Op/Tech Dual Harness

[MICKEY88]

I've been debating for months now on whether to get the dual R-strap or the cameraslinger, since I almost always carry 2 cameras for the shooting that I do, while researching earlier today I stumbled upon this 3rd option

http://optechusa.com/product/detail/?PRODUCT_ID=87&PRODUCT_SUB_ID=#

I like the fact that it supports the cameras using the strap mounts,rather than the tripod mount, works with my current optech straps, and is approximately 100 dollars cheaper than the other two straps..

has anyone seen or tried this..

 

[klmall]

This setup looks really good for me as a hiker and someone who gets out in the woods to photograph. And the prices are very reasonable. I like the fact that the pouches are padded which would be good for falls like the one I had on Rainier last summer and rides at WDW as well.

I am definitely going to consider this system!

There are quite a few reviews on Amazon for Op-Tech straps etc.; mostly very positive!

 

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Never seen it before but I'm absolutely in love with the way the camera hangs off the tripod mount with my BR strap, I always felt that my camera was flopping around too much when using the regular strap mounts with anything but the lightest lenses.

 

[MICKEY88]

Never seen it before but I'm absolutely in love with the way the camera hangs off the tripod mount with my BR strap, I always felt that my camera was flopping around too much when using the regular strap mounts with anything but the lightest lenses.

see that is exactly what concerns me with the BR strap and the camera slinger
is the tripod mount actually made to support the weight of a camera and big lens,especially if using a vertical grip, there is a big difference between just keeping the camera on the tripod in the normal position{ the weight is supported by the tripod, not the mount} and supporting the entire weight with the tripod mount

plus I would think the change in flopping has more to do with the camera being worn lower and at your side, than it does with inverting the camera,

plus the optech setup eliminates 2 problems I've heard with BR and cameraslinger,

using a tripod, and the problem for those used to using a vertical grip, that of going vertical and the mounting screw being in the way of holding the camera comfortably..

 

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see that is exactly what concerns me with the BR strap and the camera slinger
is the tripod mount actually made to support the weight of a camera and big lens,especially if using a vertical grip, there is a big difference between just keeping the camera on the tripod in the normal position{ the weight is supported by the tripod, not the mount} and supporting the entire weight with the tripod mount

Keep in mind that the tripod socket handles the force of having a quick release plate screwed onto it tightly, which I would imagine is many times the force of gravity, even with a heavy lens. Also if you're using a lens big enough to have a tripod collar, you use the tripod collar as the mount point so it's balanced horizontally and hangs nicely parallel to the ground, whereas hanging a big lens off the strap mounts means the lens points straight down and will constantly be slamming against your leg as you walk.

plus I would think the change in flopping has more to do with the camera being worn lower and at your side, than it does with inverting the camera,

I think it has to do with the fact that the camera+lens sit sideways against your body rather than with the lens pointing away from you. Look at the pic of the harness you're considering and think of how that will act when walking... with each forward stride your legs will be pushing against the bottom edge of the camera which will make the lens swing upward then flop back down, so I imagine the flopping would be even worse than just having it on a normal neck strap.

You do have a point on the tripod convenience, but we know now that BR is working on a solution for that (replacement quick release plate screws made to handle the weight)

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I doubt that the tripod mount is likely to fail. They are usually built directly into the frame of the camera. After all, shooting macro shots with the camera suspended upside down is quite common.

A bigger concern is the clip on the BR itself. I'm not sure how strong the clip itself is. I've seen no signs of strain carrying an 70-200 f/2.8 on a 1D style body. I'm not trusting my 300 f/2.8 to it. My rule of thumb is if the lens comes with strap loops, use them instead.

 

[MICKEY88]

I doubt that the tripod mount is likely to fail. They are usually built directly into the frame of the camera. After all, shooting macro shots with the camera suspended upside down is quite common.

.

I agree with this, which is why I mentioned vertical grips,

My cameras all have a metal chassis, but I've seen a lot of vertical grips that are only plastic..

plus wouldn't a camera swinging and flopping around produce more stress than a camera simply mounted/suspended under a tripod ??

I'm not an engineer so I am seriously asking..

 

[MICKEY88]

1 Keep in mind that the tripod socket handles the force of having a quick release plate screwed onto it tightly, which I would imagine is many times the force of gravity, even with a heavy lens. Also if you're using a lens big enough to have a tripod collar, you use the tripod collar as the mount point so it's balanced horizontally and hangs nicely parallel to the ground, whereas hanging a big lens off the strap mounts means the lens points straight down and will constantly be slamming against your leg as you walk.



2.
I think it has to do with the fact that the camera+lens sit sideways against your body rather than with the lens pointing away from you. Look at the pic 1of the harness you're considering and think of how that will act when walking... with each forward stride your legs will be pushing against the bottom edge of the camera which will make the lens swing upward then flop back down, so I imagine the flopping would be even worse than just having it on a normal neck strap.

