How do you lug around your big prime lens?

[MEhampshire]

I just carry my Canon 500mm F4 MKI IS by it's lens foot or attached on the tripod but it gets a quite tiresome specially when moving around for a period of time. I do have Vanguard Alta 68 bag which I use often but sometimes I don't want to bring it specially when I'm just going somewhere close/local.

I've gone through some threads and got mixed results of what people uses, some uses BR sling, Peak design, Mr Jan or their own version. Which system do you prefer to use?

I've been looking at Peak design but my worry is that if you attach it at the base of the camera and lens attachments then it's pointing downwards. I'm afraid that mud/dirt will flick up through the front-element but that's probably just me over thinking, another thing it'd dangling on my waist and I'm not that tall 5'7" .

I like the idea of Mr Jan lens carrier but unfortunately I can't get them in the UK, would have to import it then export it when it doesn't suit my need or after sale service.

Any other recommendations that I can take a look at?

Thanks

 

[nmerc_photos]

The two easiest and most comfortable methods I've found are attach it to a monopod and sling it over my shoulder, or use the Peak Design sling and carry it across my body, ending next to my waist.

You should NEVER attach the Peak Design to the body... that's way too much stress with a massive 500 MK I. Attach it to the lens as it's intended. It'll balance nearly perfectly level at your waist.

I've tried these as well, but they didn't work for me:

Cotton Carrier chest mount - on the big lenses this feels awkward to me. works great on small ones
Mr Jan Boris lens carrier system - works well, but is too noisy/cumbersome to get the camera out when needed
Various backpacks - great for getting to destination (plane, car, etc.) but not great in the field, takes too long to deploy

 

[Larry Shuman]

I just carry my Canon 500mm F4 MKI IS by it's lens foot or attached on the tripod but it gets a quite tiresome specially when moving around for a period of time. I do have Vanguard Alta 68 bag which I use often but sometimes I don't want to bring it specially when I'm just going somewhere close/local.

I've gone through some threads and got mixed results of what people uses, some uses BR sling, Peak design, Mr Jan or their own version. Which system do you prefer to use?

I've been looking at Peak design but my worry is that if you attach it on the body and lens attachments then it's pointing downwards. I'm afraid that mud/dirt will flick up through the front-element but that's probably just me over thinking, another thing it'd dangling on my waist and I'm not that tall 5'7" .

I like the idea of Mr Jan lens carrier but unfortunately I can't get them in the UK, would have to import it then export it when it doesn't suit my need or after sale service.

Any other recommendations that I can take a look at?

Thanks

I use a Runners buggy. It has bike type wheels. I can carry 2 supertele's 2 tripods, chair and a little cooler that I hang over the handle. You can get one at a used baby store that sell this stuff. I have one in my truck and another one in my car trunk. I paid only $50 for either one. I'm 76 and this makes me to go so much easy.

 

[tigger4t]

I recently bought a Cotton Carrier G3 for my Z8 + Z800 f6.3 and it is a real game changer after carrying this this rig and my old D850 + Sigma 500mm f4 on a monopod over my shoulder. I don't find it at all awkward even though I am vertically challenged (OK, short). It is much easier to deploy and shoot and the weight is spread over both shoulders rather than just one. I add various Peak Design and ThinkTank elements depending on what I'm shooting.

I carried it on and off for 6 hours today - including shooting of course.

 

[MEhampshire]

The two easiest and most comfortable methods I've found are attach it to a monopod and sling it over my shoulder, or use the Peak Design sling and carry it across my body, ending next to my waist.

You should NEVER attach the Peak Design to the body... that's way too much stress with a massive 500 MK I. Attach it to the lens as it's intended. It'll balance nearly perfectly level at your waist.

I've tried these as well, but they didn't work for me:

Cotton Carrier chest mount - on the big lenses this feels awkward to me. works great on small ones
Mr Jan Boris lens carrier system - works well, but is too noisy/cumbersome to get the camera out when needed
Various backpacks - great for getting to destination (plane, car, etc.) but not great in the field, takes too long to deploy

Ah sorry I wasn't so clear when I said body, I meant at the base of it not one of those hooks on the body. So you've settled with peak design rather than those body carriers?

 

[MEhampshire]

I recently bought a Cotton Carrier G3 for my Z8 + Z800 f6.3 and it is a real game changer after carrying this this rig and my old D850 + Sigma 500mm f4 on a monopod over my shoulder. I don't find it at all awkward even though I am vertically challenged (OK, short). It is much easier to deploy and shoot and the weight is spread over both shoulders rather than just one. I add various Peak Design and ThinkTank elements depending on what I'm shooting.

I carried it on and off for 6 hours today - including shooting of course.

hmm I'm surprised it's not awkward carrying it in front of you considering 800pf is quite long with the hood attached, no? yeah I carry it over my shoulder and ends with sore shoulder :(.

