Carrying two bodies, how?
M38A1
Registered Users Posts: 1,317 Major grins
Now that I have a second body so I don't have to keep changing lenses, what's the general preferred method to carrying two with a lens on each? I'm shooting some sporting events coming up (triathlons) for some practice so I'll have my 24-70 and 70-200.
Pics and names of the gear in action would also be great!
Pics and names of the gear in action would also be great!
0
Comments
There are plenty of dual mount belt holsters available for 2x body shooters though.
http://www.slrlounge.com/spider-camera-holster-review
Stuff like this but with a clip on each side.
I have an Optech neck strap + sling adapter on my secondary camera, the xsi, and wear that one across my body.
They do "cross" each other, but the sling is long enough that it's easy to manage the. Very comfortable and easy to access both bodies.
I use two optech straps, set for different lengths, the longer length somewhat lower than usual. Works perfectly.
STan
this. I avoid any pressure on my neck after subluxating a neck vertabrae after a long shoot :P OW.
I also use this system....if this is the Op-Tech Harness...Love it...even with my 50-500 on a body it is great, it is even pretty well balanced with only a body+50-500 and nothing on the other side......
for a man this wouldn't be a bad option. I can't see too many women wanting two bodies hanging over the chest though.
http://optechusa.com/straps/double-sling.html
I plan on getting the dual sling instead of the harness. I don't like the attachment going across the chest. I also like the quick disconnect and not using the tripod mount.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Cr8ingWaves-Photography/119946782908?ref=ts
I do not use the chest strap and I added really small carabiners to the harness for quickly disconnection from camera, so that if I wanted to use a single neck strap I could re-attach my SmugMug Pro straps when I only want 1 camera with me..........the carabiners were way less expensive than buying an Optech neck strap and I have the SmugMug Pro strap already......
For a large body with a 70-200 attached though, I think maybe an R-Strap type device would be best. I would recommend the Spyder Holster system because I really do love it, but unfortunately I currently don't feel 100% comfortable encouraging other photographers to trust their camera to the system because they're not 100% safe. I've tested both the pro-grade metal unit, and the newer plastic amateur "black widow" unit, and neither of them can be trusted to always lock into place, both of the locking mechanisms have a habit of getting jammed open which is a recipe for disaster. So, as GREAT as the system makes my back feel, don't blame me if you try it and your camera hits the pavement. :-\
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
After today, I realized I don't want to have both with the factory straps. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. I found myself shooting either one or the other, and rarely if every having to switch between the two. That made it a bit more manageable, but a solution is in order for the future.
If I had to do the double gun thing all the time, that is what I would have. It looks smooth as hell. I figure I have 2 black rapid singles anyway. The little DoubleR adapter straps let me link them into something similar.
I love it double as much as my RS7 and Sport straps.
You really should upgrade to the new version. It's one piece and will completely alleviate any concerns one might have with the old 2 piece style coming apart.
I use the one above and the even newer T1. It's 2 pieces but it's for using with quick release plates. My camera can go from strap to tripod/monopod in about 5 seconds.
Nonsense.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
This strap is my light weight version of the Black rapid strap. It uses a BR clip and slide but it is 1" tubular climbing webbing. It stuffs in my bag easier and it doesn't really bug me. I find I reach for this one instead of my BR strap most of the time.
The loop hole on the side of the kirk plate makes this work awesome. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the kirk foot replacement I ordered for my 70-200 has somewhere to loop through. If not, it is going to the machine shop with me for some modifications.
It absolutely is garbage when compared to the BR design. Look how the cameras hang all awkward by two attachment points. There's straps and attachments running all over the place on that design. It's like taking an already terrible neckstrap design and multiplying it. The BR is MUCH MUCH better in form and function. It's faster and cleaner to have the camera's hanging upside down at your side by one attachment point.... where they can slide UP the strap. Optech could have done much better than the lackluster effort they put in with their frankenstien strap. Anyone who says otherwise uses the Optech strap and has never tried the BR double strap. They simply could have built a better strap instead of trying to design it AROUND their uni loop attachments. Something that is purpose built is almost always better. Even their single sling strap is half messed up(when it could have easily been better) because they just HAD to use the uni loop!
