BlackRapid for Women RS-W1

[ancestry]

I'm looking for a strap for my camera. The BlackRapid straps really seem to offer what I'm looking for but I'm not sure which BlackRapid to buy.

I know I don't want a double strap and I don't need the sport versions.

That leaves the RS-4, RS-5, RS-7, and the RS-W1.

Being a woman, I'm leaning towards the RS-W1 which is designed for women.

However, the BlackRapid straps aren't cheap and I will probably be ordering it online so I can't "try" it out in advance.

Just nervous about which version to order and am wondering if any woman can give me first hand feedback about the woman's strap specifically. I'm a plus sized woman and am also concerned about the fit of the strap considering my size.

 

[cjsteiger]

ancestry I'm so glad you posted this question. I am having the same debate. I am headed to DC with my DD 8th grade in Nov and Disney in Feb and I want a strap that doesn't have me aching after an hour. I have looked at all the versions you mentioned too. I hope someone can give us some help. I was also wondering if I would need protection for the camera while it's hanging down but haven't seen any covers that would be compatiable for this strap. Looking forward to seeing what everyone says.

 

[mom2rtk]

Sorry I can't help answer, because I've been wondering the same thing myself! I hope someone has some feedback for us.

 

[bigjoe13]

I have the RS-7. I've use it all the time now. I probably won't ever go back to a standard around the neck strap.

I can't help you with the RS-W1, but my wife uses the RS-7 and doesn't complain about it.

The one thing I would recommend is putting a zip-tie around the buckle on the strap. The way the strap is made, the buckle part is on your back and someone could easily unclip it and send your camera crashing to the ground. A zip-tie makes me feel a little more secure.

Wearing the camera on my hip took a little getting used to, trying not to crash it into the kids heads, or other poeple as we navigated through crowds. But it is really convenient and comfortable now.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Being a guy, I can give you a partial evaluation. I use the RS-4 on both my cameras. I always have mounted a vertical battery grip and many times an external flash. With the standard neck strap, it didn't take long before I had an extremely sore neck or screaming headache, sometimes both. With the BR, I can carry the camera all day without the before mentioned maladies. In the beginning, it was a little disconcerting to have the camera hanging upside down by my side. I got used to it. I adjusted the strap so my hand rested on the camera. I never found a need for any further protection. I also use the Double-R straps when I want to carry two cameras. While not as comfortable as the purpose designed double strap, it works. When carrying my longer lens, I use the tripod collar attachment point. because I didn't want to be constantly unscrewing the hardware, I purchased additional attaching hardware for my long lenses. I use a split ring attached to the normal strap attachment point to connect the BR while on the tripod. On the RS-4, there is no back clip that can be undone to cause the camera to crash to the ground. Another photographer has the sporster version and doesn't have a clip either. The only negatives I have encountered is, the strap can slide or shift while in use causing a readjustment and the knurled metal strap attachment point can scuff the bottom of your camera. If I was purchasing a BR and female, I would purchase the female version. The only reason I recommend that, is my belief the sometimes engineers are smarter than I am!

 

[pgowder]

I use the R Strap on all our WDW trips. My wife got the women's version and love it!

 

[ancestry]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to order the women's version today. I should have it in a few days.

Cjsteiger and mom2rtk I'll post back once I get it and have a chance to use it a few times. Probably should be able to give you a review in about a week.

 

[scdisfan]

I have the women's r-strap and I love it! I am also plus size and I have had no problems with it at all. Plenty long enough with room to spare.

 

[ancestry]

I have the women's r-strap and I love it! I am also plus size and I have had no problems with it at all. Plenty long enough with room to spare.

Terrific news especially since I just ordered it! Thanks for sharing.

 

[alloyd1170]

Too funny...I've been looking at these for some time. Came here to do a search again to see any new posts, and boom, the first thread is about it! Debating between the RS-7 and women's. Decisions, decisions.....

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Ancestry or others, if you have any questions or concerns about the straps, I would call Black Rapid. When I was debating the RS-7 vs the RS-4, they were more than happy to discuss the differences and uses. They were very helpful.

