Secure Carrying of SL 70-200mm Lens

[Leica_Lover]

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Hello. Is there a secure method of carrying the SL 70-200mm lens by linking a strap such as the Peak Design Sling to the lens collar? The Leica product page states that a tripod must be used to mount the lens in order to prevent damage to the camera's bayonet. Is it correct to assume that any other carry method besides a tripod is risky to the camera's bayonet? I would like to be able to safely walk with the lens mounted to the camera but the lens certainly needs some support to alleviate the weight and pressure on the camera's bayonet. All ideas are welcome.

https://leicacamerausa.com/leica-vario-elmarit-sl-70-200mm-f-2-8-asph.html

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[jaapv]

Yes. Peak Design strap.  This is the Sigma version lens but AFAIK the Leica one has a tripod screw hole as well. The screw-in link is normally included with the strap. Otherwise Peak can supply it. 

I like to carry long lenses in the point of balance as well, but there is no need to worry about a relatively light and small one like the 70-200;   the camera is built to take far heavier loads  

 

 

 

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[Luke_Miller]

Don't have the 70-200, but do carry the 90-280.  My preference is to just use my camera strap (a heavy duty Upstrap) and hold the weight of the lens in my hand.  I got into this practice with my heavy Nikon exotic telephotos, which come with their own strap, but are too heavy to let hang from the neck or shoulder.

[jaapv]

That is why I carry really heavy combos on a diagonal strap.

[Leica_Lover]

@jaapvIs the diagonal strap you mentioned the same as the pics above?

Edited November 6, 2024 by Leica_Lover

[jaapv]

Sure Peak Design straps are adjustable between 99 and 145 cm  

https://www.peakdesign.com/products/slide?Color=Black

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[hoolyproductions]

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When I use my 90-280mm I also use Peak Design (in my case the thinner 'leash' variant). But I just do it in the same way as with all my other lenses - one PD mount on the left-side camera lug (where you would normally attach a strap) and the other attached to a PD plate in the camera tripod socket.

I'm guess the diagonal method outlined by Jaapv is even better, but I don't think that my method puts excess pressure on the lens mount because of the way the lens and camera end up pointing down - there is no 'angular' pressure on the lens mount. 

[Leica_Lover]

@jaapvthank you very much! Sorry to be a pain but would you have an image of how they’re linked? The camera is blocking the view of how they’re linked. It looks like there is a third strap?

Edited November 6, 2024 by Leica_Lover

[Leica_Lover]

@hoolyproductionsyour way seems to be good too. Any issues?

[jaapv]

1 hour ago, Leica_Lover said:

@jaapvthank you very much! Sorry to be a pain but would you have an image of how they’re linked? The camera is blocking the view of how they’re linked. It looks like there is a third strap?

Actually  this  last image is just to demonstrate diagonal carrying. The lens here is a 150-600 with a handgrip; that lens has strap lugs.  For the way the strap is mounted see the earlier shot. This is the Sigma 70-200 with Arca foot, I think that the Leica version lacks this; that means that you should use the tripod mount on the lens itself - which makes no difference at all.

 

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[jaapv]

1 hour ago, Leica_Lover said:

@hoolyproductionsyour way seems to be good too. Any issues?

For me the issue is that the lens tends to slap your leg.

[hoolyproductions]

I find it comfortable enough, the lens seems to sit on my hip and drifts a little but I don't find it a hassle. I don't spend a whole lot of time with this combo though

[jaapv]

I carry it on one side on an SL and the 150-600  on an S5ii with battery grip. the other. And walk with them - that makes carrying vertically uncomfortable.

[Leica_Lover]

@jaapvit looks like you have a third link attached to the lens and the other end attached to one of the straps.

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[jaapv]

 That third link is on the battery grip lug and unused in this configuration. Nowhere near the strap.

[Timkr]

I put a qd plate on the foot of my 90-280 and carry it comfortably via qd strap

[Richardgb]

When I had (note past tense) the Panasonic 70-200/2.8, the only bag that I could carry it in (with body attached) was the Think Tank Digital Holster 50 owing to the large (82mm) front filter size over which the lens hood is reversed when not it use making an overall width of just under 95mm. The bag is well made but in the end didn't get much use as I sold the lens because it and the camera together were too heavy just to take around casually.

The 70-200 Vario-Elmarit is supposed to be approx. 97mm diameter with lens hood, so even wider than the Panasonic. You might just be able to get it into the Digital Holster 50, but you'd need to try it before buying. The Sigma 70-200/2.8 is <91mm and 200g lighter... just saying.

[Leica_Lover]

@Richardgb thank you

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[Leica_Lover]

@jaapv thanks so much for all your help!

[Leica_Lover]

@Timkr which brand qd did you use and which brand/model strap? Did you have both straps linked to the foot or one on camera and one of lens foot?