Which black rapid strap (or other brand) for first trip to WDW?

[smelton521]

Hi! I have been looking at black rapid straps for our first trip to WDW. Does it help with the weight or do you end up with a sore shoulder instead of a sore neck? Also, is it comfortable even if you are wearing a tank top or will the strap rub badly on your neck/shoulders? There are several different styles and I am not sure which would be best? I am a woman of average size who is 5'7". Is there another brand that might be better? Any advice is much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[AmyB2006]

Hi,

I answered your other thread too. But I use CarrySpeed and love it. But after looking at BR's straps, they look nice! I like the cargo one.

It definitely makes it easier to carry than a neck strap if that's what you're using. I do not have a sore shoulder at the end of the day.

But again, the hook mechanism that attaches to hold the camera... makes me nervous on the BR. My CarrySpeed has a much better system, IMO. I'd be wary of that and read reviews to see if others have ever had a problem.

 

[Pixel Dust]

But again, the hook mechanism that attaches to hold the camera... makes me nervous on the BR. My CarrySpeed has a much better system, IMO. I'd be wary of that and read reviews to see if others have ever had a problem.

What is the issue you see with the hook mechanism?

I've used the Blackrapid strap on a 10 day Disney trip with a D600 (full frame), 24-120 f/4 lens (1.6 pounds) and battery grip (with the extra battery), for a total of 4.2 pounds swinging around. While on other shoots I'll have that setup, plus a flash bracket with an SB-800 flash, all hanging from my BR flash. The hook also has a screw over it that prevents the hook from unlatching. With the excessive weight I've put my strap through I have yet to see a failure with the way the camera connects to the strap.

I've used the RS-5 and the RS-Sport.

 

[MedicJD]

Hi! I have been looking at black rapid straps for our first trip to WDW. Does it help with the weight or do you end up with a sore shoulder instead of a sore neck? Also, is it comfortable even if you are wearing a tank top or will the strap rub badly on your neck/shoulders? There are several different styles and I am not sure which would be best? I am a woman of average size who is 5'7". Is there another brand that might be better? Any advice is much appreciated! Thanks!

I believe that Black Rapid makes a strap specifically for women. I have a Black Rapid strap and I absolutely love it.

 

[photo_chick]

I use a Crumpler Industry Disgrace, not a BR. But wanted to address the weight question. The right strap can make a huge difference with the weight. Also keep in mind that straps and bags are like shoes. What is perfect for one person may not work at all for another. And sometimes you can't tell what works for you until you get it and use it for a bit.

 

[SkaGoat]

I'm not a lady, but I have spent significant time with a Black Rapid RS-4, my Canon 7D with a grip and a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L.

All that together weighs about 5.5 lbs, and I had no problem at all walking around for hours at a time.

I can't speak to a tank top, or anything, but mine doesn't seem to rub or anything like that (could be because of the weight though).

 

[whoiscliffwang]

I carried a D800 with a battery grip and 24-70mm or 70-200mm the whole trip. Shoulders were definitely a little sore at the end of the trip, but what do can I expect when there is about 5 pounds of camera on for 10+ hours a day for 8 days.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I'm a BR proponent. I have two RS-4's that I wear singly or I convert them to a two camera rig. My first trip to WDW with a neck strap was the last (I had upgraded the strap, but still had a sore neck and headaches the entire trip). I don't have those problems anymore. I just returned from a trip where I went light by bringing only one camera minus its vertical battery grip. I didn't even know I was carrying it. Over the next two days, I will be carrying two cameras (with my conversion) with battery grips and flashes for 12 hours each day (also big lenses). I will be a little sore, but nothing too bad that Motrin can't handle! Also my DGD, has the female version and loves it.

 

[jimim]

Hi! I have been looking at black rapid straps for our first trip to WDW. Does it help with the weight or do you end up with a sore shoulder instead of a sore neck? Also, is it comfortable even if you are wearing a tank top or will the strap rub badly on your neck/shoulders? There are several different styles and I am not sure which would be best? I am a woman of average size who is 5'7". Is there another brand that might be better? Any advice is much appreciated! Thanks!

i use the sport br for 3 ips now and love it. Having the underarm portion keeps things where they should be. I really like it.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[MolonLabe]

Hi,

I answered your other thread too. But I use CarrySpeed and love it. But after looking at BR's straps, they look nice! I like the cargo one.

It definitely makes it easier to carry than a neck strap if that's what you're using. I do not have a sore shoulder at the end of the day.

But again, the hook mechanism that attaches to hold the camera... makes me nervous on the BR. My CarrySpeed has a much better system, IMO. I'd be wary of that and read reviews to see if others have ever had a problem.

Black rapids make some great straps but like you I prefer the CarrySpeed as well.

T4i with virtually any lens for a 12 hour day for a week strait at WDW and it's still worth doing on day 7.

