DIY Camera Harness Makes You Look Like A Trigger-Happy TV Cop

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camera-harness.jpeg

I wouldn’t tell anyone else this, but I’m going to admit it to you: I spend far too many brain cycles pondering better ways to carry my camera and other essentials. Worse, I have a box full of bags and straps leftover from my efforts. So i’m not sure whether this tutorial for making a DIY harness is a great idea of the beginning of another foolhardy adventure. I suspect it might be both.

My problems stem from wanting to carry my camera at all times, but also needing to have a bag for my wallet, spare camera battery, iPad and maybe a pair of sunglasses. I’m by no means one of those folks who shoulders a full, 20-pound messenger bag every morning. I’ve cut my everyday carry down to the minimum. But still I end up with a painful shoulder after less than an hour.

A camera harness looks like a good idea. Sure, it’s dorky, but if you wear it under a jacket nobody will care. Then again, if it’s cool enough to wear a jacket it’s cool enough to wear a backpack without getting a sweaty back…

The harness follows the same design ideas as one of those cool holsters you see TV cops wearing. It spreads the weight of the camera to both shoulders. I carry a lightweight X100S, which could easily be carried all day long if toted alone, but as I live in Barcelona – pickpocket capital of Europe (apart from maybe Rome I guess) – I need to keep it slung across my chest, along with my shoulder bag.

This DIY design isn’t nearly as cool as the leather cop holsters you see, but it is easy, practical and looks lightweight. You need just two straps plus a leather (or other stiffish material) square on the back, plus two separate straps on the camera which are then clipped to the harness. I’d suggest using parts of an Op-Tech camera strap for the last part as its clips make attachment and detachment easy.

Or you could just go out and buy a leather holster from the cop gun store. Either way, your shoulders and neck will thank you for it. I’m gonna dig out some straps this afternoon and give it a try.

Source: DIY Photography

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