Question about BlackRapid Straps...

[btaylor]

Thanks John. A decent strap is something I've never really considered. But I'm traveling Europe in three weeks time and thought I'd give it a go. Looking forward to some great photo opportunities in Iceland... Northern lights here I come!

[neuroanatomist]

Mmmm...nice! Have a great trip! My new favorite walkaround mode is body+lens hanging on the BR strap, with a Lowepro S&F Deluxe Technical Belt around my waist. On the side opposite the camera, I Sliplock on a Lens Case or two (usually including a S&F Lens Exchange 200 AW) and maybe a Quick Flex pouch with a flash.

[Jeff Lucia]

To expand on original question -- hope nobody minds! -- it seems like there are two basic heights at which to carry the camera: on your hip or slightly above it. Slightly above feels more secure, i.e., less flopping around, but it also allows less play in the strap. Slightly below makes it easier to switch the camera to portrait orientation because of the extra play in the strap. Anyone have any wisdom on this?

[NFLD Stephen]

@icanon - I like the simplicity of your method. I'll have to give it a try next time I go for a hike... One question though: I don't see the elastic bands in your final pictures; did you end up sewing the rings into the strap?

@Jeff - I'm still stuck at the requisite obsessing stage... I'm also interested to hear whether people wear them at the hip or above.

Stephen

[icanon]

@icanon - I like the simplicity of your method. I'll have to give it a try next time I go for a hike... One question though: I don't see the elastic bands in your final pictures; did you end up sewing the rings into the strap?

Stephen

Stephen - your right after a week of testing I had it sewn. The elastics worked fine but wanted a permanent solution. One other thing you can add a velcro or something else extending from one backpack shoulder strap to the other shoulder strap to hold the camera close to your body. This works nice on long lens, just strap across the lens and put one side off when you're ready to use, then when finished just pull the strap over the lens and you're on your way. Anyway it didn't cost much to do and like I said works great.

Btw My mom from St. John's NFLD.

[neuroanatomist]

I wear it a bit above hip-level. It bounces/rotates less there, and I still have enough spare strap for portrait grip. With collared lenses (70-200 II, 100-400) where the strap is clamped to the lens plate, the end of the lens is at the small of my back.

[Kayaker72]

This thread has given me some great Christmas gift ideas......

@ Rich

None of the holster type products you listed will accomadiate a 70-200mm L II with hood attached will they? It appears that they could be convinient if you were shoting with a 24-70 or 24-105 though.

Rick

I use the Think Tank 30 Holster expanded to fit my 100-400L with hood on my 7D. I would think a 70-200 with hood would also fit.

[HDNitehawk]

This thread has given me some great Christmas gift ideas......



I use the Think Tank 30 Holster expanded to fit my 100-400L with hood on my 7D. I would think a 70-200 with hood would also fit.

It doesn't appear that the 30 will accommodate the 1D body. I think I would need the model 50 instead of 30. Both bags spec's say it would accommodate the 70-200mm 2.8. The 70-200mm is slightly longer than the 100-400 closed, but not by much.

The only Christmas present ideas I have gotten so far are for myself....

[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