Wedding togs + 2 cameras

danmon_81

danmon_81

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Hello....

I now have 2 bodies and intend on using them both simultaneously during weddings....i may invest in a black rapid double strap (i use the single one), but dont want to look like im in the SAS.... i am curious to know how people manage 2 cameras?? I'll be using my 15-85 on the 7D and 70-200/ 50 on the 6D...

cheers

Dan
 
I have the Spider Pro dual holster that sits on your hips.

I think I look like this when I walk in to a room with it on:

duel(1).JPG


The truth sadly is very different :D
 
I thought that at first. Got over it now and don't worry about it.

The advantages and convenience of carrying two bodies at the same time far outweigh the few looks you get. To be fair anyone who think it's a bit OTT will soon appreciate the reason when they see you switch cameras in a flash.
 
I've used a couple of Q-Strap slings for a while but found they could get a bit tangled and in the way of each other. I decided to go for a Q-Strap double harness and it's great. The straps are nicely padded and comfortable to carry for long periods, the 2 cameras give good balance and you can swap them over easily if necessary. The harness isn't too bulky but is strong enough, I carry a 5D3 with Sigma 150-500 OS on one side and a 7D with either a Sigma 120-400 OS or a Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS MkII (sometimes with a 2x converter as well) and have had no problems with it. I felt a bit self conscious with it the first time I used it, but I prefer it now to a single strap all day as the balance is better for my back.
 
jacob12_1993 said:
Just get two optech pro straps and carry them on your shoulder, the way its been done for years. The two bodies will balance nicely and you don't look like a commando
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This could easily end in a disaster. That's why they have dual harness


If you care about the looks, you should get a couple 1Ds and the older 24-70mm in addition to 300mm f/2.8 prime :D. Don't forget the flashguns
 
jacob12_1993 said:
For comfort, but some people don't get on with them at all, there is no right or wrong way but cameras over the shoulder is a tried and tested method and my personal preference
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Fair enough :)

It would be a major disaster for someone like me!!! I'm a complete klutz!!!
 
jacob12_1993 said:
Just get two optech pro straps and carry them on your shoulder, the way its been done for years. The two bodies will balance nicely and you don't look like a commando
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Just wondered Jacob, have you shot many weddings with 2 optechs?

It is true that many years ago they were the only option but also many years ago a wedding lasted 3hrs at most. However these days wedding last so much longer 10hrs is not unheard of!!

I started out using optechs but at then end of a 10hr day I found that my back and shoulders hurt like hell from shrugging one shoulder to keep the unused camera on the shoulder. I now have both the black rapid double strap and the spider dual holster. Both are very, very good.

I personally prefer the spider as I find it quicker at key moments in the wedding - getting in the car between locations.
 
I use a BR dual strap and although I do get some funny looks they save me a lot of back and shoulder ache. I do asian weddings and they're a minimum of 10hrs, sometimes even reaching 14hrs!

If you're looking for something more stylish maybe somthing like this would be better for you; http://holdfastgear.com/?products/money-maker.html
 
There have been about four or five threads in the last week on this, just use the straps that come with the cameras, that's what they're made for. Stick one on each shoulder and get on with it.

If for some reason that doesn't work for you, then you can think about spending on some over-priced commando vests. :thumbs:
 
Jayst84 said:
There have been about four or five threads in the last week on this, just use the straps that come with the cameras, that's what they're made for. Stick one on each shoulder and get on with it.

If for some reason that doesn't work for you, then you can think about spending on some over-priced commando vests. :thumbs:
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I think you will find that the straps supplied are neck straps although you can use them on a shoulder.

The reason why dual harness/holster systems are not supplied with the cameras can be down to costs and or the camera manufacturers missed a trick and the after market products are better suited for prolonged use.

If these systems were poor - they would not sell so well!
 
SimonTALM said:
Just wondered Jacob, have you shot many weddings with 2 optechs?

It is true that many years ago they were the only option but also many years ago a wedding lasted 3hrs at most. However these days wedding last so much longer 10hrs is not unheard of!!

I started out using optechs but at then end of a 10hr day I found that my back and shoulders hurt like hell from shrugging one shoulder to keep the unused camera on the shoulder. I now have both the black rapid double strap and the spider dual holster. Both are very, very good.

I personally prefer the spider as I find it quicker at key moments in the wedding - getting in the car between locations.
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I couldn't think of anything worst that shooting a wedding but I have carried two bodies all over the world in the same way as I am describing and never had a problem, like I said before its all down to personal preference and I'm not going to say one way is better than the other, there is a reason the harnesses sell so well but for me personally I hate having my camera upside down by my thighs banging into everything as I go
 
sounds like horses for courses....i gave up using the Canon supplied neck strap after a few weddings as it completely wrecked my neck...i now use a BR strap. For Fridays wedding i'll be using the BR on one and Canon over the shoulder/ neck for the other.

I can see some difficulty in cameras colliding with each other, the floor etc...hopefully time will tell....i might go for the double at some point.

I actually quiet like those Minh....bit ye-ha but nice!
 
Double strap on user here, I couldn't be without it at a wedding. Ok you get some funny comments, but depends if you are able to laugh them off - I always have a joke about it with people and dont worry what I look like, as long as I get the shot. As a user of almost solely prime lenses, I dont see a way around it tbh.

