Methods of Carrying a Heavy Lens (Page 2): I used to carry my long prime lens with the shoulder strap, I found it was too troublesome walking with it. Now I change the way to carry it...

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

wkaufman wrote:

Now that I have the Nikkor 200-500 FX lens that weighs in over 5 lbs, I'm interested in how others carry these lenses when on the camera. I've seen carry straps that go over the shoulder and attach to the tripod bolt hole of the shoe.

Other ideas for keeping the weight off the camera mount and keeping camera and lens ready for quick deployment?

I used to carry my long prime lens with the shoulder strap, I found it was too troublesome walking with it. Now I change the way to carry it by using a messenger type camera shoulder bag with the top cover or zipper open, whenever I finish the shot and want to put it down, I just slip the camera with the big lens back into the bag. By the way, I use waist strap instead neck strap. This is only my suggestion, it works for me great.

agillot

made a harness with a nylon dog leash , it support the lens on my left shoulder , the lens with tripod [ legs in deploy position hang at my right hip .it is clipped at the gimball head .so , just unclip , raise to position and shoot .the lens / camera / tripod weight 12 pounds . the length of harness is adjusted so my right arm is extended while just holding the camera / lens / tripod from moving around while walking .

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

With my Sigma 150-600m, I use a Black Rapid cross body strap attached to the lens' collar's slot with a strong, lockable, thin carabiner.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

For my 200-500 or any other lens with a foot I just use the foot as a handle. I quit using a neck strap probably a decade ago. If I need both hands for something I either put the camera/lens down or bend my left elbow, stick the lens into the bend and press the camera/lens into my body. I can use my left hand a bit and my right hand is completely free.

Before I quit using the neck strap I would put the strap on backwards, so that the lens was pointing inward toward my body. At least for long lenses, that forced the lens to hang downward and not bump into things. For short lenses it kept them from bumping into things because only the back of the camera was pointing outward.

I have carried the camera/lens on a tripod slung acrosss my shoulder, but I don't use the tripod that much any more since the VR on the 200-500 (and the newer 70-200) are very good so hand holding is possible even at low shutter speeds.

98corvette Loc: Macon, Georgia

Bill where did you find the handle in the post? What is part #

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I carry all my equipment to the field in a roller bag sized for what I need to carry. Upon occasion, I will use a separate bag for a long lens, but not if I can help it. My current roller bags are made by Think Tank and I can easily carry my 400/2.8, mounted, in the larger one. Once I get to the field, the large lens goes on a monopod and everything else goes n my body. Best of luck.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

RichardTaylor wrote:

I carry mine a bit like this (with the monopod not extended so much).

But never with the lens up unless the cap is on...you never know what might come from above!

Jacqui Burke Loc: Perkiomenville, PA

Cotton Carrier. Recently got one myself and love it! It frees up the hands, distributes the weight well, and allows you to carry rwo cameras easily at once!

Oldnintheway

Nikon D7200, Tamron 150-600, hood is always attached. I carry it attached to an Op-tech utility strap hooked to the camera body loop. This is only used if I need both hands for binos or whatever. I never walk more than a few steps with it hanging at my side. Most of the time it's cradled in my left arm and ready to shoot.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/699658-REG/OP_TECH_USA_3501242_Utility_Strap_Sling_Black.html

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

wkaufman wrote:

Now that I have the Nikkor 200-500 FX lens that weighs in over 5 lbs, I'm interested in how others carry these lenses when on the camera. I've seen carry straps that go over the shoulder and attach to the tripod bolt hole of the shoe.

Other ideas for keeping the weight off the camera mount and keeping camera and lens ready for quick deployment?

I use a Cotton Carrier. It distributes the weight so it is born by my body and equally by both my shoulders. The camera locks to the carrier with a quick release and a strap between the Cotton Carrier prevents a dropped camera from falling all the way to the ground. It also prevents someone from grabbing your camera and running since the camera is physically attached to you. In addition, it allows you to have both hands free.

https://www.adorama.com/ccc686grey.html?rfkref=topBrands

Bill P

Why are there never native bearers around when you need them.

My personal solution? Micro 4/3's.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

speters wrote:

It doesn't matter what gear I take, I'm always fine with the good old neck strap!

BugDr Loc: Willamette Valley, Oregon

I have a Nikon D500 with a Nikon 200-500mm and use a carry strap that is designed for two camera carry. I attach one of the screw in plates to the tripod mount on the camera and the other to the tripod mount on the lens. I didn't think this one out on my own, I stole the idea from Kristopher Rowe. Here's a link to one on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Double-Shoulder-Release-Camera-Dual-Shoulder/dp/B07F1SVKPN/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?hvadid=177278309220&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9033045&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=b&hvrand=475768003166903973&hvtargid=aud-647006051489%3Akwd-25246531211&keywords=double+camera+shoulder+strap&qid=1555372777&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

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

wingclui44 wrote:

I used to carry my long prime lens with the shoulder strap, I found it was too troublesome walking with it. Now I change the way to carry it by using a messenger type camera shoulder bag with the top cover or zipper open, whenever I finish the shot and want to put it down, I just slip the camera with the big lens back into the bag. By the way, I use waist strap instead neck strap. This is only my suggestion, it works for me great.

I am 70. I have found that any shoulder strap effects my shoulder either that afternoon or the next day. I shoot for about 2 to 3 hours every morning here in Florida.
I shoot with either the D500 w/vertical grip and the Nikon 200-500 or the D850 w/vertical grip and the Nikon 500 5.6.
I HAND CARRY the camera around with me (no straps of any kind). I hand hold my gear when I shoot. It allows me to shoot fast and I hardly never miss a shot. Oh well.
I have no more shoulder problems.

ICUQTPIE

thanks for the good tip. I plan to try this