Hiking with a Camera

Best thing you can do is to get familiar with the different carrying solutions, and then find out which one(s) fit(s) your needs the best. I for instance, am going to purchase CC for hiking, climbing and similar, but BlackRapid for streetshooting and similar. (CC = Rough, BR = Subtle).

Yes, this will take a bit longer than just buying the first and best you can find, but you'll be happier with your purchase.

Ones to consider (Non-exhaustive list. The ones I could think of ATM)
- K-Gear Bottomless Holster
- Cotton Carrier
- Spider Holster
- Blackrapid R-strap
- HoldSLR
- Lumaloop
- UP-Strap

Hm, there are more, I just can't think of them right now. Some are variations of the same system. You can also do a Google-related search on the webpages of products you like. (for example: related:blackrapid.com​)

avwh wrote in post #10414703
simple solution: the Cotton Carrier. Link/review here:

https://photography-on-the.net …&highlight=cott​on+carrier

I used a CC when I hiked Yosemite last month.

Hands down, the best solution I've found yet for hiking, walking around crowds, etc. I've had mine for a couple of months now and it goes everywhere with me.

Snydremark wrote in post #10425406
Hands down, the best solution I've found yet for hiking, walking around crowds, etc. I've had mine for a couple of months now and it goes everywhere with me.

Agreed. For hands-free hiking, yet having the camera ready in a split second, I can't imagine there's anything better than the CC.

avwh wrote in post #10425826
Agreed. For hands-free hiking, yet having the camera ready in a split second, I can't imagine there's anything better than the CC.

Not just hiking, but anywhere you need/want to have both hands available. On the boat for whale watching it was great, too.

The paddle 'holster' fits well on a belt for "lower profile" situations where you don't want a camera stuck to your chest.

Ergonomically, I'm roughly 5'9 - 5'10, I can bend over to tie my boots with the 100-400L fully extended on the chest mount.

I guess the biggest drawback I see to this system is that it's not compatable with my quick release plate. So, I either have to buy another QR system or another carrier. Appreciate everyones help.

Jonta, great list....I've been researching.

J-Blake wrote in post #10426837
I guess the biggest drawback I see to this system is that it's not compatable with my quick release plate. So, I either have to buy another QR system or another carrier. Appreciate everyones help.

Jonta, great list....I've been researching.

What plate do you have? They make several adapters to work with QR plates; but honestly, I was worried about that for my uses, too, and haven't really missed it. I use the 100-400 and 70-200 lenses, primarily, which need the QR plate on the tripod mount instead of the body anyway. So those play well together; and if I need to whip out the wide angle for landscapes, I can just screw the QR plate into the mounting button for the CC system.

It's a Vanguard SBH-100. The QR plate says: QS-39 1/4-20UNC on it. I'm replacing my tripod as we speak and haven't used this ball head yet which I bought used a week or two ago. Good point about the tripod mount, but two out of my 3 lenses don't have them which would seem to defeat the purpose. I shoot mostly landscape shots when I'm hiking.

J-Blake wrote in post #10427257
It's a Vanguard SBH-100. The QR plate says: QS-39 1/4-20UNC on it. I'm replacing my tripod as we speak and haven't used this ball head yet which I bought used a week or two ago. Good point about the tripod mount, but two out of my 3 lenses don't have them which would seem to defeat the purpose. I shoot mostly landscape shots when I'm hiking.

Fair enough; the Vangaurd plate looks an awful lot like the Manfrotto QR plates. If you have a local vendor you could look at and compare them, the Manfrotto adapter for the CC system would work if the pictures on Amazon are accurate.

Good luck with whichever carrier(s) you wind up with!

Thanks. I'll see if I can find one this weekend.

Take a look at the Think Tank camera support straps. Works like a charm for me when I hike with my camera. Takes all the weight off the neck and puts it onto the pack.

http://www.thinktankph​oto.com …amera-support-straps.aspx

I trekked to Mt Everest base camp with the Kinesis harness.

Check this out

http://www.kgear.com ….php/h/strap-harness.html

Some great ideas coming, and many solutions I hadn't heard of. Thanks guys (and gals?).

I was discussing this last night with a buddy and was wondering if anyone sees a flaw in the idea of using quick release backpack straps like the Tamrac N-11 with a chest strap like the K-gear posted above? Pro's: camera off shoulders, supported from swinging, quick access, cheap. Con's: camera unprotected if I fell (true of most), Only works with backpack. Anyone have a thought?

One thing that I wasn't thinking of before last night which may be relevent to some of these ideas is winter, and the ability of a whatever system to work over the bulk of a coat and layers.

J-Blake wrote in post #10430042
flaw in the idea of using quick release backpack straps like the Tamrac N-11 with a chest strap like the K-gear posted above? Pro's: camera off shoulders, supported from swinging, quick access, cheap. Con's: camera unprotected if I fell (true of most), Only works with backpack. Anyone have a thought?

Camera uncomfortably bumping against your chest while walking (not to mention jogging/running). What do you do if you want to leave your backpack in camp, and go for look around? (like you mentioned; only with backpack).

A pro mentioned by the guy behind HoldSLR: Balances part of the weight from the backpack.

Very true. Hadn't thought of that either. Most belt-based ones (Spider, CC-holster) you could probably put over the clothing. Shoulder-strap ones need long enough straps.

I hiked the entire trail (10+ miles) to Havasu falls 1 way with my 50D using a spider holster. It was awesome! I attached the holster to the waist belt on my camping backpack and I was good to go. Hands free hiking all day long. I can't recommend it enough!

CC can adjust to sit over clothing, or be worn as an underlayer to enable you to zip a rain jacket, etc over the camera to help keep it dry, etc.

Belt holster would slap against your leg if you were trying to hustle, but the vest includes a lens strap to secure it further and prevent bumping if you're in a hurry. None of these systems really give you any protection in case of a fall; if the camera's out where you can use it it's going to be vulnerable. <shrug>