Carrying camera with long lens

sirch

sirch

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Just bought a Tamron 150-600 for some wildlife action but it is a bit of a brute and I was wondering how best to cart it around. I'm always a but uncomfortable with the camera just slung on the shoulder strap when grubbing about in the woods and with this lens on the camera body (6D) seems a bit puny. On the other hand I want it handy so there isn't too much faff when taking a snap, don't want to scare of the wild life with bags and zips etc.

So do you just let yours swing around in the breeze or do you have some fancy carrying system - this is photography, I'm sure there are endless retail opportunities for fancy bags and the like but I'm pretty skint after the lens purchase.
 
Use something like a black rapid strap and attach it to the lens tripod mount assuming the tammy has one that is.
 
I fully understand your predicament, and cannot offer any advice on how to handle your camera and lens. I am responding to your query to seek some advice. to cut a long story short, like you, I purchased the Canon 6D, my problem, again like you, is I am not rolling in funds, and I do not think I am giving my 6D proper equipment or should I say a decent lens to show how good this camera CAN be. Dont get me wrong, I think the images I am getting back from the camera are ok, but they are just OK. I am going to buy a better lens, but I am totally confused as to what to buy! The Tamron 150-600 is one long lens, I viewed in in Wilkinson Cameras in Warrington, but it was locked in a cabinet so you dont really get to see how good the lens and camera are. how are you finding your set up? i am toying with the Tamron, or maybe a Canon 70-200mm.
 
+1 for the black rapid system. I'd possibly avoid the cheaper versions. I've heard bad stories about them failing and dropping expensive lenses to the concrete. Another bit of advice is to look into specialist insurance. One that will cover you for accidental damage. Peace of mind incase anything does happen.
 
I have the self same lens and attached my Black rapid strap to the tripod mount on the lens

I always cradle the lens on my arm rather than letting it swing free- sometimes i use a mono-pod/Tripod although this adds to the overall weight

Les
 
I don't have the Tamron but do have the Sigma. I use the Optech strap (but Black Rapid Sport is better) with the Black Rapid mount screw on the tripod foot and 2 swival straps, 1 attached to the tripod foot the other to the camera base. This allows the camera dangle to be controlled a bit. I also find it easier to carry on a monopod over my shoulder. The lowepro lens bag (600aw?) Is also a good solution but lots of ££
 
sirch said:
Just bought a Tamron 150-600 for some wildlife action but it is a bit of a brute and I was wondering how best to cart it around. I'm always a but uncomfortable with the camera just slung on the shoulder strap when grubbing about in the woods and with this lens on the camera body (6D) seems a bit puny. On the other hand I want it handy so there isn't too much faff when taking a snap, don't want to scare of the wild life with bags and zips etc.

So do you just let yours swing around in the breeze or do you have some fancy carrying system - this is photography, I'm sure there are endless retail opportunities for fancy bags and the like but I'm pretty skint after the lens purchase.
Click to expand...

When I bought the Sigma 150-500 a couple of years ago, I switched to a Black Rapid Sport system and have never looked back, you don't notice the weight and the cameras always ready by your side.

James A Robertson said:
I fully understand your predicament, and cannot offer any advice on how to handle your camera and lens. I am responding to your query to seek some advice. to cut a long story short, like you, I purchased the Canon 6D, my problem, again like you, is I am not rolling in funds, and I do not think I am giving my 6D proper equipment or should I say a decent lens to show how good this camera CAN be. Dont get me wrong, I think the images I am getting back from the camera are ok, but they are just OK. I am going to buy a better lens, but I am totally confused as to what to buy! The Tamron 150-600 is one long lens, I viewed in in Wilkinson Cameras in Warrington, but it was locked in a cabinet so you dont really get to see how good the lens and camera are. how are you finding your set up? i am toying with the Tamron, or maybe a Canon 70-200mm.
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My question James is what are you wanting the lens for? The 2 you are looking at have very different purposes. If you are after wildlife then the Tamron or Sigma equivalent will possibly serve you better.
 
I have the optech strap for my 60D and Sigma 150-500. As I understand it the problem with the black rapid system is that you can't keep the strap attached while using a tripod or monopod. Maybe some one can confirm this?? Whereas the optech doesn't use the mountplate screw. On the sigma there is a bar on the tripod mount that you treafd the strap through, a bit like your camera strap. Its easy to disconnect and I have my sigma and camera attached at the same time, with the lens taking the weight but the camera for extra security. Also this means you can have both attached to the strap while mounting/unmoun ing the lens.
 
