Shoulder Harness/Belt sytem: help!

greg fee · #22 10-05-2006, 04:40 PM

I agree with Matthews comments about the use of the strap. I can see if it was an all day thing, but the TTank system works very well, and you can slide it around depending on your shooting positions
greg

JohnSievert · #23 10-20-2006, 09:35 PM

I have Kinesis stuff (pretty much all of it) and I have the TT stuff (various lens cases and Speed Demon).

The Kinesis belts are better than the TT ones. You can use the Kinesis middle belt with the TT lens cases - which is pretty optimal, IMO. If you are just carrying two lens cases (one full, one empty for changing), an extra lens, then TT belt is better.

The Kinesis lens cases are just about bullet proof. The TT ones are better for shooting. You can nose your camera into the empty case, release the lens, take the lens cap off the new lens while still in the holster then screw the camera onto the lens while in the pouch. Then put the lens cap back on the other (old) lens. This is GREAT so you don't have to be handling the lenses where you might drop them That's a big deal for me, I shoot a lot of alpine skiing, and then also on sail boats. Drop a lens and its is gone down the mountain or kersploosh.

The speed demon, I can get a 5D and 135 f/2L in there with the hood reversed, I carry either the 24-105 or the 70-200 f/4 in a belt mounted lens case. With the terrific TT shoulder strap, I can ski all day with that and not feel like I have a big load on my waist. The thing easily swings out of the way when loading on the chair etc...

I also use the Kinesis holsters - they are heavy duty and highly recommended. If you are into the holster thing, then I would consider using the Kinesis holster on the Kinesis belt adding two TT lens pouches. I've carried this stuff for hours and hours on end. It takes a beating and your gear doesn't.

I have also used the Lowepro stuff. I think both the Kinesis and TT stuff is better designed and better constructed than the Lowepro.

There are a lot of similiarities between LP and TT considering that Doug Murdoch, founder of TT, designed all of TT and a lot of LP. The advantage is that what he didn't like about LP, he had a free hand in fixing on TT.

J.

MBement · #24 11-25-2006, 02:24 AM

I just picked up some Think Tank stuff (belt, a couple lens bags, a bum bag, chimp cage, etc.) at Photo Expo in NY.

I ended ordering several other pieces, including the shoulder harness.

This is the nicest stuff I have seen, and it is built to take a beating.

I'm off to Mexico next week, and I am just loading up the belt, then winding it around it around and sticking it in my carry-on Pelican hardcase. I think it will work great.

For carrying other stuff, I also use a single-shoulder bag from a company called Maxpedition. They make hard-use stuff for high-speed military guys....bullet proof stuff.

I can't speak highly enough of Think Tank in the few short weeks I have owned the system. It sure beats a heavy backpack or even a loaded vest.

Good shooting,

Mike B.

MBement · #25 01-26-2007, 10:58 PM

A quick follow up on the Think Tank system.

I used it on a trip to Mexico in December, and it was great. I only took what I needed, and it was nice walking up and down the steep cobblestone streets without a heavy backpack or worse, dragging a bag with wheels!

After buying a couple more items, I will have all I need. I can't recommend Think Tank highly enough...it is like having dozens of custom-made setups. After dragging heavy bags around, several folks on the trip expressed interest in Think Tank as well.

Now, I just leave my gear in the appropriate Think Tank bag, and it all goes inside a Pelican case.

Happy Shooting!

JohnSievert · #26 01-26-2007, 11:28 PM

It is good stuff - and I like the option of being able to slide the components along the belt.

I recently got the Rotation360 pack with the integrated waistpack and belt. I've been using it to shoot outdoors for some alpine skiing events. Really handy and really practical.

My only wish is that they had some sort of holster that isn't too big that would accept a body (standard with grip or pro), a 70-200 f/4 and fit on the belt.

J.

Spencer.Boerup · #27 01-29-2007, 12:43 AM

Another vote for ThinkTank. They make High-quality stuff, and very comfortable and very modular. I have the belt, a small pack that holds PWs, meter, cords, cards, etc. Then 3 small pouches that hold smaller primes, and even my 70-200 w/hood revered (might get a bigger). I just noticed they had a harness, that would be very nice so I might get the harness to distribute the weight, and also dangle the camera from the 2 should loops making it more comfortable and stable than around my neck. They make good stuff, a little more expensive, but the brains behind the system is worth it.

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