Question about BlackRapid Straps...

[ham]

Hope it's ok to re-use this thread:

Anybody used both the RS4 and the RS7? There's £5 difference on amazon at the moment and the GF is offering to get one of them for me for Christmas.

Which should I go for? Do they have separate pros and cons?

I'm also considering for a handstrap, so any advice there would be nice.

[neuroanatomist]

RS-7 has a curve to it, could be more comfortable, except the RS-4 (which I have) is just fine.

I use the Canon E-1 handstrap. Do you have a battery grip (or 1-series body)? That's where the lower attachment point it. Else, you need something like this:

http://www.camdapter.com/handstrap/camstrap.html

Their straps seem nice as well.

Hope that helps...

--John

[ham]

Nope, 60D and no battery grip. Not really on the horizon in the near future either, I find the battery last ages as it is, and like the size. When I was using the 400D I needed the grip, but not now.

Thanks for the link to camdapter, I'll take a look at their stuff.

I'm swaying towards the RS-7, it looks slimmer. Only thing I'm not too sure about is the clip release on the back, would be very concerned that someone could unclip it and grab the camera. Does the RS-4 have one?

[Richard Lane]

Hi Ham,

I have the RS-5 and the RS-Sport. The RS-7 is a newer model than the RS-4, so I would probably go with the RS-7, because as Neuro mentioned it may be more comfortable having that curved pad. You can also add some extra Mod attachments to the RS-7 or the underarm BRAD strap which I would recommend, but it adds to the price and it comes standard with the RS-Sport models for a bit more money. If you're concerned about theft or the buckle on the RS-7 accidentally opening then you can buy the Buck accessory, but $10 sounds like a lot for a piece of velcro: You could probably buy a velcro strap in any store for less money.

http://www.blackrapid.com/product/mods/buck/


http://www.blackrapid.com/product/mods/brad/


With all that being said. I really like the RS-sport, because it stays put on your shoulder, I know it's a little more expensive, but I think you should consider it, especially if you will be active in any way with it. If your using a 60D with medium sized telephotos, then you should consider the newer, lighter RS-Sport2.

Rich

[neuroanatomist]

Clip release? There's a size adjuster, but it's not a strap release.

[neuroanatomist]

...or, maybe on the RS-7 it is?

[Richard Lane]

Yes, the RS-7 has a clip release on the back of the paaded shoulder pad. It's to allow the addition of the MOD accessories. The release can best be seen in the Video on the RS-7 product page.

http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-7/

*EDIT: I also wanted to emphasize that I'm not just recommending one of the RS-Sport models for someone that is active, but it's the underarm shoulder strap that helps keep the shoulder pad in place. If you take a look at the RS-7 video you will see that the photographer will push the camera forward and slide the camera up the strap while maintaing tension on the strap while lifting the camera to his eye. He is doing this so that the strap won't slide down his back. This technique can certainly help, but when I'm shooting I generally just lift the camera up to me eye and inevitably the padded shoulder strap will slide down my back. Then the photographer in the video will use the rear bumper lock to pull the shoulder strap back into its proper position on his shoulder.

With the RS-Sport model or the "Brad" underarm strap attachment added to one of the other RS models, none of this becomes even remotely necessary, as the shoulder pad just stays put. One more thing, the underarm strap is also especially helpful when you're shooting with 2 cameras, and your other hand is occupied (with a monopod/camera or off camera flash) and you don't want to be constantly bothered with re-adjusting the shoulder strap with your 3rd hand.

Rich

[neuroanatomist]

Interesting, thanks. The RS-4 has no such release.

[ham]

Just seems a very strange place to put it really.

Don't plan on being particularly active with it, walking (and maybe a jog to catch up with whoever I'm walking with when I inevitably stop to shoot), I just want something to replace the standard strap.

The RS-sport is only another £10 over the RS-7 (RS-4 = £40, RS-7 = £45, RS Sport 2 = £55), and seeing as I'm tempted by the BRAD, it probably makes sense to go with the RSSport2. Is the under-arm type bit removeable with the sport? I ask because I'm more of a casual shooter than anything, and don't necessarily want to be "strapped in" all the time.

[Richard Lane]

Is the under-arm type bit removeable with the sport? I ask because I'm more of a casual shooter than anything, and don't necessarily want to be "strapped in" all the time.

Yes, it's removable and you can always just let it hang down if you didn't feel like buckling it, sort of like a backpack sternum/chest buckle. Besides including the BRAD buckle, the RS-Sport also has a more contoured shoulder strap which is very nice too.

I think I may buy a BRAD strap for my older RS-5.

One more thing that they don't really emphasize in the video, is to close the threaded lock on the ConnectR-2 clip. A few weeks ago, I found that the threaded clip/lock on the ConnectR-2 had become undone and my camera was just hanging by the hook only. Luckily, I noticed it and re-tightened the safety clip latch before anything bad could happen. So, now I'm constantly checking it and tightening it.