I am thinking of the ThinkTank lens belt and pouch system too now, I really like the idea of having more kit on me...but worried that the belt will pull my trousers down mid-wedding - now that would be slightly embarassing! haha

Ps, the only times I encounter problems/worries is when leaning forward to pick something up (think, Kitbag on floor) when kneeling down the cameras rest on the floor - so long as you descend slowly they wont bang down. The other thing is the swinging straps... but once its happened to you once you'll be aware of it forever more... basically when leaning over and forward (ooh er) to reach for something, both cameras lurch forward on their straps, and have a tendancy to smash into whatever is ahead of you! Again, as long as you make slow movements this wont be an issue, but it will scare the life out of you the first time it happens.
Also when going round corners I always put my free hand over the camera nearest the wall, just to be sure it doesnt scratch against the wall...

Tbh I am making it sound a lot more complex and hard work than it really is....all this stuff is just common sense tbh.

After shooting a 10hr wedding with 2x5Ds on my at all times I generally dont have any aches or pains :)
 
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The reason I went with BR is I had a big car accident in my day job and have an injured neck (whiplash with nerve damage).

Shooting for a day with just one body on a neck strap (even a good one like the Optech) was killing my neck. I was at Focus on Imaging last year and was persuaded to try a BR with a couple of cameras, I was amazed, it transferred the weight through my body rather than my neck.

They look expensive for a camera strap but try one, they're very very good.
 
futureal33 said:
I am thinking of the ThinkTank lens belt and pouch system too now, I really like the idea of having more kit on me...but worried that the belt will pull my trousers down mid-wedding - now that would be slightly embarassing! haha
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I've got a full set of ThinkTank belt kit, it is very well made but looks quite industrial, certainly for a wedding. I use mine mostly for things like Le Mans where I am out and about for 24 hours and need my kit to hand, it doesn't matter out there what it looks like.

The one thing I would say is if you're planning on carrying a lot of gear on the belt system then you'll still need the shoulder harness they do to stop the weight pulling the belt down your legs.
 
The dual spider hostler pro, as per a few others on here, is my preference. To be fair I've never used anything else so can't 'compare' but I think its brilliant. So quick to switch and access to battery and memory card slots when 'docked' for switching accessories. Just make sure you attach it just lower than your trouser belt else it'll pull them down and no one wants to see that!

It also plays very nicely with L plates. You can buy arca Swiss type brackets which lock to the L plate and slot into the holster. Very secure, very convenient and saves playing with fiddle Allen keys if you want to use a tripod.

I get a lot of comments about the belt, guests love it.
 
While the double strap might make you look a little, over the top, i would imagine its a great ice breaker at weddings, even if you do have the conversation 100 times over, why worry about it? just get on and do your job in comfort :)
 
SimonTALM said:
Just wondered Jacob, have you shot many weddings with 2 optechs?
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I have.....

Only time it's been a problem is for a commercial shoot when client supplied me with a "rain" jacket and insisted I wear it. Even Optechs couldn't grip it and it was very nearly very expensive. I used a dual strap for some jobs after that.

But mostly, I have somebody to carry heavy stuff for me.
 
Why bother? Short zoom will do for almost the whole thing, long zoom for aisle shortening duties, apart from that it can live in your bag..... FAR better to have one camera with the right lens for most of it, and not to "faff" trying to use 2..........:D
 
Organnyx said:
Why bother? Short zoom will do for almost the whole thing, long zoom for aisle shortening duties, apart from that it can live in your bag..... FAR better to have one camera with the right lens for most of it, and not to "faff" trying to use 2..........:D
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I could not disagree more, unless you are a guest, or there are at least 2 of you
 
Organnyx said:
Why bother? Short zoom will do for almost the whole thing, long zoom for aisle shortening duties, apart from that it can live in your bag..... FAR better to have one camera with the right lens for most of it, and not to "faff" trying to use 2..........:D
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I'm not sure it's a 'faff' trying to use 2?

Shooting speeches, with a 70-200 for the speaker and using a wide angle for the closer tables for reaction shots - it's more a breeze than a faff, likewise shooting couple shots, mid length zoom gets me full length - 3/4 with some environment. 85mm gets me intimately close free of any background distraction - All from the same spot.
 
optech do a dual sling and a dual harness when I researched rated better than dual br!
there's a cheap copy of spider pro too, 20quid

I have them, but not used. I can recomend optecs lens pouches on a belt, very comfy :-)
 
daugirdas said:
I could not disagree more, unless you are a guest, or there are at least 2 of you
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+1. Definitely two cameras. It obviously depends so much on size of venue and light but I've found 16-35 2.8 and 135 1.8 - both on FF - is a great combo. I do have the 70-200 on hand should I need it but that's more for peace of mind than necessity.
 
I always shoot with 2 cams. 1 camera generally carries a 24 or 35 while the other has an 85 exclusively. Black Rapid for one cam and an optech shoulder strap for the other camera. It worked out a little more discreet than the dual strap imo.
 
Organnyx said:
Why bother? Short zoom will do for almost the whole thing, long zoom for aisle shortening duties, apart from that it can live in your bag..... FAR better to have one camera with the right lens for most of it, and not to "faff" trying to use 2..........:D
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On the contrary, I use 2 for my weddings these days and find it far far better. You can switch from one focal length to another in a second rather than 20 seconds.

Often I have been taking pictures of people or details with the 24-70, then I see a bridesmaid doing something cute in the distance and already have the 70-200 at my hip ready to go.

I use a Q-strap double btw, bought from these forums.
 
24-70 on one and either 16-35 or 70-200 on the other...Speedlite and battery pack in lowepro waiste strap.
 
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