A recommendation for hikers who photograph...or is it photographers who hike? Dear Friends I attached a few pics (bad selfies...and a face made for radio) of the Op Tech "Reporter's...

Hip Coyote

Dear Friends

I attached a few pics (bad selfies...and a face made for radio) of the Op Tech "Reporter's Strap" that I use when hiking. The camera hanging system works perfectly for me. It is attached to the Mindshift Rotation backpack. I can carry my camera at the ready on very long hikes. I can detach the camera when needed but can shoot with the camera attached to my backpack straps. I generally do not keep a cap on the lens because I want to be able to shoot quickly when opportunity presents itself. I have no interest in Op Tech...just passing along the info.

I realize this system may not be for everyone, but fyi only.

Happy shooting and hiking.

anotherview Loc: California

I bought a sling strap from OpTech. It attaches to a camera bag for my one camera (also with a sling strap). The bag carries all accessories.

I can wear this simple kit all day when visiting the high desert. Further, I have learned how to extract the camera from this bag and ready to shoot in a few seconds.

Hip Coyote wrote:

Dear Friends br br I attached a few pics (bad sel... (show quote)

Photocraig

I have a similar system made by Tamrack. Since they're out of business, It is good to know OPTECH seems to be filling the need. I'm using a Mind Hift Sling bag, and I'm a fan.
C

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Photographer who hikes or hiker who photographs?

Well that depends are you carrying 3 lenses, a tripod, a large DSLR in a backpack for a 1 mile hike or are you carrying a backpack with lunch, extra clothing, and water, and a small format camera for a 10 mile hike? ?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Too much stuff for a hike. I use Upstrap camera straps, have for decades.
--Bob

Hip Coyote wrote:

Dear Friends br br I attached a few pics (bad sel... (show quote)

Hip Coyote

JD750 wrote:

Photographer who hikes or hiker who photographs?

Well that depends are you carrying 3 lenses, a tripod, a large DSLR in a backpack for a 1 mile hike or are you carrying a backpack with lunch, extra clothing, and water, and a small format camera for a 10 mile hike? ?

I am more in the 10 mile hike range, lunch, 10 essentials, and a few other things...you can see that my camera is not exactly small...and I do often carry the Pro 7-14 lens as well,,,which is weighty. On really nasty hikes I do downsize to a smaller camera... and maybe a few smaller m43 lenses. Case in point...in Peru at 15,000 feet I was in no mood to carry a tripod.

The backpack mentioned does have the ability to carry several lenses in the rotational fanny pack (a genius invention) and there is an insert for the top compartment as well to carry a few larger lenses...

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I think a pocket-sized model, handy and ready in a front pocket, is a better choice as a hiking camera. It's what I used for 803-miles of the southern end of the AT.

Hip Coyote

CHG_CANON wrote:

I think a pocket-sized model, handy and ready in a front pocket, is a better choice as a hiking camera. It's what I used for 803-miles of the southern end of the AT.

I'm kinda headed that way as well...getting a bit tired of carrying this load...but also tired of buying camera gear at the moment. Travel and long range fishing take its financial toll. This worked well on difficult hikes at very high altitudes, but I do wonder if just downsizing might make life a whole lot nicer. When I analyze what it is I do with the photographs, a smaller kit just might make sense. This was certainly not for the AT, but for the semi high mileage day hiker such as me.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Hip Coyote wrote:

I'm kinda headed that way as well...getting a bit tired of carrying this load...but also tired of buying camera gear at the moment. Travel and long range fishing take its financial toll. This worked well on difficult hikes at very high altitudes, but I do wonder if just downsizing might make life a whole lot nicer. When I analyze what it is I do with the photographs, a smaller kit just might make sense. This was certainly not for the AT, but for the semi high mileage day hiker such as me.

My goto hiking camera is M43 with one lens, a spare battery and maybe a GND filter. Hiking photos are mostly taken in daylight. With the M43 kit I get 95% of the IQ of my DSLR, at 1/4 of the mass.

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

Hip Coyote wrote:

Dear Friends br br I attached a few pics (bad sel... (show quote)

Looks good. But I have one question - doesn't the camera pound you in the chest - like getting CPR for 2-4 hours or more when you hike?

I solve my issue one of two ways - I use my cellphone or I carry a 2.5 lb Sony RX10M4 on a Black Rapid sling strap. I put it on first, then the backpack. It is still very accessible and the camera is light enough that I don't mind it banging a little on my right hip. The hip belt on my backpack keeps it mostly under control.

Hip Coyote

Gene51 wrote:

Looks good. But I have one question - doesn't the camera pound you in the chest - like getting CPR for 2-4 hours or more when you hike?

I solve my issue one of two ways - I use my cellphone or I carry a 2.5 lb Sony RX10M4 on a Black Rapid sling strap. I put it on first, then the backpack. It is still very accessible and the camera is light enough that I don't mind it banging a little on my right hip. The hip belt on my backpack keeps it mostly under control.

Nope. It dangles there without much movement at all. Pretty comfortable.

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

Hip Coyote wrote:

Nope. It dangles there without much movement at all. Pretty comfortable.

I live in southern Delaware, where the elevations range from 0 to about 50 ft and "hiking" is more of a walk off pavement. So I suspect I'd have a similar experience. But I used to live in NYS, and hiking meant a pair of sturdy boots, and lots of climbing up and down stuff, rock scrambles, etc - and that's where I think the camera would be a pain. I use a Cotton Carrier for my full frame gear when I go on hikes that are more than just a stroll on a gravel trail.

ELNikkor

Used the OpTech straps for many years, (back to the F3 days), still have them, still use them!

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

Hip Coyote wrote:

Dear Friends br br I attached a few pics (bad sel... (show quote)

And, for you backpackers looking for a really good deal on a back pack, check this out.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1006566-REG/mind_shift_gear_210_rotation_180_pro.html

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Hip Coyote wrote:

Dear Friends br br I attached a few pics (bad sel... (show quote)

Lets hope you don't accidentally trip and fall with that thing in front of you.