OP/TECH USA 5301422 Bino/Cam Harness (Elastic) by OP/TECH USA
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Digital camera reviews of OP/TECH USA 5301422 Bino/Cam Harness (Elastic)
Digital camera Review: Addresses a need at a great value for hiker/photographers
Summary: 4 Stars
We recently returned from a week long trip to a couple of national parks in Utah. I wanted to hike with my D90 at the ready, plus have a hydration backpack and use trekking poles. After investing in an Osprey backpack, because I couldn't find a hydration camera pack combo, I ordered this harness in hopes it could keep my camera handy, yet safe. The harness worked better than I expected, a value well beyond the reasonable purchase price.
Just so everyone knows, the straps are 100% elastic with 2 plastic clips that hook to you camera or binoculars. The elastic stretches enough, but not much. I unhooked my Crumpler Industry Disgrace neck strap, and replaced it with the male and female connectors that come in the package. It didn't take 5 minutes. I then tightened the elastic loops so that it would be a snug fit and keep the camera very high on my chest. It was easy to then put the harness on and clip the camera in.
When hiking, the camera bounced around a little, but I never had to hold it with a hand. Even when jumping down off a 2 foot ledge, the camera felt secure. Usually I had a shorter lens on, which helped, I am sure. When pulling the camera up for a landscape shot, I didn't have to unhook it, but sometimes the harness and the backpack's sternum strap got in each others way. For portrait orientation, I always unclipped one side or the other. With one side unclipped, I had enough range of motion for 90% of the pictures I wanted to take. When I was done shooting, I quickly reclipped and I was back on the trail looking for the next great shot without worring about the camera being secure, or being a bother. I really felt like both a hiker, and a photographer, with no trade-offs.
I did start to feel the straps after 4 hours on the trail. This is where 100% elastic is a drawback. Perhaps a pad on the shoulder blades would help, but that would drive the cost up.
What I wish I had in addition to this, is a way to easily carry another lens in front so that I didn't have to have my wife dig the other one out of my pack when I wanted to switch. I'll look for something that can attach to the pack's waist strap. Now I have to decide if I can easily switch back and forth between my Crumpler neck strap and the Op/Tech harness, depending on the situation.
Digital camera Review: As good as any other
Summary: 4 Stars
I did quite a bit of research on this type of product. Various binocular harnesses from different brands such as Nikon, Field and Stream, Leupold, REI and others. I came to the conclusion that they are all essentially the same product, barring the name on the little leather patch that ends up on your back. My advice is to find the least expensive one and get it. Unless it is important to have the "Leupold" name on your back, you are wasting your money.
The harness does what it claims. I use it when hunting and I bust through quite a bit of brush. The binocs stay put until you need them, and then they are easily accessed. Definitely worth getting, provided you don't spend more than 20 bucks on them.
Digital camera Review: Better than a strap
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm new to DLSRs, so I don't really have much experience with a strap. What little experience I do have is that I find them uncomfortable and constantly worry about the camera swinging into things. I kept my prosumer camera in a case on my belt, so didn't use a strap at all.
This harness is a little tricky to get on (but only a few seconds worth, really), but it holds my camera much more securely and comfortably. I wouldn't say it's "tight" against my body, but it doesn't swing around much. I debated between the elastic and the webbing one, and am glad I got the elastic one. I'm a little over 6' tall with a fairly long neck, and the elastic one allows me to be able to get the camera up to shooting position without unlatching it, as well as pull it down far enough to see the LCD screen with my over 40 year old eyes.
Digital camera Review: Bino/cam harness does its job
Summary: 5 Stars
Just back from trip to Peru, utilizing the OpTech bino/cam harness in both jungle and mountain conditions. Worked very well, allowing free access to both binoculars and camera while distributing weight better than original straps for either. The elastic version is a must for better flexibility. The binoculars or camera were easy to detach without removing the harness. Harness was easy to put on or remove.
Digital camera Review: Camera Harness
Summary: 4 Stars
This was the only elastic camera harness I could find, and it is a good one. Plenty of room to go over a winter parka, yet adjustable enough for just a T-shirt. Simple to use and adjust.