Belt & Harness Advice: LowePro vs. ThinkTank

[JohnnyEgo]

First, the point: I am looking or any advice or experience regarding belt & harness systems. Specifically, I am contemplating either the Think Tank Pixel Racing Harness and Speed Belt (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_PxlRcngHrnss.php) or the LowePro Steet & Field Harness and Belt (http://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-Street-Field-Shoulder-Harness/dp/B00009R8AF/ref=pd_sim_e_5 ). Price isn't really much of a concern, as they are both priced similarly.

In a fairly short period of time, I have managed to accumulate several bags & backpacks, including ones from both LowePro & ThinkTank, as well as a Domke F1 and a National Geographic Explorer. They all have their roles in which they excel. They also all have their shortcomings for what I find I am doing most of lately. A vest is out because I occasionally need to wear a Yates-style rescue harness and can't have the vest over it.

I am currently using a repurposed duty belt and some dump sacks for photography duty, but I would like a harness for weight distribution, and dedicated lens bags with a little bit of padding. I'm looking to carry two lenses in dedicated pouches, possibly a small holster-style bag, two water bottle carriers, and a dump sack.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[gromeo]

I used the LowePro deluxe belt system before getting the TT Pro Speed Belt, I don't use the harness so I can not give an opinion on that. I found the LowePro belt was not as comfy and the pouches available were limited at the time I was using it. The camera dealer started carrying the TT products and I tried out the belt system and have used it since then. The TT pouches seem to fit better and you have more choices.

[tvphotog]

I can't speak to the belts themselves but I've used the add-on modules on my TT Rotation 360. They're extremely well-designed. The only advantage of the Lowepro modules is that most lens modules have rain-resistant zip top, where the TT have a drawcord, but have an included by separate waterproof cover.
That simply means that in a sudden shower, the Lowepro modules are immediately protected, whereas you have to pull out the TT covers and put them on individually.

[jhom]

Think Tank design their belt system for ready access. The belt, lens cases and bags are lightly padded and less bulky. The Lowepro system is more bulky and less convenient to access gear because of the zipper system on their cases. I started out with Lowepro. Now I have Think Tank because it is more comfortable to wear and more convenient to use. Also, you can combine the belt system with several of TT other bags and cases.

[Sledhed]

I have the TT harness and belt and like everything TT makes it's well designed and manufactured. The belt really helps to distribute the weight.

[JohnnyEgo]

Thank you all for the good advice. I am leaning towards the Think Tank belt & harness based on what I have read here. For those of you that have owned both, have you ever tried mixing attachments; ie. using LowePro pouches on the Think Tank belt? I like the idea of having one or two water resistant LowePro pouches in conjunction with a Think Tank holster and dump sack.

Also, for those of you using a belt system, any advice on loading or use?

Thanks!!

[jhom]

Its been a while, but I remember fitting Lowepro lens cases and utility bag on the TT Speed Pro belt. Lowepro gear doesn't come with the center insert to lock into the TT belt, so you can't lock them in place. But, it is not a problem.

My advice for use of a TT belt system is to have one additional Lens Changer such as a LC35 on the belt to act as a temporary hold station. This way when you switch lenses or camera components, you use the additional lens case to put temporarily hold the component you are switching off the camera. This makes switching components easy. I usually have 2-3 lens changers and a Chimp cage on my belt.

[bigjon0107]

I have owned both and I have found the Think Tank more comfortable and easier to work with...not to mention better built.

[Sledhed]

It varies with what I'm shooting but I usually have,

Speed Changer (extra camera body, batteries, CF cards, pens, note pad, sun screen)
Whip it Out (70-200)
Large Lens Drop In (1.4 TC or 24-105)
Lightning Fast (580 EX)
R U Thirsty (water bottle)

There's also a couple of small pockets on the harness that holds a pen, iPod that kind of stuff and d-ring hooks to hang another body from.

The thing I don't like about the harness is you have to wear the buckle in the front which puts the bags in the back, and then you can't rotate the bags to the front because of the harness straps. When I don't wear the harness I put the buckle in the back and the bags in the front, it's just easier to get stuff in and out then.

