Camera Harness

Posted by: El Kabong

Camera Harness - 03/26/12 05:11 PM

My wife an I are going to be hiking in Peru this summer. She will insist on bringing an SLR, which she will want to have at the ready. She will also be using trekking poles, so she won't be holding the camera while hiking.

Has anyone had experience with a camera harness, like the one here . . .

Harness on Amazon

We're hoping for easy acccess to the camera, with jostle-free hiking. Can you recommend one that works well, or are they all pretty much the same?

Thanks, El Kabong
Posted by: swammie

Re: Camera Harness - 03/26/12 06:05 PM

I have experience using that rig. It's originally designed for binoculars, but works well for a camera too. Not a jostle-free setup tho. And having to wear the sling was very annoying on a long, hot, hard hike. I won't do it again.

I found Cotton Carrier Strap Shot a few days ago, looks interesting. Strap running to the top of the pack moves the weight to there and in turn to your hips. Makes sense to me.
Posted by: Kent W

Re: Camera Harness - 03/26/12 09:31 PM

Depends if carrying packs I recomend the Keyhole device. Google it.
Posted by: squark

Re: Camera Harness - 03/27/12 02:19 PM

I have the Keyhole harness, and found I couldn't tighten it enough to keep my DSLR from sagging and bouncing. Could be an issue with my pack, but I suspect my shoulders are just narrower than the intended user.
Posted by: kevonionia

Re: Camera Harness - 03/29/12 12:21 AM

Squark:

I've got the keyhole harness on two packs (a GoLite Jam and a GoLite Pinnacle) and I'm not sure what you mean by not being able to tighten it enuf.


Keyhole harness on a GoLite Jam -- put the shirt in so the keyhole wouldn't fade into the black back pad -- but Hook 'Em, Horns, anyway.

I talked Debbie (my wife) into sewing the straps onto my shoulder straps, instead of using those clips that kept coming undone (and I'll be the only one to ever use the two packs with those keyholes attached, so they were placed to fit me.) I can still adjust the tightness of the keyhole plate, though, with the straps that go to it that are on the hiker's left side of the plate in the photo.

This might solve your problem, or do you mean by "couldn't tighten it" that you couldn't get the red knob that goes into the tripod thread on the camera to tighten enough? Mine fits fine and the harness is tight on my chest -- I've done a somersault on the trail and still had the camera in place when I came to my senses. blush blush blush
Posted by: Rick_D

Re: Camera Harness - 03/29/12 07:53 PM

Just curious, how do you keep from dripping sweat on your camera? Is it stowed when you're not shooting?

Cheers,
Posted by: mtmiller

Re: Camera Harness - 04/08/12 10:01 PM

I have the Cotton Carrier and am happy with it. I have the vest system, but may pick up the holster as well.

Posted by: kevonionia

Re: Camera Harness - 04/09/12 12:45 AM

Rick:

I've never had a problem dripping sweat on the camera while it's resting in the keyhole while hiking in CO, probably due to the low humidity here. Years ago I had a Nikon -- I think it was an N70 before I had the keyhole and I would hold it in my hand while hiking. In the North Cascades, in much higher humidity, I had sweat drip down my arm, hand, then shutter finger and go into the gap between the camera and the button and 'bzzzt.' It shorted and quit. I took it to the Nikon repair guy in Miami (who fixed the Miami Herald's photographers' stuff) and he said throw it away -- and I did.

mt miller:

Did you get the "unnamed" item similar to the keyhole harness or the whole outfit? Looks like the keyhole-looking thing is about $79 -- more than the keyhole harness, but that "locking feature" in the video is a pretty cool thing, since gravity is (all) that keeps the camera in on the one I have.
Posted by: Arizona

Re: Camera Harness - 04/14/12 01:57 PM

Originally Posted By El Kabong
My wife an I are going to be hiking in Peru this summer. She will insist on bringing an SLR, which she will want to have at the ready. She will also be using trekking poles, so she won't be holding the camera while hiking.

