This is just about the coolest innovation I've seen:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...lster?ref=live

Originally Posted by Quincy T This is just about the coolest innovation I've seen: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...lster?ref=live

Very cool, at least when you're in a non-dusty non-raining environment... Probably great for indoor weddings/parties.
However, I cannot imagine using it in slot canyons of AZ, rains on Boston, or dry lakes of Mojave...

For some scenarios, possibly ... wonder how it'd fare when kneeling / crouching / lying ...and as for even small(ish) telephotos (eg 300 f4) ...
As for being low down and close to water ...

pp

Interesting idea..

How would your hip fare to sizely/heavy lenses in a wedding setting? The 24-70 2.8and 70-200 2.8 in particular.
I can't imagine have an almost foot-long lens on my hip, along with other lenses.

I assume it'd have no problems with any lens below 85mm.

I'll add... it seems there is no lock on the "Qwikdraw", to keep the lens from twisting off. This would be main gripe/concern. Wonder how a $1000+ lens would fare being dropped from waist level?

Originally Posted by Seymore I'll add... it seems there is no lock on the "Qwikdraw", to keep the lens from twisting off. This would be main gripe/concern. Wonder how a $1000+ lens would fare being dropped from waist level?

If you read the bit carefully, it indicates that a turn of anymore than 5 degrees will keep the lens in place.

I don't know if there's a lock, I guess. I'd imagine the amount of torque required to remove the lens from your side is more than your likely to experience in the settings that you would use the Quikdraw in. Settings like Nikolai pointed out.

But @ 4 deg? Sorry, not sold on me. Don't get me wrong... it's a good idea, but it's still in development. I'd be in the "wait-n-see" group.

If there is no lock it's a stillborn baby.

Wow, that's ridiculous... Lenses completely exposed, possibly no locking function, and enormous risk of flat-out dropping a lens on concrete, un-capped and just begging for hundreds of dollars in damage.

My Spider holster (which I love) is already at the threshold of "risking damage for the sake of easy access and relieving shoulder / neck pain"... This is past that threshold, for me. It's also well past the threshold of dorkiness, for my taste.

Nothing beats the Spider Holster and a Waist Shooter from Undfind... :-)


=Matt=

What Matt said. First thing I noticed in the video is that he just turned the lens a little bit. No lock? Pffft. That would worry me enough right there. I use a hand grip to hold my camera as I walk around and I'm freaked when something on my rig just brushes against a rivet on my blue jeans. Having a four figure lens(es) exposed in free space like that? Too risky. I have to admit though, that the idea, while I think may be flawed, is a novel one.

I guess we'll see what happens if he reaches his required amount of funds.

I think it would defeinteiyl be useful for smaller primes

Whilst I've no interest in this because of what I usually use and the way I use it, my take on the info / vid is that the lens is held in the rig by the same mount with similar locking as it's mounted on the cam body.

At the point of mounting / dismounting the lens in the QD (lens axis horizontal) the lens isn't locked into the QD housing - but as soon as the mounted lens (in the QD housing) rotates thro 5 deg on its way to hanging down, it's locked - presumably using a similar system (pin) as provided by a cam body.

For one-handed operation this makes sense (to me), since it means that the hand (un)mounting the lens in the QD receptacle only has to do a twist action ... rather than a press unlock + twist action.

pp

Originally Posted by Matthew Saville Wow, that's ridiculous... Lenses completely exposed, possibly no locking function, and enormous risk of flat-out dropping a lens on concrete, un-capped and just begging for hundreds of dollars in damage. My Spider holster (which I love) is already at the threshold of "risking damage for the sake of easy access and relieving shoulder / neck pain"... This is past that threshold, for me. It's also well past the threshold of dorkiness, for my taste. Nothing beats the Spider Holster and a Waist Shooter from Undfind... :-) =Matt=

Okay. I just learned about the Spider Holster, and that is awesome. Now I just need $235...

Originally Posted by Quincy T Okay. I just learned about the Spider Holster, and that is awesome. Now I just need $235...

Start with $49, for the black widow. They say it's only for lighter cameras, but as long as you've got a hefty belt I've safely mounted a D700 and 24-70 / 70-200 on it. Then if you like the system and want to get the pro holster belt, you can slap the black widow on the other side of the belt for double-camera action!

=Matt=

Originally Posted by Matthew Saville Start with $49, for the black widow. They say it's only for lighter cameras, but as long as you've got a hefty belt I've safely mounted a D700 and 24-70 / 70-200 on it. Then if you like the system and want to get the pro holster belt, you can slap the black widow on the other side of the belt for double-camera action! =Matt=

I'll have to give it a try Matt! Thanks for the tip.

With your pledge you will be supporting the following efforts: Tooling and hard molds are needed for a production run.

Yep, that what 99.999999999% of new inventors want to do..make a mold and cast them
Then all of their investment is in the mold..no money left to do a decent run of parts..so off to china to have it cast "economically".
Parts have inclusions at just the wrong place..lens hits concrete at just over the speed of light..photog hits the internet at just over the speed of light..complete with close up pictures of the broken lens and holster..inventor hides in shame.
But at least he will have a new mold to keep him company.

Ok just watched the vid..hes an engineer
Plus just don't like the basic idea of all that weight hanging on your belt/waist.
My pants would hit the ground in the first 10 minutes..nobody wants that..nobody
Gary

Looks like he got sufficent backers.
Updated info / vid, btw :)

pp

Ahhh, the trampoline test. I was hoping for a tucked somersault or two for a more thorough and vigorous evaluation.

I looked at the site and videos. There is a locking mechanism that will not allow the lens to come off unless it's in "state 1", which is the up position.

That concern aside, personally, I don't want to advertise to a potential thief that I have 6k+ in lenses (that he can now easily see - no guess work on his part), that can be his if he hits me in the head while I'm busy shooting.