I appreciate the review- thanks! Could you give some thoughts about using the CC with a backpack? Does the backpack chest strap interfere? Are you carrying your tripod on a backpack? I’d be interested in hearing about your full hiking set-up.
I wear it with a pack most of the time, no problem with the sternum strap it goes over the CC harness but under the camera. So you can easily take the pack on and off even with the camera still on the cotton carrier. I pretty much put the cotton carrier on in my office as I am heading out the door and take it off when I get home, I rarely attach my tripod to my backpack other than for long hikes in. Normally I put the tripod over my shoulders one leg over each shoulder and one down the back (legs compressed) it works really well for hand free hiking but still ready for quick access when needed. Great idea for a video as soon as the rain stops I will try and get out and do that. Cheers.
I recently bought a used Cotton Carrier G3 in black that is basically brand new. The photographer just didn't use it after the first time. Got it for less than half the price, so it was worth it. I'm looking forward to using it for hiking. I don't have a huge lens and I have a mirrorless camera, so it should be even more comfortable for me. I've been using a sling style strap that worked fine, but I don't like how the camera flops around on trail. I was glad to hear your perspective regarding build quality and durability. The only thing I'm not sure how I'll work out is what to do if I want to use my camera on a tripod. I do have a L bracket which may solve the problem. Thanks for the overview!!
Yeah that is the one thing I struggle with a bit as well. I probably shoot 90% or higher with my long lens so not a huge deal breaker and I just take the hub off if I plan on shooting landscapes or real estate. Cotton Carrier does make a hub with an arca-swiss plate built into that works well, but because I always have my Small Rig cage on my Nikon Z8 I don't use it anymore.
@@raincoastphoto I did see that hub they make, but it's another purchase. I saw 3 Legged Thing just came out with a new version of their L bracket. They added a quick release function. But, right now it only is for one camera, an OM/Olympus.
I’ve had one for 3 years and love it. Like you said, it helps immensely with carrying my Z9 with either a 500mm PF or even my 400mm F2.8. It is very comfortable and easy to get at, and it frees up both hands for either binoculars or helping to steady yourself while hiking. I’m paranoid about dropping my camera so I also have a Blackrapid shoulder sling attached to the lens foot. It looks a little ungainly but it’s seamless once you get used to it.
I think that 500pf is the perfect lens for this, good to hear its not bad with that 400 2.8 as well. Great idea on the black rapid strap can never be too careful.
Thanks for this vid! I may pick one of these up. Currently using a Peak Design Capture on a backpack with my Canon R7 and 100-400 lens. It works but on longer hikes or if I start using a larger lens I would think the G3 would be more comfortable.
@@wasil3k Your welcome, but realized I should add I do have to take it off if shooting a lens without a lens foot. . Cotton carrier does have a hanger that has built in arca-swiss plate along side that works well.
How do you deal with CC and a Arca plate ? I have multiple CC setups and the problem is hub and the arca plate conflict in location. I am concerned with the stress you put on the lens mount, but I do like your idea of using the safety strap hooking under the lens foot.
The short answer is an Allen Key lol. I do have the arca swiss adapter from CC which works ok www.cottoncarrier.com/collections/attachments/products/ccs-universal-tripod-adapter . 99% of the time I have my long lens on so the the carrier works fine, but if I am going out for a landscape or Real estate shoot I just take the CC Hub off. I always have a Smallrig Cage on my Z8. So have the arca plate on that.
Hi Stu, I just bought the smallrig cage for my Z8. But I found out the shutter release port is partially blocked by the cage. Do you know if there is a way around it? Shutter release is essential in low light photography
I currently don't have a 10 pin connector to try, but looking on dpreview they appear to work. It looks like a tight fit so I wonder if my your cage is not quite fit properly slightly askew? I use the 2 sec timer or my iphone through snapbridge as a work around atm but not ideal.
Hey Alex, a follow up, I actually found my cable release and no problem attaching to the 10-pin connector with the cage on. www.raincoastphoto.com/Recent-Photos/June-2024/i-HrCVgHb/A
Thanks Naruto, it's great to hear about kids interested in nature and photography. It can be tough at times but I wouldn't want any other job. But keep in mind I do have a degree in Biology and that played a very important part in me getting to where I am. You never know where life will lead you, so live an interesting life as possible. Cheers
not for me. It looks just so uncomfortable. The rule of thumb is that if a lens has a foot, use it to support the camera, otherwise the camera supports the lens. That's to reduce the stress on the mount ring. who knows? I think it's an urban legend, but I stick to it, Appreciate the review though.
Thanks Patrick yeah it may not be for everybody. Good rule for sure. The lens is always supported by the strap The way i use it, I never walk without that, so far no issues. Cheees
Thank you so much for this -- you made it very easy to make a purchasing decision!
You're welcome, they are great.
first logic material about this wonderfull carrier ! thx !!!
I appreciate the review- thanks! Could you give some thoughts about using the CC with a backpack? Does the backpack chest strap interfere? Are you carrying your tripod on a backpack? I’d be interested in hearing about your full hiking set-up.