 

[Wes Peterson]

In my right hand, sometimes my left hand.

 

[tigger4t]

hmm I'm surprised it's not awkward carrying it in front of you considering 800pf is quite long with the hood attached, no? yeah I carry it over my shoulder and ends with sore shoulder :(.

If I need to pick up my pace I angle the lens but otherwise carry it pointing down but I use the Gimbal Plate to keep the body away from my face. Beats a sore shoulder every time.

 

[screeners2]

I just carry my Canon 500mm F4 MKI IS by it's lens foot or attached on the tripod but it gets a quite tiresome specially when moving around for a period of time. I do have Vanguard Alta 68 bag which I use often but sometimes I don't want to bring it specially when I'm just going somewhere close/local.

I've gone through some threads and got mixed results of what people uses, some uses BR sling, Peak design, Mr Jan or their own version. Which system do you prefer to use?

I've been looking at Peak design but my worry is that if you attach it at the base of the camera and lens attachments then it's pointing downwards. I'm afraid that mud/dirt will flick up through the front-element but that's probably just me over thinking, another thing it'd dangling on my waist and I'm not that tall 5'7" .

I like the idea of Mr Jan lens carrier but unfortunately I can't get them in the UK, would have to import it then export it when it doesn't suit my need or after sale service.

Any other recommendations that I can take a look at?

Thanks

Cotton Carrier G3 - game changer for me!

I’m a 64 year old woman 5’2” and I lug the Nikon 200-500.

 

[nmerc_photos]

Ah sorry I wasn't so clear when I said body, I meant at the base of it not one of those hooks on the body. So you've settled with peak design rather than those body carriers?

Even using the base of the body is a bad idea. Creates a lot of stress on the mount... discussed in this thread:

Is this a safe setup for a strap's anchor points?

In regards to the photo below, is that an ok arrangement when it comes to concerns about potentially damaging the lens mount? For some background, I'd previously been using a PeakDesign slide arranged with one PD QD attached to the body's strap mounts, and the other PD QD end attached to the...

bcgforums.com

Yes, my favorite if I'm handholding is the PD strap. if I need stabilization, I use the monopod/tripod over the shoulder.

In my experience, the body carriers work great for small lenses, but are awkward at best for long lenses. Some other people disagree though

 

[SoCalRick]

I use either a Peak Design or BlackRapid shoulder strap in combination with a QD connector that locks into the lens foot. Instead of a QD connector, you could use a carabiner clip with a screw attachment for the lens foot, but that is less friendly for quick transfers to a tripod, or gimbal head.

This method results in the camera hanging by your side at hip level, with the lens pointing backwards.

With this setup, you can also add in some safety tethers for extra security, either attached to the camera body, or to an extra anchor lugs on your lens (if it has them), or both.

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

I echo @SoCalRick except I made a change from Peak to the Magpul MS4® Dual QD Sling GEN2 for two reasons: Rig sits more flat against the body with the way the QD connectors attach and two I can make quick one handed changes in length. The concept is similar.

I previously used the Peak Design Capture Clip with the Pro Pad. I think it is better suited for smaller lenses.

 

[MEhampshire]

I use either a Peak Design or BlackRapid shoulder strap in combination with a QD connector that locks into the lens foot. You can use a carabiner clip with screw attachment for this as well, but that is less friendly for quick transfers to a tripod, or gimbal head.

This method results in the camera hanging by your side at hip level, with the lens pointing backwards.

With this setup, you can also add in some safety tethers for extra security, either attached to the camera body, or to an extra anchor lugs on your lens (if it has them), or both.

Ah thanks, the aftermarket lens foot I ordered don't have QD socket on it.

Just two 1/4" and loop holes for straps/PD anchors, so I guess I can tether it on the foot and PD on the lens d-rings. Any suggestion to what to use to add extra tether that'll fit.

Not my photo.

 

[SoCalRick]

Here's one tether product that I use: BlackRapid Camera Safety Tether II

One way I use these tethers is to mount a Peak Design Anchor Connector to a desired anchor point on my camera or lens, and then clip the BR tether to the PD anchor.

You can do lots of "Macgyvering" using various combinations of PD anchors and tethers.

 

[SoCalRick]

Ah thanks, the aftermarket lens foot I ordered don't have QD socket on it.

Just two 1/4" and loop holes for straps/PD anchors, so I guess I can tether it on the foot and PD on the lens d-rings. Any suggestion to what to use to add extra tether that'll fit.

Not my photo.

View attachment 101887

You could use a strap like this with that lens foot: BlackRapid Sport Breathe Camera Strap. It has a 1/4"-20 Male Screw attachment to connect it to the lens foot.

