Camera access

I have a fairly heavy camera, a Canon S3 with the 14x zoom. The problem is carrying it with comfort.

1. in my pack: well it takes a lot of time and effort to get it out... and for wildlife... it is usually long gone
2. on the hip belt of my Jam 2: it actually slides down and unhooks the hip belt!
3. on my pants belt: it drags my pants down after a while.
4. on my sternum strap: ok I feel like an idiot with a big camera bag just below my chin

Any ideas?

A friend of mine who hikes with a big nikon carries it in one of two places

1) in a bag made for it on his hipbelt - this when he doesn't want to get at it and take pictures.
2) he manages to tuck it behind his head between his backpack bag and his neck, riding on top or between the load lifters. He seems to be able to get at it real fine there.

If you can find a decent-sized soft case that holds it and accommodates a vertical strap, keep it at the base of your shoulder strap, where it connects to the pack bag.

I do this with more compact cameras, and it's the best place I've found for quick access and not getting in the way.

The S3's pretty big, so finding the right case is no small challenge.

A front pack, like a LoweAlpine one. Yes, they look dumb. But they work - they are worn like a baby carrier in the front, that allows one to wear a pack on back as well.

My husband does that.

I sometimes hike with my Canon S3 and I use a Lowe Pro Rezo TLX 10. It seems to work pretty well and doesn't drag my pants down. I use a 58mm adapter tube for my S3.

My real backpacking camera is my Pentax Optio W20.

http://products.lowepro.com/product/Rezo-TLZ-10,2016,8.htm

This is what I am taking to the Grand Canyon next month.



The strap is elastic so you can raise it to your eyes quickly but it keeps it from flopping around. I have a hunting buddy that has been using one for years for his binoculars.

Here is a link to one source. OP Tech Harness Read the user reviews.

I'd also recommend the front harness type camera case already mentioned by a few. It does make for easy access to your camera while hiking. The harness alone is nice, but I'd recommend some sort of case to protect your camera from dirt, dust, and the like.

Check out the Dana/Marmot Wet or Dry Ribs and see if one fits your pack and camera and style. I find this handy for my camera.

http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/packdetail.cfm/MA7201

I found mine, a "Wet", which will carry a water bottle in the bargain corner of a local outdoors store for $6.

A freind who is a professionsl photographer carries his medum format Pentax (like and overgrown SLR) in a fanny pack that he wears backwards so the camera is in front. He puts on the fanny pack, swings it around front, then puts on his pack and buckles the hipbelt. It seems a little odd but it works well for him.

I use a fanny pack worn around front, too. Works well for a small camera.

You might take a look at these straps:

http://www.upstrap-pro.com/

I use these on my cameras at work. They *do not* slip. I can carry a camera over one shoulder all day long, and it never slips. I have carried cameras while hiking in this manner, too, and it works even over a pack shoulder strap.

You'd probably want the RF/DC model for an S3 camera. The SLR straps are huge.