Updated: Camera Strap Shootout - Crumpler Industry Disgrace vs. BR RS-7 vs. RS-Sport

[wenrob]

I'm surprised to see no mention of the Op/Tech Pro strap... it's really the competition for the Crumpler. In fact, a quick glance as Amazon finds users seem to like the Op/Tech about the same, and it's half the price of the Crumpler. (The Crumpler may have an advantage in "breathing"... most people who didn't like the Op/Tech didn't like that it had quick-released, which is kind of why lots of other people - me included - do like it. I keep a short set of quick-release connectors on my main DSLR even though I usually use the R-strap.)

Love my Op-Tech. In fact I'm pretty sure I bought it on your suggestion. I wear it cross body and it distributes the weight well. I also like the quick release and keep the short ones on my camera. My only issue is wearing it this way the weight of the lens tilts the camera and I end up walking around gripping the lens and pretty much carrying the camera. Also I've lost 60lbs since buying it and it slips and slides all over the place now. Nothing left for it to grip I guess. So now I'm in the market for a new cross body strap. I actually have the Black Rapid and have not had the courage to use it, it scares me to death!

 

[VVFF]

I think that if there were issues with the tripod socket coming out, we'd probably be hearing more about them. Remember that the socket is designed to hold the weight of the camera and lens; after all, just about any "good" tripod lets you invert the center column to hang the camera upside-down. What is an issue is that the connector can scratch up the bottom of your camera a little, usually at the edge below the rear LCD. I am now careful to clip it in such a way that the screw that locks the connector faces the front of the camera.

Out of curiosity, are you using the fastenR3 or the older versions? Seems like the latest version would be more difficult to scratch up than the latest ones.

I haven't had the Op-tech but I do agree that its similar to the crumpler. I personally found that the straps connecting to the top of the camera got in the way often when shooting in portrait orientation though.

http://www.lu.ma/loop

This is a variant of the Blackrapid that allows you to connect to your normal strap connectors.

 

[wenrob]

Out of curiosity, are you using the fastenR3 or the older versions? Seems like the latest version would be more difficult to scratch up than the latest ones.

I haven't had the Op-tech but I do agree that its similar to the crumpler. I personally found that the straps connecting to the top of the camera got in the way often when shooting in portrait orientation though.

http://www.lu.ma/loop

This is a variant of the Blackrapid that allows you to connect to your normal strap connectors.

I just saw that they have a system for Op Tech now but I'm going to check this one out as well. Thanks for the link!

 

[Wadecool]

You're right that people tend to like best what they have - of course, much of the time that's mostly because they went through the choices and chose the one that met their needs the best to begin with!

Personally, I just dislike the Black Rapid straps personally - I don't like anything about their design in general. The Crumpler is nicer for my style, but I prefer my Kata Reflex-E - it's very similar to the Crumpler, with similar padding and comfort, but adds swiveling carabiner clips for the camera leads - those two camera leads that strap to the camera are thinner and smaller, and detachable from the neck strap portion...with the swivel carabiners, they automatically untangle. And I like the two little memory card or battery pouches at the ends of the strap.

All personal preference, of course...but Kata ended up my favorite.

BTW - good reviews - well written with good information for those looking for
their perfect solution!

I have the Kata Reflex E also and love it. I really like being able to quickly remove the strap for the times when I don't need it.

 

[wenrob]

I think I'm going to go ahead and try the Op-Tech converter since I already own various Op-Tech connectors and a strap anyway. For $10, it's worth a try.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/736118-REG/OP_TECH_USA_1301242_System_Connectors_Sling_Strap.html
That Luma Loop looks like a cross between Black Rapid and the Op-Tech.

 

[C&B Young]

If any Canadian Canon-owning DISers are looking to pick up an Industry Disgrace strap cheap, Canon Canada is offering EOS Club memberships for $15 and it comes with a Canon-branded Industry Disgrace strap. You have to own one of the following bodies.

EOS Rebel XS, EOS Rebel XSi
EOS Rebel T1i, EOS Rebel T3, EOS Rebel T2i, EOS Rebel T3i
EOS 50D, EOS 60D
EOS 7D, EOS 5D Mark II

 

[cosine4]

I am thinking about buying a Black Rapid and tried one out in a shop that had it set up with a mock camera about the size of mine. I really liked the feel of it but only had one hesitation and that is using a tripod.

When I use my gorilla pod I always try to keep my neck strap on for safety of it falling. And for my regular tripod sometimes I like to keep it on when there are a lot of people around that might inadvertently trip over the tripod. What do you do when you switch from walking to tripodding (I know its not a word, but it should be )? Do you just unscrew the adapter and screw in the mounting plate?

Thanks!

 

[VVFF]

I am thinking about buying a Black Rapid and tried one out in a shop that had it set up with a mock camera about the size of mine. I really liked the feel of it but only had one hesitation and that is using a tripod.

When I use my gorilla pod I always try to keep my neck strap on for safety of it falling. And for my regular tripod sometimes I like to keep it on when there are a lot of people around that might inadvertently trip over the tripod. What do you do when you switch from walking to tripodding (I know its not a word, but it should be )? Do you just unscrew the adapter and screw in the mounting plate?

Thanks!

I keep my mounting plate on my camera almost all the time. Its a Really Right Stuff plate designed for the 7D so it contours nicely to fit the body. The plate has an additional mounting screwhole that I can attach the blackrapid to that.

 

[VVFF]

Updated post to reflect my testing of the BlackRapid RS-Sport. Not as much detail this time as its so similar to the RS-7. If anyone wants to see any pictures of these straps(except the RS-7 now since I returned it) let me know.

 

[Jalva22]

Getting ready to purchase a strap to replace my OEM. Have gone back and forth and at this point I'm wide open on what to buy.

Question:

Whatever strap you use, does it work well if you're also wearing a backpack? Of course, it wouldn't affect the Crumpler. But what about the RS-7 and the Op/Tech sling straps? I assume the BRAD attachment on the RS-Sport makes a backpack a non-issue as well?

 

[VVFF]

Getting ready to purchase a strap to replace my OEM. Have gone back and forth and at this point I'm wide open on what to buy.

Question:

Whatever strap you use, does it work well if you're also wearing a backpack? Of course, it wouldn't affect the Crumpler. But what about the RS-7 and the Op/Tech sling straps? I assume the BRAD attachment on the RS-Sport makes a backpack a non-issue as well?

The RS-7 and RS-Sport make it a non-issue. The straps are not supposed to rotated around your back. They actually are designed to stay in one place on the shoulder.

The BRAD(included on the RS-sport) helps prevent rotating but I personally haven't found any troubles.

 

[Jalva22]

The RS-7 and RS-Sport make it a non-issue. The straps are not supposed to rotated around your back. They actually are designed to stay in one place on the shoulder.

The BRAD(included on the RS-sport) helps prevent rotating but I personally haven't found any troubles.

Thanks, VVFF! Do you use it with a hotshoe flash? Any issues with the flash hanging upside down on the camera? Or do you revert to a neck strap when carrying it with a flash attached?

I'm shooting a Canon 40D with a 430EX II flash.

 

[VVFF]

Thanks, VVFF! Do you use it with a hotshoe flash? Any issues with the flash hanging upside down on the camera? Or do you revert to a neck strap when carrying it with a flash attached?

I'm shooting a Canon 40D with a 430EX II flash.

Since the camera hangs upside-down there is no issue with flashes either. The flash simply points towards the ground.