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.
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Any fool can be uncomfortable...
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