Cotton Carrier harness

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MikeJ said:
Steven and Steven (@ssheipel and @sh1209) - you both mention carrying a 600mm f4 on here. I believe the Sony 600mm GM and the Nikon Z 600mm TC are both quite a bit lighter than my 600mm f4 G. Do your lenses balance well? I have the Nikon strap on mine, it's still far too heavy for any hikes of any distance. Guess I can't imagine my 600 G with FTZ II on a Z9 is going to feel that comfy! Although I'd probably be able to walk up some very steep hills...
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I don't sense any 'balance' weight when the kit in the Cotton Carrier; other than as with any shoulder harness weight bearing (e.g. backpack) other than at the shoulders -- for me there is no sense of I want to fall flat on my face 'cause the weight is hanging on my chest. If that's what you mean. But I think, as I typed that, you might mean balance on the camera :) As for that the z600 is remarkably balanced certainly for me compared to my 180-400 with ftz -- it's like night and day hand holding them, or even carrying them by the lens foot (and that difference is clearly about balance (e.g. the 180-400 is heavier than my 600.)
 
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Dawatm said:
I think they just released an arca swiss foot adapter. https://www.cottoncarrier.com/colle...roducts/telephoto-wimberly-head-adapter-plate
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Yah, I've got the adapter; just creates more 'layers' and a need for screw hole size thingys if I want to securely fasten it. Cotton Carrier needs to produce a version designed for those who carry their gear by the lens foot (vs camera body) and make that version arca swiss. Will require re engineering/innovation so unlikely to happen :) Oh, and the adapter still has to have the hub put on it, btw. But others have commented here, those with much better engineering and spatial thinking, and have worked around the hub on the arca swiss foot/adapter.
 
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cchuck said:
Yes, with Cotton Carrier hub mounted onto the foot. I swapped the Nikon foot for a Wimberley Arca-Swiss foot and use a Kirk Quick Release to which a hub is mounted and secure the Quick Release to the replacement foot. Photo shows it with 800PF and foot rotated for hand carrying. For mounting on the CC Vest, the foot gets rotated beneath the lens. Using a QR makes it easier to move the hub between my 800 PF and 6090TCView attachment 79826
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Well, there you go! Thanks.
 
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KurtH said:
Well alrighty then, now you're just showing off all that sweet camera gear...NICE! Camera, jacket, gloves, goggles...kinda looks like an advertisement :).
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Gawd knows I'm pretty enough to do ads LOL Only thing I spend more on than camera gear is technical outdoor clothing :)
 
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sh1209 said:
Not at all. I can hike rough terrain with two camera bodies and lenses with zero issues.
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What Steve says; I've found I'm even putting the gear back into the Carrier when I have to climb up or down rough spots or river banks etc. Find it doesn't affect my balance at all and frees of my hands/arms.
 
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ssheipel said:
I don't sense any 'balance' weight when the kit in the Cotton Carrier; other than as with any shoulder harness weight bearing (e.g. backpack) other than at the shoulders -- for me there is no sense of I want to fall flat on my face 'cause the weight is hanging on my chest. If that's what you mean. But I think, as I typed that, you might mean balance on the camera :) As for that the z600 is remarkably balanced certainly for me compared to my 180-400 with ftz -- it's like night and day hand holding them, or even carrying them by the lens foot (and that difference is clearly about balance (e.g. the 180-400 is heavier than my 600.)
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Thanks, Steven, this is exactly what I meant. My G-version is almost 11.5 pounds, so with the FTZ and Z9, I was concerned about "falling" forward. Though I suppose it's probably not much different than carrying that combo in my Lens Trekker.

Thanks again for this!
 
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MN shutterbug said:
Interesting timing. I put the harness in my B&H wish list yesterday and today the price dropped $19. Does $109 sound like a good price? This would be for the 1 camera harness.
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That's a great price, I paid $149 a few years ago. I would advise getting a couple extra lugs and safety straps down the road so you're not constantly having to switch them out.
 
