Carrying your camera when wearing a rucksack

MrsClick

MrsClick

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Sue
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Has anyone found a comfortable and practical way to carry their camera and zoom lens so it’s available to use, when wearing a rucksack? I have a Canon 7Dii and a 100-400 zoom. If I am out hiking for the day, I want to be able to access my camera whilst on the go, and not have to unpack it each time and miss the shot. But I also need the camera to be secure, comfortable, and not swinging about when I am not actually shooting.
Grateful for any advice.
 
Try these, I use them whilst walking without any hinderance.

www.blackrapid.com

Camera Slings - BLACKRAPID

BlackRapid revolutionized camera straps as the original camera sling that literally turned the camera world upside down.
www.blackrapid.com www.blackrapid.com
 
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Or a holster type bag on a belt?
 
There's a few options....

You can get the rucksack strap attachment from peak design: Capture Clip of you could use something from these guys: Spider Holster I've seen a few people using the belt attachments and they do look very practical.

If I was walking about for a long time, a rucksack clip looks appealing as it'll stop the camera swinging about and should balance the weight a little better
 
Norkie said:
Try these, I use them whilst walking without any hinderance.

www.blackrapid.com

Camera Slings - BLACKRAPID

BlackRapid revolutionized camera straps as the original camera sling that literally turned the camera world upside down.
www.blackrapid.com www.blackrapid.com
Click to expand...
I have 2 of these - Ideal for your situation :)


IrfUffN.jpg
 
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Another vote for BlackRapid here, Sport in my case, very comfortable (y) they also do a female-form version as seen in the link that Jak posted above, which looks like it spreads the weight over the shoulder socket rather than pulling on the collar bone and trapezius muscle at the back (and is probably much easier to put on).
 
A sling is best for heavy gear, I like my Joby Sling Strap because it is easy to tighten up when moving around, and extend when shooting.
joby.com

Pro Sling Strap, SM-L

This professional camera strap’s quick-draw SpeedCinch™ system allows you to always have your DSLR right at hand, but never in harms way. The Pro Sling Strap keeps the camera secure against your body and has the capacity to carry even the heaviest camera rigs.
joby.com joby.com

I have a clip that goes on a shoulder strap and that is fine for smaller cameras but I wouldn't like anything heavy hanging on one side, and I guess it is the same for waist belt holsters etc.
 
sirch said:
A sling is best for heavy gear, I like my Joby Sling Strap because it is easy to tighten up when moving around, and extend when shooting.
joby.com

Pro Sling Strap, SM-L

This professional camera strap’s quick-draw SpeedCinch™ system allows you to always have your DSLR right at hand, but never in harms way. The Pro Sling Strap keeps the camera secure against your body and has the capacity to carry even the heaviest camera rigs.
joby.com joby.com

I have a clip that goes on a shoulder strap and that is fine for smaller cameras but I wouldn't like anything heavy hanging on one side, and I guess it is the same for waist belt holsters etc.
Click to expand...
I use one of these too, with a DSLR and 100-400 lens and it's great. Put this on and then your rucksack over the top. Camera can be tucked into your side and stays there when walking, but it's easily accessible for shooting. I've worn this strap for a 14-hour, 27,000 step day covering a race meeting with no issues.
 
A lot depends on how big your rucksack is and how big you are. I find the camera in a holster sitting below the hip belt puts it too low and it's uncomfortable against my leg. I've looked into belt/strap clips but I'm not physically big enough. Anyone bigger probably won't have those problems. The type of hiking you're doing is another factor. I'll be out all day on Dartmoor and I wouldn't like to bounce off a rock/fall in a mire without the camera having some protection. In a 'tamer' environment it wouldn't be an issue.
 
I personally use an Op-Tech dual harness (usually with just 1 camera), which I have on under my coat / jacket.
This spreads the weight really well, so can happily walk for hours like that.
The camera is, however, free to swing about somewhat, so I will often walk with one hand just resting on it, which is sufficient to stop it bashing into things.

I have considered adding one of the peak design clips (or copy thereof) to attach the camera to my backpack to prevent the swinging about, but that would be in addition to the Op-Tech, rather than as a replacement
 
Another vote for the Op/Tech system.

The quick release link allows you to keep the camera on a sling or on one of the carrier straps and very quickly switch to a wrist strap when required. It's well designed and remarkably well priced.

OpTech Connectors on Sony A65 camera GX7 P1140457.jpg
 
I have loads of Optech bits I no longer use now I have much smaller gear
Think I will have a sort out and put them in the classifieds, only taking up space.
 
tijuana taxi said:
I have loads of Optech bits I no longer use now I have much smaller gear
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This is the one shortcoming of the system.

