Cotton carrier or what?

Been using a black rapid strap for awhile. However it now really Bothers my neck if I carrier the camera for to long. Use a 7dmkii with either a 400 5.6 or 100-400 v1. Was thinking of trying a cotton carrier as alternative as I can get accessorie to also carry my bino's. Any other suggestions. Don't want to carry in backpack in the field but need to relieve some strain on my neck

Pauhana wrote in post #17900984
Been using a black rapid strap for awhile. However it now really Bothers my neck if I carrier the camera for to long. Use a 7dmkii with either a 400 5.6 or 100-400 v1. Was thinking of trying a cotton carrier as alternative as I can get accessorie to also carry my bino's. Any other suggestions. Don't want to carry in backpack in the field but need to relieve some strain on my neck

I'm a huge fan of the Capture Clip, from Peak Designs, over the CC. The clip can be (and is best) placed on your backpack strap and then the camera clipped into it. It holds much more securely that the CC does, doesn't require the weird-ass "puck" that's the key component of the Cotton Carrier system and the camera can go directly from shoulder clip, to tripod and back without having to muck with anything else. The Capture system also allows you to have a shoulder strap or wrist strap connected to the camera while it is mounted to a tripod, if you want a secondary security.

Capture will tell you that the clip can be used on a belt, also, but I *really* do not recommend that method; it just doesn't line up for easy usage that way. But the shoulder mount style is second to none, in my book. I can run afield, all day, with the 7DII + 100-400 MkI slung on the pack that way and never have an issue with it. The Cotton Carrier requires an extra, underlayer with their vest to attach to and the camera still swings side to side on your chest; whereas the Capture Clip keeps the camera locked in place until you release it.

Thanks, went to website to check it out. Like that they offer bino attachment too. Do you mount the plate on the tripod foot of the 100-400?

Pauhana wrote in post #17901206
Thanks, went to website to check it out. Like that they offer bino attachment too. Do you mount the plate on the tripod foot of the 100-400?

I mount one on the foot for when I want to use a tripod, but for carrying on the strap I just leave the foot rotated up and use the plate mounted to the bottom of the camera.

While there is no perfect system, and everyone has their own opinion on what works best for them -

I have the Cotton Carrier and there is an accessory plate that allows you to mount the "weird ass puck" to so you can remove the camera from the carrier and place it on a tripod instantly. There is also a rubber gasket type material that allows you to use your hand strap at the same time.

And the CC has a velcro strap that can cross over the lens and secure it to your body that I think is more stable than the PD clip for any vigorous movement. See their video of skiing and trampoline flip action with the camera attached.

That said, I feel a little strange walking downtown with the vest on - it's less then subtle. But it does work nice for hiking and back country activities.

My 2 cents...

Since you already have a rapid strap I'd suggest buying a Spider Pro Holster system.

At one point I'd use the rapid strap (I actually really dislike that system). However when I lugged my 1dmk3 with 100-400 for an 8hrs shoot (car show/ track event) I used the rapid strap in conjunction with the spider holster.

The rapid strap alleviated some weight and the camera/lens hung on the side of my hip. I found that combo to make carrying a boat anchor setup "lighter". That was my goto setup when I knew I had a brutal day ahead!!

One thing I like about the Cotton Carrier is that you need only one hand to operate it. Also, the vest centers the weight of my 5D3 and 70-200f/2.8, so I don't feel pain after hours of shooting.