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MN shutterbug said:
Switch what out?
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The lug for the lens foot. I leave them attached to multiple lenses, otherwise you will have to unscrew that lug and transfer it to each and every lens or camera body that you use. I have bought like five of them that I keep on different lens feet so I don’t have to keep switching them out but it’s totally up to you. It just makes it easier having two or three extras.
 
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This item right here
www.cottoncarrier.com

CCS Hub - Flat

Flat, indestructible, friction-free, hard-anodized aluminum hub. Only required if you need a spare or have lost your Cotton Carrier hub. Shop now, click for more info.
www.cottoncarrier.com www.cottoncarrier.com
 
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sh1209 said:
The lug for the lens foot. I leave them attached to multiple lenses, otherwise you will have to unscrew that lug and transfer it to each and every lens or camera body that you use. I have bought like five of them that I keep on different lens feet so I don’t have to keep switching them out but it’s totally up to you. It just makes it easier having two or three extras.
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I intend to use it for just the 1 camera and lens combo. I have a Spider holster for another camera and wide angle lens. Thanks for the tip though.
 
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MikeJ said:
That brings up an interesting point - I see there's also a 10 degree hub, purportedly for cameras with grip or longer lenses. Is this necessary?
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I’ve only used the standard ones so not sure about that. I highly recommend using the included tethers because it has saved my $13k lens and body twice. Both times were from slipping while holding the camera. I use the peak design cords attached to the cotton carrier tethers.
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MikeJ said:
That brings up an interesting point - I see there's also a 10 degree hub, purportedly for cameras with grip or longer lenses. Is this necessary?
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Mike, I believe I contacted them a year or so ago about the angled hub (for Z9) and they said that they recommend the straight one and it is now de facto. Might be old stock.
 
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sh1209 said:
I’ve only used the standard ones so not sure about that. I highly recommend using the included tethers because it has saved my $13k lens and body twice. Both times were from slipping while holding the camera. I use the peak design cords attached to the cotton carrier tethers.
View attachment 79863
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Definite yes re tether (of some sort). I use my peak design strap and have it attached on the lens. I've nearly dropped my camera a couple times already when moving to put in or after taking it out of the Carrier LOL (I laugh so I don't cry :) ).
 
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ssheipel said:
Based on Steve's experience and reco I got the Cotton Carrier vest and have been carrying my Z9 and 600 tc with it for the past few outings. It's simply great; hands free carrying, but right there when needed. The only thing bugs me (but I'm happy to live with it cause it truly makes carrying the long lens a breeze) is I've got to unscrew the Cotton Carrier thingy from my arca swiss lens foot if I'm going to use the tripod. I'm certain I'll lose the allen wrench if not the thingy itself in the snow or undrbrush at some point LOL.
View attachment 79773
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Cotton Carrier now has a plate to put on the lens foot that is arca Swiss compatible and one puts hob on that plate. Plate is $79. I’ve suggested to them to put QD on bottom and they are interested, as one of their staff and I have texted back and forth a couple of times! 👍
 
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ssheipel said:
Yah, I've got the adapter; just creates more 'layers' and a need for screw hole size thingys if I want to securely fasten it. Cotton Carrier needs to produce a version designed for those who carry their gear by the lens foot (vs camera body) and make that version arca swiss. Will require re engineering/innovation so unlikely to happen :) Oh, and the adapter still has to have the hub put on it, btw. But others have commented here, those with much better engineering and spatial thinking, and have worked around the hub on the arca swiss foot/adapter.
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See my reply above. They do have a 7” arca Swiss plate for $79 that accepts Hub and they are considering adding QD socket as well.👍
 
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I have tried but am not able to use the Cotton Carrier. I am tall 6-3 and weigh around 220.

The Cotton Carrier rides too high on my back and I end up with mid back pain carrying a heavy load.

My preferred choice for hiking is a combination of a custom backpack and Blackrapid straps.
 
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