 

[threesixty]

I’m covering a lot of rough ground and often need both hands free to climb, so I want the camera to be center-mass or I’ll be miserable after a kilometer or two. Straps inevitably get painful over distance.
So I use the Cotton Carrier, even for longer lenses such as the 400 2.8 TC.

If I’m just doodling around the park or near the car, I often just carry the lens by the tripod foot.

For the long lenses, when hiking quickly, the Cotton Carrier generates a certain amount of, um, testicle-knocking .
So I hold the lens at a slight angle by the end of the hood when I don’t need both hands, or I use an extra cinch strap with a plastic hook on the end if I’m really motoring to cover ground.

There are also sling systems I’ve seen people here use that load the camera horizontally across your front.
They look interesting, and would protect your family jewels. But I like the fact that the Cotton Carrier lets me bring the camera to shooting position in less than 2 seconds.

My one conceern with the Cotton Carrier is that the mount is plastic and so I inspect it regularly for wear and fatigue.
I‘d prefer if the mount was aluminum.

 

[Dhoshide]

I have the Nikon 500f4 and Sony 600f4, using Peak Design Slide on each one. I am getting older so have added a Gitzo monopod with Wimberley Swiss-arca plate after watching Steve Perry’s video on monopod setup. If you get a chance, give it a watch- excellent advice and easy to mimic.

 

[Roaring 40s]

Cotton Carrier harness.

Leaves my hands free - to clamber around on a ship when doing a pelagic and sometimes when out XC skiing.

 

[Hobbzz]

Cotton carrier for A1 + 400 2.8 + 1.4tc. 8 or 9 lbs total iirc. Not bad at all. The camera will want to turn though, so I kinda keep a hand on it to steady it.

 

[Roaring 40s]

The Cotton Carrier Skout is also worth considering for lighter units.

I used the harness for up to 4.5kg and the Skout for up to 3kg. The Skout, at least my model, has the advantage of being wearable offset so you can easily see where you're putting your feet (or skis). I'm not sure whether the current model allows this.

In both cases you need to fix a plate to the lens foot to mount the hub on. The hub has to be above the centre of gravity of the rig to hang right.

 

[ajrmd]

People either love or hate cotton canvas carriers. I fall into the later camp and prefer QD’s

 

[viper699]

I recently bought a Cotton Carrier G3 for my Z8 + Z800 f6.3 and it is a real game changer after carrying this this rig and my old D850 + Sigma 500mm f4 on a monopod over my shoulder. I don't find it at all awkward even though I am vertically challenged (OK, short). It is much easier to deploy and shoot and the weight is spread over both shoulders rather than just one. I add various Peak Design and ThinkTank elements depending on what I'm shooting.

I carried it on and off for 6 hours today - including shooting of course.

I heard from some their quality went down, like the stitching - saw some pics.

How’s yours?

 

[viper699]

I just carry my Canon 500mm F4 MKI IS by it's lens foot or attached on the tripod but it gets a quite tiresome specially when moving around for a period of time. I do have Vanguard Alta 68 bag which I use often but sometimes I don't want to bring it specially when I'm just going somewhere close/local.

I've gone through some threads and got mixed results of what people uses, some uses BR sling, Peak design, Mr Jan or their own version. Which system do you prefer to use?

I've been looking at Peak design but my worry is that if you attach it at the base of the camera and lens attachments then it's pointing downwards. I'm afraid that mud/dirt will flick up through the front-element but that's probably just me over thinking, another thing it'd dangling on my waist and I'm not that tall 5'7" .

I like the idea of Mr Jan lens carrier but unfortunately I can't get them in the UK, would have to import it then export it when it doesn't suit my need or after sale service.

Any other recommendations that I can take a look at?

Thanks

I use a Magpul strap for now- quite new in using it. I asked a 3rd party lens foot vendor to make a plate with 2 QD sockets.
Z8 body, 600mmPF and z 180-600mm and z 100-400- so far it works. Used to be PD with a lighter kit I prefer how the PD strap attaches with lighter lenses.

After doing extensive research I learned 3 things

1. What works for me may not for you
2 No matter what method I use PD or Mag etc there’s always something to give one concern after reading stories on the net
3 For eons I’ve always insured my gear- that’s the best piece of mind for me

 

[maikm]

Either in hand, or with a Peak Design "Slide" attached to the lens diagonally over the shoulder. Rarely on a tripod or monopod over the shoulder.

When in hand, I switch hands every once in a while, and also sometimes carry it upright standing in my hand, leaning against the shoulder, maybe with the other hand on the handle.

 

[Garfield]

If it's too long a hike on a tripod over-my-shoulder or on my blackrapid sport strap, I use a Kinesis long lens backpack case, but any appropriately sized backpack will do.