 

[SC Mouse Fan]

I have the women's r-strap and I love it! I am also plus size and I have had no problems with it at all. Plenty long enough with room to spare.

Hello fellow South Carolinian. I also have the womens r-strap and are more comfortable with it than the regular Black Rapid. I can't remember which version of the regular one that I have. It is at home and I am at work. The only thing I miss with the womens version is the small zipped compartment on the front of the strap the I used to put extra memory cards in. The womens version does not have the compartment. The womens version does fit better since the front of the strap is narrower.

 

[alloyd1170]

3 SC people on this thread! Woo Hoo!! I ordered the women's strap today. Can't wait to try it out!

 

[ancestry]

Okay ladies...I got to try out the strap. Here are my thoughts in no particular order.

--Overall I really like the strap. So much better than a neck strap - especially considering I have neck issues from time to time.

--I am a tall woman who is also plus sized. I wish the strap could be adjusted longer. Letting it go out as far as it can still isn't quite as long as I would like it. This seems to be an issue more due to my height than my weight but if you are tall and possibly plus sized you may discover that the strap isn't quite as long as you would like it.

--I live in Maine which means this strap needs to go over my winter coat or at least a heavy sweatshirt for probably close to 1/2 the year. I used it at my son's football game last night and putting it on top of my winter coat made the problem I listed above even more exaggerated. Despite this I would take this strap over a neck strap any day!

--If you use a tripod during your shoots this strap will present a problem because it attaches to the bottom of the camera where you attach the tripod clip.

--If you are left handed, like me, this strap can take some getting used to. The strap only goes one way (that I can figure out) so the camera has to rest on your right hip or buttock. This means you have to grab the camera with your right hand. Being left handed my natural instinct is to grab with my left hand.

--While I do really like the strap I do think it is overpriced. A more fair price would be around $30 but it is almost more than twice that. Since I haven't found anything else I like that works for me the price is something I have to accept.

--The first time you adjust the strap it can be quite tricky to figure out. I'm very mechanically oriented and my husband is an engineer and we had to watch the how to video several times in order to get the strap adjusted properly.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

As far as the length of the strap, you may want to contact BR. They make an extender for the RS-7 and the double strap. They seem to come out with new products based on demand on a regular basis. They may have a solution for you. I know when I called with some questions, they were very personable and helpful.

 

[alloyd1170]

My strap arrived today and will be trying it out on the soccer field tomorrow. So far I'm liking it. I'm tall and a bit overweight, but don't have a problem with the fit. I actually had to take it in a bit, which wasn't hard either. I normally wore my neck strap like a cross body. The benefit of this strap will be that it slides along the strap, vs the strap moving around.

 

[mom2rtk]

Any women out there with the basic version of the black rapid? (not the one with the curved strap)? I like the idea of having a couple pockets to store a card and battery.

 

[crz4mm2]

Any women out there with the basic version of the black rapid? (not the one with the curved strap)? I like the idea of having a couple pockets to store a card and battery.

I have the RS7.
I do like it. I also bought a neoprene cover for the camera. It does NOT fit with the RS strap since it connects to the bottom of the camera. I bought the cover so I could maybe just take the camera and not my big bag with me on my overseas vaca.... save space you know....
I dunno if that's going to work.

 

[alloyd1170]

Could you cut a hole in the bottom of the neoprene case where the strap attaches? Maybe even sew around it to "seal" the cut?

I debated between the RS7 and the RS-W1. The thought of pockets on it made it appealing, but then I read reviews that it was too bulky, especially around the neck. Pants pockets took care of that problem.

 

[crz4mm2]

Could you cut a hole in the bottom of the neoprene case where the strap attaches? Maybe even sew around it to "seal" the cut?

I debated between the RS7 and the RS-W1. The thought of pockets on it made it appealing, but then I read reviews that it was too bulky, especially around the neck. Pants pockets took care of that problem.

I might try that... good idea!