Cotton Carrier Users
Apr 10, 2014 15:57:49 #
The B&H blurb says that the Cotton Carrier is designed for "the photographer that carries a DSLR with a battery grip." Does that mean that it only works with cameras with battery grips? I'm just trying to put together something convenient and comfortable for my 5D and 300mm 2.8, no tripod, no grip. Will a CC work? Thanks!
Apr 10, 2014 17:45:47 #
Apr 10, 2014 18:02:10 #
The vest. I found a YouTube instructional that answered my question though. Thanks.
Apr 11, 2014 06:20:10 #
aerides wrote:
The vest. I found a YouTube instructional that answered my question though. Thanks.
I use the vest and do not have a battery grip (yet). It holds the camera snugly against your body when walking, hiking or scrambling over rough trails. It works very well. Often I use it with a pack (putting the vest on first)
Apr 11, 2014 06:28:08 #
aerides wrote:
The B&H blurb says that the Cotton Carrier is designed for "the photographer that carries a DSLR with a battery grip." Does that mean that it only works with cameras with battery grips? I'm just trying to put together something convenient and comfortable for my 5D and 300mm 2.8, no tripod, no grip. Will a CC work? Thanks!
All you need is the tripod mount on the bottom, battery grip or no battery grip.
Apr 11, 2014 06:45:47 #
aerides wrote:
The B&H blurb says that the Cotton Carrier is designed for "the photographer that carries a DSLR with a battery grip." Does that mean that it only works with cameras with battery grips? I'm just trying to put together something convenient and comfortable for my 5D and 300mm 2.8, no tripod, no grip. Will a CC work? Thanks!
Yes, it will work, and it would make sense to attach it to the tripod collar, rather than have that heavy lens dangling from the camera's tripod thread. I would attach a safety strap to both camera strap lugs on the camera for safety, but I have never had a camera unexpectedly come off the CC. I hike and bike with mine.
Apr 11, 2014 08:15:13 #
aerides wrote:
The B&H blurb says that the Cotton Carrier is designed for "the photographer that carries a DSLR with a battery grip." Does that mean that it only works with cameras with battery grips? I'm just trying to put together something convenient and comfortable for my 5D and 300mm 2.8, no tripod, no grip. Will a CC work? Thanks!
I have the Cotton Carrier set up for two cameras. Its awkward with battery grips. Actually it feels awkward to me period. I have used it once or twice and now it hangs in the closet.
Apr 11, 2014 11:17:30 #
aerides wrote:
The B&H blurb says that the Cotton Carrier is designed for "the photographer that carries a DSLR with a battery grip." Does that mean that it only works with cameras with battery grips? I'm just trying to put together something convenient and comfortable for my 5D and 300mm 2.8, no tripod, no grip. Will a CC work? Thanks!
You'll love it... I've used mine on assignments for the past 3 years... Only way to carry a pro camera with long glass for long periods of time (MHO). I have the two camera system now with my D3x and 800E... And wouldn't be without it... Be sure to attach the security strap... It saved me on two occasions!... Good luck. (It works perfectly with or without grip)
Apr 11, 2014 12:16:35 #
The difference is in the plug that attaches to your camera. When you don't have a grip you would use the straight plug as the lens runs parallel to your body and is quite close to it. With the grip your lens is parallel but 2-3 more inches away from your body so it tends to have that sway in the breeze scenario. If you have a grip then you would switch to the tapered plug that angles the end of the lens closer to your body. You can still use the straight plug but you'll find the end of the lens bobbing around away from your body and yes you can feel it bobbing. Not a secure feeling. With the angled plug the lens tapers toward and rests against your body and is easily strapped down with the lens strap on the CC chest carrier. All my cameras have the grip and I use the angled plug on all, even the belt and sling straps.
Make sure you order the grip version, only difference is the plugs. Although you can order them separately after the fact.
You will also love the added security from this system. Very difficult to attempt a slash and grab. Of course a baseball bat is something else again.
Make sure you order the grip version, only difference is the plugs. Although you can order them separately after the fact.
You will also love the added security from this system. Very difficult to attempt a slash and grab. Of course a baseball bat is something else again.
Apr 11, 2014 13:16:55 #
Awesome! Thanks for the tips everyone. I just got home with the new rig. Flying high right now. (When I said "my" 5D and 300 2.8 before I was sort've using literary license. But now it's actually sitting in the living room. Hoping to go out with it tomorrow morning.
Apr 11, 2014 16:02:40 #
Good news, enjoy it. Don't forget to tighten those screws every few days for a week or so. :)
Apr 11, 2014 16:13:49 #
big-guy wrote:
Good news, enjoy it. Don't forget to tighten those screws every few days for a week or so. :)
Will do. Thanks for the reminder and good wishes. :) :) :)
Apr 11, 2014 23:07:59 #
Three hours of missed Friday night TV and a migraine later I have my Cotton Carrier vest adjusted and hopefully ready to go. Complaints: they really could have tossed in a flat hub. Seriously. The velcro lens stabilizing strap is really noisy. I hope I can use it without getting dirty looks from my fellow birders. I'm doubtful. As aforementioned, the two hours it took me to adjust it. But that could be me, I'm a moron with straps and buckles, and finally one of the keepers was frayed and came away in my hand. I'll live.
Fitting the camera and lens was interesting. That was the third hour I'll never get back. If you try to attach the angled hub to the camera with the 300 lens, the tripod foot catches on everything as you're rotating the equipment to get it on and off the vest (and the foot digs into your chest and makes the whole thing stick out too far). If you attach the hub to the lens, everything sticks out even further and the camera is up around your chin. Either way is uncomfortable and you look like an idiot, not like the cool dude in the videos at all. Upon further examination, I realized that even though the tripod collar on the lens isn't removable, the foot is, if you happen to have the right sized Allen wrench. Another miracle. After I took the foot off everything got better. It feels very comfortable and really secure and only catches slightly on the flap of large front strap keeper. I doubt that will happen with a flat hub (ahem). I'll have to remember to keep an eye on the hub tightness but after several practice on-and-off's there wasn't any loosening at all. The vest is nice and snug, the camera and lens are flat to the body, comfortable to carry, stable and reasonably accessible. I'm encouraged. Now if I can just sleep off the ___ ___ migraine before tomorrow morning. :)
Fitting the camera and lens was interesting. That was the third hour I'll never get back. If you try to attach the angled hub to the camera with the 300 lens, the tripod foot catches on everything as you're rotating the equipment to get it on and off the vest (and the foot digs into your chest and makes the whole thing stick out too far). If you attach the hub to the lens, everything sticks out even further and the camera is up around your chin. Either way is uncomfortable and you look like an idiot, not like the cool dude in the videos at all. Upon further examination, I realized that even though the tripod collar on the lens isn't removable, the foot is, if you happen to have the right sized Allen wrench. Another miracle. After I took the foot off everything got better. It feels very comfortable and really secure and only catches slightly on the flap of large front strap keeper. I doubt that will happen with a flat hub (ahem). I'll have to remember to keep an eye on the hub tightness but after several practice on-and-off's there wasn't any loosening at all. The vest is nice and snug, the camera and lens are flat to the body, comfortable to carry, stable and reasonably accessible. I'm encouraged. Now if I can just sleep off the ___ ___ migraine before tomorrow morning. :)
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