How do you carry your long lens

markyboy.1967

markyboy.1967

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Mark Molloy
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I have seen many many people with their long lens-400,500,600 etc on their tripod walking about however i have never trusted this--should i?

I recently bought the Nikon 600 f4 to replace the 500f4 i sold a while back and it never had a strap in the case.I temporarily used the case strap with suitable fixings. It really did dig into my neck and shoulder so i purchased an airstrap which came today. Good looking strap and solidly built with non swivel fixings which are heavy duty and could easily hold many times the weight of the lens. The air paddings really helps even the weight out and it no longer digs into a small area of my shoulder.

So how do you carry your lens when not using a long lens bag?
 
with a sling shoulder strap (sun sniper and Black Rapid - not at the same time ;-)) or in a Think Tank Retrospective 20 which takes the body with 70-200 mk2 attached standing vertically

or does that not count as long enough
 
On the tripod Mark, with it all set up and the tripod legs fully deployed and open, stood ready for use, I just put my shoulder under the top plate and lift, I can put it back down and be ready to shoot in a second (or two).
 
On tripod or with Black Rapid strap for me.

.....would never hang it round my neck (well not now I have tried the B R strap!)

Heather
 
I carry my 150-500 attached to the camera on the black rapid strap too. Dont notice the weight with this system at all.

Phil
 
Optech tripod strap Mark, undo the buckles from the strap, the strap then feeds through the metal hoops on the lens. Re-attach the buckles,connect together, adjust the strap,sorted..............:thumbs:
 
I carry my 600/4 on the tripod....legs extended out the front and lens hanging down my back with the gimbal locked at a suitable angle. I've got some foam pipe insulation on the top sections of the lengs to stop it digging in too much.

Bob
 
markyboy.1967 said:
Seems that several of you have the lens on the tripod and head over your shoulder. I just worry that it will come off or loose from my Gitzo while walking.
Click to expand...

I carry my 500 F4 and tripod on my shoulder, but a little differently to how i see people doing it online (with the whole lens hanging down right out the back).

I angle the lens forward/down before i pick it up and place the area where my gimble is attached to the tripod only just over my shoulder so the actual lens is only slightly overhanging my shoulder behind me but the lens slightly pointing upwards over my shoulder.
I then have the standard basic lens strap (that came with the lens) sort of rucked up under to provide padding and also i can have a hand in the strap in case of anything coming off the tripod (i've heard a couple stories about certain past gitzo models doing that).
With a bit of practice i managed to get a nice weight balance carrying it like that.
I normally have the legs folded together when carrying like that but not shortened (i keep the legs at the height i'm expecting to be shooting at at any moment).
 
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markyboy.1967 said:
Seems that several of you have the lens on the tripod and head over your shoulder. I just worry that it will come off or loose from my Gitzo while walking.
Click to expand...

Gitzo has a looking screw accessed from below the plate, this stops the head rotating itself loose, I also bought one of THESE safety plates to stop the top plate coming out of it's clamp.

My lens foot has the small allen screws at each end to act as stops if the clamp comes slightly loose, to prevent the lens slipping out the gimbal.

Like Ade I have the Optech tripod strap which I have adapted to fit the lens fittings should I wish to carry it that way, but I rarely ever use a camera strap as they get in the way, but that's me :D
 
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