how do you carry your camera when shooting

[crockny]

I have a 7D with 400mm lens on the regular Canon strap around my neck. I'm trying to find alternatives -- has anyone tried the sniper-strap line of products? Specifically the back-pack strap -- looks interesting but wondering how it is in the field. Or any other ideas you may have -- I was also looking at some of the harness type carriers, the ones where you can attach a camera to either side ... I am a woman, so the lighter stuff is the better ... and ease of use is obviously important ...

[rokclmb]

I use a homemade sniper type strap. It was very easy to make with straps and buckles I had in my camping gear. It works great. If I'm doing something that is a little more active (hiking, playing with my kids...) I can use a carabiner key chain to secure the camera to my side or back but still have it easily accessible.

[Jonbar18]

I just carry it in my sling bag. Easy access, comfortable, protective, and holds anything else I may have on me (water, map, etc.)

[OsmosisStudios]

Wrap strap around wrist twice, camera in hand.

[homank76]

I use a BlackRapid strap, but I don't have a lens the size of a 400mm either. I've never had a problem having my D700 and 70-200mm lens attached to it, and that's a lot of weight.

[zona5101]

I too use a BR strap...on bigger lenses, I hook to the tripod collar rather than the body...weight is better distributed and less stress on the lens mount.

[Liz Caldwell]

If it's not safely in my camera bag (a tamrac backpack style that I think I actually won from DPS a few years back) then it's either around my neck and in my hand, or I do what OsmosisStudios does, wrap the strap around my wrist and hold onto it for dear life.

[RichardTaylor]

I shoot a lot with a 100-400.
Mostly it is with a mono pod attached and I just carry it like a rifle cradled in my arms.
If I am not using a mono pod and shooting with a second body I just hang it of my shoulder via the camera strap.
If I am shooting with just the 100-400 Then I will do what OsmosisStudios does.

[jdepould]

I hate having the camera around my neck, so I usually carry on my shoulder with the prism up against my body.

[crockny]

Hmmm -- well here's the thing - I walk around for 3-4 hours with the D7 and 400mm looking for birds to shoot ... I don't think winding the strap around my wrist and carrying it in my hand is gonna work ... I have thought of using a monopod and carrying it like a rifle -- still kind of tiring tho ... a man might do better with that.

Zona - how do you attach your strap to the tripod collar - do you have some kind of adapter?

I will check out the Black Rapid straps ... thanks.