Carrying a 200-500mm or similar

Rivergoat

Senior Member
Recent shoot I rented the Nikon 200-500mm for my D500. Nice lens; deciding if I would buy that one, or perhaps the Tamron 150-600mm (which I'll rent in the future).

Anyway, my arm was pretty sore carrying that Nikon around most of the day. What is the best recommendation for transport? Next shoot I may consider leaving it on the body, but also on the mono pod, slung over my shoulder. The shoots are better for monos than a tripod, by the way.

Just interested in others' thoughts on getting the shot without straining a tendon or two....
 

hark

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What kind of strap are you currently using? At a minimum, you should be using one that connects to the tripod socket of a lens' collar.

I don't know what options are available for such a long lens, but for my lenses, I have a Think Tank Holster. It is a belt that allows holster cases to be attached. The weight is carried around my waist/hips.

Doing a quick search online, there appears to be harnesses that allow a camera/lens to be carried similarly to a reverse backpack. I don't have any experience with those though. Hopefully others will be able to give you additional options. :)
 
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Rivergoat

Senior Member
Thanks; because it's just a rental lens, it was without a harness/strap other than the standard camera strap (a robust one, of the 1960s style (but a current strap made from seat belt material). Perhaps I will look at the rental company for a harness as well.

After I test lenses, I would consider what long glass to eventually purchase.

Thanks for the response.
 

hark

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Thanks; because it's just a rental lens, it was without a harness/strap other than the standard camera strap (a robust one, of the 1960s style (but a current strap made from seat belt material). Perhaps I will look at the rental company for a harness as well.

After I test lenses, I would consider what long glass to eventually purchase.

Thanks for the response.

When using a traditional strap of any type that attaches to a body's lugs, you run the risk of damaging the body's mount where the lens attaches. This only applies when the weight of a lens exceeds the weight of the body and is especially important for lenses that are very heavy. The weight of the lens pulls on the mount and can adversely affect the communication between the body and lens.

Earlier this year I saw a woman carrying a Nikon body with the 200-500mm hanging from the original Nikon strap. After asking if she knew about straps for the tripod socket, she had no idea this could happen.

Definitely check out some type of harness. That might be your best option.
 

Chris@sabor

Senior Member
You definitely want a strap that connects to the lens foot for handheld. I do wildlife photography almost exclusively. The best setup for me is a monopod with a Neewer gimbal head. There is a video on youtube by Steve Perry I think where he discusses this setup. Works very well in most circumstances...
 

Roy1961

Senior Member
Contributor
you will notice a big difference with a Black Rapid strap (or similar) i don't feel any weight even on a 3 hour walk with my 50-500.
 

Rivergoat

Senior Member
I have watched Steve Perry's video on gimbal; I don't think a gimbal would be in my budget right now, but I do have a ball head, and he showed how to do an add-on to that which will help.

I also researched the Blackrapid straps, the Sport Breathe being an interesting one.. Because I often use a mono or tripod (Manfrotto w/quick release plate), I don't want to remove a strap during setup, too paranoid of having the gear with no support for even a few moments (and I also like their optional safety tether to add onto the system). There was a video I saaw on line last evening describing the 3 Legged Thing L-Bracket that is a universal fit, and allows the strap to be attached to its side while keeping the QR plate attached to the base of the body. That sounds promising; doesn't deal with long lenses where I want the QR plate on the lens, but understand that support from the foot of the lens is a preferred method for proper weight distribution, in carrying, and mounting on a pod.

I've always done well with a strong neck strap (I have a custom Souldier strap), but have not gotten much into heavy lenses before. The Tamron 70-200m seems fine with just a neck strap, and I can mount to a pod from its foot; the lens does not appear overly long/heavy that poor weight distribution to the camera mount is an issue. Not going to be the case with a bigger piece of glass. If a limited day rental, I think I can get away with a second strap connecting to the longer glass, giving needed support (and taking away the strain from my arm), but the right combination on something such as Blackrapid is something I continue to consider (I wrote them with my overall questions and recommendations, their responses seem good, they made an initial recommendation to me quickly, and after the holiday weekend expect them to address my next questions).

Thanks for the responses on all this....
 

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
I have watched Steve Perry's video on gimbal; I don't think a gimbal would be in my budget right now, but I do have a ball head, and he showed how to do an add-on to that which will help.


but the right combination on something such as Blackrapid is something I continue to consider (I wrote them with my overall questions and recommendations, their responses seem good, they made an initial recommendation to me quickly, and after the holiday weekend expect them to address my next questions).

Thanks for the responses on all this....

Keep us posted on what BR tells you. We are interested also.
 

nikonpup

Senior Member
6868GREY-INFO-2_600x.jpg
​check out "cotton carrier" their web site and videos on you tube.
 

Rivergoat

Senior Member
Coming up with a plan. Manfrotto confirmed my ball head (the older 486) has a locktite-like connection to the plate; it is obvious there is no screw to the plate, it is tight threaded from the ball's threaded stud. Selling that one, and found a brand new 496 model at 30% less than all other retail I'd seen. It does have a screw holding the plate. So then, the Sunwayfoto MAC14 plate will allow Manfrotto quick release or Arca Swiss; and easily fits to that model's ball head (and is so much less expensive than going to a full Arca Swiss head).

