How do you carry your camera? Jumaring? Hiking? Climbing? Scrambling?

Hi all,

Im looking to improve my camera strap set up which currently is lacking whenever I need to scramble or climb a little to get the shot. Typically with a single shoulder strap my DSLR camera will swing forward into waiting rocks every time I lean over to do some scrambling. I have a capture clip that works great when Im wearing a backpack but still puts my camera right in front of me which makes getting up and over obstacles a bit tenuous.

Does anyone have a solution for (ideally) keeping my camera out of harms way when Im moving, then still be easily accessible when I'm ready to turn around and shoot?

Hey so I take my a7iii on everything (sometimes with multiple lenses) and have kind of figured out a system that works for me.

One lens: Camera in Matador base layer stuffed in backpack + capture clip.
Two or more lenses: Gear in pouch + capture clip.

The capture clip always, always comes along. On hikes, scrambles, the camera lives on the clip. On hiking days it's probably on it the entire hike (up to 15 miles). For scrambles it's really a comfort level thing. I'd say it's usually on the capture clip up to 4th class or maybe even low 5th, but if it's either getting on the way or consequences are serious, it'll go in the pack and I'll have to figure out another way to get the shot. But I always try to keep it on the clip as much as possible. Roped fifth class, yeah it's in the pack.

On backpacking trips, still got the capture clip which the camera lives on, and the lenses in the pouch, in the bag. Lens switching is always gonna be annoying and you just kinda gotta deal with it.

I've used a Patagonia hip pack for the last 10 years.  Still can't find anything that works better.  It has an elastic shoulder strap which is actually really helpfull to keep everything snug.

You can get a custom padded insert from Etsy or Amazon if you feel you need the padding.  I generally don't have any padding.  I haven't broken anything yet and my cameras have been all over the world. 

Patagonia hip chest pack

Hmm neither of these seem to solve my problem. Having it zippered in a backpack/ pouch makes for sketchy removal when I am hanging in a harness or on an awkward ledge. The capture clip is great for hiking, I use it all the time. but as soon as things get scrambley or I don't want to carry a backpack it sucks. I've been messing with a shoulder strap + quick draw to keep it on my back/ side until I need it but this isnt as elegant as Id like.

Best option I've worked out still involves a backpack but I think it comes pretty close to solving your problem - side loading backpacks (i use an old version of this), keep your camera secured with a leash at all times, the leash can run from your harness into the pocket the camera is zipped up in when the bag is closed. This works for me because you can access the camera without taking the pack off. I leave the waistbelt on at all times, take one shoulder out and slide the bag around to my front so I can access the pocket. Zero risk of dropping the camera since it's tethered and time to access the camera is barely longer than unclipping from a capture clip or similar. I know it sounds a little awkward / clumsy but after doing it a few times it's actually pretty efficient and secure. 

Luke it is very easy to keep the camera clipped to the shoulder strap of the hip pack when stored.  No need for it to ever be unclipped unless you want it to be.  I've never kept mine clipped in, though Jimmy keeps his clipped in.  He uses more of drop in pack.  He ties a piece of 4mm cord to his camera instead of using a full shoulder strap and then clips that in with a locker.  The downside of this is when he has to jug he puts the camera away.  I prefer to have it around my neck for short movements.

I've never once felt like I almost dropped my camera.  It's not that hard nor does it feel that awkward and I've done a fair bit of shooting in the Alpine with big gloves.

Mikey Schaefer wrote: Luke it is very easy to keep the camera clipped to the shoulder strap of the hip pack when stored.  No need for it to ever be unclipped unless you want it to be.  I've never kept mine clipped in, though Jimmy keeps his clipped in.  He uses more of drop in pack.  He ties a piece of 4mm cord to his camera instead of using a full shoulder strap and then clips that in with a locker.  The downside of this is when he has to jug he puts the camera away.  I prefer to have it around my neck for short movements.

I've never once felt like I almost dropped my camera.  It's not that hard nor does it feel that awkward and I've done a fair bit of shooting in the Alpine with big gloves.

Can you send me a picture of what you mean? When you say clipped in are you talking about a carabiner or a PD capture clip type thing?

I'll try and dig up a couple pics of our kits

I just had this problem for awhile and, in prepping for a long trail backpacking trip, came up with a solution I was super pleased with: a fly fishing chest pack. Waist strap, ease of access. Worked great

https://www.orvis.com/p/safe-passage-chip-pack/14ZK

That's about as pro of a pro-tip you can get.

