Traveling Lightly

For the outdoor photographer who intends to travel lightly, Cotton Carrier’s G3 Strapshot secures a DSLR with long lens to the shoulder strap of a backpack.

The G3 Strapshot’s compact holster velcro-wraps around any backpack’s shoulder strap and is kept from sliding down by a pull strap that loops through the top handle of the backpack.

I used a Strapshot when photographing the International Sportsman’s Exposition in Sacramento this month. Securing the Strapshot to the left shoulder strap of a Lowe Pro Mini Trekker AW backpack, I was able to unhook the camera from the shoulder with my right hand, for ready shooting, and the weight of a Nikon D850 with a Nikkor 28-300 mm lens was hardly noticed.

Cotton Carrier’s system mounts an anodized hub to the tripod screw hole on the bottom of the camera. The hub then slides and locks into the holster by turning it to the side, then letting the lens swing down, once in the mount. To protect cameras from being dropped, the Strapshot comes with a grip handstrap and a quick-release safety tether that snaps to the holster.

Set up is simple and quick. And, it took little time to get used to twisting and locking the camera into the holster. The mounting hub also has a tripod screw hole on it, so that tripods can still be used, when needed.

When not using a backpack, the Strapshot can be carried on the hip by passing a belt through loops behind the holster, though when a heavier camera is carried, a Sam Browne Belt is advised to distribute its weight. Cotton Carriers sells a DEMO Action Belt ($15) for this situation.

In all, Cotton Carrier’s G3 Strapshot is a compact accessory that permits carrying a camera for ready use without need of gear other than a belt or backpack. The CCS G3 Strapshot comes in charcoal grey or camo and retails for $79 at B&H, Adorama and online at CottonCarrier.com.