Large lens carry

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Cree Native

Cree Native

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I am a hiker. Both Mts and level. I'd like to take along my tamron 150-600 zoom on occasion. I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions for ways to carry the lens and maybe the lens on the camera. I have the mount that attaches to the backpack strap and it really works great. However I'm thinking that much weight on it wouldn't work well. I'd like to see what other hiker/photographers do to carry the big lenses.
Thanks in advance
 
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Cree Native said:
I am a hiker. Both Mts and level. I'd like to take along my tamron 150-600 zoom on occasion. I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions for ways to carry the lens and maybe the lens on the camera. I have the mount that attaches to the backpack strap and it really works great. However I'm thinking that much weight on it wouldn't work well. I'd like to see what other hiker/photographers do to carry the big lenses.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
As a former member of the camera bag of the month (my wife put me on a 12 step program to ween me off camera bags) my favorite bag to hike with equipment is from Fstop. I a 5' 10", a bit overweight at 180 lbs, and use a Tipola bag. Great suspension system. More like a backpack than camera bag
 
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For day hikes with camera gear, food, water and rain gear I'll use a Lowepro Flipside 350 which easily carries a 150-600, 200-500 or 500mm PF attached to a camera body plus extras like another lens or extra day gear. I'll usually also have a Black Rapid strap that I can attach to the lens foot to carry the camera at the ready but don't like that when I'm hiking long distances as I still have to keep a hand on the camera and lens to keep it from swinging as I walk.

For actual backpacking I don't try to keep the camera and long lens at the ready but have it packed away inside. I might carry a smaller DSLR or MILC with a shorter lens mounted on a Peak Designs quick release attached to the waist belt or a shoulder strap but I find a big lens gets in the way and those rapid fire wildlife shooting opportunities aren't as common as I often think they'll be. I'm more likely to pull out the big lens when we stop for an extended lunch or at the next camp and prefer to shoot in the mornings and evenings when light is best anyway.
 
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Cree Native said:
I am a hiker. Both Mts and level. I'd like to take along my tamron 150-600 zoom on occasion. I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions for ways to carry the lens and maybe the lens on the camera. I have the mount that attaches to the backpack strap and it really works great. However I'm thinking that much weight on it wouldn't work well. I'd like to see what other hiker/photographers do to carry the big lenses.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

We use the Cotton Carrier system and have been very happy. Most of our vacations are spent hiking at national parks, so long hikes and a lot of use. I use a Nikon DF with Tamron 150-600 lens and haven't had a problem, it has a few places you can put a spare battery and I'm able to still wear a CamelBak for water.

Cotton Camera Carrying Systems - Quality Camera and Binocular Gear

Free your hands and protect your equipment with a Cotton Carrier. See why our harnesses, slings, and straps are trusted by the world's best photographers!
www.cottoncarrier.com www.cottoncarrier.com
 
Peak Design slide for day hikes. I also have used a home made sling attached to the shoulder strap and hooks onto the foot of a Tamron 150-600, Worked pretty good for both weight distribution and quick access.
Nowadays I only use the Peak Design "Slide" strap. Works great imho
 
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Cree Native said:
I am a hiker. Both Mts and level. I'd like to take along my tamron 150-600 zoom on occasion. I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions for ways to carry the lens and maybe the lens on the camera. I have the mount that attaches to the backpack strap and it really works great. However I'm thinking that much weight on it wouldn't work well. I'd like to see what other hiker/photographers do to carry the big lenses.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Do you mean carry it for quick access ready to shoot? Or do you mean what bag/pack to carry it in?
 
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You're stuck with the accessibility vs transport conundrum. Anything that works well for one frustrates the other. If, as I infer, you're talking about a long lens (like your 150-600), there's nothing I've seen that would allow it to be carried in comfort for any distance. Even the Black Rapid sling isn't really a hiking solution for any distance.

If quick access were the only question, a big holster or shoulder bag might be the best, but for any distance a pack is going to be your best bet. Just don't bury the lens in the bottom of the pack :)

But as DRwyoming notes, you're not likely to run into many situations where you turn the corner and without warning come face to face with Bigfoot. When I see wildlife while hiking it's always at some distance and I have time to prepare.
 
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I've gotten some good suggestions here. Thanks to ALL. Being realistic the lens probably wont go on the majority of my hikes. However local hikes I see using it more often. They usually are only around 4-5 miles so I'm leaning to a side pouch or the strap mentioned above.
As an aside for anyone interested. The camera mount made for a back pack strap is excellent. I use it all the time even when Xcountry skiing. Camera is super secure and I have a cover over it for snow protection. But usually only have a small lens on the camera. Camera can easily be accessed for a quick shot.
Again.. Thanks to All
 
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Cree Native said:
I am a hiker. Both Mts and level. I'd like to take along my tamron 150-600 zoom on occasion. I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions for ways to carry the lens and maybe the lens on the camera. I have the mount that attaches to the backpack strap and it really works great. However I'm thinking that much weight on it wouldn't work well. I'd like to see what other hiker/photographers do to carry the big lenses.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

I travel to Canada and Alaska quite a bit and had the same need. Here is what I purchased and both work in different scenarios:

VANGUARD Alta Sky 53 Camera Backpack for Sony, Nikon, Canon, DSLR, Drones, Gray
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WGSVLQL/?tag=backcogaller-20

This is a great backpack - lots of support and hold my ND850 with 500 F4 lens attached and hood set stored on the camera. It stands up well and has a top opening to pull the camera out without unzipping the main compartment. There is plenty of room for other accessories. I used it as a carry on for flights without issue. The only problem I had was while in Alaska it took some time to pull it out and set the hood. I missed a bunch of shots.