Mikey Schaefer wrote: I'll try and dig up a couple pics of our kits

I think I understand what you mean. With the hip pack you can just rotate it in front or behind you as needed. Now if only they still made that thing. Any chance you know the internal dimensions of that pack? I curious if my 70-200 will be able to fit. Thanks for all the tips btw

EDIT: Found the dimensions on an old ebay listing: 12” wide by 8” tall and 4” deep. 

I prefer the Mountainsmith Tour FX - if you can get one. Perfect to stash a body (with VG) and 3 wide lenses. Flips to back for climbing/jumaring and around front to change gear. The shoulder sling keeps things secure to back up waist pack. Bonus - you can swing it to the front to stabilize video while filming.

I use the orange case just barely big enough for the kit lens if that’s all I’m taking, or I’ll take the larger black bag when I want a couple lenses. Both the camera and bag straps are worn diagonally over the head and one arm/shoulder. I usually set the camera back into the bag if I’m going to move around in between shots (though with the orange case I often don’t even zip it up since there’s nothing else in there to lose)

Luke, one thing I've seen is putting the capture clip on your harness. I haven't fiddled with one, but I think you can orient the part on the camera body so that even tho the clip is "sideways" on your harness, the lens will still point down. Put it towards the back so its away from rocks. I'd also suggest backing up with some cord. That way, it's not in a bag, it's easily accessible, but still quite secure.

I have one of these. It's a bit much, but is nice if you're hiking with a pack. You can attach it to the shoulder straps so the weight is off your neck and your camera is right in front of you. I've also used the waist belt and shoulder sling to climb a route and anchor myself in. Felt like it gives good protection while moving around.

I also just picked up a Peak Designs Slide Lite strap. Haven't taken it out into the wild yet, but from a little bit of playing around, looks like it'll be super convenient. Easily adjustable, can configure so its easy to grab and shoot while being slung cross-body vs around the neck. 

If the abrasion on my gear loops is any indication, I don't think the capture clip on the harness would be great for rock climbing. Could be okay for strictly jugging lines for photos.

Check out any of the Mindshift packs with the pivoting belt pack function. Camera is very protected and accessible. 

Brenden Biggs wrote:

Can you speak up? I didn’t catch that

Chris Johnson wrote: Luke, one thing I've seen is putting the capture clip on your harness. I haven't fiddled with one, but I think you can orient the part on the camera body so that even tho the clip is "sideways" on your harness, the lens will still point down. Put it towards the back so its away from rocks. I'd also suggest backing up with some cord. That way, it's not in a bag, it's easily accessible, but still quite secure.

I have one of these. It's a bit much, but is nice if you're hiking with a pack. You can attach it to the shoulder straps so the weight is off your neck and your camera is right in front of you. I've also used the waist belt and shoulder sling to climb a route and anchor myself in. Felt like it gives good protection while moving around...

So couldn't find the Patagonia pack the Mikey Schaefer suggested for anything less than $90 so I decided to wait for one to show up on Ebay. In the meantime I grabbed a vintage Jansport hip pack off Ebay for $20 that fits my Nikon D610 with 24-70 and a 70-200. It is easy to rotate around my waist and holds firm. Ill likely sew on a detachable neck strap sometime in the future. 

Havent gotten a chance to test it out jugging or climbing just yet but last weekend went mountain biking and normally would only bring my 'big camera' in a backpack. The hip pack held very secure and was much quicker to access the camera than a backpack (and ultra stylish). Looking forward to trying it out on a climbing trip

Very basic, but I like to keep my camera on a neck strap and then zipped under my outer layer. I also often use a camera holster. 

Chris C. wrote: Very basic, but I like to keep my camera on a neck strap and then zipped under my outer layer. I also often use a camera holster. 

Simple, but I like it. May test this out this ski season when moving a little bit to get in front of my subject. Just tuck it away, make a couple of turns, pull it back out. 

Drew Nevius wrote:  

I use the orange case just barely big enough for the kit lens if that’s all I’m taking, or I’ll take the larger black bag when I want a couple lenses. Both the camera and bag straps are worn diagonally over the head and one arm/shoulder. I usually set the camera back into the bag if I’m going to move around in between shots (though with the orange case I often don’t even zip it up since there’s nothing else in there to lose)

Andrew, what are the ropes clipped to on the camera?