After hiking too many trails along the edge of a cliff face and trying to scoot across rockslides washing out the trail without two hands, I decided there had to be a better way to carry my camera. Riding my bike was a problem too – dang swinging camera. I want it out and available for wildlife. The first time I left it in the backpack while hiking, I rounded a trail corner and came face to face with a bighorn sheep .. guess what, no photo. 🙁
Given our planned hiking exploring the US southwest, I had to find a better way. Then I saw a guy at an airshow carrying a gazillion cameras, but one of them was strapped to his chest. Excited, I accosted him to ask, I’d never seen a contraption like it. Turns out it’s a Cotton Carrier and I love it!
With my new Cotton Carrier — voila! Both hands free!
Amazing. I had to have one. Doing the research, I found that it’s almost perfect for what I wanted. The only downside is the price, but when I calculated the price versus not getting photos while hiking because my DSLR is in the backpack … or worse, the camera swinging from its strap pulling me off-balance scrambling across some rocks to stay on the side of a steep mountain … the Cotton Carrier won.
See the small clip that securely screws into the tripod hole on the bottom of the camera? This is the clip that attaches the camera to the carrier.
Despite the fact that it’s a vest, it’s comfortable, lightweight, fits easily in my camera backpack for when I don’t really need two hands and just use a camera strap, the camera is secure and easily accessible.
Turn the camera 90 degrees, insert the clip on the camera bottom (tripod hole) and turn the camera 90 degrees to lock securely.
There was a bit of a learning curve until I learned the motion to the the camera to release from the secure fitting, but now it’s rote motion. And it’s easily converted back to use a tripod quick release or a different strap by simply unscrewing the base plate and storing it in the handy velcro compartment on the front of the vest.
Camera is securely locked in place, with a safety strap, but is instantly accessible. No more swinging camera!
So if you’ve been looking for a solution to the “serious” hikers swinging camera dilemma, look at the Cotton Carrier. And never miss a hiking shot again!
Comments? Questions? Fire away! Cheers! Jan
Easy release to hand the camera to someone to take our photo together!