The only M43 I use it on is a Panasonic G9, which is permanently mated to the 100~400mm.
 
I have a 2 compartment rucksack - top for stuff, bottom for camera and lenses. The top compartment is big enough for waterproofs and some food/drink with some extra space for spare layers.
 
I got a Black Rapid sling last year. I used to have an ordinary shoulder strap but, obviously, it did not slide easily on my shoulder as I had my rucksack strap on top of it for security.
I was a bit dubious about the sling - security, swinging etc but I would not be without it now.
The only downside is that because it uses the tripod socket it is a bit more fiddly as you have to remove it before putting it on a tripod or using a flash bracket.
 
Suvv said:
I got a Black Rapid sling last year. I used to have an ordinary shoulder strap but, obviously, it did not slide easily on my shoulder as I had my rucksack strap on top of it for security.
I was a bit dubious about the sling - security, swinging etc but I would not be without it now.
The only downside is that because it uses the tripod socket it is a bit more fiddly as you have to remove it before putting it on a tripod or using a flash bracket.
Click to expand...
Yes but if she’s using the 100-400, it has its own tripod foot, so that can be used instead :)
 
Oops! Missed the instant access requirement!

When I'm carrying my 100-400 round my neck and have the rucksack on my back, I hook the lens's tripod foot over the chest strap of the rucksack (with an Op-Tech strap attached to the body) to take the weight off my neck.
 
Another vote for the Peak Design capture clip here. I've walked several miles with it on my rucksack shoulder strap (Canon 5Diii and 70-200 f2.8 so similar size/weight to a canon 100-400 give or take 100g or so). I've never used the other options mentioned above, but haven't felt the need since having the capture clip. Very secure and easily accessible when you need it too.
 
tijuana taxi said:
I have loads of Optech bits I no longer use now I have much smaller gear
Think I will have a sort out and put them in the classifieds, only taking up space.
Click to expand...
They do a smaller version of their kit too.
Can’t remember what it’s called
 
Peak Design Capture Clip here, works brilliantly.
 
Suvv said:
I got a Black Rapid sling last year. I used to have an ordinary shoulder strap but, obviously, it did not slide easily on my shoulder as I had my rucksack strap on top of it for security.
I was a bit dubious about the sling - security, swinging etc but I would not be without it now.
The only downside is that because it uses the tripod socket it is a bit more fiddly as you have to remove it before putting it on a tripod or using a flash bracket.
Click to expand...
I've been using a black rapid for a while, it's ok imo.

I get around the awkwardness of the tripod mounting point, by mounting an arca swiss clamp to the strap, then you can leave an l-bracket / tripod plate on the camera and just attach it to that. I then run a safety tether (optech) just in case.

I've spent far too much on things like this!

I still prefer peak design stuff though, it's just lovely to use
 
I dont tend to have the rucksack and the 100-400 out at the same time. Im usually either walking far for landscapes or purely after wildlife.

I have the Black rapid strap and have the attachment screwed into a small Arca swiss click release plate. I then attach an arca swiss plate to the lens tripod foot (the lens foot doesnt have the mount built in)then connect this to the arca swiss clamp. Im fanatical about checking all the screw fitting are tight at the start and check them before lowering so the sling takes the weight. As the camera slides onthe strap it can be worn under a rucksack although I have not done this but have had a shoulder bag slung across the other shouder
 
Last time I was out with a fairly similar combo was a couple weeks back and I just used the tripod mount on the lens to hook into my jacket opening and that did the job for me. Another option could be a peak design capture clip, or variant, on one of your straps at your front shoulder, or even in the chest position if you use a backpack strap across the chest.

I know what I mean.

For most stuff I find a shoulder bag much more practical but for the heavier days, and where I can walk around freely with my gear out on display, the backpack and tripod mount trick works for me.
 
Also using the Black Rapid system, both single and dual.

All of my kit has Kirk L brackets, camera plates or Arca compatible lens mounts that have a Quick Detach (QD) socket. I've swapped out the Black Rapid carabiners for Magpul MS4 QD adapters and find it a quick, efficient system. Been using this rig for a few years now with no issues at all.
 
Many thanks to everyone who has replied. Lots of options and helpful suggestions for me to consider.
 
