Cotton Carrier camera harness system
Feb 1, 2010, 8:42 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,788
Cotton Carrier camera harness system
Travel & wildlife photography is my thing.
I was at the Embedded Systems Conference a couple of months back. The show photographer was schlepping a couple of massive Canon cameras and lenses on a harness I had never seen before. I asked him about it and he said it was a Cotton Carrier.
Long story short, I bought one and have hiked with it around the local hills for a couple of months. I haven't seen a better system to date. I'm going to South Georgia Island later this year and this will be my primary rig.
I think it will be perfect for dealing with pitching decks near the Antarctic convergence, zodiac landings in surf, and pretty much any terrain that could so without six pounds of gear swinging from a strap.
I was at the Embedded Systems Conference a couple of months back. The show photographer was schlepping a couple of massive Canon cameras and lenses on a harness I had never seen before. I asked him about it and he said it was a Cotton Carrier.
Long story short, I bought one and have hiked with it around the local hills for a couple of months. I haven't seen a better system to date. I'm going to South Georgia Island later this year and this will be my primary rig.
I think it will be perfect for dealing with pitching decks near the Antarctic convergence, zodiac landings in surf, and pretty much any terrain that could so without six pounds of gear swinging from a strap.
Last edited by birdstrike; Feb 1, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Feb 12, 2010, 1:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP>2m, Alaska MVP, Virgin Gold, Delta Gold, Starwood Gold, Cathay Pacific Silver
Posts: 599
Cotton Carrier
I wish I'd seen that before I went trekking in Nepal. I was alternating between wearing my camera around my neck and pulling in and out of a backpack. Neither was fun.
I'm going to order one and try it out on the ski slopes. Thanks for the post.
I'm going to order one and try it out on the ski slopes. Thanks for the post.
Mar 5, 2010, 1:08 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP>2m, Alaska MVP, Virgin Gold, Delta Gold, Starwood Gold, Cathay Pacific Silver
Posts: 599
I bought one. It's a great concept but it's way to big for me. It has lots of adjustable straps but once I pull the straps tight, the loose ends are so long that the velcro closures are useless. I'm going to have someone cut the straps and move the velcro pieces, but they really should make these in several sizes. Once I get the straps fixed, I think I'll be very happy with it.
Mar 9, 2010, 7:25 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,788
I bought one. It's a great concept but it's way to big for me. It has lots of adjustable straps but once I pull the straps tight, the loose ends are so long that the velcro closures are useless. I'm going to have someone cut the straps and move the velcro pieces, but they really should make these in several sizes. Once I get the straps fixed, I think I'll be very happy with it.
I also had to move the velcro straps down where they attach between the shoulder blades. Took about an hour to get right.
I order made-to-measure dress shirts since I can't stand the fit I get off-the-rack, but the Cotton Carrier adjusted quite well.
Did you watch the adjustment video?
Since I'm beginning to sound like a shill
, I have to say that I have no relationship with CC other than buying one after seeing another photog using it.Edit to say I also used (removable) Loctite 425 to mount the adapters to the camera body. Otherwise they tended to work free.
Mar 9, 2010, 9:35 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
I like the belt system that Kinesis makes - www.kgear.com. It's a bit spendy but is very comfortable for walking around since it puts the weight on your hips.