If you’re a photographer that needs to switch lenses on the go, the CaptureLENS from Peak Design will make your work that much easier. No need to lug a whole camera bag if you just want to swap some glass in the middle of a shoot. With the CaptureLENS, you can have one or two lenses right at hand, whether you shoot Canon, Nikon, or Sony.
Click here if you’re not already familiar with the CapturePRO from Peak Design. It lets me hang my camera off my belt or backpack strap. The CaptureLENS takes that a step further, as it holds two lenses in the same manner. As much as I love fast zooms, I would rather shoot with just my primes. That’s was inconvenient, until I got my hands on the CaptureLENS. For portraits, I can bring my 50, 85, and 135mm lenses, and a single body. This lets me quickly switch between lenses, without getting weighed down by a camera bag. For weddings, I just bring a 2nd body, plus a 24mm lens. Then I have two bodies and 4 lenses at any time. I can wear one body on my belt, at my right hip, and the lenses hang off my left hip.
At first glance, I was worried that the mostly polycarbonate CaptureLENS would not be strong enough. But after an email exchange, I was assured that the unit could support at least 100 pounds. So the weak link would probably be the belt it was mounted to. I’m tempted to test it with my biggest lens, which is 12.9 pounds, just for fun. (Keep an eye on our Instagram for that one) In real world use, something like a 70-200 f2.8 is about the limit of what I would hang on it. But that really defeats the purpose for me. Being able to carry my prime lenses is what it’s all about. Of course, I also found that for wildlife (or sports), the CaptureLENS is the perfect way to keep a 1.4x and 2x teleconverter handy. It does pair well with a medium fast zoom that way.
After 20+ years of using the Canon EOS system, lens swaps are easy for me, with access to the lens itself being the biggest barrier to speed. Not any more. In actual use, the CaptureLENS is as easy as changing a lens, with a twist. That twist happens to be the ability to rotate the CaptureLENS and lock it place at 90 degree intervals. Pull it away from the plate, and rotate. To release a lens, press the lens release, just like on your camera body, and giving the lens a quarter turn or so. (Nikon users, remember that your lenses turn the wrong way). They pop back on just like they do your camera body. This makes it easy to use on a belt or backpack strap, as the Camera Clip can be mounted vertical or horizontal.
After using the CaptureLENS on several shoots, I feel like Peak Design has once again come up with a product that changed how I look at carrying gear. Sure, I still need a bag handy for my other bits of gear, but I don’t have to be weighed down by a bunch of glass hanging off my shoulder. I can carry the same amount, or even more, with more comfort. Clearly, these guys get it. Check out PeakDesign.com for the CaptureLENS in Canon, Nikon, and Sony mounts, as well as their other gear for pro and amateur photographers. You won’t be disappointed.
*This is also a great time to get in on their latest Kickstarter. The Peak Design Everyday Backpack, Tote, and Sling are available for pre-order now.
Brian
I’d also like to thank Peak Design for providing their CaptureLENS for this review. I was a customer before I reviewed any of their products, and they have always had excellent, friendly service.