You do have a point on the tripod convenience, but we know now that BR is working on a solution for that (replacement quick release plate screws made to handle the weight)

1
I'd be careful about screwing your quick release plate too tightly, when I worked in a camera store I saw a camera go out for repair because it had been overtightened and cracked the bottom of the camera..

2. I've seen other pics where the cameras appear to hang more at your side, I think this pic shows them more forward because the guy has his hands hanging down at his sides..

 

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1
I'd be careful about screwing your quick release plate too tightly, when I worked in a camera store I saw a camera go out for repair because it had been overtightened and cracked the bottom of the camera..

Beside my point but yeah good advice

2. I've seen other pics where the cameras appear to hang more at your side, I think this pic shows them more forward because the guy has his hands hanging down at his sides..

I'm sure you could twist the straps to point them sideways but they will always want to point outward.

Anyway, I've made my points, silly that I've put this much thought into something I'll never get LOL

How about the news that there's actually an A700 replacement coming soon-ish?

 

[MICKEY88]

How about the news that there's actually an A700 replacement (with video, live view, and what appears to be an articulating LCD!!) coming soon?

all good points and considered,, I got my 2 cameras out and put them around my neck the way I've been wearing them for years and it seems I've been dealing with them hanging the way you mentioned so I guess it won't bother me.. my main issue is getting the weight off of my neck,I have serious neck issues and my dr told me if I continue to carry 2 cameras that way I'll be facing surgery in another yeaar or 2.. so what the heck for 30 bucks I'll give it a try..



on a more serious note, thanks, but I really don't need to be tempted by any new sony cameras.. LOL

I just got divorced last month so until I see how things will work out with half the oincome gone, big purchases are a no no..

I guess that's another reason the optech harness is more appealing than the camera slinger 100 dollars buys a lot of food..LOL

so you can by the new camera and tell us how nice it is..

 

[MarkBarbieri]

plus wouldn't a camera swinging and flopping around produce more stress than a camera simply mounted/suspended under a tripod ??

Definitely. I still don't think it'll be enough to be a problem. As for the strap holder, well, here is a thread that does not put them in a good light.

I love my Op/Tech straps. I just find the BR a much more comfortable and convenient way to carry a camera. It does seem riskier though. Then again, I'm generally pretty reckless. I'm the kind of guy that carries his tripod with the camera mounted on it and I can't tell you how many times I've been told that I shouldn't do that.

 

[MICKEY88]

Definitely. I still don't think it'll be enough to be a problem. As for the strap holder, well, here is a thread that does not put them in a good light.

I love my Op/Tech straps. I just find the BR a much more comfortable and convenient way to carry a camera. It does seem riskier though. Then again, I'm generally pretty reckless. I'm the kind of guy that carries his tripod with the camera mounted on it and I can't tell you how many times I've been told that I shouldn't do that.

i used to carry my camera on my monopod all the time at the ren faire, balancing the camera on my shoulder,as I walked

one day I was standing talking to someone and I don't remember what I did but it slipped out of my hands,

good news was I had the strap around my neck,

bad news was the force of the fall combined with the extra weight of the monopod, was sufficient to rip the strap mount, right out of the top of the camera.

good news was I caught the strap, stopping the camera about 4 inches from hitting the ground..


I guess my main issue is that I use vertical grips on all my cameras, and the protruding mounting screw would affect vertical shooting, plus looking at the grips they seem to be all plastic, whereas the tripod mount on my cameras is anchored into the metal camera chassis

 

[MICKEY88]

Ok, so I took the plunge,

I decided that since I already used optech pro straps, and am used to the cameras hanging by my sides in an upright position, it was a no brainer to go with this rather than the dual rapid strap, or the camera slinger,

the most important thing was getting the weight of 2 cameras off of my neck to avoid surgery,,,

once I get this and have tested it out for a daay or 2 of shooting, I'll do a report on it..

 

[MICKEY88]

so I got the dual harness, it's awesome, definitely takes the weight off of the neck..


the only thing I didn't like was when switching from the harness to my regular optech straps, the adjustments for length weren't made quickly, I had the 3/8 straps..

I checked out optechs web site, and ordered the pro loop extensions, and swapped out the 3/8 straps...now it's a matter of unbuckling the harness, buckling the regular straps and sliding the adjusters rather quickly..

I shot a birthday party at the country club sunday night, so I was walking around for about 4 hours, the harness was so comfortable that I actually kept forgetting I had a second camera hanging from me,

I spent a lot of time kneeling to shoot the grandchildren since I was told that was very important, and it was quite easy and comfortable with the second camera hanging on my left side..i did not use my
80-200 2.8 since there was no use for it in that setting so I can't say how that will feel with the harness, but the typical optech neoprene on the harness definitely did the job of weight reduction

so for anyone that uses 2 cameras and doesn't want to spend 130 for the rAPID STRAP DUAL OR THE CAMERA SLINGER, i HIGHLY RECOMENT THE OPTECH DUAL HARNESS..