Recommend me a photographers belt....

trackdemon

trackdemon

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Steve Hall
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Afternoon all, I'm covering an event in a few weeks and rather than switching stuff out of a backpack I think I'd rather use a photographers belt so everything I need is right there immediately. Possibly sturdy enough to carry my 400mm f2.8 but will definitely have a w/a in there and maybe a body with 50mm f1.4 hanging off it too. No idea what to look for so all wisdom gratefully received!
 
I've used the Tamrac belt in the past. It's not too pricey, fairly robust and has a good range of pouches.

Tamrac belt GX7 P1140747.JPG
 
Personally, I can't get along with them and prefer three camera bodies (one on each shoulder, one round the next) plus backpack containing the alternate lenses and spares. My reasons are:
- during key moments there is no time to switch lenses so I find it better to pick three lenses and stick with them for each stage of the event, and make changes ahead of the next stage in one go.
- having multiple pouches interferes with the cameras with longer lenses.
The only thing I have in a pouch is fill-flash in case that is needed.
 
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Hello trackdemon, me thinks moving around with a dangling 400/2.8 is going to be awkward, irrespective the belt you choose.
Tim has a good proposal.
Also consider leaving some toys at home! I don't do events but when travelling often limit myself to say a 35/1.4 or even 135 for the day. Focusses the mind. But I'm going off topic now..
 
TimHughes said:
Personally, I can't get along with them...
Click to expand...
They have their uses but I do agree that other tools are often better.

Mostly I use bags and I pack them light. I often carry a pair of Sony A65s with a 10~20 on one and a 16~300 on the other, which covers many subjects. For things like airshows, a Panasonic G9 with a 100~400 covers the main subjects while a GM5 with a 12~32 and another with a 45~150 do for anything else.

I find that swapping cameras is a lot faster than changing lenses on one camera.
 
boer13 said:
Hello trackdemon, me thinks moving around with a dangling 400/2.8 is going to be awkward, irrespective the belt you choose.
Tim has a good proposal.
Also consider leaving some toys at home! I don't do events but when travelling often limit myself to say a 35/1.4 or even 135 for the day. Focusses the mind. But I'm going off topic now..
Click to expand...

Sadly with the scope of what I have to shoot (I'm shooting at Goodwood Festival of Speed) I need everything from 400mm for the long shot down start/finish line through to wide angle to shoot drivers & celebs in the cars. From a purist PoV I'd love to spend a day with a 50mm and nothing else but that won't fulfill client needs.
 
TimHughes said:
Personally, I can't get along with them and prefer three camera bodies (one on each shoulder, one round the next) plus backpack containing the alternate lenses and spares. My reasons are:
- during key moments there is no time to switch lenses so I find it better to pick three lenses and stick with them for each stage of the event, and make changes ahead of the next stage in one go.
- having multiple pouches interferes with the cameras with longer lenses.
The only thing I have in a pouch is fill-flash in case that is needed.
Click to expand...
I'll be carrying 3 bodies anyway so looking for an easy way of carrying additional bits - primarily w/a & the 400mm. I suspect the 400mm is too much for a belt and I'd do better strapping it to my back as it's never fitting in my lowepro!
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
They have their uses but I do agree that other tools are often better.

Mostly I use bags and I pack them light. I often carry a pair of Sony A65s with a 10~20 on one and a 16~300 on the other, which covers many subjects. For things like airshows, a Panasonic G9 with a 100~400 covers the main subjects while a GM5 with a 12~32 and another with a 45~150 do for anything else.

I find that swapping cameras is a lot faster than changing lenses on one camera.
Click to expand...
I'd never be swapping lenses across bodies, apart from the obvious I'm just asking for a dusty sensor in no time at all. I carry three bodies, looking for an easy way to carry the 400mm & w/a
 
400mm strapped to the back… will that be ok? Sounds like a recipe for accidents and damage?
 
I understand where you are coming from OP!

I've been considering this conundrum recently, how to carry three bodies at once and try and place some weight onto my / your hips away from your back. Thus far, I think the aforementioned SpiderPro holster is probably the best (and most expensive) solution that I've seen to accommodate this requirement. It can be configured to carry two cameras (one either side) and the plates allow for a quick draw from the belt.

Going slightly rogue here.... is the 400 2.8 strictly necessary for FoS? Could you get away with the 1-400 instead? Or do you need the low light capabilities - I love the 400 2.8, but it's so awkward to move about with!

In your scenario, I'd be looking at the following:

SpiderPro holster for two bodies
LowePro 600 / or similar backpack for the 400 2.8 / wa etc. Place the weight of the 400 on your back and protect it from swinging etc. also, I don't think that you'll be 'quick drawing' the 400 2.8. I've got a lowepro backpack that accommodates my 400 2.8 (just) but it's miles better than having it on a strap.

The SpiderPro holster will solve the issue of wearing a backpack with conventional straps such as the PD slide etc that interfere with the backpack strap etc.

Side thought - I'd love a manufacture to make a backpack harness for large lenses that's sort of like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scopac-Carrier-increased-comfort-telescope-Black/dp/B00A4Z2P5O

Where it's got a holder for the lens front and straps around the neck near the mount and allow you to carry the super tele's without the bulk for a whole backpack etc.
 
Spider holster, no doubt. I Photograph weddings and would have worn myself out now, if I hadn't used the Spider holster.
 
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