digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

What's the word out there on use of camera carriers, like the "cotton carrier" Do those seem to be very beneficial? Anyone have any opinion and experience with them?? I hope that they are as handy as they seem, since the "brown" visits this afternoon, with a double camera version/ Buyers remorse.....Maybe?? RJM

Creta1 Loc: Vancouver, BC

I had used the Cotton Carrier but I found that the plate that screwed onto the bottom of the camera would often come loose. I was always having to tighten it. I forgot once & it almost dropped. Luckily I was I literally caught it.
There was a safety strap that attached from the camera to the carrier in case it drops. I found it got in the way so I didn't use it. Hence the almost c event death.
I use the Spider Pro system now. So way better. The pin screws into the bottom & has never become loose. The weights not around my neck so I can go all day & not get tired. I love it.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

thanks for your input. As is generally obvious, I should have gotten others views before I made the purchase. RJM

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I watched a photographer next to me put his 5D MK III and 100-400mm IS II combo in his chest mounted Cotton Carrier, but knocked off his lens cap when he did so. He bent down to pick up the cap, the lens hit his thigh and popped the whole rig out where it promptly hit the ground and broke the lens mount out of the body as well as bent the front ring of the lens. A very costly error. No, I won't be using one of those chest carriers under any circumstances.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

I have been using it for about a year and a half now. Here's my take on it. I am an active user, use it while hiking and on long travel journeys as well where I tend to walk around with 2 sets of equipment for 10-14 hrs at a stretch. I mount the long lens to the unit that's on the chest and the shorter lens on the hip holster. So far, I have very little that I don't like about the Coton Carrier system - perhaps other than looking like being in a commando unit as I walk around towns. Recently, I was in Turkey toting my outfit and didn't look too far different than the commando officers walking around Istanbul. Initially my family gave me a lot of grief for walking around like that but knowing how much it has balanced the weight I carry around and the less stress it puts on my back, they have backed off.

It is a very purposeful and convenient harness to use - I too observed the nut that is mounted on the base going into the holster at the bottom getting loose once initially, but proper alignment and tightening took care of it. Make sure you align the arrow as suggested prior to tightening as that will ensure the camera going in straight down into the harness and as it turns around from gravitational forces it'll lock in. Every once in a while I may have to realign and tighten if I am not diligent in turning the system perpendicular while taking it out. Obviously when you have a 100-400 mounted on your chest you have to use proper judgement while bending, not much unlike if you are carrying one around on a strap, atleast here it is locked on your chest and not dangling around.

I have modified the insurance straps with my own setup as I don't want to totally rely on the unit with the expensive equipment I carry around. I purchased a whole bunch of OP/Tech straps (B&H and Amazon carry them) that are modular to suit my needs. You don't really need to do that but something I felt comfortable with. Hope this helps.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

If you spend a lot of time in the wilderness or hiking with a DLSR, look at MindShift's Rotation backpacks

http://www.mindshiftgear.com/

I used to carry a Nikon on a chest strap rig, and always wondered just what would happen if I stumbled, took a fall and landed on my D7100.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I have and use a cotton carrier vest and waist strap. I find it very useful. I was at a field class and the instructore used it. To me the plus is if you are working with two cameras or even one and hiking, they are not bouncing around. A simple turn and the camera is released. I bought it and find it very practical. You can buy refurbished ones on their website at a significant reduction.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Be happy. Have another drink and put it on.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I found the Cotton Carrier awkward with a camera & lens attached. What is even worse I felt like a dork wearing.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

I bought the cotton carrier about a year ago and have been very pleased with it. It is very comfortable, and versatile for those occasions when I am hiking in terrain where a traditional backpack might cause problems or limit my access to my equipment (i.e. Sand dunes, wet environments).

It's number one advantage for me is the comfort it affords when I am hiking. It takes most strain off of my shoulders, and allows natural movement. I've had no problems with safety concerns. I make sure the insurance straps are always secure. The only close call I have had was when the camera slipped from my hand when taking it off the carrier to set it up on my tripod. The safety strap saved me. The drop was my doing not the design of the carrier.

The only negative I found with using a cotton carrier had to do with the fact that all of my camera bodies are equipped with L brackets. The lug of the carrier makes using the L bracket difficult. It results in the camera sitting cockeyed in the carrier, or you must go the route of detaching the lug each time you want to set the camera up on a tripod. The solution was to get an Arca Swiss clamp from RRS. I mounted the clamp to the lug of the cotton carrier, and simply fasten my camera into the clamp. It works like a charm, and with the safety straps of the carrier the camera is very secure while still being extremely accessible. As a result I can benefit from the comfort and versatility that the carrier provides.

Using my cotton carrier while hiking the Narrows in Zion

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

Jim, I saw your gallery - excellent work.

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

When out hiking, the Cotton is my go to carrier. Nothing else I have tried works as well. Sometimes I use the side "holster" to carry a collared lens. No complaints.

rebel hiker Loc: Sanford, FLorida & Banner Elk, North Carolina

At least look at "Black Rapid". I have been using Black Rapid with my Nikon D600 & D800 for several years without a problem. Works very well for hiking and, sometimes, biking.

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

I use the spider camera holster black widow holster kit. It holds my Nikon D750 with a 80-200 MM nikon 2.8 zoom held by the tripod collar. Camera and lens hangs upside down at my side and does not interfere with walking, although you won't want to jog as the camera swings slightly as you walk. I can even mount the Nikon 910 flash and it hangs great. A small metal ball with a 1/4 screw attaches to my tripod collar, the ball in turn fits in a locking slot in the holster kit, when I want to use the camera, I lower the lock and lift the camera from the holster. You'll be the fastest gun in the West, or East, North or South. The kit includes a velcro strap so it is easy to put on. This way I can hand carry my D4s with 200-500 zoom and the D750. I have been using this system for about three months with no problems. I got it from B&H.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

I have been using a Cotton Carrier for a few months and it is an excellent bit of kit. I put a Canon 7D mark 11 with Canon 300mm f2.8 on the chest holster and a Canon 70D with Canon 100 - 400mm mark 11 on the hip holster. I walk around for five hours or more and it is very comfortable. I have also sown a piece of old fibre belt with buckle to the left hand vertical strap and hang my Sirui 204S monopod from it. In order for a camera to come out of the harness it has to be turned 90 degrees, not something easily accomplished accidentally. You also attach the camera to the harness with the provided straps.