My camera harness broke, so I improved on it
Jul 13, 2019 00:00:05 #
I do a lot of hiking over hill and dale in order to photograph dragonflies and butterflies. My preferred equipment for this purpose is a medium-range telephoto lens (Canon 100-400mm), plus an external flash.
My preferred method for carrying the camera is to use one of those front harnesses, where the camera is hung from a durable plastic slot on the chest. This allows my hands to be free, and by carrying the camera in front it is not banging into things while I walk through forests. The one I have is from Movo… https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RF0OF2C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 …
but there are other brands that are pretty similar.
My camera rig is pretty heavy and rather ungainly because of the flash. This had caused the plastic slot on the harness to wear out and to fracture. I don’t think this is a design flaw with the harness itself as I have not heard of other people having this problem. I simply over-loaded it. But perhaps my solution below would be helpful to others if they are carrying a heavy camera.
So what to do? The solution I came up with was to replace the plastic slot on the harness with a metal holster that is designed for carrying cameras on a belt or backpack. Various types exist, but I chose the Capture Camera holster from Peak Design: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07817MWDB/?coliid=IDW822MP1SMVY&colid=2TAD9NTD9D2LY&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
To secure the holster to the harness, I cut away the broken plastic slot (mainly with Dremel tools and a hacksaw), and I removed a surrounding area of fabric and padding from the harness that matched the footprint of the new holster. I then bolted the new holster to the exposed plastic core of the harness, as shown below. Epoxy glue was also used to reeeally make it secure. Twenty four hours later, and it was dry and ready. This metal holster was not going to go anywhere!
There are other metal attachments that would have also worked, and perhaps some would have been even better. But so far I am liking this improvement!
My preferred method for carrying the camera is to use one of those front harnesses, where the camera is hung from a durable plastic slot on the chest. This allows my hands to be free, and by carrying the camera in front it is not banging into things while I walk through forests. The one I have is from Movo… https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RF0OF2C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 …
but there are other brands that are pretty similar.
My camera rig is pretty heavy and rather ungainly because of the flash. This had caused the plastic slot on the harness to wear out and to fracture. I don’t think this is a design flaw with the harness itself as I have not heard of other people having this problem. I simply over-loaded it. But perhaps my solution below would be helpful to others if they are carrying a heavy camera.
So what to do? The solution I came up with was to replace the plastic slot on the harness with a metal holster that is designed for carrying cameras on a belt or backpack. Various types exist, but I chose the Capture Camera holster from Peak Design: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07817MWDB/?coliid=IDW822MP1SMVY&colid=2TAD9NTD9D2LY&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
To secure the holster to the harness, I cut away the broken plastic slot (mainly with Dremel tools and a hacksaw), and I removed a surrounding area of fabric and padding from the harness that matched the footprint of the new holster. I then bolted the new holster to the exposed plastic core of the harness, as shown below. Epoxy glue was also used to reeeally make it secure. Twenty four hours later, and it was dry and ready. This metal holster was not going to go anywhere!
There are other metal attachments that would have also worked, and perhaps some would have been even better. But so far I am liking this improvement!
Chest piece with new holster
(Download)
Back of the chest piece
(Download)
Mount on bottom of camera
(Download)
Jul 13, 2019 08:55:10 #
Nice fix Mark.Jul 13, 2019 14:13:56 #
RowdyRay
Loc: MN
Great idea and excellent choice.
Their products are well made. I have one on the strap of my Lowepro sling bag.
Their products are well made. I have one on the strap of my Lowepro sling bag.
Jul 13, 2019 19:24:34 #
In addition to the various other metal holster mounts that exist from Spider and Ultimax, I think one can make an Arca-Swiss type tripod head mount work, so long as the plate that is on the camera is secured by a flip-lock rather than a screw lock. One like this for example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QXZ6AS/?coliid=I182OVSRIDYC1O&colid=1V6SX5W6Z17J6&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Jul 14, 2019 08:57:18 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
Nice work. You leave the lens hanging from the camera with the camera on that bracket?
Jul 14, 2019 11:19:29 #
I love the 100-400 for nature like that ,might have to try your rig out
Jul 14, 2019 12:50:45 #
Jul 14, 2019 17:05:24 #
I use the PD clip on my backpack shoulder strap, where the camera hangs out of the sweat dripping off my chin when hiking hard and/or hot. Saves on hotshoe repairs!
Jul 14, 2019 18:27:41 #
arathorn357
Loc: Sydney, Australia
Well done Mark in converting a gear failure into a success - its cheering when you have one of those wins.
I also use PD and love the concept of a shared plate that locates to a whole lot of needed places - tripod head, my belt, back pack strap and hand grip. Bit expensive but good quality.
I also use PD and love the concept of a shared plate that locates to a whole lot of needed places - tripod head, my belt, back pack strap and hand grip. Bit expensive but good quality.
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