When I'm in any type of rough terrain - hiking or walking through a crowded city - I bring a compact camera. If I absolutely had to bring a DSLR, I would use a combination neck and chest strap.
cotton carrier. I carry a D500 with a 18 to 300mm lens. Keeps the hands free for hiking poles
I use a Blak Rapid shoulder strap,camera is right at my hip and fast easy lift to shoot
I use a Peak Design strap. It attaches to the tripod bolt hole (but with an Arca Swiss type plate, so you can still use a tripod) and to the camera body on the left side.
Instead of hanging on your neck, it is hanging on your left shoulder. This has worked out so well for me that I have not even looked at another strap now for 4 years since I bought it.
I have one on both of my cameras and it works well even with a long lens on the body. The strap can be removed in a heart beat.
Black Rapid and several others work the same way, except that they take up the tripod hole with no option to use a tripod, which turns me off on them.
The options such as Spider, Cotton Carrier, etc. are all good, but I hate to think of getting "suited up" camera wise to go for a hike. Much nicer to pull the camera out of the bag and go hike.
Silicone covers also protect them from bumps, dust and moisture.
bastro wrote:
My wife and I really enjoy hiking in North and South Carolinas
I also enjoy taking some nice pictures along the way. The easiest is to use my phone camera, but obviously very limited on what I can shoot.
The thought of my Canon hanging around my neck while clambering over some of the trails does seem like a good idea.
Does anyone have a system for keeping the camera handy, but also secured hands-free?y wife is a speed demon when hiking, so unpacking the camera from the backpack and shooting would leave me in the dust!
My wife and I really enjoy hiking in North and Sou... (
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When hiking /walking with a backpack on I use the chest strap to limit the movement of the camera which is on a neck strap, do long as the weight doesn't bother it works well, Bob.
BTW, My wife is not a speed demon but gets annoyed if I stop to shoot anyway, VBG
The Spyder Camera Holster is what I use . I have the dual holster carrying two cameras. I shoot live music shows and festivals. I’m walking and climbing all day toting around two Nikon full frame DSLRs.
Thinktank has a teardrop shaped pack with a over the shoulder wide padded strap meant to be worn with the pack on the back. You can also use it very comfortably across the chest with the zippers up and very easy access to camera section and accessory section. I hike in rugged areas a lot and love using it. I have the 20 size which holds 2 nikon 7200 plus another lens or 1 body with a longer telephoto and 2 lens. They make 2 smaller versions. Even if I were to fall on my face, enough padding to protect the camera. Comes with movable dividers and very user friendly. I've probably had it out 80 days so far and looks brand new and has it's own rain coat
Like your idea I might consider a piece of shock cord try different strengths until you find one that is just right saves buckling and unbuckling straps
I second the recommendations for the Peak Design Capture clip. I attach it to one shoulder strap of my camera/day pack, and then clip the camera to the Capture clip. It holds the camera very securely until you want to release it with the push of a button. I have used it with both my D7200 and D850, with no issues other than occasional balky releases from the clip. I have used this system hiking, scrambling, on boats, downhill skiing, etc., on many occasions. I also use their Peak Design Slide straps, which I find to be quite comfortable and easy to use and adjust. It is worth checking out:
https://www.peakdesign.com/collections/straps
I just use a Peak Design shoulder strap and have the camera at my left side. I do have a camera dedicated specifically to hiking.....a Nikon D5600, with the 18-55 kit lens. It is relatively small and the combination is well under two pounds. It is much more versatile and takes way better shots than any camera phone while not getting in the way while hiking or rock scrambling. I have carried it in Bryce Canyon, Sedona, many areas of the desert southwest, and the Colorado Rockies without it once hindering me in any way. Will be taking it to Death Valley and the southern Sierra Nevada mtns next week. It works so well for me that I never feel the need for another method of carry.
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