Peak Designs Pro PadOne of the downsides to fast lenses is their weight.  Add a decent sized DSLR, maybe with an auxiliary battery pack and you’ve got yourself a heavy load.

If you read my prior reviews of the Capture Clip system by Peak Design, (Version One and Version Two) you know I think that is an exceptionally well thought out way to attach your camera to your belt, your backpack or even a messenger bag strap. Unfortunately, it was just wasn’t right for big lenses and really heavy loads.

Enter the Pro Pad

Peak Design and their crack design team have now solved that problem. With a generously cushioned Pro Pad that you can wear on your belt or backpack, it’s now possible to carry a big piece of glass with camera attached and still have the quick access that Capture is known for.

Now I’m not afraid to mount my Nikon f2.8 70-200 to a DSLR and using the tripod mount of the lens, it sits comfortably on my Capture clip.  The added advantage is that it takes the weight off the camera and its lens mount.

I recently had some bad luck with a new Nikon D5200 which began randomly issuing error messages that “Lens is not attached” when Peak Designs Pro Padclearly my f2.8 70-200 was there and working just fine. I attribute it to carrying the camera with a shoulder strap and the lens mounting ring on the D5200 was just not robust enough to constantly have a heavy lens attached.

Using the Capture clip attached to the tripod bracket of the lens instead of the camera itself should eliminate that problem.  Nice going Peak Design.

For under $30, you’ll really want to try the comfort of the new Pro Pad. Check them out and all their other great gear at http://peakdesignltd.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/peakdesignltd.

Special note to GoPro users:  be sure to check out their new POV mount for your GoPro cameras.

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