Black Rapid vs Generic Strap vs Generic Strap with Black Rapid Fastenr?

[Braineack]

gets in the way when shooting. I put a BR style loop on my tripod mount for my Op-Tech strap; else I have to unclip the camera at each use.

I've been carrying my camera with the Op-Tech loop for several years without issue. Not once can I recall it "getting in the way" while shooting. However, the BR strap connector on the bottom of the camera is very uncomfortable when shooting vertically with a battery grip.

I never once thought about trying it on the left loop... I'll have to give that a go and see.

 

[robbins.photo]

First, let me say that you get what you pay for. Second, rather than use the tripod mount and have to remove the strap every time you use your tripod, consider using an Op-Tech utility loop to hold the strap to the cameras strap lug instead.

gets in the way when shooting. I put a BR style loop on my tripod mount for my Op-Tech strap; else I have to unclip the camera at each use.

I've been carrying my camera with the Op-Tech loop for several years without issue. Not once can I recall it "getting in the way" while shooting. However, the BR strap connector on the bottom of the camera is very uncomfortable when shooting vertically with a battery grip.

I never once thought about trying it on the left loop... I'll have to give that a go and see.

I went ahead and ordered a couple of op-tech loops today myself, I love the black rapid strap but I wouldn't mind a bit freeing up the tripod mount if possible.

 

[table1349]

Hi all,
So I bought this shoulder strap a bit over a year ago and it hasn't let me down
Ebest - Decompression Camera Shoulder Strap for Canon Nikon Sony Pentax Olympus Panasonic: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

My only complaint was the screw part of it didn't fit the Nikon (as pointed out in some of the bad reviews). I've since bought a Manfrotto 190XPro and noticed the baseplate has a ring which is used to tighten the plate to the bottom of the Nikon. I attached the carabiner to the ring whilst hiking about recently and it seemed to work fine, but would this likely fail in the future?

Yes. Blackrapid addressed this issue not long after they came out with their original strap. That is why they came up with their own fastener. You are living on borrowed time unless Manfrotto changed their design.

The actual sling strap although cheap in cost seems to be well made, with metal connections and an almost seatbelt quality strap, so find it hard to justify spending £40 on a black rapid if I could potentially only spend £15 on just the blackrapid fastenr:
Black Rapid FastenR-T1 for Use with Manfrotto RC2: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

The Blackrapid fastener would be a much better bet than what you are doing now.

I'd be interested in everyone's thoughts, I'm currently using a D7100 so perhaps it's better to bite the bullet and get a black rapid just for the peace of mind.

Cheers

Jack

I have the original Blackrapid strap and my solution to all my camera/lens mounting issues was to go Arca-Swiss. Not what you want to hear, as it is much more expensive then Manfrotto's proprietary QR system. I have an Arca-Swiss screw clamp QR plate on my Black Rapid and all of my bodies and lenses that have mounting rings have Arca-Swiss plate or feet. Quick and easy no matter what i want to mount it to. If you should decide to consider this DO NOT use the lever type QR plates. Too easy to catch the lever. Go with the screw knob clamp instead.

 

[Jack2013]

First, let me say that you get what you pay for. Second, rather than use the tripod mount and have to remove the strap every time you use your tripod, consider using an Op-Tech utility loop to hold the strap to the cameras strap lug instead.

Hi Scatterbrained,
to be completely honest it wouldn't bother me disconnecting the strap, I'm more concerned about the strap breaking or unscrewing from the body..
It seems the blackrapid would be as susceptible to this as any other strap?

Ok, a couple of thoughts here - BR is made from ballistic cloth, so no, the strap is going to going to give out. You could put it over a large enough tree branch and suspend your entire body weight from it for days, still won't break. The weak link here is not the strap (even the ones made from relatively cheap nylon are much tougher than you can possibly imagine) - the weak link is where the strap attaches to the camera.

If you are using a black rapid strap and a black rapid attachment you shoudn't have a problem. The problem most people run into is that they use something like a black rapid strap and then attach it to the ring on the bottom of a standard tripod mount quick release which of course was never designed for this purpose. The tripod mount ring fails, camera falls. So if your going to attach it to the bottom of a tripod mount, buy the black rapid replacement for the tripod mount screw/ring - which is specifically designed for this purpose. Even if you only intend to use it with a cheaper strap, it would be well worth the investment.

