I work in some fairly excessive environments. Day after day, I am hopping on and off boats, climbing steep grades, and strolling on some very slippery surfaces. Some days we’re climbing mountains or glaciers, strolling on shale seashores, dodging fur seals, watching out for polar bears, and even driving zodiacs. I am additionally answerable for serving to my visitors navigate many of those identical obstacles. On high of all this, I have to be prepared at a second’s discover to snap a breaching whale, sparring polar bears, a mobbed eagle, or a leopard seal degloving a penguin. How? With assist from Peak Design’s Seize Clips.
The Issues
As a wildlife photographer-in-residence for G Adventures, having my gear packed away in a backpack makes it tough to be able to take photographs of unpredictable animals. Extra lately, most of the places I am taking pictures in have requested that luggage not be positioned on the bottom for concern of contaminating completely different colonies with avian flu.
Carrying my equipment simply will not work. There’s simply an excessive amount of.
If it is not avian flu, I am frightened about placing my cameras down within the muck. There isn’t any means that I am placing my digicam down in slurries of moist guano.
Out on the water, I could not put my cameras down on the deck of zodiacs as they’re vulnerable to a little bit of water. Earlier than utilizing the Seize Clips, I typically discovered myself carrying cameras and lenses round in my fingers. There isn’t any means {that a} neck strap or sling is protected after I’m round boats and wildlife.
Frankly, I used to be at a loss. Typically known as on to assist out with operations, I wasn’t photographing effectively as I wanted my fingers free to assist out with getting visitors ashore safely. I wanted my fingers free.
This meant that my cameras went again into my luggage. In flip, this meant that I’d miss photographs that popped up with out warning—which is typical for wildlife images. Strolling seashores with cameras in hand, unable to place gear on the bottom, additionally meant that I needed to decide whether or not I had my lengthy lens or one thing wider.
The Answer
To consolidate my wants, I require one thing that’s safe, holds an honest quantity of weight, is personally ergonomic, and provides me entry to my cameras in a flash.
I made a decision to attempt Peak Designs’ Seize Clip. As you may see, an Arca-type suitable QR plate attaches to my digicam or tripod leg (for heavier lenses), which then slips into the clip that attaches to the shoulder strap of my backpack.
Fast Launch
Getting my cameras out is quick and environment friendly. A fast push of the discharge button and my digicam is free and I am able to shoot.
Environment friendly
I like that the Arca-type clip can even match proper onto my tripod or monopod in case I would like some stability. It additionally means I am not fussing with altering plates when it is actually chilly or darkish out.
The best way that the bottom plate clips to the shoulder strap implies that I may even cowl up my lenses utilizing rain/mud jackets for extra foul climate.
Safe
Over a variety of completely different environments, climbing steep grades, nothing ever slipped or dropped out of the clip. I appreciated that I needed to elevate my digicam out of the clip as soon as I engaged the discharge button. Utilizing gravity to assist maintain my gear in place is a superb piece of engineering.
Weight
The clips carried as a lot weight as I may throw at them. I usually have my 300mm f/2.8 with teleconverter. Together with my Canon our bodies, my digicam equipment is weighing in at about 6lbs. Placing the burden on my shoulders takes the burden off of my again and onto my shoulder harness, which transfers a lot of the weight to my hips. Which actually makes it simpler to climb or assist.
The clips match on straps as much as 2.5” broad and 0.6″ thick with normal thumbscrews or 0.88” thick with included hex-head clamping bolts. I discovered I may clamp a few of my thicker padded straps with a bit extra tightening. To be clear, I exceeded what they have been constructed for.
In a position to carry all this weight, I can have each my broad and lengthy lenses obtainable. I not should juggle lens adjustments ashore in soiled environments.
Minor Cons
I used to be extraordinarily pleased with how simple it was for me to entry my gear and the way safe the whole lot felt. It did take me some time to find out the place to connect the clips to my straps. As a tip, I discovered that my longer lenses go a bit larger on the strap and the shorter lenses a bit decrease. This made it simple to maintain the cameras out of my face and straightforward to disconnect. I personally carry them a bit larger than what I’ve seen on-line in order that I can unhook my equipment with out even wanting—as an alternative preserving my eye on the motion.
One other fast tip: should you’re attempting these out within the area, have a pair of pliers helpful to make the setup simpler. Adjusting the screws that tighten the clips to my bag generally is a bit robust, particularly within the chilly.
Having my equipment mounted to my chest made entry simple. Nevertheless, provided that I am additionally carrying a life jacket and carrying a little bit of security gear, the entire setup obtained a bit cumbersome. Actually, nonetheless, I am simply carrying an excessive amount of klatch. I am unable to consider an answer, as I actually appreciated having my gear on my entrance, simple to entry—I suppose I am prepared to sacrifice consolation for comfort.
I had the Carryology model, which is available in a vibrant orange. I appreciated how vibrant the metallic was; some might like one thing extra muted.
Gear photographs supplied by Peak Designs, wildlife photographs supplied by me, Mark Dunsmuir / allow us to go picture.