The 3 Legged Thing L-Bracket will fit to the system (FB series for gripped cameras), and allow through a threaded port on the vertical side, a connection point to a strap, without connecting to the base of the camera body (the bracket will attach to the head). I was questioning the idea of a strap that takes up the base leaving me no way to attach to a tripod or monopod without removing the strap every time.

Black Rapid Breathe Sport will connect to the L-bracket, and give the support for longer lenses. I was going to hold a bit, but there's a 15% off sale for the next few days, so that made sense to bite now.

Then, as not wanting to always forego the Souldier retro-style strap, the Peak Design quick release connectors.

Oh, it costs a bit to put this all together, but when dealing with $2K of body/grip, and thousands towards quality glass, it's a bargain...and the fact that 3 weeks after wrestling a 200-500mm Nikon my arm is only just starting to feel better. This should be a very viable, long standing solution.
 

editorial_use_only

Senior Member
Yes I do the same things.

Monopod, ballhead, QR plate, 200-500. Tighten up the ballhead, carry over my shoulder. I bought some pipe insulate foam at Home Depot and gaff taped that around the monopod to make it softer on my shoulder.

And, I have a BlackRapid sling strap. I almost never use it. If you do, get in the habit of checking that the screw is tight, and it is secure in the lens foot.

And, I put it in a backpack. And I have the Ape Case ACPROLC18. That case has a shoulder strap. I sometimes carry the lens/camera inside that case, though a D3 body and the 200-500 is a very very tight fit. You can close the case lid, but barely, and there will be gaps.
 

Danno

Senior Member
I use a Cotton Carrier System, like @nikonpup recommended, when I have my 200-500 or even my 70-200 for a extended period of time. It is well balanced and leaves me with two hands free to walk and nothing bounces around. I do walk with a cane. I have tried about all carrying methods and this one works best for me. I will pack a mono pod over my shoulder and a three legged stool sometimes.

The rest of the time, when I am carrying the Z6 with the 24-70 or something comparable, I use Peak Design Leash. That works well also.

I considered adding a Gimbal Head, but the one I have adds a lot of weight to the Monopod so I have stuck with a ball head for now. It is rough when you get a bit broke down.
 

nikonpup

Senior Member
i use a cotton carrier system, like @nikonpup recommended, when i have my 200-500 or even my 70-200 for a extended period of time. It is well balanced and leaves me with two hands free to walk and nothing bounces around. I do walk with a cane. I have tried about all carrying methods and this one works best for me. I will pack a mono pod over my shoulder and a three legged stool sometimes.

The rest of the time, when i am carrying the z6 with the 24-70 or something comparable, i use peak design leash. That works well also.

I considered adding a gimbal head, but the one i have adds a lot of weight to the monopod so i have stuck with a ball head for now. It is rough when you get a bit broke down.
​amen.
 

Hobbit

Senior Member
doing a search came up with this thread, i currently use a PD strap with my d5300 , one attachment to the body and one to the tripod mount for the lens.
as i'm about to change to a D500 i was looking for something a bit more robust.
it would be D500 and Sigma 150-600C, i thought about the digital holster 150 from think tank but it looks a faff to unzip unless you walk with it unzipped and it looks rater bulky. this cotton carriers looks interesting as your hardly going to walk into stuff :) and i have similar set up for my motorbike ruck sack and the weight on your chest is much better and less fatiguing
 
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Danno

Senior Member
I used Cotton Carrier when I carry mine. it is much easier to handle. I use it for the 200-500 0r my 70-200. it frees up my hands. I do keep a PD strap attached. I do not pack the 200-500 much because of the weight. It is more a Tripod Queen now.
 

Hobbit

Senior Member
I used Cotton Carrier when I carry mine. it is much easier to handle. I use it for the 200-500 0r my 70-200. it frees up my hands. I do keep a PD strap attached. I do not pack the 200-500 much because of the weight. It is more a Tripod Queen now.
how comfy is the Cotton Carrier ?
 

hark

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i thought about the digital holster 150 from think tank but it looks a faff to unzip unless you walk with it unzipped and it looks rater bulky.

I don't own one of the super zooms such as the 150-600mm, but I do own the Think Tank belt and use a couple different size holsters for body/lens combos. In fact, I tend to use the holsters more than taking a regular camera bag with me. You can leave the lid unzipped but keep the flap over the camera when wearing the holster attached to the belt. That way it will keep dust from getting inside the compartment but still make it easy to grab.

However typically I only wear the belt/hostler if I am carrying more than one body/lens combo. Otherwise, I just use a Blackrapid Sport Strap (the ambidextrous one with a rubber shoulder pad). Whatever strap you use, be sure it attaches to the tripod foot of the lens, not the bottom of the camera's body. With that much weight to the lens, you run the risk of stressing the body's mount when a strap is attached to the body directly.

No matter what you get, most likely you will still want some type of strap.
 

Danno

Senior Member
how comfy is the Cotton Carrier ?

That is what I like about it the best. It takes the weight and balances it across my chest and shoulders. Once I got it set up it was very comfortable. I could walk around with it on my chest as long as I wanted. I am a pretty big guy so when using the lens foot as the mount point it gets it close to my chin but that never bothered me. It was much more comfortable than any strap digging into my neck.
 
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