On the posts here I have seen a lot of people that are ex-military and hopefully one of you can answer a couple of things for me. As I am getting older it is getting more difficult to go out on a hike with a camera with a long lens on a sling strap. I have read about all kinds of straps, holsters, etc and it seems everyone thinks they have the best idea. I was thinking that no one anywhere knows more about going out for a hike loaded with equipment than a soldier.

I have a Think Tank holster but I use it with an over the shoulder strap or for storage. I have tried it on a belt but it kept falling down as it seems it is smaller underneath my belly and the belt has a tendency to go there. So I was thinking a belt and suspenders and I saw military surplus pistol belts that are wide and you can get suspenders. Advertisements mention Alice and Molle I don’t’ know what the difference is so perhaps someone could help with that.

Anyway, when I was looking at the suspenders They have a loop in the center of the back and loops in the front. I have some of the things you screw into your tripod socket for a strap and I was thinking why not put a cord through one and clips on both ends and clip them onto the suspenders. If done that way I would think since it is in the center of the back the weight would be even on both shoulders. Then I read any weight on your shoulders is bad for your back and you should have it on your waist. So does the weight go on your shoulders with the suspenders or on the belt with the suspenders only function being to keep the belt from falling down? I have seen them called load bearing suspenders so it makes me think it goes on your shoulders not your waist.

I'm thinking I could use it with the Think Tank holster on the belt or on a cord that attaches to the loops on the suspenders. I was also thinking I could easily attach another cord to the other side and bring two bodies. Naturally since it is military I know you can get a canteen for it. I was also looking at some of my lens pouches and it appears they could be placed on the belt as well.

I’m thinking that you can get a belt, suspenders and canteen for $20 and the quality I’m sure is as good as anything on the market. Lowepro wants about $100 for a belt and suspenders or you can get a vest and a belt for $150.

I'm thinking this would be a completely flexible system; you could attach anything as I have seen little pouches that attach as well. If you don’t want green they have them in black for swat teams but they cost a couple of dollars more (I have not seen a black canteen). I’m thinking it would be as good as any modular system out there if not better at about 10-20 percent of the cost. Any and all thoughts on this would be appreciated.

I have been using Fotki for over 10 years. A few years ago they lost pictures for 10's of thousands of people and it took over a year to get most back. Ordered about 39 pictures about 3 weeks ago and it took over two weeks to get them. Went to Costco and had the in 10 min. for less. Today tried to upload 69 photo's and nothing but problems.
So now I was looking for another place to store photos that I can share with friends and family. Just started using Photobucket but was looking for suggestions. Free is good.
Thanks,
Ron