Anyone using a Black Rapid Strap?

[DSLRuser]

I am considdering going this way. Right now i have a wrist strap. While this works good for an hour os 3 at a time, i think walking for 8-12 hours a day with this hanging on my arm will grow tiresome.

Just looking for anyone with Black rapid use and if you would do it again if you had the choice.

 

[MICKEY88]

I know a few people who use them and love them.

I am not comfortable hanging my camera upside down from the tripod socket

on another message board that I frequent, someone posted an email they received from Canon. they had asked if the tripod socket would safely support the camera using an r strap, the canon rep clearly stated that they couldn't say for sure that it was safe, since it wasn't dessigned for that, nor could they say it was unsafe.



I have used optech straps for years, and now use the optech dual harness since I usually carry 2 dslrs when out shooting

optech also has a sling strap that is similar to the rapid strap except it uses the actual stap mounts, which keeps the tripod socket free for it's intended purpose

 

[rex008]

I've had a Black Rapid RS-7 for a while and really really like it. Makes a heavy DSLR so much easier to carry round. The only downside is it's a bit of a pain if you use a tripod, but a) you probably won't be wandering Disney with a tripod and b) there are alternative fasteners available that are more tripod compatible.

 

[photo_chick]

I know a few people who use them and love them.

I am not comfortable hanging my camera upside down from the tripod socket

This.


I've seen tripod sockets fail, though not while using a Black Rapid Strap. I know a lot of people use them hard and never have any problems but I still have the image of cameras crashing unexpectedly to the ground in my head every time I think about using one.

 

[Pixel Dust]

I have used it on my old camera, the D7000. First trip was 2 week vacation in Europe. And about 4 trips to Disney, averaging 5 days each. There were also many other events and shoots around home. I use the Blackrapid strap with the Manfrotto tripod adapter attached at all times. I never had a problem with the tripod mount.

I now use it with my new D600. So, hopefully I will have the same luck with my last camera. Although, if I remember correctly, the D7000 had the magnesium alloy bottom, but the D600 is only top and back.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I use an RS-7 and love it. It's the only way I could carry a camera around that long, and I've not found anything better. I could never make it all day/every day with a traditional camera strap, and would start carrying a P&S after about the 3rd or 4th day of a vacation. The Black Rapid allows me to carry my DSLR for the full two weeks and not think twice about it.

I also had concerns about the tripod mount, mostly because of hearing anecdotal accounts about failures on message boards. I don’t doubt that they’re real, but I've yet to see anyone post a picture of an actual damaged camera. None the less, I do have a safety strap on mine. I mixed two halves of the following OP/TECH accessories to create a backup connection between the Black Rapid connector and the camera. Together, they're the perfect length.

OP/TECH 1301062

OP/TECH 1301012

I don't have a picture of the exact configuration on my computer here at work, but I put the shorter one through the camera strap connection point on the top left of the camera, and the longer one looped through the square part of the Fasten-R.

Of course, I also have camera insurance. That helps me feel better about the possibility of the tripod port possibly failing, too.

 

[BillyBuff]

I have been using them for years and they're great especially during wedding shoots. Most of the time I'll have my camera body, lens and a speedlite attached to it.

 

[YesDear]

I have used one for about 3-4 yrs now and love it. I am not worried about the tripod connector because I use a RRS L bracket for my camera. It distributes the weight across the bottom of the camera. The tripod connector on the bracket is milled aluminum.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I have two RS-4's and CoupleR straps. When I carry two cameras I use the CoupleR straps to turn it into a two camera rig. I have used them for a several years without a hitch. I attach the straps at two points. With smaller lenses, its attached to the camera and with my larger lense its attached to the tripod collar. I have inspected the vertical/battery grips and have found the attachment point to very secure. It would be very, very difficult for it to break. I do have my equipment insured should the unthinkable occur.

 

[wbeem]

I own one and used it for a while, but I stopped due to the same concerns other folks have mentioned here. The tripod mount was never designed to support the weight of the camera hanging upside down like that.

