Being out in the field with your camera and other gear can sometimes be challenging. Let’s face it: cameras, lenses, and other photo gear are a significant investment. You want to carry equipment safely but readily available when taking bird pictures. Birds won’t hang around waiting for you to get your camera and lens ready to take their photos (unfortunately). I’ve tried a few different systems for carrying my equipment, and my experiences might be helpful for those starting with bird photography.
Which Camera Carrying Products Are The Best?
Over the past two years, I’ve used Peak Design, Op/Tech, and Cotton Carrier products to carry my camera and lens in the field. As with all products from different manufacturers, there are pluses and minuses for each item I used. Here’s a review of what I found:
Using Peak Design Capture Camera Clips and the POV Action Camera Bracket in Acadia National Park
Peak Design Products Are Well-Thought-Out and Minimize Frustrations
Started with Peak Design. I use multiple products from Peak Design, including their Cuff Wrist Strap, Capture Camera Clip, and Slide Camera Strap. I also use one of their Capture Camera Clips with their action camera mount for my GoPro. This company makes excellent gear for carrying your camera, and I use it often. I have two Capture Camera Clips on my backpack and use them on my hikes when I bring my Sony a7c II camera and Sony 25mm to 105mm zoom lens. It’s easy to unclip the camera when a photo opportunity unfolds and re-clip your camera when you’re done taking pictures. However, I tried using their Slide Camera Strap and anchors with my Sony A6700 camera and Sigma 150mm to 600mm zoom lens and found that this combination didn’t work for me, so I tried products from Op/Tech.
Using the Op/Tech Strap-Slide at Rockefeller State Park Preserve
Op/Tech USA Products Are Flexible and Affordable
Op/Tech USA makes affordable, flexible products. Various combinations of their anchors and straps allow you to carry almost any camera gear. I used their Utility Strap-Sling X-Long for about a year with my A6700 and 150mm to 600mm zoom lens. The strap has two loop connectors that I attached to the zoom lens’s tripod mount. The connectors attach easily to the lens and quickly to the strap. When taking pictures, I could quickly move the camera into position from my waist and get a shot. I relied on this setup through the four seasons and could comfortably use my camera with winter or summer clothing. The only thing I didn’t like is that the weight on one side of my body became a bit tiresome after hiking over 4 to 5 miles. I needed to keep adjusting the position of the strap on my neck and sometimes hold the camera when going over rough terrain. Because of this, I looked into other systems that worked better while hiking and came upon Cotton Carrier.
Using the Cotton Carrier G3 Harness with an Everything Bracket on my binoculars on an icy day at Rockefeller State Park Preserve
Cotton Carrier Products Are Well-Built And Handle Tough Terrain
Cotton Carrier products also offer flexible ways to carry camera gear and optics. While hiking, I use their G3 Harness to take my camera with the long zoom lens and binoculars. I’ve also used it to hold my camera and long zoom lens on the chest mount and my second camera with a shorter zoom lens on the waist mount. I’ve been very pleased with this setup and have hiked well over 8 miles while taking pictures without discomfort. This system works well when hiking over rougher terrain, and you can secure the lens using a strap under the chest mount point so it doesn’t move around. I like the safety straps used on this system, and one did prevent me from dropping a camera when climbing over rocks. I’ve gone hundreds of miles using the Cotton Carrier G3 Harness system this past year, and it didn’t disappoint me. I use the Cotton Carrier Slingbelt on shorter hikes or walks when carrying my camera and short zoom lens or to hold my binoculars.
Here’s How I Use the Products From Peak Design, Op/Tech USA, and Cotton Carrier
I use Peak Design on shorter hikes and when taking pictures of scenery and landscapes. The Capture Camera Clips on my backpack conveniently carry my camera and a shorter zoom lens. I also use the action camera mount to record the hike when I want to take my GoPro along.
The Op/Tech USA Utility Strap-Sling is an excellent backup for my Cotton Carrier harness and works well when I go for a short bird photography walk or hike.
Since I often go on 5-mile to 6-mile hikes, my “everyday carry” system is the Cotton Carrier. In addition to securing my camera and long lens, I can quickly remove them from the chest mount so I don’t miss any shots. The safety strap provides protection when crossing rough terrain.
If I Could Only Choose One Camera Carrying System, Which Would It Be?
It would have to be the Cotton Carrier G3 harness. It works well on long hikes and can handle my camera with a zoom lens, binoculars, or a second camera. The harness is comfortable and can quickly be adjusted when, for example, you no longer have to wear your winter coat. The strap to secure your lens on the chest mount is convenient when maneuvering around trail obstacles. It also lets you get your camera into position quickly and securely back on the mount, just as rapidly and without difficulty.
Links To The Products I Use (may be affiliate links):
Peak Design Products
Op/Tech Products
Cotton Carrier Products
