A summary of how to carry a SLR camera that is perfect for mountain climbing and traveling [Recommended by scene]

The question of how to carry a SLR in the mountains is something that everyone is worried about.

He was obsessed with its charm, but at the end, he is unable to let go of the SLR cameras when he is outdoors. For those who don't have the trouble, why do they go to the trouble of making something so heavy and bulky? It may be. It's true that even on a day trip, luggage can be shockingly heavy, and the expensive and troublesome SLR cameras make you feel depressed for a moment every time you pack them.

However, SLR cameras that can have high expressive power can sometimes lock you in a fresh, fresh moment like a vacuum pack. For those who have learned about its magical power, the body is no longer possible to return to the beautiful but flat-pattern paintings like the iPhone, so in that case, the option of "it's too heavy is no longer possible."

When you start bringing your SLRs into the mountains like this, the question of how to carry your heavy, bulky SLRs is definitely the problem.

Of course, you can simply carry it in your backpack, but it is not realistic to put it in and take it out as soon as you feel it's good while walking. On the other hand, walking with a standard neck strap hanging around your neck is not only heavy and stiff, but it is also visible that it can be hanging and dangerous.

Gear, which has a reputation online, is certainly convenient, but it cannot be said to be perfect.

For this reason, in the past few years, when I heard that recommendations were recommended, I've looked with my own eyes, tried them out if I thought they were good, and then went through a thorough search for the most convenient carrying gear.

What we found out was that although they are all excellent in terms of their reputation, there is still no best way to carry them in any situation. Since it is a tool, all of the methods have their weaknesses in some way. The point is to know the advantages and disadvantages of each individual, and find the best way to carry it for you.

So this time, we've summarized the main styles and the advantages and disadvantages of each of these cameras on the mountains. In the second half, we will introduce the editorial department's recommended ways to carry it, along with evaluations of actual use, which suits your purpose and style.

table of contents

1. Assumptions for verification

2. Comparison of features of each carrying method

3. Recommended carrying gear for each scene

Assumptions for verification

First, we will introduce the equipment used to perform this test below. As you can see, you can see that it is not equipment that is typical of a professional photographer's level, but I don't deny any comments that say, "No, it's at a level that's enough to thrust both feet into the swamp." This is intended to be a situation where you use a camera in the same way as regular climbing where walking is the main focus.

Not that, but this time we removed the high-quality equipment for professional photographers, such as heavy equipment that exceeds normal hours of operation, backpacks made to carry cameras, and vests worn to carry cameras.

• Camera: SONY α7

• Main lens: SONY zoom lens Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS

• Sub-lens: SONY Single Focus Lens Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA

• Tripod (carry whenever you really need it): Velbon UT-43Q

Comparison of features of each carrying method

When hiking mountain climbing where you stay in a severe environment for long periods of time, you need to consider more points than usual when carrying your camera, and even more importantly for a heavy, complicated SLR camera, you will need to take into consideration various points such as the following: The evaluation results taking these into consideration are summarized below.

• Portability : Of course, you want to keep your luggage as light and compact as possible.
• Balance : If the load balance is poor, fatigue will gradually build up in that area, causing stiffness and pain.
• Comfort : Are there any unpleasant factors such as not hanging out when walking and not getting in the way, or are it prone to stuffiness, or is the load concentrated on the neck or one shoulder, making it easy to get tired?
• Quick photography : Even high-performance SLRs can be hard to put in and take them out, so you'll miss out on the opportunity to take them out.
• Safety : To protect expensive equipment from the risk of damage, waterproofing, dustproofing, and shockproof protection is required.
• Ease of setup : Is it easy to attach to a backpack or camera? Some items may not be able to be fitted, so be careful.
• Multifunctionality ...Of course, the main focus is to carry the camera, but the items that add a variety of conveniences to them are even more attractive.
• Price : For items of this type, there is a big difference in price between items, so thorough consideration is required.

Next page: Go to recommended carrying gear by scene

Recommended gear for each occasion

Recommended for day hikes with minimal luggage: Holder type

With this type, attachments are attached to both the camera and the backpack (shoulder harness), allowing you to hook and secure the camera like a holster for a handgun

The two types we tried out this time differ Peak Design ) and a rotating type ( COTTON CARRIER COTTON CARRIER , which seemed a little wobbly, also came with a strap to prevent it from falling, so it was safe.

Above all, the camera's exceptional speed allows you to quickly get into a shooting position when you feel the moment is right. Despite being a single-lens reflex camera, its ease of use is on a par with or even surpasses that of a compact digital camera or smartphone, and it has dramatically changed the way I photograph

It's also smart that it doesn't get in the way when you take off your backpack or put on or take off your clothes. What's more, Peak Design a wide range of optional products that can be attached to this attachment , making it the best in terms of expandability for your entire camera life (although on the other hand, there's a chance that you might need to purchase additional options to suit your setup).