I purchased another bag that allowed for the camera, lens and hood attached.

Kinesis
L622 — PolyCore™ Long Lens Case 600 (w/ Y515 shoulder strap)
kgear.eogear.com

L622 — PolyCore™ Long Lens Case 600 (w/ shoulder strap)

Very large shoulder bag for 600/4 lenses with hood in shooting position and body detached. Also for 400/2.8 or 500/4s lenses.
kgear.eogear.com kgear.eogear.com

I am traveling back to Alaska next week and will see if there are any issues with carry on.
 
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As far as a pack for camera and hiking check out the atlas backpacks. I have the athlete atlas but I’m packing mirrorless body and 500 pf 5.6, 70-200 and sometimes 24-70. My husband is looking at the adventurer atlas as he can carry more and it’s deeper. I do like to have my camera in hand though so I’m also trying to figure out a better way to carry it when I want it out. Looking at trying this out;
www.blackrapid.com

Our Best Selling Dual Camera Harness - BLACKRAPID

This double camera harness keeps your cameras securely by your side during demanding days of shooting. Professional or not, this is one of our best sellers
www.blackrapid.com www.blackrapid.com
 
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Ajodo said:
As far as a pack for camera and hiking check out the atlas backpacks. I have the athlete atlas but I’m packing mirrorless body and 500 pf 5.6, 70-200 and sometimes 24-70. My husband is looking at the adventurer atlas as he can carry more and it’s deeper. I do like to have my camera in hand though so I’m also trying to figure out a better way to carry it when I want it out. Looking at trying this out;
www.blackrapid.com

Our Best Selling Dual Camera Harness - BLACKRAPID

This double camera harness keeps your cameras securely by your side during demanding days of shooting. Professional or not, this is one of our best sellers
www.blackrapid.com www.blackrapid.com
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I use the Black Rapids Double if I am carrying double or a light camera and lens combo single like my D850 or D500 and 500pf or Tamron 150-600 G2. I use the Black Rapids single sportx when I am carrying my D6 and 600 f/4E.
 
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You have to have the camera out or you'll miss wildlife shots.
Either the Skout or the Harness from Cotton Carrier would carry that rig ready for use, with the advantage over a sling that a hand isn't needed to stabilize it when you make sharp moves or need both hands to climb, ski, cycle or similar.
But to attach the CC hub to the lens foot requires a plate to have it above the centre of gravity. I use the long part of a cheap L-bracket.
 
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I bought the Lens Carrier System form MrJan Gear earlier this spring. I find it‘s comfortable hiking with my 500mm f4 with this system, it’s easy and fast to unclip it to open and release my camera when something happens.

mrjangear.com

Lens Carrier System - MrJan Gear

Make walking long distances with your long lens camera easy and comfortable with this simple and handy camera carrier system.
mrjangear.com mrjangear.com

 
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I like it a lot. I’ve used straps and slings in the past and this is my preferred way to hike with a long lens so far. Another thing that’s great is how easy it is to mount and unmount teleconverters when the lens rests in the lens carrier.
 
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Kjellis said:
I bought the Lens Carrier System form MrJan Gear earlier this spring. I find it‘s comfortable hiking with my 500mm f4 with this system, it’s easy and fast to unclip it to open and release my camera when something happens.

mrjangear.com

Lens Carrier System - MrJan Gear

Make walking long distances with your long lens camera easy and comfortable with this simple and handy camera carrier system.
mrjangear.com mrjangear.com

Click to expand...
it looks like it might be great ... but getting it to the USA might be a challenge.
 
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Ken Miracle said:
it looks like it might be great ... but getting it to the USA might be a challenge.
Click to expand...
Just watched the video again and checked the cost with freight to US and about twice the price of the black rapids single sport. Hard to say how long shipping would take. It also appears to be slower to deploy than the black rapids strap where all I have to do is swing it up and my left hand receives the foot and I shoot. I shoot with the tripod foot resting in the palm of my hand so I would have to modify the way the model carries it and deploys it in the video. The harness straps are not padded but there are two of them. Are the unpadded harness straps uncomfortable on your shoulders? I do like the ease of adding the TC if needed and the shoulder harness looks like it could distribute the weight to both shoulders and keep it in the middle of my body but might want to pull my torso forward of course the cross body strap puts it where it wants to pull you torso to the side.
 
