Carrying heavy lenses?

rob-nikon

rob-nikon

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I thought I would ask how everyone carries heavy long lenses when out in the field. When I'm out with my long lens/camera that weighs a combined 5kg and a tripod/head that adds a further 3kg (8kg in total) how do you carry this kind weight? My normal method is carrying the lens/camera still attached to the tripod in front of me, holding the tripod legs in my left hand and holding the lens foot by my right hand. Sometimes I have to swap hands when my right arm starts to ache. I've never really liked the idea of the 'lens over the shoulder' method, it makes me shudder thinking of the lens/camera working loose and dropping to the floor.

When I'm out only for a few hours or can carry the lens in the backpack to where I'm going to use it it's not so much of a problem. It's when I'm walking several miles searching for my chosen subject (like yesterday morning where I covered 7 miles) and need the lens on the tripod as there isn't time to get it out of the bag and attach to the tripod. I'm definitely starting to feel it the next day.

I would love to know how others get over the weight issue and the methods they use.
 
I am an 'over the shoulder' type, (after checking all is fixed secure) ... however I wouldn't dream of doing that over 7 miles, it would be in the backpack with tripod in hand until I got where I was going. :)
 
No easy answer Rob. I carry over the shoulder for short distances, up to 1/2 a mile but I always wrap the strap which is attached to the lens lugs around my hand so if it did come loose I've got a decent chance of keeping it off the ground. Longer than that I take the camera/lens off and carry it by its strap on my shoulder, I've added a seat belt cushion pad to the strap to make it a bit more comfortable. The tripod I carry in my hand.
 
gramps said:
I am an 'over the shoulder' type, (after checking all is fixed secure) ... however I wouldn't dream of doing that over 7 miles, it would be in the backpack with tripod in hand until I got where I was going. :)
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Yesterday's 7 miles wasn't in one go, it's broken down into shorter distances as it's quite a lot of checking different locations within the deer park trying to locate the deer as I have to keep to the public footpaths and there are no shortcuts. Often it's only 300m to 800m walks but they soon add up. The problem is I often need to have the camera ready to go. I've tried carrying in the backpack (and will still use it if I know I'm walking a long distance in one go) but often missed the shot trying to get the camera out of the bag. Also the action of getting the camera/lens out of the bag spooks the deer more than slowly moving towards them with the camera and lens on the tripod ready to go.
 
rob-nikon said:
Yesterday's 7 miles wasn't in one go, it's broken down into shorter distances as it's quite a lot of checking different locations within the deer park trying to locate the deer as I have to keep to the public footpaths and there are no shortcuts. Often it's only 300m to 800m walks but they soon add up. The problem is I often need to have the camera ready to go. I've tried carrying in the backpack (and will still use it if I know I'm walking a long distance in one go) but often missed the shot trying to get the camera out of the bag. Also the action of getting the camera/lens out of the bag spooks the deer more than slowly moving towards them with the camera and lens on the tripod ready to go.
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Short distances then stopping for some time, I would be fine 'over the shoulder', otherwise remove from the backpack when approaching a likely area.
 
Gaz J said:
No easy answer Rob. I carry over the shoulder for short distances, up to 1/2 a mile but I always wrap the strap which is attached to the lens lugs around my hand so if it did come loose I've got a decent chance of keeping it off the ground. Longer than that I take the camera/lens off and carry it by its strap on my shoulder, I've added a seat belt cushion pad to the strap to make it a bit more comfortable. The tripod I carry in my hand.
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Thanks for replying, I think that's my next option to try. I like the idea of the seat belt cushion, the manufacturers strap don't come with any padding at all. I've sometimes split the tripod and lens carrying them separately by hand. I could reduce weight a little by trying a monopod when I'm liking to be covering quite a distance.

Ive just found this on WEX. It seems to be a more heavy duty version of how I have my black rapid strap set up though an expensive to try.

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-kirk-security-strap-ss-1/p1006414
 
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Take a look in a gun shop for rifle slings, padded adjustable and for about £20?
 
I don't use a tripod when moving a lot, but sometimes a monopod. I use an op-tech utility strap sling (more comfortable) or a Peak Design Slide (more versatile) attached to an arca swiss clamp (BR type loop loctite in position). The strap and the monopod both attach to the lens foot (long lens plate may be needed). And when carrying the monopod will point vertically.

Here's an old pic using the Kirk strap, but I quit using it as it's severely lacking in padding/comfort.
carry.jpg
 
Only a 100-400 zoom but when I'm carrying it out and ready to use, I tend to slip the tripod foot behind the chest strap of my backpack to take the weight off a) the lens mount and b) my neck!
 
gramps said:
I am an 'over the shoulder' type, (after checking all is fixed secure) ... however I wouldn't dream of doing that over 7 miles, it would be in the backpack with tripod in hand until I got where I was going. :)
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:plus1: An Arca Swiss plate with the safety bolts is place is pretty secure, certainly for a short distance.
 
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sk66 said:
That was me. Still only good for shorter distances if the setup is really heavy.
View: https://youtu.be/1chEkpJ-FG4
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I may look at this again as I've upgraded my tripod. It didnt work so well with the smaller manfrotto tripod I previously had.

I think it's going to be a question of trying two different methods, maybe carrying the tripod like this for shorter distances and in the bag when I know I'm going quite a distance (a mile or two).

I think the part of the problem is holding so muchweight in front of me with it heavier on side.
 
stryvya said:
Or get a top Quality Bridge Camera.
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There is quite a bit of different between 8kg and a bridge camera! There are a few lens options within nikons range before I go down to a bridge camera. Nikon 300mm f4 PF lens that weighs only 755g would be the choice if any weight was a huge issue for me.

I was just wondering if others had come up with solutions that made it easier.
 
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