Transporting a 600mm Supertele in the field: Is there a perfect solution? Equipment Review
2022 ж. 8 Жел.
19 155 Рет қаралды
For years I have been looking for the best solution to transpoert my EF 600mm f/4. As comfortable as possible, secure and quickly accessible. In this video I share my experiences and give a short test report/review of the Mr. Jan Gear Lens Carrier.
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Thanks, that's a good solution especially on long walks, I tend to use the tripod method over the shoulder, but I tuck a piece of thick foam between my shirt and shoulder, this cushions the tripod considerably and is less painful on the shoulder after carrying it for a while !! 🤠😎
Sounds like a good idea (if you use a tripod)
I'm a photographer that is always interested in the spontaneous opportunities that come up which is why I walk with it in my hands. Having it on the ready really heaps get those fleeting moments. Interesting video, keep up the good work.
Thanks a lot 😊
It's all about lightening the load. I have recently acquired a Gura Gear Kiboko V2.0 30L backpack I'll be using to ferry my big lenses and gear on future trips. The Mr. Jan Gear Lens Carrier looks like an interesting carry system. I haven't seen it before, thanks for sharing the information on the carrier. Cheers!
Thanks! Yes, ideally I should carry less 😅 however if I go camping with the 600mm, even on my 80l backpack I need to attach the tent and sleeping bag outside. Going in the mountains with 24kg on your back i always fun 😅
I like that idea. I have always used a holster on my belt for small stuff like my 24-105 while I was just carrying my 100-500 around my neck. The problem with that is causing problems with my lower back, so went with a large fanny pack down in front but hard to keep it from sliding down due to the weight. The fanny pack works ok if I get some suspenders to hold up the fanny pack.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I was saving up for the RF 200-800mm. But I found a 500 f4 on eBay for an insanely good deal. I bought that with my RF money! I guess so far the heaviest lens of lugged around was the Sigma 150 - 600. I found myself today looking for options on how to Lug this thing around.
Have fun with the lens
I just bought the Fuji 150-600 so I'm curious what method you liked for your 150-600. Thanks
I've got an 500mm f/4 ii too and tried several setups too. In the end I bought a Mil-Tec Tanker sling bag. The 500mm fits in it with a camera ef/rf-converter and even a 1.4 extender. It is snug and tight but okay. I bought a couple of molle pouches to attach to the sling bag for binocular, batteries and extra stuff. The best is that the sling bag is really cheap compared to professional camera bags. 25$ plus 20$ for two pouches. 😊 The 500mm is a bit heavy so I've started using my monopod with ballhead more often (turned to one side as gimbal). In the field I just toss the camera over the shoulder with the monopod attached.
Great idea. Your review will have me wait for version 2 -- when they 'fix' the clips to avoid accidents, and fix the pouch closure on the front (velcro! no). I really love this idea, though. Perhaps I could 'seal' those clips closed? I currently use a shoulder 'strap' by LensCoat that hangs between two arms of my tripod and that goes on my shoulder and I carry the camera on the tripod in a vertical position. Quite good, until I have to climb terrain (my balance becomes difficult) or am in long grass or heavy brush then the tripod legs are catching on everything. Thanks for the video!
Glad if the video was helpful
I devised my own harness system for my Z 600 TC VR S lens (minus the belt attachment), based on a Speed-shooter Photography harness system by Ron R Bielefeld. Hands-free carrying over the shoulder yet ready to shoot with also; 3-point stabilisation for lower shutter speeds (2 arms + centre post), manoeuvrability on the move to enable sitting or crouching down low or even shoot up at an angle using the mono-gimbal head system.
Thanks for sharing your approach!
Nice video...thank you. I use the Luna slide strap with a QD attachment for my Sony 200-600mm lens setup. I can see why this would be great for the big long primes...but I'm still tempted to use it with my tele...not for weight off my shoulder so much...but having my hands free. I would imagine my lens would go in and out like a breeze. It's a good idea.
Glad to hear that the video was useful 😊
@@FabianFoppNaturephotography UW.... small edit... I use the Luma Labs slide strap...not Luna...sorry. Top notch build though...top notch.
Interesting solution Fabian, and one I haven't seen before. I use the Peak Design Slide with my Sony 200-600mm, and it seems to be very robust. I would hazard a guess and say it'd be more than capable of holding a 600mm prime, just depends how it feels for the person in terms of comfort. The other thing I have seen that piqued my interest is the Whistling Wings Speed-shooter Photography Harness. A similar chest mounted solution, but with a strap and small monopod attached to a pivot, looks good, but think there may be a few product quality issues judging from his KZhead comments. Thanks for the video!
