Heavy lenses and Straps (damage to mounts?)

littlemonster

littlemonster

Messages
1,179
Name
Gemma
Edit My Images
Yes
I have a question - I've heard having heavy lenses supported by the camera mount only (ie with strap over the shoulder/around the neck/whatever) can do damage to the mount - is this true or a myth?

I'm really wondering in regards to my Siggy 150-500 (weighs in at 1.8kg) - whether I need to be mounting the strap to the tripod instead. But it's also gotten me wondering about my 80-200 (approx 1.3kg) when walking around.


Basically I'm simply wondering if wandering around with it attached will really hurt the camera or not? Seems silly if I have to hold it all day at a zoo etc.

Thanks anyone who know :D
 
Last edited:
when the 100-400 is attached to the camera I either hold it (as that way I can swing it out of harms reach if it looks like getting a knock in public) or I just let it dangle with the lens pointing to the floor so the weight it hanging around the whole of the conector not just one angle of it if that makes sense?

When its on the tripod I ude the lens mount NOT the camera mount for the same reason..

spike
 
When I use the 70-200 I use the tripod foot attached to one of my Q-Straps, wouldn't like it to be just hanging off the camera mount TBH.
 
I thought the 80-200 was too heavy for the mount so always carried it carefully, I made up a lens collar for it to support it better on a tripod and also attach the strap to this for carrying about. The collar looked a bit home made -as it was ! - so I've now replaced it with a proper kirk one.
 
When I use the 300mm 2.8 or 400mm 2.8 I use the straps on the lenses and let the camera body dangle off the lens:) I don't bother with straps on the camera 90% of the time.
 
With my Sigma 150-500 OS, 120-400 OS or my Canon 70-200 2.8 MkII I always connect my sling strap to the tripod mount. I find it much more comfortable and get less neck ache when I do so. I heard of a lens damaging a mount on a couple of occasions but I think they are made to take a good weight on the mounts.
 
If the lens comes with a tripod mount in the box, that's only where I connect the Black Rapid to. The exception is the 500mm, as I connect a second Black Rapid to the Camera (Grip) - though the lens still has most of the weight.
 
I use the lens strap when shooting with my 300mm F2.8, however often the combined weight of my camera, grip and flash is over 1.6kg.

I cant see any lens less than a large prime resulting in mount damage.
 
On the few occasions I wandered around with my 150-500 fitted, I supported it using the foot as I was walking. Wouldn't have wanted to go too far with it though, it's a heavy beast!
If I was to get another heavy lens, I think I would probably attach the strap to whichever was heavier, lens or body. Mount damage is unlikely IMO just from the weight but could occur on plastic mount (lower end) bodies.
 
I have my 150-500 attached to the carry speed strap with the backup clip attached to the camera. That helps to stop the lens from swinging on the hip aswell.
 
edz said:
hmm.. for those who strap to the tripod collar, when changing lens, do you unscrew from the lens, switch lens, then screw it to the new lens? for this reason, mines on the body.
Click to expand...
Nope......

I have a separate body for each lens I'm carrying (and a double Black Rapid as well as the single RS4)!!!:D

Taking three lenses out means the wife comes along as a caddy too.......:p
 
edz said:
hmm.. for those who strap to the tripod collar, when changing lens, do you unscrew from the lens, switch lens, then screw it to the new lens? for this reason, mines on the body.
Click to expand...

My carry speed attaches to both so no issues changing lens. I can even leave the long lens on the strap if I am changing lens just to take a few photos and then change back.
 
edz said:
hmm.. for those who strap to the tripod collar, when changing lens, do you unscrew from the lens, switch lens, then screw it to the new lens? for this reason, mines on the body.
Click to expand...

I only have one lens I deem heavy enough to strap to, so I just keep a strap on the body as well...
 
Thanks all - my 80-200 hasn't got anywhere on the tripod collar to attach a strap, but the 150-500 does, so I think I may attach it so one strap is still on the camera, one goes to the lens.
 
My Siggy 50-500mm came with an additional strap to attach to the lens itself, so when attached to my 60D I have two straps, but always use the lens strap.

If I remember rightly, in the documentation it states not to use the camera body strap or hold just the body as this may result in damage to the mount.
 
I had the older 80-200 with no collar. I often attached it on my D90 to my BR-sport, connecting to the camera body. It never felt like it would bust. I would always keep a hand on the lens as I walked about to stop it swinging.
 
Thanks all - after some consideration (and the fact that my TP strap around my neck with a heavy lens is murderous) I've got myself a Q strap, so my 80-200 and my 150-500 can both be attached to it via the tripod connecty thing. :D
 
If I'm going from a long lens like the Sigma 150-500 to a small prime for indoor shots then I'd take a second sling and keep the long lens on 1 sling and then put the camera with the small lens on the other.
Or, I'd put my twin harness on and have one of the staps connected to each or I'd take two bodies with a different lens on each.
 
ChrisCW said:
My Siggy 50-500mm came with an additional strap to attach to the lens itself, so when attached to my 60D I have two straps, but always use the lens strap.

If I remember rightly, in the documentation it states not to use the camera body strap or hold just the body as this may result in damage to the mount.
Click to expand...

Same here (but with 150-500 & 50D). I have the TP Optitech strap on my camera - so when the 150-500 is on, I unclip the neck-strap from the camera and clip the two dangly bits together, otherwise I get into a right tangle :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top