Tethering a Black Rapid Strap

I really like using a Black Rapid Strap (the Cross Shot Breathe which is ambidextrous) when the camera/lens combo is heavy and needs to be attached to the tripod foot. But my biggest concern is if the strap comes loose or breaks at the carabiner. Has anyone used this Black Rapid tether strap? There's a video at the end of my post which shows how it works.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...MI9vvgxbLd9AIVa8yzCh1n5gvMEAQYASABEgLHhPD_BwE

Hi Cindy - I held that thing for a while wondering the same thing

Small guess here is our cameras do not have the bottom strap loop some do as in the video.

The supplied strap seems a bit short for connecting as in this photo and I would not want the huge clip shown but it has the correct idea.



Hope this helps

nikonbill said:

Hi Cindy - I held that thing for a while wondering the same thing

Small guess here is our cameras do not have the bottom strap loop some do as in the video.

The supplied strap seems a bit short for connecting as in this photo and I would not want the huge clip shown but it has the correct idea.

View attachment 367772

Hope this helps

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Thanks for this, Bill. When reading the questions on B&H about the BR Tethering Strap, they asked how long it is. Before attaching, it's supposed to be 13". I am specifically looking for something short, but fortunately the BR Tether can have its length adjusted.

Marilynne said:

Have you seen this thread Cindy?
https://nikonites.com/other-photogr...a-strap-piece-mind.html?highlight=black+rapid

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No, I hadn't, but thank you. What I'm looking for is to tether to a second location for anchoring the strap to the body. I would want mine to attach to the strap eyelet on the camera body where the left hand would normally hold the camera - and the other end to attach to the bottom of the strap somehow. That way if the original hardware fails or comes loose, my camera and lens won't fall to the ground. I would prefer not to use an additional carabiner so would need to figure out a different way to attach the tether to the strap. And maybe all I'd need is one of the split D-rings like in this link. One D-ring should allow the tether to be attached where the green arrow is pointing.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...MI6aTf67fe9AIVhJ2GCh0EZwOOEAQYBCABEgLmSPD_BwE

Here's my setup on the D500

You have what you need "almost" a small key chain ring as Marilynne had shown and you are there.

I think this way is "reverse" of Black Rapid's intention but I see where you wish to attach and that is smart.

I will find some mini carabiners and link my two BR points (lens point and camera) with the supplied strap

Thanks for the input, Bill and Marilynne. I sent Black Rapid an email asking how many tethers come in a package. The video I linked says two, but the B&H link only shows one. I have two BR straps that I use with different lenses so want to make sure I have two tethers.

In my recent purchase (the RS-4) there was just one included

In hind sight (my previous suggestion) you would want some sort of speed clip on the camera end to achieve what you wish. Otherwise you would have to un-loop the strap to separate your camera and strap.

This is why I am on the look out for a nice mini speed clip -- good luck on getting your due second strap

Well, this thread has been interesting to read. I have two Blackrapid straps (one wrist, one shoulder) that I've used periodically for years now, and I don't have safety straps/rings on either of them. They've both been sturdy and I haven't worried about them failing... until now! I don't remember if either strap came with a safety tether--but if they did, I didn't recognize its purpose at the time, and it's long gone now.

I guess I'd better get some safety straps--or key rings. I like that idea.

This is the response I received from Black Rapid.

Good morning, Cindy,

Thank you for your email. Each single BLACKRAPID sling/strap comes with 1 Camera Safety Tether, whereas the Hybrid Breathe, Double Breathe, and Double Slim harnesses come with 2 Camera Safety Tethers.

The YouTube video link included in your email (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofRvEHr0w4I) is for the Tether Kit (a five-piece utility bag full of useful parts to modify and customize any BlackRapid camera system -as stated in the video description), and was sold as an accessory, it did not come with any strap. The Tether Kit was discontinued several years ago and is no longer available on www.blackrapid.com.

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So I need to find the boxes for both of my straps and see if there was a tether in either one. I have two of the Cross Shot Breathe straps - and of course they didn't include those in their response.

Thanks for posting the feedback from Blackrapid Cindy, that helps to explain things a bit better.

I will add as a person with machining and welding background the likely hood of failure is slim with Blackrapid's hardware, understanding this is about the "possible" failure. Their stuff is very well done in comparison to others I have seen.

@hark

I think I found a great solution - I found some S hooks made by Niteise they are stainless "Microlock" (their Skew LSBM-07-5R7) for a pack of 5 (I found mine at our local REI store).

I would not be mislead by the 3 pound rating, I am certain it would achieve the safety net of the heavy Nikkor 200/500 and a camera with grip if needed. There was a reviewer that hung a 60 pound weight from one S hook and found no permanent damage. Using this threads examples here are some potential setup photos.


The supplied Blackrapid tether strap with the Microlock S hooks





Hope this helps

nikonbill said:

@hark

I think I found a great solution - I found some S hooks made by Niteise they are stainless "Microlock" (their Skew LSBM-07-5R7) for a pack of 5 (I found mine at our local REI store).

I would not be mislead by the 3 pound rating, I am certain it would achieve the safety net of the heavy Nikkor 200/500 and a camera with grip if needed. There was a reviewer that hung a 60 pound weight from one S hook and found no permanent damage. Using this threads examples here are some potential setup photos.

Hope this helps

Click to expand...

Thanks, Bill. I did get a BlackRapid tether but am on the fence about how it connects so will keep this in mind. I appreciate the info!

Here's my solution for use with my BlackRapid RS-4 and a couple of lighter duty Altura straps.

I bought these camera tethers (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0751HM4XG/). While this particular item is not currently available, I'm sure that a suitable substitute can be found. The large screw gate carabiner is easily attached directly to the camera strap.

On the other end, I threaded the fabric end of the tether into one of these mini carabiners (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017VINUX2/) and secured it with the supplied friction grip. The mini carabiner can be quickly attached/detached to one the strap eyelets on the camera body.