How do you hold/secure your camera?

[kaiser]

Looking at options to secure camera while walking around in a mix of urban and semi-rural environments. Interested in hearing what works best for others, particularly those methods used on holidays where you may be walking around most of the day with your camera.
Bare hands? Hand Strap? Neck Strap? R Strap? Bumbag/waist pack/holster?

cheers,

matt.

[Tannin]

I carry three or four. The big one goes over my shoulder on a tripod most of the time, there is a strap attached to the lens that can go on a shoulder, but mostly I just carry it in my hand - more comfortable, and probably safer than having it dangling.

The 100-400 can be on a shoulder strap, but more typically in a modular belt/shoulder-strap thing that takes a couple of other cameras as well. Made by ... er ... the name will come back to me, well-known maker. Works well, though it gets heavy after a while.

I usually carry the two small ones in a single large Lowepro Specialist 85AW bag that is once again a belt/shoulder bag combo. This is by far the best way to carry anything heavy if you want it available at a moment's notice. (Backpacks are only good if you don't need to get at your cameras en route.) Neither of the small cameras has any sort of strap. They sit quite happily and securely in their bag, and if I have one out of the bag then I'm using it to take a picture with, so they are perfectly safe like that. Not having straps heps avoid tangles too, and is probably safer as you don't risk snagging the strap on some object that you brush past and yanking the camera out of the bag.

If you need to carry a couple of cameras (I'll typically have 20D, 40D, and two average-size lenses) or a single SLR and two or three spare lenses around all day, then I can't recommend the Specialist 85AW highly enough. Very comfiortable, brilliant padding, and it distributes the weight between waist and shoulder in any proportion you wish (just adjust the shoulder strap to wherever you like it).

[AzzA]

If im working i'll use a Domke shoulder bag (i cant remember which model it is off the top of my head). When shooting personal projects i'll just keep the camera in my hand with the strap wrapped around my wrist/arm.
I dont like carrying alot of gear around though, so purposely shoot light.
When i was shooting overseas last year i'd set up a "day kit" where i just put a few things i'd need into a small bag to carry with my over my shoulder, but left the remaining gear i didnt think i'd need back where i was staying.
I personally like to stay clear of any recogniseable camera bag brands like Lowepro, Tamrac, Crumpler etc. It screams "steal me" if you're in tourist mode and i find other brands like Domke and Billingham are superior in quality (also more expensive too). Theres no right or wrong though. You may need to experiment a bit to get your ideal setup.
Good luck :)

[ricktas]

I have a slingshot (lowepro) for this sort of scenario. Only good if you don't need to carry all your gear. Goes over one shoulder and you just slide it round your body to access your camera, through a top opening in the bag.

Agree with Azza about the brand standing out if going OS.

[mcdesign]

I have a slingshot (lowepro) for this sort of scenario. Only good if you don't need to carry all your gear. Goes over one shoulder and you just slide it round your body to access your camera, through a top opening in the bag.

Agree with Azza about the brand standing out if going OS.

I too have the Slingshot, excellent bag/backpack.

[virgal_tracy]

I use the R strap. When carrying 2 cameras I just crossover 2 R straps works really well. Currently working on a system to turn the R straps into a holster like arrangement. Just having them over each shoulder with some form of buckle or clasp between the shoulder blades. Will try and then let people know how it works.

[old dog]

me too on the slingshot 100AW. My gear just fits in now, but if I get any more (inevitable as I`m an addict) I`ll be looking for something else. When I was in Egypt a couple months ago, I decided before going out to temples etc, what lens I would use. I use the shoulder strap without a bag. Left all the rest on the tour bus. Overall, I was happy with the shots I got. Nikon will have to make a 12-500VR 2.8 then I will have to sell the house to get it.

[kaiser]

Great to hear what other people use. The problem for me with using a neck or handstrap is that my 18-200 will probably be on most of the time and it is notoriously loose ie when pointed more than 45 down it will inadvertently extend out to 200mm and I can see this getting very annoying. Given that we will be carrying some sort of bag anyway (for drinks, maps and anything we pick up along the way) I'm thinking just carrying the d90 loose in a shoulder bag may work best. Don' like neck straps or having the camera bounce around when I walk. I like the idea of the waist pack simply to take some weight of my shoulder. I won't be carting around a tonne of gear but I know that even a moderate weight can get heavy on ur shoulder over time.

[campo]

I use the R strap. When carrying 2 cameras I just crossover 2 R straps works really well. Currently working on a system to turn the R straps into a holster like arrangement. Just having them over each shoulder with some form of buckle or clasp between the shoulder blades. Will try and then let people know how it works.