The Op/Tech system is very diverse and they offer no less than 3 methods for hanging 2 cameras. Of those 3 methods, 2 methods involve interchangeable parts so that you could create 2 different methods that quickly transform for different applications. Those 2 methods also both use the camera's strap lugs or strap pins to provide connection to the camera where the manufacturer intended the camera to be suspended.
The third Op/Tech 2-camera system uses the company's "loop" system. Like you, I do not trust the loop system for professional or advanced amateur use, and I won't use that system myself or recommend it to others.
While you are quick to dismiss the Op/Tech system, I applaud it for its sound engineering. The 2-point redundant connection provides resistance to complete system failure, unlike the Black Rapid system which, until the end of 2009, had 3 known primary points of failure (all of which you are welcome to research):
2) The screw-in bottom attachment, again the FastenR, can become unscrewed from the camera. This has been partially addressed in the FastenR-3, but they still need a better anti-rotation capability. I recommend frequent checks of the FastenR-3 attachment to make sure that you know if it is becoming loose.
3) The swivel connector, Black Rapid calls it the "ConnectR", can sometimes unscrew and drop the camera. This was addressed with the ConnectR-2, but there are some reports of these separating as well. To Black Rapid's credit they did a proactive announcement of the problem and mailed a majority of owners new/replacement products.
Understand that failure of any one of these points will cause your camera/lens/flash to fall, presenting the possibility of extreme damage to your camera system. I simply cannot recommend the Black Rapid system unless you also add some extra protection yourself to avoid the potential for catastrophic failure.
In the case of the Op/Tech "Dual Harness", since it has 2 connection points with the camera both would have to fail simultaneously in order to drop your equipment. The Op/Tech Dual Harness system also leaves the bottom of the camera available for tripod/battery-grip/external-flash-power use. This is the system I recommend for best performance "and" safety in holding 2 cameras on your person.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Personally, I've been fine with Optech's loop attachments - no fraying or other concerns, and I prefer using the lug mounts on the camera to the bottom screw - I really hate the way the camera feels/balances when the strap is on the bottom. And, in fact, I'm very - VERY - glad that I tried out Optech's extremely affordable sling before ponying up for (and waiting for!) a Luma (what I thought was my first choice): I've discovered that I really don't like the sling position that much as I find that if the straps are long enough for me to have full shooting mobility when it's raised to my eye, the camera then moves around too much on my hip for my liking; I've realised I greatly prefer handling when it's around my neck for shooting (hence why my secondary body goes on the sling while my primary body is still around my neck).
To me the Optech system looks OK but not as functional for what I do.
It all comes down to personal preference and nothing more - we're lucky to have various products to meet different needs!!
ETA: For anybody considering buying Optech, their "sidewalk sale" products are exactly as described: minor cosmetic blemishes. I saved a bundle that way and the items are fully functional without any reservations.
Ziggy, have you put something as large as a 70-200 F2.8 on one of the two cameras on the Optech strap? In looking at it, I've got to admit that the Black Rapid looks more functional for a big lens like that. However, I do enjoy my Optech single camera strap and know they make good stuff.
Link to my Smugmug site
1) Camera sliding around when you move around. The CarrySpeed has adjustable "stops" on the strap. A rear stop keeps the camera from getting behind you. The front stop keeps the camera from swinging in front of you while you bend over. The front stop must be disconnected to actually use your camera.
2) No single point of failure on the camera mount. There's a safety strap as part of the mounting.
3) The camera mounting has tripod threads on the bottom so you can put it on a tripod without disconnecting the plate.
Here's a video review of the CarrySpeed comparing it to the Black Rapid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfIPKidgDXg
Their website (which is flash-based so I can't give you any specific links on their site. ) http://carryspeed.com/
Best of all, it's priced about 1/2 of the Black Rapid. There's an Ebay seller of them. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120725399188
Sounds too good to be true, I know. But at this price the risk was low enough that I went ahead and ordered a dual-strap to see.
Link to my Smugmug site