Shoulder Strap Help

[neuroanatomist]

I had a look at those BR straps few days ago and they look pretty good but my 7D is always gripped and I'm a bit concerned by the whole camera +lens being carried with two screws and therefore two weak points...

I've carried a gripped 7D, gripped 5DII, or 1D X, much of the time with a big white zoom (28-300L, 100-400L, or 70-200/2.8L IS II) from a BR strap for two years. The only sign of stress/wear is the leading edge of the nylon strap has become a little frayed. I doubted that would affect the integrity of the strap, but to be certain, I emailed BR support. They agreed that there was no danger, but they sent me a new RS-4 for free, anyway.

Also, in which situations do you prefer a BR strap over a lowepro toploader (see reviews in the review section)?

I've got the Lowepro Toploader Pro 65AW and 75AW. They're great for transporting the camera, plus I can strap a Lens Case to the side for an extra lens, and with the 75AW, either the 40/2.8 pancake or a 430EX II can fit in the side pocket.

So, when would I choose the BR over the Toploader? Any time I actually want to *use* the camera. With the BR strap, lifting the camera to my eye is very fast. If it's stuck in the Toploader, you'll miss shots. I do sometimes sling a Toploader hanging on my left side with a second lens, and the BR with the camera hanging on the right.

[Scott Stephen]

Interesting. I reccomended the Cinch shoulder strap by Luma Labs yesterday. http://luma-labs.com/products/cinch

As mentioned, I use it and love it. They had been promising a solution for tripod plates, and they have it now. So now you can have this strap AND a tripod plate mounted at all times. Even better.

http://luma-labs.com/products/m-connect

[thekingb]

My Blackrapid strap is THE workhorse of my kit. I have used it extensively internationally, lots of hiking, etc. I've tried others too. Nothing compares at this point. I have no concerns about the way it attaches to the tripod socket. For active use, it's the best solution IMO.

[bob williams]

My Blackrapid strap is THE workhorse of my kit. I have used it extensively internationally, lots of hiking, etc. I've tried others too. Nothing compares at this point. I have no concerns about the way it attaches to the tripod socket. For active use, it's the best solution IMO.

Ditto, Black Rapid carries it for me.

[Richard Lane]

Another vote for the Black Rapid. I use the RS-Sport Version.

Here's a few more brands:

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0083/1012/files/AP-Strap-Test.pdf?1014

Rich

[Dave Johnston]

+1 Black Rapid.

I have the dual strap harness. Splits up to use for one camera. Think it is called the Black rapid DR-2

Had it for a little over 6 months now and love it!

Dave.

[badbnl1533]

Thanks everyone for the info. I'm guessing that if the tripod mount really caused long term issues people would be all over these forums. I think hearing your reasoning will help to talk myself out of the big concern. Thanks

[ham]

Put it this way, if your camera is on the end of your tripod, you'd have no problem inverting the centre column would you?

The only issue I've found is if I'm wearing jeans or trousers with protruding metal rivets. Luckily only one pair of my jeans does so I just don't wear them when I'm taking the BR out.

[Black_Dog]

I use an OP/Tech Utility Strap Sling that I've retrofitted with BlackRapid connecting hardware. The OP/Tech sling doesn't have pockets but is less bulky and looks more comfortable. But the BR hardware is a lot more confidence inspiring than the plastic OP/Tech connectors. If you don't want to bother mixing and matching, just go with a BR sling.

I started using the sling last October for shooting weddings. It was a revelation - so much easier on the neck and back than a neck strap. I'll never go back.

[ham]

Black Rapid do some very un-bulky straps too, without pockets. I've got one of the RS Sport ones (comes with a BRAD under-arm bit) and it's much smaller than some of the others.