I've recently started using two R-straps...such a great idea for quick action and changing cameras. I'm keen to see how you go with the holster like arrangement you're trying to do!

[random]

I have a slingshot which I find very useful for carrying gear, but when I'm actually taking photos I tend to wrap the neckstrap around my wrist a few times to make it a bit more secure. paranoid much? :)

When wandering the streets of London on holiday it was a bit cold, and so I could use the neckstrap, tuck the camera inside my jacket, and support the 18-200 "auto extend" lens with a hand in the pocket of my jacket & felt a bit less like a target for thieves.

[saratoga]

I generally just wrap the strap around my wrist and carry it like that. As soon as the camera goes into my daypack I find I'm less inclined to take shots, something I usually regret later.


Interesting to hear that others also have the "auto extend" option on their 18–200's :(

[campo]

Interesting to hear that others also have the "auto extend" option on their 18–200's :(

It's a widely known issue with that particular lens. I was once a member of the Nikonians forums and I recall a workaround solution using a rubber band that goes around the lens to hold the zoom ring in place...can't remember the exact details though :(

[kiwi]

R-Strap for me too.

[Carly]

i'm going to South America next year and I've brought a few different bits and pieces, i'm getting a bit paranoid about thieves. I've got pacsafe camera neck strap (also fits on little camera bags etc) which has wire through it, so people can't slash the strap and steal the camera. Also planning on getting one of their bags which has a wire mesh through it and wire through the shoulder straps (again to stop slashing) as well as hidden zips, which i will put a combo lock on. Haven't tested them out yet, will post back when I do.

I went in search for a "tight" camera bag so that if i wanted to i could put camera around my neck or shoulder in a bag or something and have it less bulky, but didn't really find anything protective that suited. (ended up with the lowepro TLZ 15, which seems good, still a bit bulkier than what i originally wanted) The bumbag idea sounds good too, i can attach the camera bag to a belt though if I wanted to, probably a bit bulkier than a specific camera bum bag though? i've also bought a pacsafe belt which again has the wire through it ;)

Also got the lowepro filter pocket, (fits 6 filters in a roll out type of material thing), seems, good, probably a bit bulkier than what I really need for travelling though.. question about that though, should I be puting the filters directly into the pouches, or in a small plastic filter case first then into the pockets? seems bulky with the cases and it won't close properly, but i'm worried about scratches etc if i just put them into the pockets?

[raycau]

I've got pacsafe camera neck strap (also fits on little camera bags etc) which has wire through it, so people can't slash the strap and steal the camera. Also planning on getting one of their bags which has a wire mesh through it and wire through the shoulder straps (again to stop slashing) as well as hidden zips, which i will put a combo lock on. Haven't tested them out yet, will post back when I do.

I have a Pacsafe daysafe 100 backpack and found it reassuring when I went to Cambodia and Malaysia.
It has a removable 'safe' 16litre exomesh compartment that can be locked to something in a hotel room if left behind whilst day tripping.
There is plenty of room inside this removable compartment for my crumpler insert, laptop and books, maps etc. The external sides of the pack have a deep pocket which can hold 1.25l water bottle with ease. The small outer pocket has organiser pockets inside. Both the small and main compartment zipper are of the semi concealed design.

Unfortunately the pack it self does not feature the steel mesh protecting the main part of the bag, only a panel with a moulded impression of the mesh grid. There is however the steel cables that are part of the main shoulder straps.

Used together, this is ok, but no good if you have left it in the hotel as a safe.

pm me if you've questions or want pics.

[ving]

shoulder strap for my big sigma lens (which is quite comfortable), and neck strap for the rest. :)

[ving]

what the heck is a r-strap?

[James Axford]

I tend not to go for anything fancy like others... when i'm traveling I'll bring 1 or 2 camera and 3 lenses depending on the trip. and usually only carry around 1 camera with lens and another lens in a small strap over shoulder canvas bag. enough to carry a bottle of water and a map too. this give me a lot of freedom, small and light.
if i'm carrying more than one camera and a few more lenses on the day i'll just use my everyday crumpler shoulder bag and make sure the lenses and rapped in a shirt. everything seems to fit better this way for me than in a "camera bag". if a tripod is needed i'll just strap it on the crumpler too.

it's different, but it works for me.

[Lani]

what the heck is a r-strap?

http://www.blackrapid.com/innovations.php :)

[TOM]

i too have the domke f2 when walking around. when working, i have one in the bag usually on the ground, one on left shoulder, and two around the neck at two different lengths.