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Ken Miracle said:
Just watched the video again and checked the cost with freight to US and about twice the price of the black rapids single sport. Hard to say how long shipping would take. It also appears to be slower to deploy than the black rapids strap where all I have to do is swing it up and my left hand receives the foot and I shoot. I shoot with the tripod foot resting in the palm of my hand so I would have to modify the way the model carries it and deploys it in the video. The harness straps are not padded but there are two of them. Are the unpadded harness straps uncomfortable on your shoulders? I do like the ease of adding the TC if needed and the shoulder harness looks like it could distribute the weight to both shoulders and keep it in the middle of my body but might want to pull my torso forward of course the cross body strap puts it where it wants to pull you torso to the side.
Click to expand...

I have to admit that I have most of the time used the lens carrier with a backpack, but I can’t remember feeling any discomfort using it with the harness. I agree it would be a little quicker getting the camera up using a black rapid strap. I feel the 500mm f4 is to big hanging from a strap by my side and I rather use the lens carrier and have the camera and lens more firmly attached in my front and have both my arms free. That’s a big plus for me hiking in demanding and steep terrain. I guess every system has i plus and minusess.

After ordering I got an e-mail from MrJan Gear saying they was just sold out of the flexshooter head and I would have to wait for a new batch from the manufacturer asking if they just should send me the lens carrier while I waited. I replied that I could wait and they could send it all in the same parcel. After a weeks time I got a new mail telling me my items were sent and it took six days before i got the package, most of this time where used by the customs here in Norway though…
 
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Kjellis said:
I feel the 500mm f4 is to big hanging from a strap by my side and I rather use the lens carrier and have the camera and lens more firmly attached in my front and have both my arms free.
Click to expand...

I really like the idea of having both arms free. I've used a strap and a chest harness but didn't care for those. I was thinking about a backpack but that would be slow to deploy.
 
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I agree on missed shots if the camera is in the backpack. I love some of the features of the atlas as far as a hiker camera backpack. I can take the metal frame out and change out a heavy duty waist belt to a traveling waist belt. Awesome for flying, fits right under the seat but the regular belt and metal frame go in my checked luggage. Sure makes a difference on a hike. But I definitely need something to have the lens carried on me at a quicker draw. I’ve been carrying free and it gets tiresome. I e been wondering if the black rapid would be to cumbersome especially if I’m carrying two lenses; a 500 pf 5.6 ( far lighter than the 4) and a 70-200( mirrorless series). The lens carrier looks like a good option as well and just select one lens. I like that it has an option to click on backpack or used alone.I am even thinking of both over time but the one sided black rapid instead of two. Back packs are slow to deploy. No matter the pack, if the animal and perfect shot is there for a split second and your camera is in the pack, you miss it. I think most here are talking wildlife and not landscape anyhow.
 
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DRwyoming said:
For day hikes with camera gear, food, water and rain gear I'll use a Lowepro Flipside 350 which easily carries a 150-600, 200-500 or 500mm PF attached to a camera body plus extras like another lens or extra day gear. I'll usually also have a Black Rapid strap that I can attach to the lens foot to carry the camera at the ready but don't like that when I'm hiking long distances as I still have to keep a hand on the camera and lens to keep it from swinging as I walk.

For actual backpacking I don't try to keep the camera and long lens at the ready but have it packed away inside. I might carry a smaller DSLR or MILC with a shorter lens mounted on a Peak Designs quick release attached to the waist belt or a shoulder strap but I find a big lens gets in the way and those rapid fire wildlife shooting opportunities aren't as common as I often think they'll be. I'm more likely to pull out the big lens when we stop for an extended lunch or at the next camp and prefer to shoot in the mornings and evenings when light is best anyway.
Click to expand...
Every time I have my big lens packed I seem to regret it personally.
 
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Kjellis said:
I have to admit that I have most of the time used the lens carrier with a backpack, but I can’t remember feeling any discomfort using it with the harness. I agree it would be a little quicker getting the camera up using a black rapid strap. I feel the 500mm f4 is to big hanging from a strap by my side and I rather use the lens carrier and have the camera and lens more firmly attached in my front and have both my arms free. That’s a big plus for me hiking in demanding and steep terrain. I guess every system has i plus and minusess.

After ordering I got an e-mail from MrJan Gear saying they was just sold out of the flexshooter head and I would have to wait for a new batch from the manufacturer asking if they just should send me the lens carrier while I waited. I replied that I could wait and they could send it all in the same parcel. After a weeks time I got a new mail telling me my items were sent and it took six days before i got the package, most of this time where used by the customs here in Norway though…
Click to expand...
Idaho has a lot of steep and rugged terrain from canyon lands to high mountain peaks and with sage steppe ... sometimes my free hand is pushing brush out of the way and other times running a bird app on my iphone. I am double checking with Think/Tank Mind Shift to make sure they do not have something similar either now or in the works for their harness system that is currently aimed lenses half the size of my 600.
 
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