I'm going to the zoo and need a new carrying strap...

Truth be told...I've got a bit of a belly on me, haha. Last time we went to the zoo I was using a Canon 55-250 IS, and even at the 55mm end, with the Canon neck-strap, I had one heck of time weaving in and out of people, there was just way to much going on up front. Now I am upgrading to a 70-200 f/4L non-IS, and this is much larger than the nifty two-fifty. Like I said, I have the original Canon neck-strap, and have an Opteka hand-strap, neither of which I really want to use on a trip to the zoo.
My question being, is there a different selection that I can't find? I saw a wedding photographer one time that had a strap that let the camera hang down at her side, not taking up much room. I'm not really sure what to look for. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Thank you all for your time.

You might look at getting the Cotton Carrier. I'll be getting one of these late next month and using it for my backup camera when at the zoo. (Would use it for my main camera as well, but the main camera stays on the tripod the whole time.)

Wait if you had problems getting between people I would assume you wouldn't want your camera at your side to get bumped by people? I would much rather have control of my camera in front my me than at my side to protect it more. But that's just my opinion.

Check out the Black Rapid straps. Very comfortable and convenient. Camera hangs upside down beside/behind you, reach for it with your hand and it's immediately up the strap and in perfect shooting position. (Watch some of the videos on the site to see how it's supposed to be used.)

I went to the zoo today and wore the camera strap diagonally across my body and then tilted the camera down 90 degrees so that the base of the camera was against my side and the lens parallel to my body. I could then just lie my arm over the top for protection when I was worried about someone brushing against my side.

This was with a heavy camera and lens (gripped 7D and 100-400) but I just this minute wondered if a much lighter combo would work - an ungripped Rebel Xsi with the 55-250 - and it seemed to just about have enough weight to be ok too.

afkenner wrote in post #9654320
Check out the Black Rapid straps. Very comfortable and convenient. Camera hangs upside down beside/behind you, reach for it with your hand and it's immediately up the strap and in perfect shooting position. (Watch some of the videos on the site to see how it's supposed to be used.)

+1 This is the best strap I have ever used. I love it. Even though it does not make sense, it is way easier to move through crowds using this strap versus a traditional neck strap. I use it all the time with my Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 which I believe is larger than the Canon f/4 version

NorCalNomad wrote in post #9654235
Wait if you had problems getting between people I would assume you wouldn't want your camera at your side to get bumped by people? I would much rather have control of my camera in front my me than at my side to protect it more. But that's just my opinion.

I was actually referring to the fact that with my over-sized stomach along with the camera with a lens sticking straight out in front of me. That's what made it difficult to maneuver.
Thanks for the advice though everyone, I'm pretty sure that RS-4 strap is what the wedding photographer I was talking about was using, and that is exactly what I"m looking for! Thanks for the help everyone!

I have the Black Rapid strap RS-7 and really like it. I was walking through a very crowded farmers market today and simply move the camera to the small of my back and it is out of the way and safe.
Very easy to bring it back up to shooting position as well. In fact someone stopped me and asked about the strap in the crowd.

I recently got a BlackRapid RS-7 and I love it. It makes carrying even my 1D3 + 70-200mm f2.8 IS easy and comfortable.

I use the Black Rapid RS-4 and like it much better than a neck strap, even the more comfortable ones. When the camera is down at my side I usually keep one hand on it to keep it from bouncing around too much when I'm moving. The other advantage is that you don't have the neck strap getting in the way of the viewfinder if you use the camera in portrait orientation.

I just went to the zoo last week and carry with me an R-strap with a series 1 body and a normal zoom lens. The weather in my country is insanely hot and humid which if you mention you are of a bigger size, I dunno you want to consider the sweat and comfort factor first unless you shoot in cooler climate.

I'm about 6 ft 2, medium build, with the camera at the side and a small messenger bag sling to the back, I have to move the camera to the front from time to time to avoid people bumping on it. When I mount the flash, I almost have to use a hand over it at all times to move them to the front which you probably will be doing it with a normal neck strap.

If you want to consider a strap across your body, I suggest you look at comfort before convenient first. Since if you are not comfortable, you wouldn't want to bring it out in the 1st place. Also if you are looking at an R-strap, get the thinnest padding you can, the thicker 1 can be really warm after a period of time. The RS-7 model is more comfortable IMHO.

The country I live in have 2 temperature - hot and hotter!

I wear my camera diagonally across my body, with the camera lens effectively behind me. Camera is easy to grab.
First heard of this at the (hush!) Nikon school in '73 in Ottawa...protects the lens and the camera.
My wife says I'm too...portly. Got into this habit shooting weddings. Easy to protect the lens. No unexpected smears.

DaveL

Cotton Carrier holster? The setup you're going to bring isn't very heavy.

I use a Optech Dual harness for two cameras but, have carried only one camera on it at thimes and it works just fine. BTW: I also have an abundant mid-section.

Sounds like you're looking for either theR-Strapor theLuma Loop

I have been using the R strap and would recommend it. It looks like the only difference with the luma loop is that it has a quick release buckle for the camera and strap. Can't say I like the idea of quick releases with we're talking about my camera..