Anyone using a camera holster?

[GilesGuthrie]

To assist with dual-body shooting, I'm thinking about getting a Spider holster (www.spiderholster.com). Others exist (e.g. Cotton Carrier).

The idea is to have one camera around my neck, that can be dropped to dangle on the strap, while retrieving the second body from the holster.

Anyone doing anything similar?

 

[Boffin]

Pew Pew Pewww.

Sorry..ahem.

No. I only have one body, but I could see the need for one. I think it would encourage more use of the camera without a strap though, which you could end up paying for one day.

 

[boiltheocean]

Maybe try an elaborate strap setup. Certainly cheaper than the holster, and doesn't look as ridiculous too.

 

[Scaff]

Back when I had two 35mm bodies I gave holsters a go and must admit I pathologically hated them.

I used to use a Billingham Hadley, which will take a second body quite comfortably and with the additional shoulder strap grip never once slipped off.

The other advantage is they allow you to carry other bits and pieces and lens'.

I used to pack a T90 body, F1n body with drive, 50mm, 28mm, and 85mm in one. Well enough padded and weatherproof, with the added advantage of not looking obviously like a camera bag.

The above gives you an idea of how much you can fit in one and easily access, I used to carry the T90 with a 50mm fitted, use the other compartments for the lenses and the F1n body would go in one of the front pockets (with the other being full of film).

If you have a local store that stocks them I would strongly recommend giving one a go, a lot of pros use them for a good reason.

Scaff

 

[Syntax error]

Interesting. The concept of it seems sound enough. Do you shoot enough stuff with two camera bodies at the same time?

What size lens do you have attached that you can't used a say a shoulder bag that is opened and camera loaded top down?

I regularly take two bodies with me to the track of late but I struggle to see the comfort in having a 500mm lens hanging off my waist.

For events that don't require me to lug a massive zoom lens, I use a Lowepro Nova 200 AW shoulder bag and I load it pretty much identically to the picture below and keep it open, I can then pull either body and lens size out easily. I can have a 70-200 attached the the body and it will fit into the bag like that for a shoot plus I can still fit in all the other stuff I might require on the fly like a speedlight or additional lenses.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I don't want to drop £75 on the thing and hate it, which is why I'm seeking opinions from people who've used them.

The main scenario I have in mind is out shooting motorsports. I use one body (typically the 5d) with the 400mm on a monopod, with the 70-200 attached to the 1d. The idea is to have the 5d's strap round my neck, so that I can simply let that rig go, whilst pulling the 1d/70-200 out of the holster to shoot the cars as they come in closer.

Because (and this addresses Scaff's point) I'm using long lenses, a satchel type bag isn't really practical because it would have to be too big to take the out-of-use camera. Also, the switch time between bodies really needs to be sub 3 seconds, so switching using a bag will take too long. Finally, I don't really want to take a bag, because a bag that's big enough to take the 5d + 400mm is too heavy & restrictive. I tend to want to leave the bag in the car.

If I'm using two bodies with short lenses, (e.g. 24-70, 16-35, 135) I'll take the Lowepro Toploader 75, which can take a body with short lens plus another lens underneath, then the second body goes round my neck. I'd potentially use the holster in this situation sometimes, but it's mainly for being outside with the big guns.