In Praise of Long Lenses

[Rose]

I'm definitely growing to like the 16-35 range a lot. When we were in France last month I used that and 70-200 most of the time. I can also now change lenses in 6 seconds as I have a lens flipper

[Mike Farley]

I had not heard of a lens flipper before, but it looks like a useful device to change lenses while out and about. My main concern would be having a lens dangling by my side where it could be susceptible to knocks.

http://lensflipper.com/

I'm definitely growing to like the 16-35 range a lot. When we were in France last month I used that and 70-200 most of the time. I can also now change lenses in 6 seconds as I have a lens flipper

Naturally you know your own shooting preferences better than I do. I have never really got on with the wide-angle end of things, but it definitely looks as though you have found a combination which suits your style.

[Rose]

I had not heard of a lens flipper before, but it looks like a useful device to change lenses while out and about. My main concern would be having a lens dangling by my side where it could be susceptible to knocks.

http://lensflipper.com/

No different, surely, to having a camera + lens dangling by your side ?? I'm currently experimenting with different strap lengths to see what works best. Did you see in the website that there's a clip version that goes on a backpack strap too ?

I think it's also going to be useful with the 1.4X too, enabling me to pop that on and off a telephoto lens really quickly. I't's definitely going in my bag for Canada.

[Mike Farley]

No different, surely, to having a camera + lens dangling by your side ?? I'm currently experimenting with different strap lengths to see what works best. Did you see in the website that there's a clip version that goes on a backpack strap too ?

I rarely have a camera around my neck these days and usually I just hold it, either with a wrist strap for security or the neck strap wrapped around my wrist (which is seldom satisfactory, I find, as the strap just falls off). Alternatively, when not in use I have the camera over my shoulder and usually rest my hand on the top to stop it swinging, but that would be more difficult with both a camera and lens flipper to watch out for. I did see the backpack strap version, but I am not sure how convenient that would be, especially with a large lens. One option, I suppose, would be to keep the lens attached to the flipper inside the camera bag, which would remove some of the hassle during the switching process, albeit at the cost of first having to open up the bag and remove the lens.

My current solution is to carry the Tamrac 8 bag you recommended a while back, which has openings in both sides, and use two lightweight bodies with lenses of different focal lengths and take out whichever is the most appropriate. Not an option for what you are planning, of course.

[Rose]

I've only just discovered that the floor of the upper compartment in the Tamrac bag detaches... you may already know that of course... but it makes even more flexible (!) as you can lower the divider into the camera compartment if you've got less camera gear and want more space up top.

As for camera straps, I've always used an Optech, which detaches into a shorter length which I twist and wrap around my wrist. I have a way of doing it which stabilises the camera too and I use this technique a lot.

[Mike Farley]

I've only just discovered that the floor of the upper compartment in the Tamrac bag detaches... you may already know that of course...

Much to my embarassment, I have to confess that I didn't. That's a useful tip as I have bee able to lower the floor slightly to to make it less likely that smaller lenses do not fall out when I open the right hand side pocket.

As for camera straps, I've always used an Optech, which detaches into a shorter length which I twist and wrap around my wrist. I have a way of doing it which stabilises the camera too and I use this technique a lot.

I am using Optech wrist straps which work well, although being made of neoprene they can get a bit sweaty in warm weather. I cannot quite work out which strap you are using; it sounds useful.

[Rose]

I use the OpTech pro loop. I'f you're at the club next week I'll show you what I mean about twisting and wrapping it around my wrist.

[Mike Farley]

I use the OpTech pro loop. I'f you're at the club next week I'll show you what I mean about twisting and wrapping it around my wrist.

Thanks, Rose, I'd appreciate that.

[davidc]

I use the chinese knock-off equivalent of a black rapid cross-body strap with the camera and lens held at my waist. I find it's a comfortable solution. It doesn't endanger the camera/lens unless I walk into walls which isn't something I do particularly frequently Very handy contraption.

[Paul Heester]

Rose, this short vid I stumbled on covers your 100-400 v 70-200 + 2X question - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9zWpihW8IE