Thread: DSLR Chest Harness

Does anyone on here use/recommend a chest harness or similar to allow hands free carrying a camera with a 300-400mm lens.
See a few on camera sites but their use is a bit different to our bush.

With that size lens I would be putting it in a pack. I have found the best way to date of carrying my camera is to use a slim fitting camera pouch sized for the lens fitted and sling it over my head as a cross shoulder carry and then put my hunting pack on over that. Adjust the camera bag strap so the camera rides on my hip and use a light carabiner to couple the camera bag strap to the bottom of the pack strap so that it sits in the right position when going up hill and down dale. Keeps the camera readily accessible for photos without taking the pack off.

Have used a camera bag as you suggest but would like to be able to carry on my chest.
What I am looking at is having it ready to use especially in our bush.
Want to get away from having it hanging on a neck strap.
Although I haven't used them the same reason guys use a bino harness.
I am using a Tamron 16-300 lens most of the time and when retracted isn't to long.
A camera hanging on your neck gets tiresome after awhile.
Used to shove it down the front of my swannie.
That was ok when it was cold enough to need a swannie.
Cheers

I sometimes have the strap around my neck as backup and the tripod foot of the lens hooked onto the chest strap of my pack taking the weight, seems to work well. Obviously only works if the lens has a tripod foot on it though, my heavier ones do (80-200 f2.8 and 400 f5.6).

If your lens doesn't have a tripod foot I'm sure you could get/make/improvise something to screw into the camera tripod mount and hook onto the chest strap.

Depends how rough the going is too, it carries the camera+lens weight (~2kg with the 80-200) comfortably but doesn't protect it if you're pushing through thick bush etc (or fall over on top of it!).

I use a Peak Design mount on my shoulder strap of my day bag. I find it easy to get in an out of the mount. Use it quite a bit while travelling and doing decent walks. Use a D7000 and a 24-70mm f2.8 https://www.peakdesign.com/capturepro each to their own tho.

Now that looks the go.
Thanks for that.
I am seldom with out a daybag these days.

Really solid. I never use the locking screw just the simple click button. Once you get used to where it is can be done one handed but very quick two handed. I would order the longer screws tho. I only have the shorter ones and they just reach.
If you get the correct base plate it works with your tripod as well. So far after 2 years of use it is doing well. Only complaint is cant get the screw tight enough by hand need to use an allen key (not slotted for a coin).
I have even hung 70-200mm f2.8 off it does the job. You can put the mount onto a belt as well.

Ahh a fancy versatile version of my improvised system

Have had a look and I see they do bino clip as well.
Will work out what I need re base plate
Photoshack seem to have what I would need.

I see you can get budget versions from aliexpress too.

Yeah maybe worth trying out the cheap model first. As they aren't cheap (wasn't around when i got mine) The bino thing would be cool. You do after quite a few hours notice more weight on one shoulder. So maybe a combo of a aliexpress knock off and a bino bra system you could get it more central.
Will be interested to see what you end up with. If the internet allows ill try upload a photo of it on my bag with the 24-70mm on it. I also have their hand strap and find it really nice to use.

There are a few other brands with similar ideas. Cotton something and i cant remember the other. Maybe cheaper and more suited to your use.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

I see you can get budget versions from aliexpress too.

Looked at them and when converted to NZD not that much in it.
You are looking at a few bucks worth of camera and lens if it fails.

with D7000 and 24-70mm f2.8 normally sits a little higher but the bag is empty so camera is pulling it down.

I use the peak design clip, definately keep the neck strap round ya neck tho or it will definately end in tears one day!

Originally Posted by savage270

I use the peak design clip, definately keep the neck strap round ya neck tho or it will definately end in tears one day!

Maybe but in the last 2 years of wearing it travelling etc. Riding motorbikes, walking and general shit giving it hasn't failed. I do have travel insurance tho. I hate the neck strap and only use the hand strap.