How do you carry your 500mm?

[J.Litton]

I am looking for a bag to use to carry my 500 on body, preferably with hood attached while I am out shooting.

I also am looking for a travel and carry bag which I am thinking about the Kiboko for that. Any tips for a field/carry bag?

[footman]

I carry mine in a LowePro Trekker AWll on a 1D4 but not with the hooded installed

[Nighthound]

I use the LowePro 600 for transport and storage but when hiking I have the 500/MK IV on the Winberley/Gitzo Tripod over my shoulder. The LP 600 won't allow you to keep the lens hood on in shoot position but you can put it on in reverse position. For shoulder carrying I have the Naturescapes tripod pad for comfort and the tripod head reinforcement plate(mounts under tripod) for added strength. I've tried hiking with the LowePro 600 but the weight applied to my neck and shoulders wasn't good after the first mile or so. I prefer carrying the rig over my shoulder and alternating shoulders along the way. The LP 600 is great protection for your camera and lens, very well made.

Bag/backpack:
http://www.lowepro.com/lenstrekker600aw2

Plate:
http://www.naturescapes.net/store/ns...ods-gsp35.html

Pad:
http://www.naturescapes.net/store/po...eavy-gear.html

[J.Litton]

Thanks Steve! Would I carry similarly but with a monopod. Would that plate still work? I currently screw tripod leg directly into monopod.

[Nighthound]

Originally Posted by J.Litton

Thanks Steve! Would I carry similarly but with a monopod. Would that plate still work? I currently screw tripod leg directly into monopod.

I can't say what the weight capacity of your monopod would be. The plate I mentioned mounts beneath the tripod head plate using the center bolt located under there to secure it. Obviously a monopod doesn't have a place for a reinforcement plate. I would suggest you contact the manufacturer and find out if your model can hold the combined weight of the 500 and your camera. If it is sufficient you should still use caution not to jolt the set up on your shoulder like when jumping downward or over something. You don't want to force too much pressure on the center bolt to snap it or have the threads strip out of the lens foot.

[stoshdwalshphotography]

+1 for Lowepro. I've also had the Kinesis 511, but just sold it b/c I like the integrated (and more adjustable) shoulder straps of the Lowepro better. It's a hulking monster by comparison, though. In the field, I also often sling the mono or tripod over my shoulder, depending on what the lens is mounted to (BH, yes, Gimbal, not very far ). I did some DIY and bought self-adhesive pipe insulation for about 5 bucks at my local hardware store, then wrapped each leg with bow tape. Provides some additional padding for longer walks with the set up, and is a lot cheaper than lenscoat's camo leg pads...

[badams]

I use a tamrac expedition 9x (5589) for carrying the body/lens while traveling but it you have to reverse the lens hood. While shooting I just carry it by the tripod foot.

[footman]

I seem to have reached a compromise for carrying it in the field when I'm not using a tripod/gimbal combo.
I find I can hand-carry it holding the tripod foot with a plate attached for a reasonable distance, swapping hands when necessary.
I've also bought a Manfrotto neotec monopod and a RRS monpod head. If I want to stop and survey the surroundings I mount the lens/body on the monopod. I also carry the whole lot over my shoulder sometimes but that's not too comfortable.

[catsith]

For my 800, I use the lowpro photosport 200aw, if I need to carry it for a distance. I cut out the guts, and it fits my 800 nicely, hood reversed. If I have my camera on it, it does stick out the top, but the cover still still cover most of it. Not sure on the length of the 500, but with hood reversed and camera body it should fit. It is a very lightweight bag, and very comfortable, with a few extra pockets for bits and pieces. Hood in place is a different matter. It is wide enough, just probably not long enough, though it might do the job even with the camera hanging out of the top.