Cotton Carrier Strap Shot - Backpack Add-on

I bought the Cotton Carrier Strap Shot after reading several reviews from various websites. I was looking for a way to carry my DSLR (Nikon D5200) while hiking - I want to have my camera available and within easy access while I am on the trail. And, I don't want my camera hanging around my neck or in a case slung over my shoulder. I'll admit I was a bit skeptical about how well the Strap Shot would work, but after considering all the options I decided to give it a try. I tested it out on an 11 mile hike on some very rugged terrain - lots of boulder/rock scrambling and steep ascents. The Strap Shot did a great job for me. I had my camera within easy access the entire day - simply rotate it 90 degrees and it is free from the Strap Shot. The Strap Shot held my camera securely in place - even while leaping from boulder to boulder (it does swing a bit from side to side, but nothing that would cause it to come unattached from the carrier on my backback strap). I don't use the "safety strap" or whatever Cotton calls it - instead, I just use my camera strap around my neck, it hang loose as the weight of camera is held by the Strap Shot. Worth noting, the Strap Shot attached to your backpack strap via a velcro closure and then the weight of the camera is held by a strap that connects to the buckle or d-ring near the shoulder strap of your backpack. If your pack doesn't have this buckle or d-ring, then you probably cannot connect it to your back. I am using a Gregory Z30 backpack. I used the Strap Shot with a Nikon D5200 and an Nikon 18-100mm lens. I did not notice any weight difference having my camera attached via the Strap Shot.

This is so darn expensive, requires a d ring my $600 black diamond backpack does not have. Is it useful? Yes, I let my cotton carrier drift down the shoulder strap so the camera and lens are suspended backward past my hip. I use the camera strap around my neck when in rocky terrain. The lower shoulder strap is Actually a great place for the cotton and camera when hiking, though it is exposed to trees more in the lower position. The upper position is great if you have the d ring strap to hold it there. For the most part the lock holds the camera in place, though mine came loose quickly during a fall hiking at night leaving me hunting for the body and praying it survived. Still it works fine if you are ambling just make sure the camera stays locked in. This does not come with any instructions, and it comes with a hand strap that is insulting to any serious photographer. I bought this with a credit I had or else I would have built my own for $5. They could and should have a clamp or other method for the holding strap and include some instructions. Still it does do the job and no one else makes a competing item. Does not work well with extended battery grips, at least on a multi day hike. Would be fine for a few hours at an event where the grip pushing the body out of your chest didn't matter or if you are parked somewhere shooting and want your arms free. My big telephoto hangs on my chest like a bazooka but it does keep the camera at the ready and out of the way. I'm torn, this is a great idea, either make it better or lower the price..feels stupid to spend this much even if it is a good idea and that makes it hard to recommend. I guess a really good camera strap would cost this much so what the hell. Buy it and try it I guess.

Bought this to add onto my Cotton Carrier system for carrying my camera when I don't want to wear the full camera vest. My review of this is based on my use case: DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Arca plate mount system for tripod, and already owning a Cotton Carrier vest.For a recent week long hiking/cabin trip, I wanted something more compact and less attention grabbing than the vest. This was attached to a roll up backup that had a clip point for the Strap Shot's hanging strip to attach to.I had my mirrorless camera(A6000 + 16-50 compact lens) with me and the cotton carrier standard disk. An arm length strap was used to clip the camera to the strap shot to guard against accidental drops.Pros:This thing is compact, light, and because of the wrap around ballistic nylon and velcro, works well with the backpack I chose and would work well with pretty much any backpack or messenger bag in my collection. The standard disk slides easily into the Cotton Carrier capture point and is secure when the camera is in the retained position. A camera with a lens that will properly weigh the camera to face downward, will work great with this. When the camera was not on the strap shot, I barely even noticed it was there. This thing incurs a very negligible weight cost.While hiking, I just needed to take hold of my camera and turn/slide it out and shoot. Since there is not latch or clip mechanism, removal was silent. After some distance and using it a few times, it became second nature to just get the camera off the clip, shoot, walk a bit, shoot, and slide it back into place. Super convenient!Cons:Hmm... so, so long as your camera has a lens that will weigh it down in the correct direction, it will be fine. However, if you like super light lenses or pancake lenses, then it will be a problem, as your camera will hang with the lens facing to the side, which is the release position. I had my camera get pushed and slide out of the capture point while kneeling down to re-lace my hiking shoes. Also, when putting down my pack, the camera swung quite a bit.Because the Strap Shot is wrapped around your backpack or other strap, it does not have support against the camera rocking from side to side. The strap shot does, however, prevent the camera from pitching forward. Note, this is opposite to the Peak Design Capture Clip, which prevents side-ways rocking, but allows for forward pitching. :)During hiking and standing positions, it was perfectly secure and while it did swing a bit, did not interfere with hiking, climbing, or any other activities.Thoughts:The Strap Shot would benefit from a sternum strap opening, as well as perhaps an anchor point clip that can be attached to shoulder straps which don't have a clip for the strap to be anchored to.All in all, it's a good solution to mounting your camera on your backpack strap.