For a MNSSHP and a MVMCP I can carry the T4i, a f2.8 zoom lens and have a 430exII lens on it for half the time in the middle of such a week and still not have an issue either.

A quality strap can make all the difference in the world.

 

[SkaGoat]

I dislike the whole weird mounting plate that CarrySpeed system uses, plus CarrySpeed.com no longer exists, and they offer no support for defective product. On one forum, a gentlemen had his original fail, and they sent him the new and improved strap, and it failed as well, destroying the lens he had attached to his camera.

BlackRapid has been in business a long time now, they sell a quality product, that is used by a lot of photographers.

 

[traylorc]

I have used a number of BR straps including the RS4, RS7, and the RSD-1BB.

They have worked beautifully and I have not had an issue with any of them. The RSD allows me to comfortably carry big lenses such as the Nikon 200mm f/2 and 300mm f/2.8.

 

[photogal06]

I use the Black Rapid RS-W1, which is designed specifically for women. Very comfortable, even with tank tops. I didn't get any of the fancy designs...just black

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I've had the RS-4 for a few years and swear by it. I'm not a person who does well with backpacks or carrying much weight at all over my shoulders but the Blackrapids make carrying the weight of a heavy camera very comfortable. Carrying the weight of a full frame DSLR around my neck would not be an option.

 

[AmyB2006]

I dislike the whole weird mounting plate that CarrySpeed system uses, plus CarrySpeed.com no longer exists, and they offer no support for defective product. On one forum, a gentlemen had his original fail, and they sent him the new and improved strap, and it failed as well, destroying the lens he had attached to his camera.

BlackRapid has been in business a long time now, they sell a quality product, that is used by a lot of photographers.

Aaaahhh, I did not know that. I bought mine several years ago. Never looked back, never had a problem. Good to know.

 

[AmyB2006]

What is the issue you see with the hook mechanism?

It just seems like it would possibly come undone easily. I did read some reviews after my post, and there were several people that had problems with the hook from the BR, but maybe it's more secure now? I didn't notice the date on the reviews.


Just me though. LOL I'm sure it works fine for a lot of people. Heck, even though the hook makes me nervous, I might buy one now after seeing the Cargo one. LOL

 

[Skywise]

It just seems like it would possibly come undone easily. I did read some reviews after my post, and there were several people that had problems with the hook from the BR, but maybe it's more secure now? I didn't notice the date on the reviews.


Just me though. LOL I'm sure it works fine for a lot of people. Heck, even though the hook makes me nervous, I might buy one now after seeing the Cargo one. LOL

There's a "locking" mechanism of a sorts where you can screw a covering bolt/ring down over the hook on my BR Sport. Supposedly this was added after the initial release. In my experience it doesn't always stay "locked" and will sometimes unscrew itself. There's a newer mechanism they sell which is a plastic insert that snaps into the hook and forces the latch into the closed position. http://www.blackrapid.com/products/lockstar

I've never had the failure problem occur though.

 

[SkaGoat]

My RS-4 has the lock (not the optional plastic bit) on the little carabiner that attaches to the piece that screws into the tripod mount on your camera or lens.

I had no problems with it coming loose, and it doesn't feel flimsy. I use mine with a 7D which is up with the heavier DSLRs in terms of weight.

 

[handicap18]

It just seems like it would possibly come undone easily. I did read some reviews after my post, and there were several people that had problems with the hook from the BR, but maybe it's more secure now? I didn't notice the date on the reviews.


Just me though. LOL I'm sure it works fine for a lot of people. Heck, even though the hook makes me nervous, I might buy one now after seeing the Cargo one. LOL

I've been using a Black Rapids strap for about 8 years and have never had one issue with it. Its done 2 Disney trips with me with no problems and will do its 3rd with me in June.

I've carried a Nikon D300 with battery grip, 24-70mm f/2.8 lens and SB-900 attached with no issues. I now use a Nikon D600 with either the 24-70 f/2.8 or 70-200 f/2.8 attached.

I also now have the double BR strap and will carry the D600 with 24-70 f/2.8 and SB-900 on one side and the D300 with the 70-200 f/2.8 on the other. I've done that set up a few times for outdoor shooting events. Very comfortable.

 

[AmyB2006]

There's a "locking" mechanism of a sorts where you can screw a covering bolt/ring down over the hook on my BR Sport. Supposedly this was added after the initial release. In my experience it doesn't always stay "locked" and will sometimes unscrew itself. There's a newer mechanism they sell which is a plastic insert that snaps into the hook and forces the latch into the closed position. http://www.blackrapid.com/products/lockstar

I've never had the failure problem occur though.

I've been using a Black Rapids strap for about 8 years and have never had one issue with it. Its done 2 Disney trips with me with no problems and will do its 3rd with me in June.

Good to hear!