I will have a look at the speed shooter harness system, never heard of it before
what bag can you fit the 600RF F4 for traveling in an airplane ? Assuming just the lens and two camera bodies.
Hi! I use the f-stop Tilopa
I use a 500 f4 with a shoulder strap , less weight (you can always put a 1.4 x tc on it), but without crossing it across the chest, just on my right side. You can move quickly, and in case of longer walks, you can change side without much problem (it's still more comfortable than carrying it on your hands)
Thanks for sharing your experiences
i use the QD slings, i ordered a magpul and had been using the loop and the leophoto ones and my lens foot (400 2.8 and 800 Z) has the QD port and its very confortable
Thanks for sharing!
I don't think I fully appreciated how large that lens was until you brought out the "tiny" 100-500mm, which happens to be the largest lens I currently own!
Haha. Yeah, it’s crazy. Once you’re used to it the 100-500 seems indeed tiny and super leightweight
I am thinking of trying your carry method (once I get a big lens, just doing research). Also, you should consider using a monopod plus a Wimberley Monogimbal head (not a normal gimbal…it’s built for monopods). In a walk-about scenario, the YT photographer Steve Perry tested it and found that the way the head works allows a super comfy carry with the 600mm resting across one’s upper back. Do a search and you’ll find it. in some situations (not all) it would save you some weight by not having to hoof a tripod about. Thanks for your review!
Thanks! I don’t use my tripod 95% of my wildlife shots with the 600/4 😃 But maybe I should try a monopod one day
The RF100-500 is right at the limit for me with the Peak Design capture system attached to a backpack strap. I can also fit it with the hood on in my pack pack, which has a side zipper. I have no idea how I would transport a theoretical 600/4 :)
Thanks for your input! The bigger the lens the more annoying the transport
I almost always do a "2 hand ready carry" with mine. Helps distribute the weight a little. I've used strap type setups before, and at the end of the day, my shoulders would get so tired feeling. There doesn't seem to be a perfect solution. Just comes with the territory of big primes :P I've never used a tripod with mine except for astrophotography situations.
Thanks
Never done astrophotography with my 600mm before, have you had much luck OhhhBugger?
@@user-markparker It's basically a high F stop telescope, minus all the corrective elements and stabilizer/AF. Yes, it works quite well, at least the mkii does.
I prefer a Black Rapid camera strap for my Z9 with attached Nikkor Z 800mm 6.3. Much easier to carry around in my opinion and also easier for me to get ready for the next shot.
Thanks for the input. Do you know how well it works with heavier lenses? The EF 600/4 II is around 1.5kg heavier than the Z800/6.3
@@FabianFoppNaturephotography I used it also with the Nikkor 600mm 4.0 FL which is a super heavy lens. And the Black Rapid worked like a charme. I use it basically since DSLR times with such heavy lenses. No complaint, for me an excellent solution.
I have a very old Gitzo monopod with an extra supportbar which you can put against your shoulder , I have used this one 35 Years ago with a Canon 400 mm F2.8 and in that period the lens was quite heavy ( 6 kg ) , by the way I have still this monopod Now I am photographing with a Nikon Z9. and my current tripord is the Gitzo 4543 LS and ball head GH 4383 LR Carrying a heavy lens with monopod is easy and it takes no time when you want to start making pictures.
Thanks for the feedback. I shoot handheld 95% of the time
LensCoat extender bag. Expensive, but a great solution.
I will have a look at it, thanks!
Typically always have the 500mm f4 lens on the tripod and slung over my shoulders.
I just almost never use a tripod 🙈
I just bought this 600mm Is ll ,and I bought a very big backback where I can put it without turning the hood . But it is a bit a upper heavy in back and feels a bit uncomfortable
Yes, I considered this as an alternative as well
I’m using a QD release system on my Komodo but 2 days ago while I was walking one of them came off and I’m sure I’ve pushed it down properly. That really scared me and since then I never let my camera hang completely free without holding it too
Ui, that‘s not good! Lately, I have been using more often peak design straps
Black Rapid makes a sling the will hold the big lens, or just your camera
Thanks! The one I saw seemed to be designed for smaller lenses such as a 100-500mm, but not for a 600/4. with which lens did you use it?
I'd use that like a messenger bag so the lens is on my side with hood facing back.
Never thought about it! I‘m not sure how well it works with the backstraps though
I just use a sturdy camera strap.
Also for a 600/4?
