19104 Loc: Philadelphia

I love fast glass. Big heavy lenses. back interesting
the before time I had a Novaflex 400 millimeter follow Focus lens mounted on my Canon F1. I was traipsing through Center City Philadelphia and the lens mount sheared off. the F1 bounced against a big trash can while I watched it in disbelief unable to stop it.
Here is my question. so for you guys Who
are using Big glass. I.e. 300 f 2.8, 400 f3.5 prime mens. I am interested in what kind of contraption you use to protect the camera mount. while you're out running around with two or three cameras mounted on monopods or hanging around your neck.

please don't tell me about it how your mirrorless camera can do all of that or or the latest 18 - 900 mm Zoom Len that weighs 4 ounces. and you don't need
that big prime lens anymore. I'm talking about people that actually use big glass and the solutions to working with them without damaging their camera bodies.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

two handed hold, never by the strap and mount the lens to the mono/tripod

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

Personally, I generally spin the tripod foot around and use it as a handle, and carry the camera/lens combo, that way. I 'll still have the strap over the shoulder as a safety stop should my grip be lost. I shoot a 150-600 and 400 quite bit, with a 7D2 Canon body, so these are mildly heavy combos

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I work with leather and I have bought some buckles like the carriers use and am doing some thinking and trying to design an attachment to the tripod collar. I just picked them up and have been thinking on it, but will be a winter project. I have the 150 600 Tamaron and usually carry it with shoulder carrier and also by the tripod collar. I would like to have it supported both ways if I can figure out how to. I have thought about a sling like you carry your arm in when injured.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I use a 600mm F4 - hanging a 14 lb lens with a 2 lb camera attached around my neck is not an option. I mount it on a gimbal that is mounted on a tripod. when I move, I fold the legs together and put the whole thing on one should and carry it to the next place. When it is not on the tripod it is safely inside a LowePro Lens Trekker 450 AW.

I recently picked up a Sigma 150-600 Sport which weighs about 8 lbs with camera, and that hangs off a Black Rapid strap or on a Cotton Carrier - attached by the tripod collar on the lens. So far, so good.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

A. with large heavy lenses you mount the lens, not the camera
B. I don't know anyone who lets cameras with large heavy lenses hang loose around their neck, at least one hand is always supporting the lens when using a neck strap.
C. I personally would never carry two or more cameras with large heavy lenses at the same time if there is any way to avoid it. That is just asking Murphy to show you why it isn't a good idea. One reason why I use high end zooms, 150-600 and 100-400L both with and without extenders.

Have seen a guy with one of those soft mesh sided "garden" wagons loaded with cameras, lenses and gear. Of course that has problems also, esp when not on a hard level surface. And of course there are the photo back packs.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Geez Gene, you must shoot a Nikon. I don't think a Canon 800 comes close to that weight!!!
SS

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

A Canon F1 film camera? Great old camera. Did the trash can survive?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

To each his own, I reverse the tripod mount and use it as an handle to carry my large lenses around (300 2.8, 200-400 4, and 200-500 5.6). I do not use a mono pod or tripod as they get in my way. I have a spiderholster to hold my other camera with 28-300 mm lens attached.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

ROFL

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I'm too old for that. When I carry my 400/2.8 it is in it's bag until I get where I'm going. Around a field, I may, for a brief period, carry it resting on my shoulder with a monopod (folded) attached until I get to my field position. I have an assistant more often than not1

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Support the lens, instead of the camera. My Canon 300/2.8 IS and 500/4 IS lenses weigh about 6 and 8 lbs, respectively and both those lenses have their own strap mounts for more secure carrying. I've got them fitted with OpTech straps that have quick releases so I can temporarily remove the straps if I wish, such as when using the lens on a tripod. The straps on my lenses are also adjusted the same length as those on my camera bodies, so I actually can use both straps at the same time, for extra security. Never had a problem (knock on wood) and I've been using these lenses for about 15 years.

Prior to the Canon gear, I used large lenses in other systems that didn't have strap lugs on the lens itself. With those I usually carried handheld by the tripod foot on the lens. I still do that sometimes with the Canon gear.

Tripods and monopods have to be up to the task holding those big lenses, too. I look for a leg set and head that are rated for about 3X the weight of the gear I plan to put on it. And, although I've done it from time to time myself and seen lots of other people do it, it's really not a good idea to transport a big lens while it's atop a tripod or monopod, slung over your shoulder.

When I'm going any distance with a large lens, I put it in a backpack for a safer means of transport.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I found a water bottle holder that my big lens will slide into. (It wasn't easy to find!). I attach that to my belt, and slide the lens into it when I'm hiking. The camera strap is still around my neck, but the weight of the lens isn't on it. Works. It's hands free. Totally acceptable. And the weight is off my neck.

seemore_Stars

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Definitely you need to support the lens, not the camera body. I have often supported both with using 2 tripods when working at full lens extension. Unwieldy for sure but works well if the subject demands solid support. All that and the mirror up, time delay shutter and you need to practice some.