The easiest way to bring multiple camera bodies while photographing sports is to use multiple camera straps. Keep one camera body hanging at your side while the other is in your hands. However, there are more efficient ways to pull this off.
I’m Caleb, and I have more than four years of experience as a sports photographer. I’ve shot several sports, from soccer to basketball, at various levels.
In this article, I’ll go into detail about carrying multiple camera bodies and the available options. If you’re considering getting a second camera body for sports photography, read this first to find out your options for carrying it.
Contents
Why Carry Multiple Cameras for Sports Photography?
Before getting into the details, it’s worth briefly going over why sports photographers often use more than one camera body in the first place.
Simply put, one lens usually isn’t enough to capture every situation on the field. A lens with a shorter focal length won’t have the range to catch further out action, and a longer lens will miss things happening close-up.
There’s no time to pause and change lenses during a fast-moving sporting event. This is why sports photographers bring more than one camera body.
Each one covers a different purpose. If the main one has a long-range lens, the second one will have a shorter lens, and vice versa.
Method 1: Using Multiple Camera Straps
This is the most straightforward approach to using two or more camera bodies. Basically, you just wear both camera straps and try to avoid them getting tangled up or your camera bodies bumping into each other.
While this method is simple, it does work. However, it works better with some lenses than others.
You probably won’t feel much neck strain from carrying around a smaller lens, like a 24-70mm one. But if your alternate lens is something larger, like a 70-200mm one, you’ll definitely notice the weight.
Really, this method is best when your largest lens is your main one. That way, the larger lens won’t be hanging and placing weight on your neck most of the time.
Method 2: Using a Monopod
An ideal solution when using large lenses, such as super-telephoto ones, is to use a monopod. If you didn’t realize from the name, a monopod is like a tripod, except with only a single leg.
The monopod supports the weight of the camera and lens for you while you’re shooting. When you want to switch to your alternate camera, you can just lean the monopod to the side and rest it against your shoulder.
Monopods are widely used in outdoor sports like soccer, as they’re often played on large fields where big, long-range lenses are needed to capture all the action.
Method 3: Using a Specialized Harness
Another option is to use a harness designed specifically for carrying multiple cameras. This is similar to the first method, but the weight isn’t placed on your neck. Also, there’s no risk of getting camera straps tangled in a key moment.
These harnesses usually let you hang one camera on each side, which is convenient for knowing where each one is.
A con of this method is that these harnesses can cost more than the other options. However, you only have to buy it once, so it might be a good investment if you plan to use more than one camera body.
FAQs
Here are some other questions about carrying multiple cameras.
What Camera Strap Is Best for Sports Photography?
You don’t need a specific camera strap for sports photography. The most important thing is that the camera strap is comfortable since, depending on the sport, you may have to wear it for hours at a time.
How Do I Carry a Camera With a Heavy Lens?
If you’re struggling with the weight of a lens, your best option is to use a monopod. If you have a super-telephoto lens, this is basically a must for sports photography.
Conclusion
As a sports photographer, you have various options for carrying multiple cameras, from wearing more than one camera strap to using a dedicated harness.
Do you use more than one camera body at a time in your photography? What methods do you use to carry them? Let us know in the comments.