I tried to find a picture of me wearing it and this is the best I could find.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/3564938322_f6395bc806_o.jpg

[JohnnyEgo]

The thing I don't like about the harness is you have to wear the buckle in the front which puts the bags in the back, and then you can't rotate the bags to the front because of the harness straps. When I don't wear the harness I put the buckle in the back and the bags in the front, it's just easier to get stuff in and out then.



This is an interesting point that causes me to have two questions:
1. On the Think Tank website, it appears as though the harness is inserted through three of the locking tabs on the belt. In the scenario you describe, could you put the belt on backwards, offsetting the buckle to the left or right until you have an available tab?

2. The "Steroid" belt looks like it would allow you to rotate your gear to the front and back while still using the harness. Do you have any thoughts on it? (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_StrdSpdBlt.php )

[Sledhed]

This is an interesting point that causes me to have two questions:
1. On the Think Tank website, it appears as though the harness is inserted through three of the locking tabs on the belt. In the scenario you describe, could you put the belt on backwards, offsetting the buckle to the left or right until you have an available tab?

2. The "Steroid" belt looks like it would allow you to rotate your gear to the front and back while still using the harness. Do you have any thoughts on it? (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_StrdSpdBlt.php )


Are you talking about the photo on bottom left showing the speed changer? I think he probably put the changer on afterwards over the buckle.

[MDJAK]

I have the original TT belt, the narrow one, back in the day where they claimed the narrow belt was as if not more comfortable than the thick/wide Lowepro belt. Wrong.

I then bought the Lowepro belt system. (Never had a harness.) The holster which is large enough to hold a 1 Series had it's attachment point way to low on the back thus causing tipping away from the body. It was plain terrible.

At the recommendation of Karl Grobl (www.karlgrobl.com) a world famous photojournalist, I had the holster permanently sewn (really riveted as it's too much padding to sew, even for an industrial machine) directly on to the belt, exactly where I wanted it. It made a big difference.

I then discovered that carrying a belt system was just not for me. It resides on the bottom of my closet, both the LowePro and the TT.

It's bulky, cumbersome and looks dorky. Now, the pic above where the tog is obviously stationary in a dugout makes it the perfect system.

I on the other hand tend to walk the streets of Manhattan. The pouches just stick off way to wide, especially if it's winter and I have a coat on also.

I find a vest is better, though I rarely use mine.

I think experience with many different type bags is really the be all-tell all.

As for me, while I have backpacks, sling bags, belt systems, Crumpler shoulder bags, the one bag I go to almost exclusively is the Slingshot 300. It's a perfect size, comfortable when used with the waist belt if loaded up, and just plain works well.

me

[MDJAK]

Here's a link to his explanation of how he had to modify the Lowepro system.
http://www.karlgrobl.com/EquipmentReviews/CameraBags.htm

[JohnnyEgo]

Are you talking about the photo on bottom left showing the speed changer? I think he probably put the changer on afterwards over the buckle.

The way I interpreted the picture and ad copy was that you could slide the pouches from front to rear without interfering with the harness, however, I could be quite wrong.


As for me, while I have backpacks, sling bags, belt systems, Crumpler shoulder bags, the one bag I go to almost exclusively is the Slingshot 300. It's a perfect size, comfortable when used with the waist belt if loaded up, and just plain works well.

me

I've got a Slingshot 200, but I've found it to be a poor compromise between backpack and bag for my particular purposes. I spend a lot of time on industrial sites and large infrastructure, often clipped in to a rope & harness. I also participate in action shooting sports, which requires me to run behind active shooters. Backpacks are great for getting my gear to a site, but not feasible to work out of on the move. Likewise, I did not have much success working out of a bag while on the run and often encumbered by other things.

I already look like a dork anyways, so a belt and harness is not going to detract from my general appearance. Plus, like most other sport shooters, I am well armed at these events, and I find that generally makes for polite conversation even amongst strangers.

[cortlander]

For think tank, you may consider getting the longest belt you can comfortably wear. With a longer belt, there is less distance between the harness ends in the front and you can use the sides of the belt more effectively. I exchanged my L size belt for XL even though I wear size 36.