Birding Camera Backpack

So far I'm really enjoying this harness. I am a field ornithologist by trade and a recreational birder, and until now I never had enough hands to carry my DSLR camera in addition to my binoculars, scope & tripod, backpack, clipboard, and other gear. Now I can have it all! I hook up the binocs to one side and the camera to the other and I'm good to go. It's been perfect for birding, and it's comfortable, even when worn under a backpack. The attachments that come with the harness are a little long - I shortened them up all the way and they hang where I want but there's a long piece of extra strap hanging off. I understand there are shorter connectors available so I will try those soon. (For reference, I'm a medium-sized 5'8 woman, so a larger person might prefer the length of the included connectors.) With the 300mm lens attached, the camera does swing a bit, but not as much as I thought it would. It was mostly a problem for me when I was doing fieldwork, walking quickly for several miles... it would swing and occasionally hit the tripod I was carrying on the same side if I wasn't careful. But it was fine when I was moving more slowly and not carrying a tripod. Bottom line... The ability to drop the bins and grab the camera quickly has been a serious upgrade! Add a hip pack for my notebook and field guide and I'm birding hands-free... achievement unlocked!!! $30 well spent.

I do a lot of birding and like to bring along a camera. Between a backpack, binoculars, and a camera, too many straps and too many tangles. The SpiderPro holster solves that problem for me. The camera is held out of the way but ready for use. I have walked many miles with digital camera and telephoto lens in the SpiderPro at my side and have had no issues or problems. It is comfortable and secure both in the waist clip on the belt and the lock mechanism for the camera. If you are a birder who carries a camera, or want to, the SpiderPro is worth a serious look. It is pricey, but after using if a half dozen or so times it has paid that back in shots taken that I would have otherwise missed, especially if the camera were left home.

I have used this backpack for my urban birding walking trips to take my camera, binocs, water, and snacks and it is just perfect. I have the 20L (5'5", older, sorta chunky) and it works well with my body size. today I used the extra hip belt and that was great for support while walking to my destination (around 6km total trip). I also used the extra sternal strap and that was helpful to balance the quick-release camera clip on the left side. I love how everything fits together and is streamlined for efficient use. You can organize the interior so that it works for your equipment--so flexible and easy. This is the best back pack for birding that I've ever used!

Have gone birding twice with my new camera. I am delighted so far!

This is the best camera backpack, let alone just backpack ever

so far just birding

GREAT FOR BIRDING.

Great for birding.

I use the BlackRapid Backpack Breathe Camera Strap with a Lowepro ProTactic Backpack. One side of the strap connects perfectly to the rings located on the front of the backpack's shoulder straps and the other side connects onto a loop on the bottom of the pack on the other side. The BlackRapid backpack strap allows me to have quick access to my camera. With the camera on the BlackRapid strap, I no longer need to bring my backpack to my side to remove and use my camera. I now use my backpack only to store and change lenses. My camera can now remain outside my backpack, located conveniently to my side at hip level. When I want to shoot, the camera slides smoothly up the camera strap to eye level. I like that the camera hangs upside-down when resting on the strap. It makes for an easy get to position when my camera is resting at my side. This strap is amazingly slick and fun to use. I have to admit that I find myself playing around with it, like I'm some sort of gunslinger, showing off how quick I can be on the draw. I appreciate the movable clips provided on the BlackRapid camera strap. The two clips are easily adjusted, allowing me to restrict the movement of the camera to stay in one place on the strap when I am planning not to shoot. All of the attachment parts seem well made and designed. I keep the bottom strap strapped to the bottom of my backpack and store the rest of the strap in a small pocket on my backpack when I am not using the strap. Then, all I have to do is remove the strap from the small backpack pocket and connect the free end to the opposite shoulder strap . . . and I'm ready to go! I wish the piece that that screws into the camera (Camera Socket Attachment) was designed so that the camera could sit flat when attached, and if the design of the socket attachment would permit a tripod or mono-pod to be screwed into it without having to unscrew it from the camera. I absolutely love the BlackRapid Backpack Breathe Camera Strap!

I take my camera along with me when I go birding, so I already have binoculars on a chest harness. The Spider Camera holster works really well for me. I like that I can slide the camera holder and camera from my hip around towards my back, depending on where it feels most comfortable as I am walking. I also don't have a lot of strength in my arms and shoulders d/t a disability, so for others who might have a similar weakness; I find having the weight of the camera around my hip area much better.