This message isn't my speculation. It's what I heard from a manager of Nikon Professional Services who has seen a number of damaged cameras come in for repair because that tripod mount cracked and dropped the camera on a rock, concrete or some hard surface.

I now use an Up-Strap and I like it.

 

[wbeem]

I have used one for about 3-4 yrs now and love it. I am not worried about the tripod connector because I use a RRS L bracket for my camera. It distributes the weight across the bottom of the camera. The tripod connector on the bracket is milled aluminum.

I'm not sure I agree with your logic, but I could be wrong. After all, the RRS bracket just attaches to the tripod mount, too.

 

[DVC BLT]

I am using the Luma Cinch. Its a higher end version of the black-rapid.

If you choose, you can use either the bottom tripod mount or use the other strap mount.

http://www.luma-labs.com/products/cinch

Its alot more comfortable then the black-rapid and the materials are really high quality.

Good luck

 

[DSLRuser]

Went to the local camera store tonight to try one out. I am soooo on the fence.

Going to think about it for a few days

 

[All American]

I have the BlackRapid RS-W1 and love it. I don't worry (too much) about it falling since I tend to keep my hand on the camera while I'm walking around. I hate having a heavy camera around my neck; I always worry about it cuttingof my circulation and making me pass out.

For the extra lens, I just put one in a lens case and fasten that to my ultra-cool fanny pack. The rest of the stuff (flash, batteries, etc.) I keep in the camera bag in the stroller...I'll really miss having that extra bit of "gear" (the stroller) when our daughter outgrows it but that's a different subject for a different day.

 

[nbaresejr]

I have been using the RS-4 for about 8 months. Its a fantastic strap and I cant think of a better way to carry the camera. I purchased it because with the stock strap i didnt want to have the camera hanging around my neck and this forced me to put the camera away after shots which made me miss too many opportunities for other shots.

I traveled through Europe last summer and had the camera on this strap the entire time and had no issues. I do have a safety strap on it (same as the 1 above). This gives me no worries. I will be in WDW in April and i plan to use this strap again.

 

[photo_chick]

I notice that people are saying that they use the BR straps because they don't like a heavy camera around thier neck. Black Rapid aren't the only straps to solve that problem. I use a Crumpler Industry disgrace and I wear it across my body. Really you can do that with any decently long strap though some are more comfortable than others for it.

I'm not saying go one way or the other, just saying there are a lot of options if you want to avoid a strap around your neck.

 

[nbaresejr]

I notice that people are saying that they use the BR straps because they don't like a heavy camera around thier neck. Black Rapid aren't the only straps to solve that problem. I use a Crumpler Industry disgrace and I wear it across my body. Really you can do that with any decently long strap though some are more comfortable than others for it.

I'm not saying go one way or the other, just saying there are a lot of options if you want to avoid a strap around your neck. - See more at: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3073053&page=2#sthash.9G2G3PFB.dpuf

Thats a very good point. For me it was the ease of use, The BR strap has a way to slide the camera to eye level and back without the strap moving at all. That why i decided on that but there are many many options for people.

 

[MICKEY88]

the optech dual harness that I mentioned earlier also removes the weight from your neck. it is evenly distributed across the shoulders, another great thing is, it will also work with just one camera

 

[johamna]

I am using the Luma Cinch. Its a higher end version of the black-rapid.

If you choose, you can use either the bottom tripod mount or use the other strap mount.

http://www.luma-labs.com/products/cinch

Its alot more comfortable then the black-rapid and the materials are really high quality.

Good luck

+1

Had been using the BR RS-7 for over 3 years and finally made the switch to this. Much more comfy, and the ease of adjustment really makes a huge difference.

 

[TC09]

I've been using the BR RS-7 for a few years now and I really like it. However, I've been planning to get the Luma Cinch that DVC BLT mentioned. I like that it attaches to two points on the camera instead of just the tripod mount. Unfortunately, it's been unavailable for quite some time... been checking the luma-labs site for a few months now.