Thanks Chris, I probably shoot a variety of disciplines, I would love to get into nature, but where? Lol. I enjoy salmon fishing, but you can't salmon fish with near £2000 worth of camera equipment round your neck. I suppose I am still testing the water so to speak! I also enjoy still life and macro but again lack a quality lens. I have a Canon 50mm prime, the cheaper canon 24-105mm, Tamron 70-300mm kit lens and the EF 55-250.
 
I use an Optech sling strap on my 500 f4. I put both loops over the tripod foot for redundancy, then normally put on a monopod. The monopod stops the loops coming off, and the lens/camera sits very comfortably on my left hip like a sword. I can even carry it like this with the monopod extended.

This works very well for me. I can happily carry it for a couple of hours and it is ready for instant use.
 
James, I'm pretty happy with the kit lens and have only felt the need for something longer. There is a 6D owners thread https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/posts/6793674/ you may want to ask your questions on there.

Thanks for all the replies. I had considered a sling but being a bit thick had only thought of attaching it to the camera, not the lens! I do tend to go poking around off the beaten track and just having the camera and lens uncovered at all whilst moving makes it feel a bit vulnerable, one bash or slip... Anyway, food for thought, may be it is a case of getting to a good spot and then getting the camera out on a sling and going carefully from there

Re. Insurance; I have looked at this but I checked with my house contents insurer and they say I am covered up to £2000 of all risks so I guess I will find out when the worst happens.
 
Raptor Mike said:
I have the optech strap for my 60D and Sigma 150-500. As I understand it the problem with the black rapid system is that you can't keep the strap attached while using a tripod or monopod. Maybe some one can confirm this?? Whereas the optech doesn't use the mountplate screw. On the sigma there is a bar on the tripod mount that you treafd the strap through, a bit like your camera strap. Its easy to disconnect and I have my sigma and camera attached at the same time, with the lens taking the weight but the camera for extra security. Also this means you can have both attached to the strap while mounting/unmoun ing the lens.
Click to expand...

You can buy a fitting from 7dayshop that will screw into the tripod mount socket and allow a strap to be clipped on and still allow a tripod/monopod to still be attached. I got mine by buying this.

http://www.7dayshop.com/products/7d...-video-cameras-and-binoculars-7DAY-S-DCS-0108
 
I sling mine on a black rapid strap and stabilise it with my hand when on the move.

One thing I learned about these straps is that the lens making contact with your leg can switch off AF or IS which can be annoying but worse, I had a 7d with a 300 mm on a 1.4x converter attached and the latch got released by movement on my leg.

The camera fell off, fortunately onto grass and survived, but something to be conscious of with this kind of strap.
 
Not officially, but it supports my sigma 300mm 2.8 with a 2x converter and a canon 60D with grip. But if I'm being honest I only used it about 5 or 6 times with all that. It supports my 70-200mm 2.8 with gripped 60D easy though. Used to use it for weddings.
 
I attach my 120-300 to the Black Rapid using a arca clamp with plate fitted to the lens mount. the 120-300 the plate is rather long so there is room for both the clamp and tripod. However a few turns of the clamp screw and the lens separates, much quicker than fiddling with the spring clip
 
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James A Robertson said:
I fully understand your predicament, and cannot offer any advice on how to handle your camera and lens. I am responding to your query to seek some advice. to cut a long story short, like you, I purchased the Canon 6D, my problem, again like you, is I am not rolling in funds, and I do not think I am giving my 6D proper equipment or should I say a decent lens to show how good this camera CAN be. Dont get me wrong, I think the images I am getting back from the camera are ok, but they are just OK. I am going to buy a better lens, but I am totally confused as to what to buy! The Tamron 150-600 is one long lens, I viewed in in Wilkinson Cameras in Warrington, but it was locked in a cabinet so you dont really get to see how good the lens and camera are. how are you finding your set up? i am toying with the Tamron, or maybe a Canon 70-200mm.
Click to expand...

Hi James
I recently bought a 100-400L - the image quality is outstanding however im using it on a 6D and the 400mm reach does leave you a little short sometimes. The tamron looks excellent and the extra reach will make a big difference on FF. If i had a crop body like the 7d2 or similar im sure 400mm would be more than adequate :-)
 
Q-Strap (shoulder strap) to tripod foot (which is inverted) and steady the tripod foot with my hand whilst moving around :)
 
nickjohnwatson said:
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Hi James
I recently bought a 100-400L - the image quality is outstanding however im using it on a 6D and the 400mm reach does leave you a little short sometimes. The tamron looks excellent and the extra reach will make a big difference on FF. If i had a crop body like the 7d2 or similar im sure 400mm would be more than adequate :)
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Thinking, the 100-400 could make a good general purpose lens on the 6D, you could always add a 1.4x TC for more reach
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
Thinking, the 100-400 could make a good general purpose lens on the 6D, you could always add a 1.4x TC for more reach
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I thought this, however the teleconverter wont work with the 6D as it stops the autofocus working, you could always use it with manual focusing but no good for moving stuff.
I'm toying with the idea of a 7D2 once funds allow.
 
