Equipment Aquisition Syndrome

[annnewjerz]

Probably a pretty good idea- I was shooting with a friend of mine at MK EMH's on Sunday night (early yesterday morning technically) and his 5D mrk2 and 17-40mm hit the concrete when his tripod fell over. The camera was working but had a big crack in the casing- the lens was in a couple pieces. I felt really bad. I also kept a grip on my strap after that- too easy to make a mistake when you are dead tired from being at Disney all day or all week.

It's decided then, the OpTech strap will be used. I may look like a clumsy a$$, but at least I won't look like a clumsy a$$ with a broken camera.

 

[annnewjerz]

double post. oooooooops.

 

[Groucho]

Groucho,
From looking at the swivel connector mechanism, I would run away from that design. I have had my 2 black rapid straps for almost a year now, and the best upgrade they have made to them in the past year is the connector piece. The aftermarket doesn't look bad as a whole, but that piece just scares me. The producer of the California Sunbounce also makes a like design, but the Black rapid design is a great one.

Groucho - I agree with IndyShutterbug about the strap you're looking at. I'd be very concerned about the connector system - especially about the metal trigger snap "triggering" when I didn't want it to. I'm sure you could change it but that adds to the price. The strap itself does look comparable though.

Please be forewarned, this is going to be the least technical explanation you've ever heard.

What worries me about the strap you linked to is the little lobster claw thingy that grabs onto the plate that screws intot he tripod mount. First, it looks like it's plastic. Second, it looks like it could very easily be hit and end up opening, causing the loop part of the screw on the connector to be "let go," taking your camera along with it.

Yeah, I actually have that extra buckle on something else (I can't remember what, but I know we have one!) and it is much stronger than it looks but certainly not as strong as a locking carabiner. I did like that this one uses the same Bogen tripod mount as I already have - but as far as I can tell, there's no reason that I couldn't mount the R-strap the same way. I was mainly curious if there was anything else - I know he mentions having two cam buckles, I'm not sure how the R-strap is in that department.

I will probably go with the R-Strap (and will hopefully find enough of a deal to bring the price pretty close!) but I like to check out the alternatives, too.

 

[pgowder]

On Saturday I had the priviledge of being a volunteer photographer for the HEADstrong Foundation lacrosse tournament. Two of the other photgraphers had the Black Rapids straps.

After seeing this rig in person all I can say is....I want this strap, I need this strap, I must have this strap. The DW saw me admiring my new future purchase and just rolled her eyes

Get it!

I've taken mine on two WDW trips. I wouldn't be without it now.

 

[Groucho]

I figured I'd bump this thread rather than starting a new one...

My BlackRapid RS-7 (yes, 7) arrived today. Interesting - it would have been nice if it came with some sort of instructions or tips, though!

I like having a quick-release buckle - but the decision to put it on the back of the strap seems kind of silly. First off, it's hard to get to, and second, it would be possible for someone to sneak up behind you and release it, sending your camera crashing to the ground (or into their grasp, if they are thieves.) Probably not a big concern in the real world, but I am a little cautious about QR buckles now, after my son released one on my Op/Tech strap twice a few trips ago...

It would be nice if it were a little springier/spongier like the Op/Tech. I only wore it for maybe 15 minutes walking around the house and it didn't bother me, but it feels like maybe it could. I also will have to learn to be aware of it back there - at one point, I was playing on the floor with my son and didn't notice that my daughter had crawled up behind me and was playing with the camera! Yikes!