The most awesome strap in the universe . . .
 

Okay, so my experience with neck straps is limited due to a neck injury
10 years ago that makes the usual neck strap uncomfortable with my 5D
and even a small lens. I have been using a holster case that I can strap
over one shoulder and then across my chest/back to the opposite hip.
That is the most comfortable solution for me but it is bulky. While I
can use a regular strap over the shoulder in the same fashion, the strap
grabs my clothes and must slide around my body in order the bring the
strap up. If I don't put it over my head, the strap tends to fall off my
shoulder. I ran across this strap system online and immediately bought one.

http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-4/

These things have probably been around awhile, but I've just found them.
It works on my 5D perfect and even on my Olympus E-P2 pretty well. Does
anyone else use one of these?

Eric Miller
www.dyesscreek.com

Re: The most awesome strap in the universe . . .
 

On 8/6/2011 12:34 AM, Eric Miller wrote:
> Okay, so my experience with neck straps is limited due to a neck injury
> 10 years ago that makes the usual neck strap uncomfortable with my 5D
> and even a small lens. I have been using a holster case that I can strap
> over one shoulder and then across my chest/back to the opposite hip.
> That is the most comfortable solution for me but it is bulky. While I
> can use a regular strap over the shoulder in the same fashion, the strap
> grabs my clothes and must slide around my body in order the bring the
> strap up. If I don't put it over my head, the strap tends to fall off my
> shoulder. I ran across this strap system online and immediately bought one.
>
> http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-4/
>
> These things have probably been around awhile, but I've just found them.
> It works on my 5D perfect and even on my Olympus E-P2 pretty well. Does
> anyone else use one of these?
>

Wouldn't be without it. I have both the single and double camera models.
they save a lot of wear an tear on my back and neck.


--
Peter

Re: The most awesome strap in the universe . . .
 

On Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:34:32 -0500, Eric Miller
<miller_nospam_eric@bellsouth.net> wrote:

>Okay, so my experience with neck straps is limited due to a neck injury
>10 years ago that makes the usual neck strap uncomfortable with my 5D
>and even a small lens. I have been using a holster case that I can strap
>over one shoulder and then across my chest/back to the opposite hip.
>That is the most comfortable solution for me but it is bulky. While I
>can use a regular strap over the shoulder in the same fashion, the strap
>grabs my clothes and must slide around my body in order the bring the
>strap up. If I don't put it over my head, the strap tends to fall off my
>shoulder. I ran across this strap system online and immediately bought one.
>
>http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-4/
>
>These things have probably been around awhile, but I've just found them.
>It works on my 5D perfect and even on my Olympus E-P2 pretty well. Does
>anyone else use one of these?
>

They've been around and promoted for quite a while. I looked at one,
but didn't buy it because I keep my tripod quick-change plate
permanently attached to my camera body. I could see the benefit of
it, but it was offset by the loss of not being able to quickly mount
my camera on my tripod. I don't have a lens with a tripod socket.

If you don't use a tripod frequently, it would be a good accessory.
--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida

Re: The most awesome strap in the universe . . .
 

"Savageduck" <savageduck1@{REMOVESPAM}me.com> wrote in message
news:2011080521542331566-savageduck1@REMOVESPAMmecom...
> On 2011-08-05 21:34:32 -0700, Eric Miller <miller_nospam_eric@bellsouth.net>
> said:
>
>> Okay, so my experience with neck straps is limited due to a neck injury 10
>> years ago that makes the usual neck strap uncomfortable with my 5D and even a
>> small lens. I have been using a holster case that I can strap over one
>> shoulder and then across my chest/back to the opposite hip. That is the most
>> comfortable solution for me but it is bulky. While I can use a regular strap
>> over the shoulder in the same fashion, the strap grabs my clothes and must
>> slide around my body in order the bring the strap up. If I don't put it over
>> my head, the strap tends to fall off my shoulder. I ran across this strap
>> system online and immediately bought one.
>>
>> http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-4/
>>
>> These things have probably been around awhile, but I've just found them. It
>> works on my 5D perfect and even on my Olympus E-P2 pretty well. Does anyone
>> else use one of these?
>>
>> Eric Miller
>> www.dyesscreek.com
>
> Yup! The Blackrapid strap is essential as far as I am concerned once the DSLR
> moves into the weighty area.
> No neck pain is very good, especially if you are lugging that camera for any
> length of time.
>
> The only drawback I can see, is the inconvenience when it comes to tripod
> mounting. For now, if I plan Tripod use I have a quick release plate handy to
> replace the Blackrapid fitting.
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Savageduck

Another drawback I see is in using a grip - the mounting hardware of the strap
make it uncomfortable to hold your hand on the grip when holding the camera in
"portrait" mode. A cure for this is to mount the strap to the camera eyelet
using a split O-ring.

Re: The most awesome strap in the universe . . .
 

