Cotton Carrier - Camera Carrying System

©JP Parmley

Over the years, I have tried various harnesses and systems to allow me to have two cameras readily available during a wedding or a nature hike.  Up until this year, I have not been happy with anything I have tried.  The Cotton Carrier 2 camera system has changed that.

I typically do not endorse products, only when they clearly stand out for me (i.e. the 5DMIII).  This system is an example where I have been so thoroughly impressed and happy that I thought I would share.

The Cotton Carrier for 2 cameras has enhanced my ability to work quickly, safely and with far less back stress.  The system keeps the cameras close to your body and locked in place until you need them.  This is not like those systems that have the cameras hanging from straps at your sides.  This system allows you to bend down, twist and turn.  Heck, their website even shows a guy on a trampoline!!

The locking mechanism keeps the cameras in place and secure, but gives you an easy method to extract them with natural motions of your hand.  In addition there are tethers that will prevent the cameras from being dropped should you accidentally let go of your gear!  This gives you the extra peace of mind of not dropping $5-$7k worth of equipment.

The harness is comfortable, adjustable and distributes the weight evenly so that you can have your larger lens with you all day.  I have not used it with anything larger than a 70-200 lens, but I imagine it will work well with the 400s as well.

I have used mine at wedding and hikes.  I actually strapped a 70-200 to a 5DMIII and went on a bike ride.  It works perfectly!

For $189 this is a great investment for pros or enthusiasts. 

Check it out HERE.

Here are some pictures from their website.

©JP Parmley

On a casual walk through a Columbus, OH park we ran across a small water hole that was swarming with mosquitoes.  As we were running past to avoid being bit, we noticed a small frog sitting on a branch that had fallen into the water.   It was quite dark and heavily shaded which created a a small challenge.  My first attempt at this picture was at 800ISO, but it required a shutter speed well slower than anything you would want to shoot hand held, even with a 70-200mm 2.8L IS lens.  

A flash would have ruined this picture, so the only solution was to leverage the high ISO range of the 5DMIII.  In a manual mode, I set the aperture to 2.8, the shutter to 1/80th and the ISO to Auto.  With spot metering, to insure the frog was properly exposed, the ISO leveled off at 2500.

Using the rule of thirds, I composed the frog in the lower right intersection and took a shooting angle that would show the branch slightly rising out of the water. Ideally I would have liked to shoot this from a tripod to allow for a slower shutter and lower ISO, but we were just taking a casual walk this outing and did not have it with us.

Notice all those mosquitoes hanging around, I think I got bit 20 times obtaining this picture.  

Enjoy,

JP