Taking a DSLR up a multipitch

Hey All, I'm planing a trip to Squamish this Fall and am wanting to bring my DSLR up The Chief. Any tips for pulling it up so it doesn't get beat around too much. Also what's a good method for backing it up to prevent an unlikely drop?

I don't like hauling my camera gear, unless the pitch is dead vertical or overhung. It's easy to get stuck or banged around on low angle terrain. I'd only recommend hauling it if the pitch involves any offwidth or chimney sections that would make climbing with a bag difficult.

Easiest method:
Get a compact case with good quality foam. If you are on a pitch well below your limit, just wear the bag up with you on lead. Even better, have the second take it up with them. If you are a cheapskate, you can always wrap the camera in a t-shirt or other article of clothing and stuff it in a daypack.

Try to limit yourself to just one lens -- the less finagling you do with loose hardware, the less likely you are to drop your expensive gear. If you are worried about dropping your camera when removing it from its carrying case, you can always hitch a long runner to the camera's strap and clip it to either your harness (pain in the ass and high tangle-potential) or the carrying case (cleaner and easier to manage).

A chest mount camera harness works well. Especially if it is one that has a small foam case. To bad my camera up I always girth hitch a single length runner to the strap. Good luck

I have taken my DSLR (20d and 17-40 F4L) up countless climbs. The biggest issue is bulk, and a camera bag just adds to that bulk. Because of this, I just sling the camera over my shoulder. If that gets annoying, I put it away in my pack.

I've done this for nearly ten years and have never had an issue. The camera and lens are beat to hell, but still work perfectly. The lens hood takes most of the impact. I wouldn't do this with a plastic lens, however. I have had bad experiences breaking them (not even climbing).

If you don't want a bunch of butt shots, you're going to want to lead with the camera. If you're going to take a bunch of whippers, put it in your backpack.

I've now switched to mirrorless, which allows me to save a pound even when carrying the camera in a case. So now I bring a padded case up sometimes. The DSLR was just way too bulky.

Unlike Dobson, for me, it's always been a decision to either climb or photograph - they really don't go together too well when you're bringing a DSLR into the mix. Basically, I find something that bulky is just a PITA on a multi-pitch trad climb.
YMMV.

I have brought my Canon 5d II up lots of routes, including walls in Zion, The Steck-Salathe in Yosemite, and countless routes in Red Rock. When you have an opportunity to shoot and the scene/subject is actually interesting there is just no comparison. Although I am sure some folks aren't up for the task of bringing the big SLR body. The main things I find helpful are not necessary how you carry it, but rather a few basic ways to equip it that lessen it's difficulty to carry and make it more resilient to damage…

1) Screen cover, they are cheap and easily installed (and removed) when its shatters. Obviously this protects the LCD. I like the thin glass ones but they make all sorts. 2) Pancake lens, Canon 40mm is excellent and cuts down a ton on bulk, making the camera more easily worn (messenger style) on your back. This way you can get the spontaneous photo be that moment your buddy gets their foot stuck above their head, etc. Only put it in the pack during rough terrain (the narrows slot etc) otherwise you won't get many photos and thats no fun. 3) UV filter - protects the lens and makes the lens cap (which is easily dropped) a little more optional for most climbs, sometimes don't even bring it.

I wouldn't worry so much about dropping your camera while in use. But be careful removing it/placing it in the bag. This is where fumbly-ness happens. It can always be easily clipped with a sling in these moments. Also, don't get upset when it gets scratched, dinged, scrapped etc. Thats just the nature of the beast… but if thats problem don't bring it and go with a different option.

Shoot on!

tsherry wrote:Hey All, I'm planing a trip to Squamish this Fall and am wanting to bring my DSLR up The Chief. Any tips for pulling it up so it doesn't get beat around too much. Also what's a good method for backing it up to prevent an unlikely drop?

As for beating it up... other than cosmetics don't worry about it. I climb with a Nikon D7000 and an 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 VR lens often. The camera is durable... get a lens keeper to keep the glass protected.
as for dropping it, just get a solid sling and attach a carabiner to it and keep a sling or cord clipped to it.

here check out this vid, they do more to a DSLR than most any of use will ever do to their cameras.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCT-YMgjm9k

Jeff J wrote: As for beating it up... other than cosmetics don't worry about it. I climb with a Nikon D7000 and an 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 VR lens often. The camera is durable... get a lens keeper to keep the glass protected. as for dropping it, just get a solid sling and attach a carabiner to it and keep a sling or cord clipped to it. here check out this vid, they do more to a DSLR than most any of use will ever do to their cameras. youtube.com/watch?v=RCT-YMg…

Thanks for the replies. Jeff, that is actually one of my set ups. That D7000 is a beast, mine is quite banged up.