Talk To Me About: Straps

R

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
I need a new/better strap for carrying my camera. I have an opportunity coming up this fall that will have me outside shooting events for about five hours a day, so upgrading the standard Nikon strap to something a little more comfortable would be appreciated after a day or so. I have been thinking about something like the Black Rapid design, but I have just enough knowledge to know there are similar designs that have differing features/functions, but can't remember all the different manufacturers off hand.

I think I like the sling type design that distributes the weight across both shoulders. I don't mind the strap/sling connecting to the tripod hard point on the bottom of the camera body, but would prefer that attachment to have both a safety tether to protect against the accidental release from the mount. I would also like that mount doubling as an Arca Swiss bracket so that I don't have to swap back and forth when taking the camera on/off the tripod. For the extended event shooting, I'll likely have a grip on the camera too, so mounting off the tripod mount needs to be secure. Right now, I only need to carry a single camera body on the sling/strap, but would like a "system" that allows me to grow to a two-camera sling if/when the time comes without needing to repurchase all the mounts/adapters/etc.

Is Black Rapid the right fit for me, or are there other suggestions on suppliers I need to be checking out?
 
M

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
The only one i know is Black Rapid and if you go for the over one shoulder sport model remember its handed,ime right handed and wanted the camera on my left side so i ordered the left hand type.
 
T

TedG954

Senior Member
Charlie, there are several BlackRapid knock-off that cost far less than the BR. (Disclaimer: I have a BlackRapid.) Some are better than the others. JOBY makes a quality product (owned one, gave it to my bro-in-law). FOCUS, and the brand that has a K on it, are very similar to the BlackRapid and they appear to have the quality (owned them, gave them away).

I guess my point is, just get the BlackRapid and be done with it. Nikon brands a system that I believe is a BR (Marilynne has one).

But, if budget is a real issue, check out the Focus, and K, brands on eBay. They work.

Black Single Shoulder Sling Belt Strap for DSLR Digital SLR Camera Quick Rapid | eBay


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Focus...7e20758&pid=100005&rk=3&rkt=6&sd=350910176230

Joby Pro Sling Camera Neck Shoulder Quick Strap L XXL for DSLR w Zoom Lenses | eBay
 
Last edited:
S

skene

Senior Member
I like the Black Rapid... it's comfortable, and just feel a bit more secure with the name vs the cheaper knock offs. Not saying that one is any better than the other, however it is my personal preference. I own the Sport, which has the additional catch that goes under arm for when you are moving around it is less likely to go travelling. The weight is off the neck which is a huge advantage. Just a word of caution, definitely get the tethering kit, so that in the event of the lock nut loosening on you, the camera would not drop onto the floor. With an expensive heavy lens, that could be a catastrophic fail.
When shooting with a 70-200, I keep the lock nut on the lens, and tether holding onto the camera.
 
B

Bill16

Senior Member
First I want to say congrats on the moderator position buddy! I use the black rapid double with two safety tethers that hooks from the strap mount of the Nikon to the strap! :) I'm trying out a hand wrist strap Nikon made too, and I'm not sure if it will be a bother when using the double harness!

I'm also testing the spider holster with the hand strap to see if they will work well together. :D
 
nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
take a look at the "cotton carrier" products. For me, comfortable to wear, cameras are secure, not flopping around. I can use my manfrotto quick release plates with the system no problem.
 
M

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Which ever one you go for get into the habit of testing the tightness of the screw fitting on every occasion you use it,i do it now with out thinking
 
S

singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
I have the BR Yeti, which can be used as a single or double. I bought it for use with two bodies and it works great. Not too nervous how bodies attach, even using 3rd party grips. I also use Tamrac quick release straps. Most times, I don't use anything - it's grab a cam out of a bag and start shooting..
 
L

Love Nikon

Banned
I carry a D800 and a D7100 for hous at a wedding ...I buy two cheap straps from ebay about $5 made of neoprene and use one over each shoulder ...I link them accross the back so they cannot fall off my shoulders with a length of webbing and some home made staples.....fit the camera end with a couple of fishing swivels and a quick release hook.
Link onto one camera lug and off you go ...commercial photography is about profit not expense....
 