Me too. lol anchors on the lens (for a reason no?) Maybe perhaps for the older version might be too heavy but I have the Canon RF [ similar to EF Mkii] RF600mm and EF400 Mkiii.... they are not that heavy. I noticed Morten likes to keep his long lens on top of his backpack when walking to location...might be a good alternative for a large person.
Agree. Stay strapped or get clapped.
I have a Tamron 150-600, which makes in total around 3kg and I use the peakdesign Capture Clip (since 6 months) in the summer attached to my belt and in the winter attached to the strap of my hiking backpack (Vaude Brenta 36+6). But I heard that the tripod adapter (in the body) may not like to be used with that weight. Just rumors yet - never seen anything or heard something out of the first hand. Has anyone some experiences?
Unfortunately, I don’t 🙁
❤😊 nice thanks
Happy to hear 😊
What’s the model of your F-stop backpack if I may ask
I use the Tilopa and Shinn
What is the brand name of the lens carrier?
Mr Jan Gear
I use my Cotton Carrier for my 150-600 sigma. I think for the 600mm prime is probably not fitting because it´s 10 cm longer i think.
Thanks! Yes, primes are often trickier
I got shot of my long lenses and heavy tripod a few years ago - Too heavy, AND a tripod and heavy lens pins you down. It reminds me of Victorian photographers with plate cameras. I went micro 4/3rds with Olympus. A lot of top wildlife photographers are switching.....
I shoot 95% without a tripod 😊 I think it comes down to personal preferences, I personally could not imagine going m43
@@FabianFoppNaturephotography Each to their own, Fabian. Enjoyed your video, and I would never go back to full frame!
What bag is that you use?
Mostly the f-stop shinn
Peak Design Its a strap that is almost as heavy duty as a seat belt strap in your automobile. sling the prime lens around your neck and leave the prime lens hang on your "Dominant Side of your body" I use my right side to hang it as I walk and carry my Gitzo tripod over my shoulder.
Thanks! Do you also use that with your big lens in the profile picture (600/4?)
@@FabianFoppNaturephotography yes I do
I can feel the pain in my back with this lens. I don't think it was made for mountain travel. His place is on a tripod by some lake. That's why I like to use MFT cameras and lenses when I'm on a long hike in nature. With today's high-resolution FF cameras, large lenses are not as necessary. I would use a Canon 300mm F4 or 400mm F4 for hiking, which are quite light and comfortable over the shoulder. But it's all a matter of personal choice in the end. Good luck!
Thanks! I sometimes do 1000m of elevation with my 600/4 and several other lenses (&tent). As you say, personal choice 😊
Why not a Cotton Carrier?
I use a should strap attached to the foot...instant access
Does this work well with a heavy lens (like the 600/4)?
@Fabian Fopp - Nature photography yea...I use a Z6ii with sigma 150-600mm...comfy and easy to carry..leaves your hands free and can lift the camera to your eye in a second
The 150-600mm Contemporary weights half of my 600/4 😉
You don't attach your strap to the lens? I thought attaching it to your large lens instead of the camera is safest.
For my big lens (600/4) I never use a strap anyway. For the RF100-500 I find it hard to put a strap since I normally take off the lens foot
Try Micro 4/3. You’ll be amazed.
So far I just tried it a bit and I prefer full frame. But maybe I need to test it for some weeks
thanks bro,, you have done amazing video.. youre a small boy with a big gun, or maybe that big lens makes you look small... keepup
Thanks! 1.77m 😉
The problem with the strap is already communicated to Mr Jan!!!!!!
Good to know
Я все ждал, когда оборвется левая лямка и пизданется объектив)))
No, this is quite sturdy 😊
И отломится ручка и погнется бленда. И привет на ебей и через год на авито и вуаля!! Canon EF 600 M2 у меня дома!!!😂😃😃
Was I the only one cringing the whole time at the barely connected buckle on the right???? That thing was barely attached!
Yes, I should check this every time I use it
Recipe
What do you mean?
Just waiting to damage that element strap hangs down you side nothing sticking out can move around better through an past trees its not aclens for sneaking around 2 to 300 morevthan anuff in the forest
I‘m not sure I understand what you mean
No more weight annoying - gift me this lens
Haha, no. I worked too long to afford it
@@FabianFoppNaturephotography on video it is Canon EF 600 mm L IS II?
Yes, exactly
@@FabianFoppNaturephotography i have a Canon 600 mm f4 is - very good for me
Good idea to an ongoing problem for people that own super tele lenses. I currently just use a monopod as found the tripod to heavy for long hikes, but this also has it’s limitations with keeping your hands free. Thanks for the great suggestion Fabian. Happy shooting.