The Joby shoulder strap aataches to tripod mount on camera or lens, and allows easy switching between using length and carrying length. That lets me pull it up tight into my waist whern scrambling across difficult ground, and hold it tightly there well protected by my arm draped over it. Works well with my FF 70-300mm Tamron, the biggest lens I've got.
 
This is the setup for my long lens (Tamron 150-600), I added another buckle onto each strap, help distribute the weight & if one breaks I'm hoping the other will save it. :-)

View attachment 34013
 
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When using a long lens, in my case 200-400 f4, I do not use any straps at all. I use a monopod attached to the lens, NOT the camera, and when walking around I rest the lens on my shoulder pointing backwards and down and hold the monopod. It works for me.
 
i will have to say black rapid is the mutts nuts ;). i have the canon 100-400 lens and i attach the black rapid to the tripod ring then an old camera wrist strap from the camera body to the black rapid just for my piece of mind. I'm in and out of the woods and ducking and diving in and out of bushes and i have found it to be fantastic best £40 I've spent in a long time (y)
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
When I bought the Sigma 150-500 a couple of years ago, I switched to a Black Rapid Sport system and have never looked back, you don't notice the weight and the cameras always ready by your side.
.
Click to expand...

question about the BR sport - doesnt the camera sing about in an iritating manner as you walk (unless you hold it) - I've thought about two of these for weddings but that has alwas put me off - I currently use a B grip belt clip system with the belt clips on a street and feild harness but I don't entirely trust the grips and live in fear of a camera falling off
 
big soft moose said:
question about the BR sport - doesnt the camera sing about in an iritating manner as you walk (unless you hold it) - I've thought about two of these for weddings but that has alwas put me off - I currently use a B grip belt clip system with the belt clips on a street and feild harness but I don't entirely trust the grips and live in fear of a camera falling off
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It does have a tendency to swing a little, however my paranoia means that my hand normally rests on it. I have looked at the b grips on a couple of occasions
 
thing is, I want both my hands on the other camera - Swimbo suggested making big canvas holsters for the lenses to sit in when on the BR straps to stop them swinging, but then kyboshed her own suggestion when she realised it would look ridiculous
 
big soft moose said:
thing is, I want both my hands on the other camera - Swimbo suggested making big canvas holsters for the lenses to sit in when on the BR straps to stop them swinging, but then kyboshed her own suggestion when she realised it would look ridiculous
Click to expand...
I tend to use a carabiner and leash to hold it in place if I'm particularly active
 
James A Robertson said:
I fully understand your predicament, and cannot offer any advice on how to handle your camera and lens. I am responding to your query to seek some advice. to cut a long story short, like you, I purchased the Canon 6D, my problem, again like you, is I am not rolling in funds, and I do not think I am giving my 6D proper equipment or should I say a decent lens to show how good this camera CAN be. Dont get me wrong, I think the images I am getting back from the camera are ok, but they are just OK. I am going to buy a better lens, but I am totally confused as to what to buy! The Tamron 150-600 is one long lens, I viewed in in Wilkinson Cameras in Warrington, but it was locked in a cabinet so you dont really get to see how good the lens and camera are. how are you finding your set up? i am toying with the Tamron, or maybe a Canon 70-200mm.
Click to expand...

Can vouch for 6d and 70-200 loss selling mine due to weight and not using but awesome combo
 
My largest lens is the 70-200mm but I use a Black Rapid strap too, just make sure to always check the attachments regularly though as they can come loose!
 
nickjohnwatson said:
I thought this, however the teleconverter wont work with the 6D as it stops the autofocus working, you could always use it with manual focusing but no good for moving stuff.
I'm toying with the idea of a 7D2 once funds allow.
Click to expand...

on the 100-400 mk1 you could fool it into working with a TC by taping one of the contacts on the TC (I forget which one) I assume this will also apply to the mk2 (admittedly AF will be a sometime thing with an effective F8 lens so this is probably a bright days only bodge)
 
GerryS said:
That's what put me off the Black Rapid. Did the fitting come as part if the package from 7dayshop? I've just done a search on their site and can't find anything likely sounding?
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it's part of the double sling strap.
 
As mentioned above I've had a cheap strap off ebay for a few weeks now and it works well.
 
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