General setup question for the group

For those that do day trips with a backpack full of gear, what do you do with your camera when you actually have it out? Do you just hang the camera around your neck with a strap? Fasten it to your wrist and hold it like that all day? Have a strap over the backpack straps to hang the camera off of?

I'm constantly in search of solutions for when I travel to the city on a train, where my gear (camera w/ lens, 1 additional lens, phone charger, extra battery, car keys, camera card holder) is stored in a small backpack, take out my camera when I arrive, and not have to contend with straps that get in the way of the backpack straps when I just want to have the camera dangle when I'm resting.

I like to have my hands free so I utilize the Cotton Carrier vest and/or the holster if I feel the need for second camera. I dislike having the camera/lens swinging about when walking after I had to pay Canon to repair my 10-22mm lens............

I also like to have my hands free so I use either the Peak Design Capture Pro and attach it to my backpack strap and just click the camera in and out, or I use a Spider Pro belt if I have the grip on the camera.

The Peak Design Capture Pro on your backpack strap SUCKS with a gripped or 1D sized body, but is really nice with an ungripped or smaller body.
The Spider Pro is not the best solution when on crowded trains due to people knocking your camera, but if you are not dealing with crowds, it works well.

When I was walking around NYC, I used the Spider Pro belt. When I did a short hike in a forest, I used the Peak Design and took off the camera grip as I didn't want brush or twigs scraping up the camera and I could monitor it better near my chest on the backpack strap.

Both systems are also pretty secure if you use it right so someone can't grab your gear and run. YMMV.

Another one that likes to have my hands free, I either take the camera out take the photo and then put the camera back, or I use a system like peak designs or cotton. My system is home made (I manage a machine shop so I make a lot of my own stuff). For long hikes with lots of photo ops I use the carry system, it goes on my backpack strap so I carry it on my chest. Keeps me from wacking it on trees or rocks as I walk.

However for the majority of hikes, the final destination is my photo goal, so my cell phone works for photos along the trail. Reach the end, pull out the tripod and dslr do my thing, pack it back up and return to the trail head.

I like to have my 6D available while I'm day hiking. I've been using a Black Rapid backpack strap and I like the way it rests at my side.

I do have a couple complaints about the system though. My backpack doesn't have any D-rings on the straps, so I wind up hooking it to one of the nylon web loops for the hydration system. The hooks and swivels that they use are bulky and aren't easy to open. I see on the newer Breathe version that they went to a pair of more conventional carabiners. One other complaint I have with the system is once you get the backpack on and the camera strap attached it's a PITA to take it all back off again to swap lenses.

I'm heading to Yellowstone this summer and I've been looking for a better solution. I think I'll wind up with a thin strap like the slide that can fit under the backpack's straps or over my neck.

Personally I don't think I'd be comfortable with the Capture on my chest.

Well that's interesting! I didn't know Black rapid made a dedicated back pack strap like that. That may actually be the answer to what I'm looking for to use with my Lowepro Flipside 300.

for what you described of just a couple lenses and accessories, and in the city, i'd probably use a messenger bag instead...if i'm hiking about with more than 2 lenses i'll use a backpack....sometimes i hike with the camera in hand, other times i'll pack it in and out...i've never used a neck strap

Like Trailblazer I also use the Peak Design CapturePro attached to the shoulder strap, really quick and easy to use. It also has the added benefit that if I don't want to take a bag, I can swap it to a belt etc. For heavier lenses I use the SpiderHolster, again its easy to use, you just have to watch for bumping against things.

Although the Capture feels secure I have also added an Op-tech Uni-loop to the D-Ring on the shoulder strap and one of the strap loops on the camera, just to rule out accidental drop page due to user error

It depends on the extremity of the hike. If I'm jumping streams or climbing I use the quick access pouch of my Clik Elite Contrejour 35 pack. I also have a Peak Designs CapturePro on all of my backpacks for when the walk is more leisurely.