I've been using f-stop and Shimoda backpacks forever and stashing my photo gear in the back panel. This worked great for me because I really don't like having an urge to constantly grab the camera. Instead I could focus on enjoying being outside and pull the camera out only when it was a really good opportunity.
Now I've got a 600PF which makes it way easier to bring my telephoto lens along. Plus I've moved to the desert canyonlands where the best wildlife opportunities are when out on foot and unpredictable. Long story short, I'm looking for a way to carry the Z8 + 600PF combo outside of a bag but without it flopping around like on a typical side-carry strap system.
Any ideas for what system is best? I was looking at the Cotton Carrier Hyker.
I recently purchased the Black Rapid Backpack strap and use it with the Z8 and 600mm pf with a ULA Equipment Dragonfly. I attach a QD swivel to the BR strap and attach it to the ProMediaGear PXLN3 foot on the 600mm, with a safety tether to the camera's left lug. Walked around for about 7 hours on Sunday with that combo and it was relatively comfortable but I was mostly on flat ground.
When you say "hiking," what does this mean to you? "Hiking" can span a huge array of activities and types of terrain. What else do you need to carry besides the Z8 and 600PF? Does the bag/carrying system need to be able to carry the camera and lens inside in the event of inclement weather? The Z8 with 600PF attached, hood reversed, and cap on is just short of 15 inches long, so this bag may just barely have enough space for that combo without much room for anything else. It's not clear if the 15-inch length dimension they list is the interior or exterior size.
Wezre wrote:
When you say "hiking," what does this mean to you? "Hiking" can span a huge array of activities and types of terrain. What else do you need to carry besides the Z8 and 600PF? Does the bag/carrying system need to be able to carry the camera and lens inside in the event of inclement weather? The Z8 with 600PF attached, hood reversed, and cap on is just short of 15 inches long, so this bag may just barely have enough space for that combo without much room for anything else. It's not clear if the 15-inch length dimension they list is the interior or exterior size....Show more →
I think 'hiking' means anything from a two mile nature walk to a long dayhike in rugged country. Beyond a long dayhike is backpacking to me. The further you go and/or the rougher it gets, of course the less likely you'll want to be out with a telephoto strapped to your body. I'm less looking for opinions on if this particular pack/strap is suitable and more interested in how others are happily carrying their telephotos further than a mile or two from the car.
lawa222 wrote:
I think 'hiking' means anything from a two mile nature walk to a long dayhike in rugged country. Beyond a long dayhike is backpacking to me. The further you go and/or the rougher it gets, of course the less likely you'll want to be out with a telephoto strapped to your body. I'm less looking for opinions on if this particular pack/strap is suitable and more interested in how others are happily carrying their telephotos further than a mile or two from the car.
In a Decathlon Quechua MH300 30L backpack. When I'm in an area that I know I'll be using the camera, I have an RRS foot with a QD attachment to a Peak Design strap. I did a few 4-6 miles walks/hikes with this setup in Costa Rica earlier this year, plus a bunch in the 1-2 mile range. Nothing really strenuous though, and I understand you're looking for something more comfortable/hands free than a typical strap in a cross-body configuration. The Cotton Carrier and Black Rapid systems seem to be the go-to for this sort of thing.
When I go hiking with a long lens (usually 500pf with adapter, similar size to 600pf) and my z8, I am wearing my thinktank glass taxi. It is comfortable and fits the combo with plenty of room to spare. I bring a water bottle in one of the outside pockets and put my wallet and keys into the top outside pocket. Good enough for moderate hikes, although I would need more stuff if going on a big hike or overnight.
With a QD slot on the lens foot and another on the L-bracket (or even just using both slots on the Hejnar foot), I find a simple 2010-vintage Blackrapid strap to be a fine solution for a Z8+600PF. The two points of support make it reasonably stable, and ... frankly I'm of the mind that if my hand isn't on my camera, why the heck did I bring it? I've missed too many shots to having to reach down and unhook things, or rummage, or anything other than raise it and shoot. It makes a big difference to have it suspended in such a way that it hangs more horizontal than vertical, so using the rear slot on the Hejnar foot as the primary has been a good change, and leaves the camera safe, easily stabilized, and at hand.
I suppose if I were hiking specifically TO a spot where I expected to shoot, and it was highly technical along the way, I'd just make sure it was secured in a decent backpack. But otherwise, I want it at the ready. No half measures.
True hiking would require a backpack or a cotton carrier like solution. For casual hikes (a couple of miles) a sling type approach is best. I use a magpul with QD connects to a Hejnar foot.
