Agreed - it's been on my to do list but somehow never can get motivated enough to do it. Just following threads like these we pick up things along the way.

That would be me as well not reading the manual and figuring things out on my own..... thanks for the tip,

I share your excitement - enjoy and have fun.

Here's one of a cayote in the Smokies using this lens on the 7d2. This is heavily cropped, shot from about 250 to 300 yards away.

(Download)

Have not had experience with their service department but can attest to the company as a very reputable place to deal with. Have both sold and bought equipment from them with satisfactory results.

I use both and most of the time I have no reservations of picking up either one. Generally I have the mid range lens either the 24-105 or the 24-70 on the 5d3 and either the 70-200 or the 100-400 on the 7d2 and pick up the right one for the reach at the given moment. The 5d3 however is my go to body and gets the majority of the work.

Jim, I saw your gallery - excellent work.

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.

LF; We have pretty much the same equipment list if we change out your 6D for my 5D3. I recently picked up the 85 1.2 from Laura here on the hog and have since shot 1 wedding with it. I can tell you that it is not an easy lens to use ... and I am still learning and have a long way to go to get the best of it ... but boy, when you get it right on there's no looking back. While my hit ratio is getting better, the sharpness and the bokeh is very attractive. As good as the 70-200 is, the 85 blows it out when its right on. The 85 1.2 is much slower on the focus to bear in mind.

I too have State Farm and instead of a rider on my Home Owner's Policy, I chose to get a Personal Articles Policy separately from my Home Owner's and it has full coverage with no deductible for losses and breakages - world wide.

You can't go wrong with this lens.

I have one I can let go - have had it for about 3 years. Bought new as a breakup from a kit. In excellent condition but for some minor scuffs on the lens cap and the hood, just returned from an international trip and used it as the primary lens. Just prior to Christmas bought the 24-70 2.8ii when Canon was having a refurbed sale and will have less need for this. I want $550 for it (firm), if you are interested. I can send you links to albums with results from this lens. PM me.

The EF11-24F4L, if you can swing that ..... It's on my radar when it gets to 2499 or less ...

I have done a similar trip from Iquitos and the 28-300 is more than sufficient.

7D2