Think Tank Waist Belt options??

Hello all,

I am considering purchasing a waist belt style system to use for event photography assignments.

I was looking at the ThinkTank system and have a couple questions.

But first, here is the gear I would be carrying :

40D - no grip - Tamron 18-50
XTi - no grip - Canon 85 1.8
Flashes on each of those for about 20% of the assignments.

(little stuff like CF cards, brush, etc.. but no big deal overall)

I like the TT Chimp Cage, however it does NOT look like I can add a camera to that bag that has the lens attached??? I am going by pics I see on the web.

If that were the case, the option would be having something like TT20 Holster on either side of me and looking like a Year 2045 Space Cowboy with my blasters in holsters Which isn't a concern really but I don't see how to carry the cameras with flash attached to them in the holsters.

Basically what I am looking for is something easier to wear than a sling / messenger style bag that leaves my hands free most of the time but yet allows quick and free access to the contents that a backpack doesn't allow.

I can wear the 40D / 18-50 on the Rstrap with flash attached, but yet need something that keeps my Xti / 85 with flash, within easy reach when needed but out of the way when not needed.

Whew! many thanks for the replies.

P.S. It doesn't have to be a ThinkTank product if there is something from Lowepro that is just as good.

I am a ThinkTank Photo fan -- I have many ThinkTank products - but use the ChangeUp on many assignments - I adapt mine depending on what I need to carry and typically add another chip cage and skin 75 pop down wiht my changeup --- for me it works well and I carry most everything I need for the assignment -- it carries well and has held up well for me.

http://www.thinktankph​oto.com …/change-up-belt-pack.aspx

http://www.thinktankph​oto.com …in-component-systems.aspx

If I were you, and I definitely want my cameras with lenses attached and want a waist system, I'd take the following choices:

#1
Pro Speed Belt / Steroid Speed belt (thicker, more comfy)
Pixel Racing Harness
Digital Holster 10 (for 400D ungripped + lens)
Digital Holster 20 (for 40D ungripped + lens)
2 x Lightning Fast (or a skin variant of it)

Pros: Weight distributed evenly around your waist and both shoulders
Cons: Irritating to put down the entire rig

#2
UD 40

Pros: Briefcase (doesn't seem like a cam bag), Easy to set down, Pockets everywhere
Cons: All the weight on one shoulder = bad

#3
Change up

Everything the same as the UD50, just on your waist.

A Chimp Cage Skin will take a 40D and 17-55 with relative ease....

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A Skin 50 can take a couple of 580EX flash guns in various arrangements. That would work out a lot cheaper ( $28 ) than two dedicated Strobe pouches (2 X $35)....

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Headshotzx wrote in post #8681212
If I were you, and I definitely want my cameras with lenses attached and want a waist system, I'd take the following choices:

#1
Pro Speed Belt / Steroid Speed belt (thicker, more comfy)
Pixel Racing Harness
Digital Holster 10 (for 400D ungripped + lens)
Digital Holster 20 (for 40D ungripped + lens)
2 x Lightning Fast (or a skin variant of it)

Pros: Weight distributed evenly around your waist and both shoulders
Cons: Irritating to put down the entire rig

#2
UD 40

Pros: Briefcase (doesn't seem like a cam bag), Easy to set down, Pockets everywhere
Cons: All the weight on one shoulder = bad

#3
Change up

Everything the same as the UD50, just on your waist.

My quest to research this, (YES!! I actually used the Search function) I came across several postings by you with the same problem (sort of).

How did your final selection work out for you?

tdodd - THANK YOU for the pics. I have had no real luck finding good comparison pics on their website or on cambags.com

For day events, it would seem two chimp cages on each side would be ideal. The only problem I would run into is for night (or dark) events I would need the flash attached.

Which one remedy is to wear the 40D / 18-50 / 430EX on the R-strap and carry the Xti / 85 / 430EX in front on the waist in a horizontal position with flash sticking up (since vertical position is not possible with flash attached)

I don't think there are any easy answers when it comes to storing a camera with lens and flash attached at the same time. I think you'd have to be looking at a large shoulder bag to make that work, especially if you wanted both cameras put away at once. When I've shot weddings with two cameras plus flash on the go at once it has been one round the neck and one hanging off one shoulder. It's heavy and awkward but I don't really see much alternative.

I did recenty buy two TT Holsters and I don't see a way to use them with the flash attached. I didnt like them, for several reasons, and returned them both.

I think your best bet would be to plan to have one camera always round your neck and the other camera in some sort of belt bag such as the Chimp Cage. Have another Chimp Cage to carry your two flashes, or your other camera/lens when not using flash at all. If you do want the option to lose the camera from around your neck completely then I guess you could use three Chimp Cages - one for each camera/lens and one for the flashes - but looking to the future, what if you exapand your system further, perhaps by adding a 70-200, for example? That belt is going to start to get mighty crowded and a bit heavy, if you want to keep everything on the belt. I'd definitely consider having one camera permanently around your neck.

Actually, you might take a look at the Cotton Carrier system, or a pair of CC holsters, for the cameras, but that might still leave issues when having a flash mounted - no easy answers there.

ClickClick wrote in post #8681459
My quest to research this, (YES!! I actually used the Search function) I came across several postings by you with the same problem (sort of).

How did your final selection work out for you?

I bought:
Steroid Speed Belt
Whip it out! (70-200)
Lens Changer 25 (17-40L + 17-55's hood)
Lightning Fast (580EXII flash)
Lowepro Water Bottle Pouch

And then, I got the Cotton Carrier. I now use both systems together for a perfect solution:

That's exactly what I would suggest - a waist belt system with the Cotton Carrier.

j.