I'm looking for some advice. I'm rolling the dice here that I won't get as vague of answers as I have gotten from some professionals in the industry and I'm at a loss so here it goes.

I'm trying to find a good bag to bring up on a wall with me for shooting photos. I bring a full-body DSLR (Nikon D3), 17-35mm 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 50mm 1.4, flash and flash cable. Thats what I've got with me at all times shooting, but I'll be damned if I have any idea how to best carry it. It seems like a top loading bag would be best, something that you could shoulder but also clip with biners to your harness, but... I have no idea. Really, I'm stumped.

Then there is the thought of dropping your camera. Does anyone have a better idea than slings threaded through the strap hole, tied off, and clipped to your harness? If its going for a tumble at least it won't hit ground that way.

Thanks in advance for your time.

I have not had a bunch of big-wall experience, but usually having a large waist belt type camera bag will work the best. I have a smaller one that fits my D200, 70-300 VR, and one other smaller lens and they work great and carry well. I have a lowepro but I have heard the thinktanks are much better.

In this video you can see how Simon Carter uses his set-up while suspended in the air:

I use a sling around my shoulders with my compact clipped in.

I have also had somewhat OK luck with DSLR only bags that have clips for shoulder straps. I remove the straps and clip biners in to gear loops with a back up to a sling around my shoulder. Something very similar to this.

Maybe some kind of belt would allow you swivel it like a fanny pack? move it behind you when climbing or to the side as the rock dictates.

Well, I use the Lowe Pro Top Loader, and I have a decent enough story for it.

I was up on a multi-pitch climb on Tonners Tower in Boulder Canyon. We had a small belay ledge, and my bag and camera were perched on the ledge near the anchors. I could have sworn that the bag was anchored in as well, but when we pulled the rope it bumped the bag. The bag went tumbling with the camera in it. My heart sank as I watched it fall well over 200' into the trees.

Miraculously, my friends and I located the bag, and the only thing that broke was the lens filter. So, I know the Top Loader won't be big enough for all of your goodies, but I can attest that their gear is apparently well made?!

Crumpler has some pretty neat designs, but I have no idea how well reinforced their attachment points are.

i use the lowepro slingshot 102aw. it holds my nikon d90 with 18-200mm, along with a 10-24mm and a 35mm prime. it has a single strap which goes over one shoulder with a separate strap to hold it in place on your back while you're jugging or climbing. when you're ready to shoot just rotate it around to your front and pull your camera out. you can also use it as a stabilizing platform for your elbow while you shoot. the 102 would be too small for your 70-200 2.8, although the 302 aw may work for you.

www.lowepro.com/slingshot

good luck!

+1 on the slingshot. I use the 100, and pretty much exactly the same rig as Michael above. It also has a built in rain cover that hides in the bottom and has a few good accessory pouches. There is a larger one (the 200?) that fits a good bit more glass. for shooting from the top the 'slide around your torso' feature is really nice because it never leaves the security of your shoulder. zip it open, secure the neck strap before you take your camera out of the bag etc. you'd have to try really hard to drop your rig.

How does the slingshot carry over long distance?

I use a tamrac expedition now, which takes weight pretty well. Can jam in a body, 2 telezooms (80-200 2.8 and 100-400L), wide angle, speedlite, and clip on a nalgene and be good hiking for a full day.

I like the idea of the slingshot for access, but is carrying comfort a tradeoff?

i find the slingshot comfortable and not really noticeable when it's on my back, but then i'm not carrying a really heavy kit. i have one dslr body and three fairly compact lenses along with a small speedlight and small cleaning kit in the pack. no tripod and no big pro lenses. so carrying comfort isn't an issue for me. if i had the larger slingshot (the 302) and was carrying big telezooms it might be a different story, but i suspect not.