On 8/8/2011 10:03 AM, Savageduck wrote:
<snip>
> I use the Blackrapid strap with my D300s + MB-D10 and shooting in
> "portrait" orientation is not an issue for me, and isn't at all
> uncomfortable. That said I do have big ham hands.
>
> I don't believe using a single camera eyelet to support the weight of
> camera and grip is a great idea. A single point bearing that 5.5-6.5 Lb
> load (depending on lens) is more likely to fail. Those eyelets are meant
> to share the load.
>
> Also when using a fat lens such as the 70-200mm f/2.8 the Blackrapid
> strap attached to the lens makes carrying that camera lens combo a bit
> safer, when using it hand held.
>

I agree that mounting on the lens would give better balance.
You just gave me an idea.
I have an extra tripod for for my 70 - 200. I can fit one with ay quick
release and the other for my Black Rapid. When I want to use a tripod,
it's just a matter of snapping off one foot and snapping in the other.


--
Peter

Re: The most awesome strap in the universe . . .
 

"Savageduck" <savageduck1@{REMOVESPAM}me.com> wrote in message
news:2011080807032450073-savageduck1@REMOVESPAMmecom...
> On 2011-08-08 05:10:21 -0700, "Pete Stavrakoglou" <ntotrr@optonline.net> said:
>
>> "Savageduck" <savageduck1@{REMOVESPAM}me.com> wrote in message
>> news:2011080521542331566-savageduck1@REMOVESPAMmecom...
>>> On 2011-08-05 21:34:32 -0700, Eric Miller <miller_nospam_eric@bellsouth.net>
>>> said:
>>>
>>>> Okay, so my experience with neck straps is limited due to a neck injury 10
>>>> years ago that makes the usual neck strap uncomfortable with my 5D and even
>>>> a
>>>> small lens. I have been using a holster case that I can strap over one
>>>> shoulder and then across my chest/back to the opposite hip. That is the
>>>> most
>>>> comfortable solution for me but it is bulky. While I can use a regular
>>>> strap
>>>> over the shoulder in the same fashion, the strap grabs my clothes and must
>>>> slide around my body in order the bring the strap up. If I don't put it
>>>> over
>>>> my head, the strap tends to fall off my shoulder. I ran across this strap
>>>> system online and immediately bought one.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-4/
>>>>
>>>> These things have probably been around awhile, but I've just found them. It
>>>> works on my 5D perfect and even on my Olympus E-P2 pretty well. Does anyone
>>>> else use one of these?
>>>>
>>>> Eric Miller
>>>> www.dyesscreek.com
>>>
>>> Yup! The Blackrapid strap is essential as far as I am concerned once the
>>> DSLR
>>> moves into the weighty area.
>>> No neck pain is very good, especially if you are lugging that camera for any
>>> length of time.
>>>
>>> The only drawback I can see, is the inconvenience when it comes to tripod
>>> mounting. For now, if I plan Tripod use I have a quick release plate handy
>>> to
>>> replace the Blackrapid fitting.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Savageduck
>>
>> Another drawback I see is in using a grip - the mounting hardware of the
>> strap
>> make it uncomfortable to hold your hand on the grip when holding the camera
>> in
>> "portrait" mode. A cure for this is to mount the strap to the camera eyelet
>> using a split O-ring.
>
> I use the Blackrapid strap with my D300s + MB-D10 and shooting in "portrait"
> orientation is not an issue for me, and isn't at all uncomfortable. That said
> I do have big ham hands.

"Big Ham Hands"? LOL. I don't have large hands so perhaps that's why it feels
cumbersome in my hands.

> I don't believe using a single camera eyelet to support the weight of camera
> and grip is a great idea. A single point bearing that 5.5-6.5 Lb load
> (depending on lens) is more likely to fail. Those eyelets are meant to share
> the load.

That's why I use the Op/Tech Sling Strap. It mounts to the camera eyelet and
the grip eyelet. Since this is not a perfect setup, there are drawbacks. when
shooting in portrait orientation, the strap can get in your way but it is easy
to disconnect one or both of the connections. When I find the strap interfering
when shooting in portrait orientation, I just unsnap the buckle on the end that
attaches to the grip. The cost of the Op/Tech is reasonable too, about $ 20.00.

> Also when using a fat lens such as the 70-200mm f/2.8 the Blackrapid strap
> attached to the lens makes carrying that camera lens combo a bit safer, when
> using it hand held.

With an R-Strap, I would carry my 70-200mm lens on my camera with the strap
mounted to the lens. I wouldn't let it just hang by my side, I would always
keep a hand on it, but that's just me.

> --
> Regards,
>
> Savageduck
>

Re: The most awesome strap in the universe . . .
 

