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By Katrina Ferguson
Whether you’re fashion-forward or pragmatically motivated, we’ve got a dual camera harness recommendation for you.
It’s time to stop juggling multiple camera bodies and the subsequent head, neck and shoulder pain that often results from use of traditional, inexpensive manufacturer camera straps.
So, start your research here.
See what professional photographers like you favor most.…then go forth and conquer all your ‘how am I supposed to manage these two cameras at a time’ woes!
Listed in alphabetical order, our recommendations are:
Black Rapid Blackline II Double
The two-camera harness system from Black Rapid has been around since the late naughties - it’s a product that’s iterated and certainly stood the test of time. The Black Rapid Blackline Double II is made of lightweight materials with breathable padded straps.
It’s available in black (regular or slim styles) and camouflage with prices starting at USD$199.95 (or $179.95 for the Breathe range).
“I must say I prefer the comfort of this new Black Rapid's Blackline double with its breathable shoulder padding. I am a wedding photographer of 10 years now and I thought I needed a leather strap for the style at such events but I realized comfort over fashion was more important.” - Lori Giordano, Black Rapid user
Coiro Dual Shoulder Leather Harness
This one’s a popular choice especially given the sub USD$100 price tag and general stylish aesthetic.
Choose between regular or padded straps and regular width or skinny design. And Coiro’s color selection game is also strong with offerings including black, brown, tan, beige, gray and blue.
“I have a bad back and have been on the lookout for a comfortable camera harness. This harness has served me well right out the gate. [It] provides incredible support and is very versatile.” - Stephanie Lawrence, Coiro harness user
Cotton’s lead the way in camera carrying systems for more than a decade, claiming and delivering unmatched stability and ease of use. They back their harnesses (and all their products) with a 3-year manufacturing warranty to boot.
Prices start from USD$129 with both black and camouflage design options available.
The Cotton Carrier may not be the most fashionable choice among them but the product is premium quality and certainly well-suited to active photographers and the more pragmatically-minded.
It’s a great choice too for the environmentally aware. All Cotton packaging material is made from some 53 percent post-consumer recycled materials, the company donates 1 percent of all sales to environmental non-profits, and they promise high-quality products built to last a lifetime.
“I find this far more comfortable than using a camera support that is slung across my body, putting all of the weight on only one shoulder.” - Thomas Stirr, Small Sensor Photography
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Holdfast Money Maker Dual Camera Strap
If style’s important to you and your brand, you’d likely have already come across Holdfast’s much loved Money Maker Dual Camera Strap. It’s available in a range of genuine leather designs, styles and colors, and Holdfast offers customisable logo engraving to boot.
Be prepared for an initial sense of thickness and stiffness that’s a hallmark of premium leather,, knowing your strap will break in and start to feel like a second skin in no time. The Money Maker is a stylish, premium option priced at USD$389 and backed by a generous lifetime guarantee.
“I felt my gear shouldn’t hold my wardrobe hostage.” - Matthew Swaggart, Holdfast Creator
It’s not a trendy over-the-shoulder leather harness, true, but the gun-slinging-style dual holster from Spider is a total game-changer for pro photographers looking to shift weight and pressure from their shoulders, back and neck, to their hips as an alternative - and without a swinging camera (or two) in sight.
Get full use of your hands back with the Spider Dual Holster (imagine a belt on some pretty wicked steroids) though it may leave a proverbial hole in your pocket with prices starting at USD$275 for a SpiderPro Dual System. Both mirrorless and DSLR-specific designs are available - along with a hybrid version if you’re rocking differing camera systems.
“For years I’ve had two separate bodies on separate shoulder straps. After using the Spider dual camera belt, I’m blown away at the comfort and ease of use. I can now not only have both hands free, I can also bend over and not have my cameras slinging around.” - Ken Henderson, Spider user
Invest Now
If you plan to work as a professional photographer for any length of time, a decent dual camera harness is a worthy investment - a non-negotiable really.
Physically and ergonomically it can provide you with invaluable protection against injury and strain.
It’ll help protect your expensive camera equipment AND - perhaps superficially (but realistically all the same) - help elevate your status as a professional while at work around both clients and the general public.
And, pragmatically, a dual camera harness enables you full use of your hands while keeping your gear well and truly at the ready.
So, what are you waiting for?!
Get yourself a dual camera harness today if you don’t already have one!