70-200 2.8 with Blackrapid sling - attach to camera or lens?

[Theantiquetiger]

I was wondering about this. I have been clipping the Blackrapid to the camera, but is this putting too much pressure on the lens mount.


Should it be clipped to the lens or the camera (or doesn't matter)?

 

[Theantiquetiger]

After posting the question above, I went and did some research on the web (should have done it first). Most suggest clipping it to the camera for two good reasons:


1. With it attached to the camera, the lens hangs straight down, keeping the lens clean and safe from bumping


2. If it is attached to the lens, there is uneven pressure on the mount, unlike when attached to the camera, it hangs down, giving fairly even pressure on the mount.

 

[Don Kondra]

My rule of thumb is to attach the strap to the heaviest piece.

In this case that is the lens.

Cheers, Don

 

[Overread19 7]

In my experience a camera body hanging down with a 70-20mm f2.8 should be fine. It's about the limit for weight though that I'd have free-hanging from the camera mount - much heavier and you want to really be holding the lens itself not the camera. That said with the length and weight you don't want to be throwing it around.

 

[robbins.photo]

After posting the question above, I went and did some research on the web (should have done it first). Most suggest clipping it to the camera for two good reasons:


1. With it attached to the camera, the lens hangs straight down, keeping the lens clean and safe from bumping


2. If it is attached to the lens, there is uneven pressure on the mount, unlike when attached to the camera, it hangs down, giving fairly even pressure on the mount.

I prefer to have mine on attached to the lens. I have the lens hood on when I'm carrying it so bumping is not really an issue, and when attached to the lens mount the camera hangs pretty much level at my side - the camera weighs a lot less than the lens (a lot less) so the pressure on the lens mount would have to be a whole lot less than the other way around regardless of the angle.

I've found by using the tripod collar rather the weight is also a lot more evenly balanced and as such the camera doesn't swing or move around nearly as much as when I attach it to the camera. Just my 2 cents worth of course, YMMV

 

[EIngerson]

Like others have mentioned. Mount it so you gear falls along the body when carrying it.

 

[Newtricks]

I've found by using the tripod collar rather the weight is also a lot more evenly balanced and as such the camera doesn't swing or move around nearly as much as when I attach it to the camera.

+1.

 

[ratssass]

I've always had mine attached to the camera body,with no problems....for a couple reasons.I trust the threaded insert on the body over the tripod collar.It keeps the lens pointed down,along my body/leg.I keep my quick release on the tripod collar.

...and I can swap out lenses quicker

 

[Tailgunner]

I attach to the body and let my 70-200mm 2.8 VR II hang straight down. I'll hold the lens keeping it from swinging if I have to move around while not shooting.

 

[480sparky42 42]

Lens.

 

[o hey tyler]

With a large lens like that I would strongly suggest utilizing the tripod collar.

 

[D-B-J]

Lens. It's the heavier piece, and mounting it to the camera may compromise the lens connection point on the body.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KmH]

+1 for attach the sling to the lens.

With the lens pointed straight down all the load from the lens is on the tiny screw threads that attach the mount to the camera body.

Attached to the lens the direction of the load on the mount screws is on an angle to the length of the screws so the screw long axis is loaded in sheer and less weight is supported by the screw threads.

 

[table1349]

Well, my camera body weighs (3.4lbs) more than my 70-200 f2.8L II (3.28lbs). Those tiny little screws are designed to hold that mount securely to the camera. Think camera body hanging off of a large lens like a 400mm. I have been using the Rapid Straps since they were first offered and have hung a 1D body with a 70-200 off of it for several years. Never once has it been in issue.

My one modification was to put a RRS QR on the bottom of the strap which makes it easier and quicker for me to lock a body onto the plate that is always on the body. If I want I could quickly do the same with any lens with a foot but have never had a reason too.

 

[Tony S]

Any time I am using my Black Rapid straps I always attach them to the tripod collar on the 70-200. One really nice thing about doing this is if I want to pop on a wider lens quickly I just put the cap on the 70-200 and let it hang while I hold the wider lens and camera combo. No fumbling about trying to figure out what to do with the 70-200 for a few quick shots.
When I use the double strap, I hang one camera with the 24-70 that is attached to the camera body, the other body is still attached to the 70-200 tripod mount.

I've also noticed when it's hung from the body the adjustment wheel will rub against my side and change my settings which can be a real PIA sometimes. If it's hung by the lens collar the adjustment wheels are either up or down, but not against the body where it can be accidently changed.