I wear it with a pack most of the time, no problem with the sternum strap it goes over the CC harness but under the camera. So you can easily take the pack on and off even with the camera still on the cotton carrier. I pretty much put the cotton carrier on in my office as I am heading out the door and take it off when I get home, I rarely attach my tripod to my backpack other than for long hikes in. Normally I put the tripod over my shoulders one leg over each shoulder and one down the back (legs compressed) it works really well for hand free hiking but still ready for quick access when needed. Great idea for a video as soon as the rain stops I will try and get out and do that. Cheers.
8:13 the way u look on nature... for sure u love it :)
I recently bought a used Cotton Carrier G3 in black that is basically brand new. The photographer just didn't use it after the first time. Got it for less than half the price, so it was worth it. I'm looking forward to using it for hiking. I don't have a huge lens and I have a mirrorless camera, so it should be even more comfortable for me. I've been using a sling style strap that worked fine, but I don't like how the camera flops around on trail. I was glad to hear your perspective regarding build quality and durability. The only thing I'm not sure how I'll work out is what to do if I want to use my camera on a tripod. I do have a L bracket which may solve the problem. Thanks for the overview!!
Yeah that is the one thing I struggle with a bit as well. I probably shoot 90% or higher with my long lens so not a huge deal breaker and I just take the hub off if I plan on shooting landscapes or real estate. Cotton Carrier does make a hub with an arca-swiss plate built into that works well, but because I always have my Small Rig cage on my Nikon Z8 I don't use it anymore.
@@raincoastphoto I did see that hub they make, but it's another purchase. I saw 3 Legged Thing just came out with a new version of their L bracket. They added a quick release function. But, right now it only is for one camera, an OM/Olympus.
I’ve had one for 3 years and love it. Like you said, it helps immensely with carrying my Z9 with either a 500mm PF or even my 400mm F2.8. It is very comfortable and easy to get at, and it frees up both hands for either binoculars or helping to steady yourself while hiking. I’m paranoid about dropping my camera so I also have a Blackrapid shoulder sling attached to the lens foot. It looks a little ungainly but it’s seamless once you get used to it.
I think that 500pf is the perfect lens for this, good to hear its not bad with that 400 2.8 as well. Great idea on the black rapid strap can never be too careful.
Thanks for this vid! I may pick one of these up. Currently using a Peak Design Capture on a backpack with my Canon R7 and 100-400 lens. It works but on longer hikes or if I start using a larger lens I would think the G3 would be more comfortable.
Yeah getting the weight centered on your body really helps on longer hikes, worth the cost in my opinion.
Im wondering, what if i want to take it out, and attache to gimbal head ? I need to change, attachment on my camera ?
I put the cotton carrier attachment on the camera body not on the lens foot, so not an issue the way I am using it
@@raincoastphoto Thanks :)
@@wasil3k Your welcome, but realized I should add I do have to take it off if shooting a lens without a lens foot. . Cotton carrier does have a hanger that has built in arca-swiss plate along side that works well.
How do you deal with CC and a Arca plate ?
I have multiple CC setups and the problem is hub and the arca plate conflict in location.
I am concerned with the stress you put on the lens mount, but I do like your idea of using the safety strap hooking under the lens foot.
The short answer is an Allen Key lol. I do have the arca swiss adapter from CC which works ok www.cottoncarrier.com/collections/attachments/products/ccs-universal-tripod-adapter . 99% of the time I have my long lens on so the the carrier works fine, but if I am going out for a landscape or Real estate shoot I just take the CC Hub off. I always have a Smallrig Cage on my Z8. So have the arca plate on that.
do you use the cotton carrier and also carry your tripod for when you stop
Yeah I always have a tripod with me. The cotton carrier is great for being handsfree while hiking and not having to put the camera in a pack.
Hi Stu, I just bought the smallrig cage for my Z8. But I found out the shutter release port is partially blocked by the cage. Do you know if there is a way around it? Shutter release is essential in low light photography
I currently don't have a 10 pin connector to try, but looking on dpreview they appear to work. It looks like a tight fit so I wonder if my your cage is not quite fit properly slightly askew? I use the 2 sec timer or my iphone through snapbridge as a work around atm but not ideal.
Hey Alex, a follow up, I actually found my cable release and no problem attaching to the 10-pin connector with the cage on. www.raincoastphoto.com/Recent-Photos/June-2024/i-HrCVgHb/A
@@raincoastphoto what’s the brand and model you are using?
@@alexli3488 Just a cheap 3rd party Pixel TW-282TX 10 years old
@@alexli3488 the precursor to this one amzn.to/3xD3rXo
i am a kid but i want the way you live and you do 😊
Thanks Naruto, it's great to hear about kids interested in nature and photography. It can be tough at times but I wouldn't want any other job. But keep in mind I do have a degree in Biology and that played a very important part in me getting to where I am. You never know where life will lead you, so live an interesting life as possible. Cheers
not for me. It looks just so uncomfortable. The rule of thumb is that if a lens has a foot, use it to support the camera, otherwise the camera supports the lens. That's to reduce the stress on the mount ring. who knows? I think it's an urban legend, but I stick to it, Appreciate the review though.
Thanks Patrick yeah it may not be for everybody. Good rule for sure. The lens is always supported by the strap
The way i use it, I never walk without that, so far no issues. Cheees