How best to tote around long lens/camera? (Page 5): Purchase a Cotton Carrier. I have the twin holster version of the G3 now, but I have had a Cotton Carrier for years. I carry my...

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

Webguydave wrote:

So….bought the wife - a bird watcher- the lens of her dreams ; a Nikkor 200-500 f/5.6! She couldn’t be happier!
But - it’s heavy ( and more so with a D500 attached) and long, not something you can hang around your neck and hike around in.
A backpack is possible, I suppose, but getting the gear out and shooting isn’t a quick or easy affair… thoughts / suggestions? TIH!!😄

Purchase a Cotton Carrier. I have the twin holster version of the G3 now, but I have had a Cotton Carrier for years. I carry my birding camera and long lens on the chest holster and my macro camera on my hip holster. Obviously, your wife only requires the chest holster. I have carried a Canon 7D mark II + Canon 300mm f2.8, a Nikon D500 + 200 -500mm, Sony A7R4 + 200 - 600mm and now and OMDS OM1 + 300mm f4. It is so secure, that I can actually run along withount any problems. Expensive - but brilliant.

SteveInConverse Loc: South Texas

Webguydave wrote:

So….bought the wife - a bird watcher- the lens of her dreams ; a Nikkor 200-500 f/5.6! She couldn’t be happier!
But - it’s heavy ( and more so with a D500 attached) and long, not something you can hang around your neck and hike around in.
A backpack is possible, I suppose, but getting the gear out and shooting isn’t a quick or easy affair… thoughts / suggestions? TIH!!😄

Cotton Carrier Skout or one of their other products. Carries very heavy gear easily and with little effort.

dick ranez

She needs a “sherpa” for long distances and she’ll probably nominate you since you “caused” the problem. Grandsons are candidates but probably involve you providing a second camera to him. Check ebay for a now discontinued wide neoprene shoulder strap - they’re long enough to go cross body and “reasonably” comfortable with heavy kit. Only other option is to convince her that macro photography of flowers is more interesting and get her a macro lens that only weighs a fraction of the New lens. :-)

SteveInConverse Loc: South Texas

billnikon wrote:

I am 74 but I still hand hold my Sony a1 with the Sony 200-600, BUT, if I am walking long distances or riding my bike I use a Cotton Carrier, you adjust it so that it minimizes weight on your shoulders, once it is properly adjusted, it puts little weight on your shoulders and makes it quite pleasant to walk around with.
Below is a image of me on the Everglades Levy with the cotton carrier and Sony a1 with the Sony 200-600 lens. It has a quick disconnect and is very secure.

Yep. I have the same setup and have used it with 5DMk3 and Canon 100-400 with no issues

dick ranez

The wide strap was by Tamrac and about $20.00

Beenthere

Webguydave wrote:

So….bought the wife - a bird watcher- the lens of her dreams ; a Nikkor 200-500 f/5.6! She couldn’t be happier!
But - it’s heavy ( and more so with a D500 attached) and long, not something you can hang around your neck and hike around in.
A backpack is possible, I suppose, but getting the gear out and shooting isn’t a quick or easy affair… thoughts / suggestions? TIH!!😄

Introduce her.., and yourself to the Micro 4/3 format. Olympus, OM/Systems and of course, Lumix (Panasonic) are the best sources. They offer cameras and lenses that are many times smaller and lighter than the Nikkors, as well as being of exceptional quality.

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Try a cotton carrier
https://www.cottoncarrier.com/

I use one for my d500 and the 18 to 300 and with the d850 and the f2.8 70 to 200 and walk and hike all day with them, but that combo is lighter at 71 oz than the d500 and the 200 to 500 at 108 oz. But one concern I would have is carrying around the camera with the lens hanging from the camera. maybe one could attach the lens to the carrier. You can strap the lens to the harness.

Capn_Dave

The shoulder straps mentioned before are not very good for a long time carry. Your neck will regret it after about an hour then you will have to switch sides. You would be much better off with a harness to distribute the weight over both shoulders. I carried two cameras over 8 hours both with long heavy lenses with the Cotton Carrier. I would guess any over both harness system will work great

jeff1234 Loc: Kirkland, WA

Take a look at the Think Tank Harness and belt with assorted holsters. Also the peak design capture clip for one or both straps to have something closer to hand.

kbk

The above vest is good. One of the camera bag companies make a long bag for camera and lens that you can wear on a belt around your waist. Let's you unzip the top and pull out the camera/lens. Check local camera stores or online.

bluezzzzz Loc: Stamping Ground, KY

Retired CPO wrote:

I carry a D850 or a D500 with a 200~500 Nikon. Yep it's a bit heavy even for a spring chicken like myself @68. I carry mine upside down, using the tripod foot/collar as a grip. Changing hands often. It's doable, but eventually I'll have to find another option. Times goes on!!

I photograph birds with a 100-400 zoom on a Canon 5Dmk4, and second CPO's recommendation for using a lens tripod foot for a hand hold.

For me, rotating the foot to the top of the lens and leaving it there when not using a tripod is the most comfortable. A neck strap provides backup security, and I can grab the foot with either hand and turn the camera and lens to face backwards to tuck it under an arm for walking. Easier to do than describe, lol...

Marshall

BTW, the RSS tripod foot for this lens is a work of art: sculptured with fine radius bevels and feels very good to a hand.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

billnikon wrote:

I am 74 but I still hand hold my Sony a1 with the Sony 200-600, BUT, if I am walking long distances or riding my bike I use a Cotton Carrier, you adjust it so that it minimizes weight on your shoulders, once it is properly adjusted, it puts little weight on your shoulders and makes it quite pleasant to walk around with.
Below is a image of me on the Everglades Levy with the cotton carrier and Sony a1 with the Sony 200-600 lens. It has a quick disconnect and is very secure.

A great shot - and congratulations on being 74 and looking as if you could easily kick-butt all the way up to the horizon in that shot 🥇🥇🏆🥇🥇

Wrexrus Loc: MD

Top loading backpack is my preferred set up. Have the same lens mounted to a D750 w/MB-11. Able to draw and shoot sports, wildlife etc with lens already attached w/ hood

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

robert43 wrote:

MR Jan Gear - https://mrjangear.com/shop/lens-carrier-system/

I have and carry a Sony A1 with the Sone 200-600, works great.

It's a great idea to save your neck, shoulders, and back. People don't figure that eight pounds is heavy - until they carry it around for two or three hours

Candid Loc: Dayton ohio

Cotton carrier is the answer.