera and walk around with the strap around my neck.
 
One trick I have used is to carry the lens case (holster type) on a big strap under one arm and over the opposite shoulder. The camera strap then goes round my neck. When I am not using the camera, I pop the lens in the holster, which is hanging left side of my chest, high enough not to interfere with my gait. I have the straps adjusted so that not too much weight is hanging round my neck. Keeps the lens on the camera, handy for use. Found I can even ride a bike like this - don't fall off :)

Don't think this would work very well with anything longer than 400mm, nor with the hood on.

Mike.
 
Many thanks for the pointers everyone.
As others have said, the 100-400 unfortunately doesn't have a strap attachment, so I would have to rig up something makeshift or make do with attaching the strap to the camera. I like Citrinella's suggestion - can anyone recommend a particularly suitable model for a holster-type bag? Ideally it would fit the 100-400 plus 30D, and would be small / light enough that I could sling it out of the way over my shoulder whilst using the camera.
Thanks again
j
 
i generally carry my 100-400 by its tripod mount, as the camera weighs a site less than the lens, so less strain on the mount. I carry the 600 F4L by its tripod mount too, or by a strap attached to its strap mount points, which are also on the tripod ring. Optech straps are by far the best for any system ! :)
 
'roy, I have the Lowepro Toploader 75AW and am pretty pleased with it. Enough room for the 30D and the 100-400IS plus a few odds and ends (spare batteries, memory cards, etc.) It comes with an integrated rain cover, and can either be carried by strap or, as mentioned above, as a back-pack.
 
Hanno said:
'roy, I have the Lowepro Toploader 75AW and am pretty pleased with it. Enough room for the 30D and the 100-400IS plus a few odds and ends (spare batteries, memory cards, etc.) It comes with an integrated rain cover, and can either be carried by strap or, as mentioned above, as a back-pack.
Click to expand...

I use the same. It takes my 1DsII with a 70-200 f2.8 or 50-500 sigma comfortably. The camera is easy to get at, and protected from casual knocks etc. The bag itself, which I usually use on a belt, is comfortable to wear on long trips out, and the lowepro street and field bags will attatch to the belt also, making carrying other lenses easy.
 
Hanno said:
'roy, I have the Lowepro Toploader 75AW and am pretty pleased with it. Enough room for the 30D and the 100-400IS plus a few odds and ends (spare batteries, memory cards, etc.) It comes with an integrated rain cover, and can either be carried by strap or, as mentioned above, as a back-pack.
Click to expand...
Or, you can buy a chest-harness for it. That means you've got the camera ready to whip out very easily. Only problem is that the bag won't hold the 100-400 with the hood in position.
 
My vote goes to Lowepro too - I have a Specialist 85AW which takes my 20D with the Canon 100-400 IS Zoom attached plus a 17-85 IS Zoom, spare battery, cards. cable release etc with room to spare in the main compartment. I either sling it over my shoulder or carry it as intended around the back, with the waist and shoulder straps done up. It swivels around to the front to get the camera out quite easily. If a case is not the answer i.e. you want to carry the camera with lens attached "in the open" as it were, and your lens does not have strap attachment point, which the Canon 100-400 does not as others have pointed out, surely the answer is to be able to screw a strap fixing into the lens' tripod mount which, as it rotates, can be fixed in the best position? However, I can't find one!! Does anyone else know of such a device or can think of a way to cobble one up?

Adrian

PS I should say that the camera does not stow away in my Lowepro with the lens hood ready for action - it sits in the stowed away position and has to be unscrewed and reversed which may not be acceptable to many.
 
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