Damian Brown said:
Last time I was out with a fairly similar combo was a couple weeks back and I just used the tripod mount on the lens to hook into my jacket opening and that did the job for me. Another option could be a peak design capture clip, or variant, on one of your straps at your front shoulder, or even in the chest position if you use a backpack strap across the chest.

I know what I mean.

For most stuff I find a shoulder bag much more practical but for the heavier days, and where I can walk around freely with my gear out on display, the backpack and tripod mount trick works for me.
Click to expand...
Oddly I find the camera plus lens heavier whin in a shoulder bag than when I’m just using the strap. It’s much more noticeable so must be to do with how the bag/strap sits differently
 
AgentOrange76 said:
Oddly I find the camera plus lens heavier whin in a shoulder bag than when I’m just using the strap. It’s much more noticeable so must be to do with how the bag/strap sits differently
Click to expand...

I agree. Just that for the days where I need to take the camera in and out of the bag regularly I opt for the shoulder bag. It's definitely easier to carry when the weight is distributed evenly with a backpack just not practical for me unless I can wander around with the camera and lens out.
 
Another vote for Black Rapid. Life has been sooooo much easier since I discovered these wonderful shoulder straps. A can now take my Nikon D500 + 500mm PF out whilst wearing a backpack with extra kit, lunch, flask and poncho for any unexpected bad weather. IMHO a real 'game' changer, so easy to lift camera into action.
PS I have bad neck so taking the weight onto my shoulders was a great relief.
 
I am a user of the Optech neck straps and Blackrapid system. If I use one of the telephotos then the blackrapid is used and the Optech attachments are used to secure the camera to the blackrapid strap - once I've had a BR detach from the tripod foot and cue expensive repair to my old K-3 (that camera did have an affinity for the floor). I now make a point of taking as few cameras out with me - one with standard or wide (with Optech) and the other with telezom (blackrapid), the one not being used inside my Jack Wolfskin rucksack (not a camera bag), the rucksack itself has ample capacity and is much easier to get off my back than my standard LowePro Computertrekker.

The Black Rapid strap has been used with my D500 plus a rental 400/2.8 or 500/4 with no issues. It is extremely comfortable, not bad for someone with angina and rotator cuff strain.
 
I normally use a black rapid sling with the shoulder pad just under the rucksack strap, not perfect but works. I invested in a mindshift rotation pro bag a while ago which will be my go to on hikes going forward, but the camera compartment isn't very big if you want to carry multiple lenses. I think the peak design clip will probably be the best solution without going down a similar route to myself as it keeps the camera stowed solidly
 
I use a Lowerpro camera bag with a shoulder strap which is put on before the rucksack. The rucksack stops the camera bag from swinging about.

If your rucksack is not comfortable with camera gear inside it then I can recommend a gardeners kneeling pad. They weigh nothing and can be put inside the rucksack against your back. They are really useful for sitting on or as something clean to change lenses on.

Andy
 
My rucksacks are for carrying the camera & lenses etc. but quite often I'll carry the camera outside of the bag using a handstrap, especially if I taking one of my big lenses.
 
Hello all. I decided to get the OpTech Reporter/Backpack attachments, together with the Lens Loop for when I am using the telephoto lens. I am so pleased with this solution. No need to unclip or adjust anything when walking about, as the camera is there ready to shoot. When I want to pack my kit away, I just quickly unclip and the camera is free. I contacted OpTech to check that the straps would take the weight of my kit, and they replied by return and gave me the test weights that far exceed anything I would contemplate carrying. Best of all, this was a cheap solution compared with a lot of others, so I was doubly happy. This kit really complements my JOBY sling.
Thanks everyone for your inputs.
 
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MrsClick said:
Hello all. I decided to get the OpTech Reporter/Backpack attachments, together with the Lens Loop for when I am using the telephoto lens. I am so pleased with this solution. No need to unclip or adjust anything when walking about, as the camera is there ready to shoot. When I want to pack my kit away, I just quickly unclip and the camera is free. I contacted OpTech to check that the straps would take the weight of my kit, and they replied by return and gave me the test weights that far exceed anything I would contemplate carrying. Best of all, this was a cheap solution compared with a lot of others, so I was doubly happy. This kit really complements my JOBY sling.
Thanks everyone for your inputs.
Click to expand...
Glad you found what you wanted Sue, when I use a rucksack they are definitely my first choice.
One other advantage is if you unclip one side and accidentally let go of the camera its still held by the remaining clip.
Try that with a strap, it just slides round your neck and the camera falls to the ground.
Only disadvantage is having to take the camera off to access the backpack, but soon get used to putting it down somewhere safe.
 
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