R

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
nikonpup said:
take a look at the "cotton carrier" products. For me, comfortable to wear, cameras are secure, not flopping around. I can use my manfrotto quick release plates with the system no problem.
Click to expand...

Does the cotton carrier attach to the camera and then the Manfrotto plate attaches to that, or does the cotton carrier attachment include a Manfrotto quick release plate? I went the Arca Swiss route rather than Manfrotto's, even though my sturdier tripod is a Manfrotto stand and head.

The Cotton Carrier system pretty much holds the camera to the center of your chest, correct?
 
nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
the c.c. Plate attaches to the camera and the tripod mount attaches to the c.c. Plate.
DSC_9741.jpg
 
C

carguy

Senior Member
I took my kids to Disney World for a week in 2012. I had just bought the Black Rapid RS Sport 2 and had a backpack on the entire week at the parks. Worked fantastic, never really felt my camera/lens the entire time. I now have two BR straps and use their wrist strap as well. Excellent products.
 
S

skene

Senior Member
Well if you are also planning on carrying around a backpack with you, BlackRapid also has their backpack strap. This will definitely be somethink I will eventually switch over to when I am out and about. That way I don't have the strap being held down in an uncomfortable position when I carry my Lowepro Flipside300.
 
R

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
skene said:
Well if you are also planning on carrying around a backpack with you, BlackRapid also has their backpack strap. This will definitely be somethink I will eventually switch over to when I am out and about. That way I don't have the strap being held down in an uncomfortable position when I carry my Lowepro Flipside300.
Click to expand...

I'm not planning to carry around a backpack while doing this shoot. I should be set with a single body and lens...only variables would be batteries for camera and flash.

singlerosa said:
I have the BR Yeti, which can be used as a single or double. I bought it for use with two bodies and it works great. Not too nervous how bodies attach, even using 3rd party grips. I also use Tamrac quick release straps. Most times, I don't use anything - it's grab a cam out of a bag and start shooting..
Click to expand...

I like the looks of the Yeti a lot. I didn't realize you could remove the second camera strap and just add it when needed. Now if I can work out the attachment plate so that I don't have to swap between BR and tripod, I'll be good.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
J

jay_dean

Senior Member
A BR Yeti user. Love it, i can carry a gripped body with a 500mm Prime lens for hours without too much trouble, and have the option to add another body if needed
 
P

PapaST

Senior Member
I'll give you my .02 Charlie. I've been through a few (BlackRapid, Joby, Cotton Carrier and some others) and right now I'm using the Peak Design system. Here are some things I didn't like and thus moved on. Cotton Carrier is built like a tank, I had the chest, hip connector and backpack connector. They all work great and the connector is great but just seemed overbuilt and I didn't like all the tether safety straps. Ultimately, I wanted something that wasn't so bulky. I like BlackRapid but wasn't too fond of the single tripod connector. It just sort of dangled at my side with no real way to keep it flush on my side or back. I didn't like the squeeking either. Joby is a great strap and I like its connector better than BlackRapid (even though it's partly plastic). I still have and use this strap on occasion.

I moved to Peak Design because of the dual points it connects with, the ability to mount on backpack strap and on my hip. The tripod plate is Arca and Manfrotto compatible and is integrated with the tether system so you don't have (like the Cotton Carrier a mount for CC and a separate mount for your tripod mount). The dual point connector allows me to wear a sling and sling it on my back or side and it sits more flush on my body (especially if I'm riding or hiking). With the dual mount you have several locations you can connect to (especially with heavier lenses) instead of just one. Having just one connection point with a heavy lens was a deal breaker for me. The thing I DON'T like about about Peak is the tether system relies on some type of Vectron or Kevlar material. I have no doubt it's strong but to look at it... it still looks like a string to me. But their quick connect anchors makes it convenient to take on and off. I've only been using it for about a month now, I'm definitely satisfied but want to see how the tethers hold up.

You should take a look at cslr system. They look very innovative and could also meet your needs. I have no experience with those.
 
R

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions!

I picked up a Yeti when I was in the shop picking up another seamless background, so I'll give it some attention and see how it suits me. I did pick up the tether kit along with it, so I have that need covered ... now I'm just working through how to keep both the tripod bracket and hook connected so that I don't have to keep unscrewing different attachments as I go back and forth.
 
Top