Shoulder cradle for carrying mono/tripod/camera

I find myself wishing for some sort of cradle to soften the carrying

of my 6X7 on a monopod. I like to hike with it on my shoulder as it

cushions the ride for the equipment and it's readily at hand for

use. I find that my shoulder wears out though and I'm thinking there

must be something adaptable to ease the burden. A sheepskin covered

curved device (shaped for the shoulder) that could clamp on the mono

or tripod leg and be placed for good balance seems to be a useful

device in my mind. Anyone out there solve this issue for

themselves? Any commercial products you've seen? Thanks.

One of the best solutions is also one of the cheapest.

I use a length of preformed, urethane-foam pipe insulation for 1" pipe. It is available at nearly any hardware store (in the plumbing section). It usually comes in 4 foot lengths. Just cut (with any sharp knife) a length slightly shorter than the uppermost section of your tripod or monopod leg(s). I wrap the ends with duct tape. It makes a very good cushion about 3/4 inch thick.

This works very well for a tripod (especially with an attached carrying strap) as well. I see a lot of photographers out in the wild with exactly the same thing. It is also much more comfortable to handle in low temperatures than bare metal is.

Ernie

One of the best solutions is also one of the cheapest.

I use a length of preformed, urethane-foam pipe insulation for 1" pipe. It is available at nearly any hardware store (in the plumbing section). It usually comes in 4 foot lengths. Just cut (with any sharp knife) a length slightly shorter than the uppermost section of your tripod or monopod leg(s). I wrap the ends with duct tape. It makes a very good cushion about 3/4 inch thick.

This works very well for a tripod (especially with an attached carrying strap) as well. I see a lot of photographers out in the wild with exactly the same thing. It is also much more comfortable to handle in low temperatures than bare metal is.

Ernie

I second Ernie's opinion about the pipe insulation. I tried a carrying strap with my monopod, but if the 'pod is extended and "ready for action" then it swings quite a bit at the end of the strap and was quite a nuisance as I tried to move around. I find that the foam insulation gives enough padding so that it's reasonably comfortable to carry monopod and attached camera with the 'pod resting on my shoulder. And you can change shoulders easily whenever you need to.

I would add that I also have a camera carrying strap around my neck at all times when working with the monopod, even when carrying the rig on my shoulder, to prevent the camera from hitting the ground if I ever lose control of the monopod.

I don't know if this will work for your monopod, but, with my P645, Slik Pro ballhead, and Velbon CF, I angle the camera back at 90 deg. so that the tripod and camera back form a 90 deg. angle. With the legs extended, the whole thing just balances on my shoulder (no hands--unless it is bumpy). I can walk for miles this way.

Warren