I agree with most of the other comments. We just came back last year from our winter in AZ and Palm Springs CA. On the way home we picked up several sites we have missed from previous years. They are all in the four corners area:
Shiprock - we went past several times but because it is on a reservation you can not get near it unless you work with an indian (guide).
Mesa Verde - best indian ruins we have seen!
Canyon De Chelly sp? - Well worth the extra miles west

MrOak

Fun and interesting post. Great comments!

Great pictures, my favorite is #3 but they are all great.

I reviewed some of the other reply and found a recommendation for a Joby camera tether. looks good I ordered one as a safety tether for the sling strap.

I am sending you a PM about buying the Tamron 70-300 lens.

Jim

Thanks for the suggestions. With the light lens I don't attach to the screw at the bottom of my camera. I have a metal ring attached to the metal strap mount on the sides of the camera. The ring is small, strong and very securely attached. The loop of the sling is attached to the ring. I think the weakest point of the whole setup is the plastic connector that the loop is attached to the sling with. It seems pretty strong and it was designed to work this way. Another safety strap would be a reasonable idea but getting it long enough so it would not get in the way, yet short enough to not let the camera hit the ground might be tricky. I will see how it works in the real world and then go from there.
As for the big lens the safety strap idea would be a more serious situation. Again the length would be even harder with the big lens. I don't carry the big lens often. Mostly when in national parks and other special scenic or wildlife attractions. I pay a lot more attention to the lens with the big lens on the camera.

Again thanks for the suggestion.

Jim

"Ok Guys..Up for grabs.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM - $100
Sigma 10-20mm F/4-F/5.6 EX DC - $200
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-f/5.6 DI VC (canon mount) $100[/quote]"

Hi is this the Tamron lens? Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD XLD for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
How old is the lens?
Do you feel that this is small enough to be a walk around lens? I am currently using a Tamron AF DiII LD 18-200 as my walk around lens.

I am very interested in this lens.

Jim

Pictures would be nice.
Is the spiked foot piece an add-on, if so does the original bottom piece come with it.
Do you have problems with the extra quick release plates? I have seen reviews of the head unit coming with extra quick release plates that were knock-offs.

Thanks

Jim

I also have this problem, so I followed the suggestions with interest. This OP TECH Utility Strap - Sling looked like a very good answer, so I ordered one from Amazon and got it today (Sunday, ya gotta love Amazon Prime). I have not had time with it to test for real use but out of the package trying it out was great. It appears like it can handle my DSLR with my walk around lens (Canon Rebel T3i with Tamron 18-200 lens) just great.
I liked the way it hung to the side out of the way, yet it was easy to swing up to take a picture. This strap will likely live on this camera.
I also tried it with the same camera and my Sigma 50 - 500 lens. I don't normally carry this lens unless I am in a special place for pictures. It was way more comfortable than any other carry method I have tried (except off the camera in a bag). So I may use this lens more (although it's still a heavy beast).

Thanks very much for the suggestion. It worked very well for me so far. Now to get real world experience.

Jim

I am glad you asked this question because I have the same issue. What I am currently doing when I plan to take a number of pictures (because I am in a sonic spot or attraction) is carry a shoulder bag. I have the two cameras I use on stretch straps that cross my back but don't hold the heaver DSLR by itself. When I put the DLSR down I put the lens in the top of the open shoulder bag. This does not work well for spur of the moment stuff when walking around with out planning everything beforehand. I liked the comment for the OpTech Utility Sling Strap. That looked like an improvement to what I am doing now. The Cotton rig looked like overkill for me.

Thanks for asking the question.
Jim

I agree with the suggestion to go to stores that allow you to hold the camera and see how it works in your hand. I have owned Nikon (my first DSLR, stolen in Orlando) and Canon (replacement for stolen Nikon). I like both cameras for different reasons. They are both good brands and you will not go wrong by picking either. I do have a comment about buying from Best Buy, I would not buy anything more complicated than a battery at Best Buy. I made the mistake of buying my Canon at Best Buy and have regretted it ever since. I don't have the time or fortitude to say why but there are very good reasons. The best place to feel or ask questions about cameras are real camera stores. I am a big fan of Costco but their personnel may or may not know anything about the products. The good news is in my experience they will identify what they do and do not know. My experience with Costco is they only sell higher quality equipment (not Junk) and their prices are competitive. They don't have much selection however.

Is the 80 - 400 lens a Tokina? Does it have a Canon mount? Is it still available?

Very nice pic's. The last shot is spectacular due to the fact that you saw the lizard that melds so well into the background.
We just came back from the winter in AZ but I did not get a picture like that last shot.

Great job thanks for sharing.

Jim

Great shot. It's hard to tell the size. They appear to be roughly as big as a bald eagle but shorter. Is that correct.

Thanks for sharing.

Jim

Beautiful shots, so clear and sharp. Very nice. I don't think we have many tit birds around here (New England). At least I don't see them too often. I did not pick up what lens you are using for these.

Thanks for the pic's.