Gpaw47 Loc: Denver, Colorado

I have a question that I wonder if other people that hike with their cameras have a solution for. I live in Colorado and like to hike and carry my camera for wildlife photography, hike 3 to 6 miles at a time. I use a Canon 80D with the Tamron 150-600 lens. My problem is that when I carry the camera on my shoulder with the monopod or tripod attached the top of my shoulder gets sore. Does someone make some kind of a pad, or is there some other solution. Thanks in advance for your help.

h_scott

I use a Black Rapid strap to carry the camera and the monopod doubles as a walking stick. A quick connect allows me to put the two together when needed.

BB4A

I regularly hike 5-10 miles plus on outdoor sports commissions. For me (this may not work for everyone), I've found that the easiest, workable method is to ditch the tripod or monopod, as their only purpose is to steady my shot at the point of Execution; they serve no purpose in the Concept, Initiation, Planning, or Close of my photography process. As I can't ditch the strap, 2 camera bodies, lenses, batteries, lens cleaning gear, and water bottle, I've trained myself to hand-hold and steady shoot using the lightest possible additional item, a short grip and rail from the AR15 rifle family.

Here's the link to what I use on my cold weather commissions and winter wonderland fun hikes (I'm spending more and more time each Winter in the Frozen Tundra of NE WI; an exciting change from Singapore & Italy); again, this works for me and I only offer it as a suggestion to solve the issue of Max. Stability with Min. Weight: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-513887-1.html

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

There are many solutions. For instance, a small backpack with straps for attaching your monopod. There are a couple of other hands-free solutions such as the Cotton Carrier vest and Peak design holster. Some people like sling bags, with ease of pulling them around in front and taking the camera out, but you can still fun into a sore shoulder issue. Do some online research at a webiste such as B&H to see all the choices offered.

Gpaw47 Loc: Denver, Colorado

Thanks, I'll go to B&H and see what they might have. Have a good day.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

For years, I hiked extensively carrying large format gear, often in terrain that was anything but flat or easy. For me, that meant a relatively heavy camera and an even heavier tripod (plus an over the shoulder strap-pack that held a dozen film holders, lenses, light meter, water, etc), and about all I did for padding was to fold up my dark cloth, sling it over my shoulder, and use that for padding beneath the tripod mounted camera. Even now, with much more ergonomic packs that better distribute weight to the hips rather than the shoulders, I still use much the same concept as before when carrying my tripod mounted and relatively heavy FF camera by folding a mid-sized cotton towel several times and using it for padding.

Its easy to understand why you'd want your camera at the ready, especially while hiking and on the lookout for wildlife. For all I know, maybe someone has come up with a dedicated shoulder pad of sorts they sell, but I'd ask why? Seems to me it would be a simple thing to form a piece of memory foam (or something similar) that conforms to your shoulder, and mount a hard plastic (or whatever) plate on top of it so the weight is distributed evenly, maybe with a slot or upraised tabs or something that would keep your tripod in place and prevent it from sliding off. Maybe even attach it to the tripod so it wouldn't become some other piece of gear to have to keep track of. Couldn't cost anything, really, other than the time it might take to devise the design. Hmmmmm. Forget I said anything. May have just come up with an idea that'll make me rich!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

The mono is a walking stick and I use a BlackRapid Sport Breathe Camera Strap modified with a Really Right Stuff B2-mAS Screw-Knob Clamp. Can attach to L-Bracket or lens foot.The equipment hangs level with my hand for guidance. Quick and easy to use.

Gpaw47 Loc: Denver, Colorado

Thanks for the reply. I usually hike with the camera already mounted to the tripod or monopod since wild life doesn't stick around very long. I have tried a towel and it does help. However sometimes when removing the camera from my shoulder, and moving around to try and get a better angle, the towel falls to the ground and being a senior citizen it takes me awhile to find.

If you come up with a design and would like someone to test drive it for you before it goes to market, and makes you rich. Keep me in mind.
Thanks and have a great day.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

47, If that's your style then just make it work.
How about one of those big yellow foam spaghetti pool toys?
Or make a flat shoulder pad that distributes the weight over a bigger area!
Good luck
SS

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Or a gunbearer.

Gpaw47 Loc: Denver, Colorado

Not familiar with the Black Rapid strap, I will go into B&H and have a look. Thanks for the suggestion.

Gpaw47 Loc: Denver, Colorado

The foam spaghetti toy might work. I could slide it on to the mono pod and have some extra padding. I'll do some testing. My grand kids might be missing a pool toy.
Thanks for the idea.

Gpaw47 Loc: Denver, Colorado

Another idea I hadn't thought of. I'll look into some hunting supplies to see what they might have.

Thanks for the idea.

Gpaw47 Loc: Denver, Colorado

I just took a look at your setup and see that you have come up with a unique way to solve a problem. I'll have to give it some thought, it might work for me too. Thanks for the suggestion and picture.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Something like this may work:
http://www.mypostaluniforms.com/group/ULTRA-PADDED-SHOULDER-STRAP.htm