Has anyone had experience with a camera harness, like the one here . . .

Harness on Amazon

We're hoping for easy acccess to the camera, with jostle-free hiking. Can you recommend one that works well, or are they all pretty much the same?

Thanks, El Kabong


I have used the elastic version you linked to and didn't like the bouncing. Then I changed to the Webbing version and really like it. Used it for years now. I hook my camera bag to it and that protects he DSLR through anything but you can do a bare camera too.
Posted by: Paulo

Re: Camera Harness - 04/21/12 07:44 AM

Just be careful in South America with your technology. If you're going guided, no problem, but by yourself there's a low possibility that someone could be tempted to rob you if you have a lot of expensive stuff out and visible.

I like that keyhole mount though, it looks great!
Posted by: mtmiller

Re: Camera Harness - 07/07/13 04:47 PM

Originally Posted By kevonionia
Rick:

mt miller:

Did you get the "unnamed" item similar to the keyhole harness or the whole outfit? Looks like the keyhole-looking thing is about $79 -- more than the keyhole harness, but that "locking feature" in the video is a pretty cool thing, since gravity is (all) that keeps the camera in on the one I have.


Kevon, sorry I am slow getting back to this topic. I initially got the vest cotton carrier, but since I usually have binos on my chest, I also picked up the belt model. I slides on my belt if I am without a pack, but will also stap directly on my pack belt. Great product and I always have the camera ready to go when I am on the trail.
Posted by: ndwoods

Re: Camera Harness - 08/29/14 12:47 AM

Never have seen the keyhole...looks great!
Posted by: cocadori

Re: Camera Harness - 09/01/14 02:01 PM

New here... hello!

I've used the cotton carrier for the past month. Works well but is a bit tough on the shoulders if placed under the backpack.. I need to figure a better way out.

Alone however, it is the cats ass!

http://buy.cottoncarrier.com/camera-carrier-vest-system-p/635rtl-s.htm
Posted by: cocadori

Re: Camera Harness - 09/01/14 02:04 PM

Originally Posted By kevonionia
Squark:

I've got the keyhole harness on two packs (a GoLite Jam and a GoLite Pinnacle) and I'm not sure what you mean by not being able to tighten it enuf.


Keyhole harness on a GoLite Jam -- put the shirt in so the keyhole wouldn't fade into the black back pad -- but Hook 'Em, Horns, anyway.

I talked Debbie (my wife) into sewing the straps onto my shoulder straps, instead of using those clips that kept coming undone (and I'll be the only one to ever use the two packs with those keyholes attached, so they were placed to fit me.) I can still adjust the tightness of the keyhole plate, though, with the straps that go to it that are on the hiker's left side of the plate in the photo.

This might solve your problem, or do you mean by "couldn't tighten it" that you couldn't get the red knob that goes into the tripod thread on the camera to tighten enough? Mine fits fine and the harness is tight on my chest -- I've done a somersault on the trail and still had the camera in place when I came to my senses. blush blush blush


This is exactly what I needed the past few days... hmmm...
Posted by: cocadori

Re: Camera Harness - 09/08/14 07:01 AM

For the record the Keyhole is crap... the red knob (secures your camera) is only pressed onto a screw...no adhesive or any other securing feature. It works loose and stuff falls to the ground...

ask me how I know...
Posted by: HikingGeek

Re: Camera Harness - 01/26/15 02:26 PM

I've been using the CapturePRO Camera Clip by Peak Design for over a year now. I've been using it regardless of what camera I am carrying (Nikon D80, Sony NEX, or Nikon Coolpix L26). When using larger cameras, I add the PROpad for stability. Here is my review of both products:
CapturePRO Camera Clip & PROPad

I just recently received a Cotton Carrier Strapshot, but have only used it on one hike. I will write a full review after I hike a few more miles with it:
Initial Impressions: Cotton Carrier StrapShot