However, as you can see, the exposed camera is vulnerable to rain, dust, and shocks, so there are concerns about using it for long periods of time. Also, on long mountain trips, the shoulder of the person wearing the camera inevitably becomes fatigued and sore after the second day, and in rare cases, it even causes pain (of course, this impression varies depending on the person's physical strength and the weight of the camera). While the holder type seemed perfect in such a stable environment, there were some concerns when using it on long mountain trips with a relatively heavy load

In that sense, the holder type is most suitable for long-term, light day hikes that do not require a heavy load , and of these, if you are only looking for simple usability, the COTTON CARRIER , but if you also consider expandability, we recommend the Peak Design

Front pack type: Recommended for all-around mountain climbing, including heavy loads and long-term mountain climbing

A type that can be worn like a vest with symmetrical pouchesFront pack typeIt wasn't designed for cameras in the first place RIBZ Front Pack (Small)This is also very easy to use when carrying a camera

First of all, it's just a bag, so it doesn't require any special setup. There's no need to choose a backpack, and it can be matched with any style. Attention has been paid to even the smallest details, such as the cushioned shoulder pads, so it feels great to wear. The straps that tighten around the waist ensure that the bag always fits to your body and doesn't swing around too much when you walk

The biggest advantage of this pack is its excellent load balance. By moving some of the luggage that would normally be packed in a backpack to the front, the load balance is improved not only from side to side but also from front to back, which obviously makes it less tiring to carry

Another major advantage of this pack is its impressive storage capacity, which is immediately apparent in the photo on the right (above). The pouch on the left easily fits a camera (Nikon D5100 in the photo) and a smartphone (though a large-diameter lens or high-spec SLR might be a challenge), while the pouch on the right still has room for an interchangeable lens (FE 55mm in the photo), snacks, a map, and a GPS. It's perfect for those who want to quickly switch between multiple lenses and cameras

On the other hand, as you may have noticed, this type of pack is not designed to carry a camera, so it is important to note that it does not have the same quick-shooting capabilities as a holder-type pack, nor does it offer the same protection as a camera chest bag

Ultimately, it depends on how much importance you place on the hassle of opening and closing the zipper and the safety of features like the shock-absorbing inner cushion. While it's not the best, it's quick to access and has adequate protection, and its load balance and storage are excellent. Overall, it 's definitely a type that's easy to use for long-term mountain climbing with heavy loads.

Chest bag type: Recommended for those who want ease of use but also want safety

Holder typeThe safety and comfort ofChest bag typeThe basic structure is the same as a front pack, but this type has a camera case that is particularly weather-resistant and shock-resistant, placed at the chest for easy access and less chance of shaking when walking. This type is common for camera bags, not just for mountain climbing, and there are a variety of models on the market, from those for outdoor use to those for professionals

Among them, the model we chose as the easiest to use is the PaagoWorks FOCUS (pictured left or above) . Despite its high level of protection thanks to its rain-resistant material and shock-resistant detachable inner case, it's lightweight and compact, offers decent access to the camera, and features two front pockets with waterproof zippers for ease of use. It's a very complete bag to use as a base. However, since it's inferior to the two above in terms of quick shooting and convenience, we recommend it if you prioritize safety over anything else, regardless of the length of your trip or the weight of your luggage .

Although it is a well-made and excellent product overall, the only thing you need to be careful about is that depending on the backpack, the attachment position may be too low (see the photo on the right or above). If you attach it to the end of the shoulder harness as instructed, the pack may end up around your lower abdomen, making it extremely difficult to walk

It's certainly possible that your backpack just isn't the right size, but since backpacks don't all have the same structure across all manufacturers, it doesn't necessarily mean that the problem is with the individual

What can you do in such a situation? You can either use a separately attachable D-ring (sold separately) or attach it directly to the shoulder harness with a carabiner, which will allow you to find the perfect position

Moderate effectiveness but cost-effectiveness: Chest strap type

This type is affordable and cost-effective. It is basically used as an additional (supplementary) strap so that the weight is placed on both shoulders rather than the neck. The one I tried was a type that attaches a short strap to the D-ring of the shoulder harness and holds the camera on the chest UN UNX-5802 (left or top photo)In essence, it's just a short connection between the shoulder harness and the camera, so you can make it look similar by using your own carabiners, but aside from that, even just thisIt reduces shaking to a certain extent and improves access to the camera, so you can still carry it around and take photos stably. I think it's actually worth more than its price tag。

The drawbacks are that it's only so-so in all respects. It doesn't completely eliminate the discomfort of the backpack hanging down, it does block your downward view, and having to remove the straps every time you take a photo or take the backpack off isn't very smart. Also, few backpacks these days have D-rings on the shoulder harness, so if yours doesn't have one, you'll need to find a separate D-ring to attach, as mentioned above

In the photo, the strap is attached directly to the camera, so it is exposed, but you can also wrap the camera in a camera bag and then hang the bag itself, which can increase protection depending on how you do it

Not suitable for the mountains, but perfect for travel: the instant-shooting strap type

there is the quick-release strap, which has a good reputation in the world of general camera straps . This strap is attached to the tripod screw hole on the bottom of the camera, and its distinctive feature is that it can be quickly switched between shooting mode and carrying mode.

In societyNinja StrapThis may be the most popular, but what I'm trying this time is a similar system Pro Sling Strap (right or top photo)Although I splurged on this, unfortunately, I had to attach it to the side of my body and close to the back to carry the camera stably, which made it difficult to say it was easy to use when hiking, as it got in the way of my backpack. However, this type of camera is compact and easy to attach, so it is certainly a very smart way to carry your camera for everyday use, and in fact, I still find it useful when traveling light

summary

I'm sure there are many interesting reviews online on personal blogs about the gear I tried out this time. Reading them will be very informative. However, everyone has their own unique shooting style, and naturally, the way they are used and the environment they're used in will also vary. I simply wanted to know which gear is truly easy to use after trying them side by side. I also thought that a more objective evaluation like this one would be worth sharing. In that sense, I hope the results of this review will be helpful to you as well

There is still room for improvement in this genre of gear, and many users around the world are eagerly awaiting it, with new ideas emerging one after another on Kickstarter in the US and elsewhere. Outdoor Gearzine will continue to keep an eye on the latest gear