On 8/10/2011 1:13 AM, otter wrote:
> On Aug 9 2011 8:37 AM, Pete Stavrakoglou wrote:
>
>> "Savageduck"<savageduck1@{REMOVESPAM}me.com> wrote in message
>> news:2011080807032450073-savageduck1@REMOVESPAMmecom...
>
>>> Also when using a fat lens such as the 70-200mm f/2.8 the Blackrapid strap
>>> attached to the lens makes carrying that camera lens combo a bit safer,
> when
>>> using it hand held.
>>
>> With an R-Strap, I would carry my 70-200mm lens on my camera with the strap
>> mounted to the lens. I wouldn't let it just hang by my side, I would always
>> keep a hand on it, but that's just me.
>
> Unless I'm going to use a tripod, I have a monopod attached to the 70-200,
> and the R strap attached to the body. It travels just fine by my hip with
> the monopod either collapsed, or partially collapsed with the leg
> sticking up by my shoulder. I always keep one hand on it, like you say.
>
> I can't see extensively handholding the 70-200, although I do it sometimes
> with the monopod collapsed if I don't have time to set up.
>

Each of us works differently. When dong walkabout shots, such as surfers
& bird colonies, I attach a 1.7 extender to the 70 -200, crank the ISO
to about 1250 and handhold. For landscape I rarely handhold, as I like
to spend time composing. A tripod forces me to do that.


--
Peter

Re: The most awesome strap in the universe . . .
 

"Savageduck" <savageduck1@{REMOVESPAM}me.com> wrote in message
news:2011081008521616807-savageduck1@REMOVESPAMmecom...
> On 2011-08-09 05:37:32 -0700, "Pete Stavrakoglou" <ntotrr@optonline.net> said:
>
>>
>> "Savageduck" <savageduck1@{REMOVESPAM}me.com> wrote in message
>> news:2011080807032450073-savageduck1@REMOVESPAMmecom...
>>> On 2011-08-08 05:10:21 -0700, "Pete Stavrakoglou" <ntotrr@optonline.net>
>>> said:
>
> <<< Le Snip >>>
>
>>>> Another drawback I see is in using a grip - the mounting hardware of the
>>>> strap
>>>> make it uncomfortable to hold your hand on the grip when holding the camera
>>>> in
>>>> "portrait" mode. A cure for this is to mount the strap to the camera
>>>> eyelet
>>>> using a split O-ring.
>>>
>>> I use the Blackrapid strap with my D300s + MB-D10 and shooting in "portrait"
>>> orientation is not an issue for me, and isn't at all uncomfortable. That
>>> said
>>> I do have big ham hands.
>>
>> "Big Ham Hands"? LOL. I don't have large hands so perhaps that's why it
>> feels
>> cumbersome in my hands.
>
> As I said I have big ham hands, so the D300s + MB-D10 is a good fit for me. I
> don't do well with dainty cameras. ;-)
> < http://homepage.mac.com/lco/filechute/IMG_0401R2.jpg >
>
> ...and when in the "portrait" orientation the hardware lies pretty flat and
> doesn't give me too much of a problem.
> < http://homepage.mac.com/lco/filechute/IMG_0405W.jpg >

That's huge thuimb! :)

Re: The most awesome strap in the universe . . .
 

On Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:42:41 -0400, PeterN
<peter.new@nospam.verizon.net> wrote:

>I agree that mounting on the lens would give better balance.
>You just gave me an idea.
>I have an extra tripod for for my 70 - 200. I can fit one with ay quick
>release and the other for my Black Rapid. When I want to use a tripod,
>it's just a matter of snapping off one foot and snapping in the other.

I'm trying mine out with the tripod foot removed and strap mounted
directly to the 70-200. Personally, I'm finding the system a bit to
free for really trekking around causing to have to hold on to the
camera/lens a fair bit more as compared to using a long regular strap
with slung over my haed/shoulder with the camera facing towards me.

I haven't been brave enough to try the strap on my 200-400 whose
tripod foot is non-removable.

Re: The most awesome strap in the universe . . .
 

On 8/17/2011 5:38 PM, me wrote:
> On Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:42:41 -0400, PeterN
> <peter.new@nospam.verizon.net> wrote:
>
>> I agree that mounting on the lens would give better balance.
>> You just gave me an idea.
>> I have an extra tripod for for my 70 - 200. I can fit one with ay quick
>> release and the other for my Black Rapid. When I want to use a tripod,
>> it's just a matter of snapping off one foot and snapping in the other.
>
> I'm trying mine out with the tripod foot removed and strap mounted
> directly to the 70-200. Personally, I'm finding the system a bit to
> free for really trekking around causing to have to hold on to the
> camera/lens a fair bit more as compared to using a long regular strap
> with slung over my haed/shoulder with the camera facing towards me.
>
> I haven't been brave enough to try the strap on my 200-400 whose
> tripod foot is non-removable.


I tried my idea and it wasn't a good one. I prefer for the lens to hang
down, which it does nicely when the strap is attached to the camera
body. I am forced to use the dual strap, either as a single or a double.
My original single has magnets that interfere with my pacemaker. I am
trying to find someone local who can remove the magnets and substitute
Velcro.

--
Peter