BTW I own a Black Rapid CS-5 myself, best money I ever spent. Worth every single penny, and it is just so much better than the cheap knock off I tried originally it isn't even funny. Night and day comparison.

Hi Robbins,
I think if I got the BR strap I would just manage by unscrewing the strap and putting on the tripod mount, another £15 on top of an already pricey £55 is quite a bit of money.
It's a shame they don't offer a choice between the Manfrotto tripod screw and the standard..

 

[robbins.photo]

Hi Scatterbrained,
to be completely honest it wouldn't bother me disconnecting the strap, I'm more concerned about the strap breaking or unscrewing from the body..
It seems the blackrapid would be as susceptible to this as any other strap?

Ok, a couple of thoughts here - BR is made from ballistic cloth, so no, the strap is going to going to give out. You could put it over a large enough tree branch and suspend your entire body weight from it for days, still won't break. The weak link here is not the strap (even the ones made from relatively cheap nylon are much tougher than you can possibly imagine) - the weak link is where the strap attaches to the camera.

If you are using a black rapid strap and a black rapid attachment you shoudn't have a problem. The problem most people run into is that they use something like a black rapid strap and then attach it to the ring on the bottom of a standard tripod mount quick release which of course was never designed for this purpose. The tripod mount ring fails, camera falls. So if your going to attach it to the bottom of a tripod mount, buy the black rapid replacement for the tripod mount screw/ring - which is specifically designed for this purpose. Even if you only intend to use it with a cheaper strap, it would be well worth the investment.

BTW I own a Black Rapid CS-5 myself, best money I ever spent. Worth every single penny, and it is just so much better than the cheap knock off I tried originally it isn't even funny. Night and day comparison.

Hi Robbins,
I think if I got the BR strap I would just manage by unscrewing the strap and putting on the tripod mount, another £15 on top of an already pricey £55 is quite a bit of money.
It's a shame they don't offer a choice between the Manfrotto tripod screw and the standard..

I really don't recommend that at all. Standard tripod quick releases are not designed to support the camera in that fashion, and the extra £15 could save you the price of a new camera when that mount gives way and your camera hits the ground. The other option would be the optech loop, I just ordered a couple myself, that way you can attach the strap to that instead of using the tripod mount.

 

[Jack2013]

First, let me say that you get what you pay for. Second, rather than use the tripod mount and have to remove the strap every time you use your tripod, consider using an Op-Tech utility loop to hold the strap to the cameras strap lug instead.

Hi Scatterbrained,
to be completely honest it wouldn't bother me disconnecting the strap, I'm more concerned about the strap breaking or unscrewing from the body..
It seems the blackrapid would be as susceptible to this as any other strap?

Well, for one, if you put a little saliva on the gasket before screwing it down, then screw it down tight; it won't come loose. Second, with the utility loop it's simply not an issue anyway.

First, let me say that you get what you pay for. Second, rather than use the tripod mount and have to remove the strap every time you use your tripod, consider using an Op-Tech utility loop to hold the strap to the cameras strap lug instead.

gets in the way when shooting. I put a BR style loop on my tripod mount for my Op-Tech strap; else I have to unclip the camera at each use.

I've been carrying my camera with the Op-Tech loop for several years without issue. Not once can I recall it "getting in the way" while shooting. However, the BR strap connector on the bottom of the camera is very uncomfortable when shooting vertically with a battery grip.

This is interesting, how does it rest when hanging from your shoulder though, I would think on an angle?

 

[coastalconn]

I have one of these.. Black Durable Quick Double Dual Shoulder Strap Sling Belt for Two Cameras DSLR | eBay which is basically a double version of yours. My solution to the cheap fastener was a trip to the hardware store a 1/4"x20 bolt with a flat washer and a lock washer. I originally had it bolted right through my tripod mount with the L bracket attached. I really don't use my tripod so now I have both L brackets bolted to my tripod foot. My lens and camera weighs about 8 pounds and I generally walk around hands free.. YMMV

 

[Stevepwns]

I have a cheap version of the BR sport and the actual BR sport. I also have a double strap knockoff. Walked miles with all 3 and never had a single problem with any of them.

 

[Jack2013]

Ok, a couple of thoughts here - BR is made from ballistic cloth, so no, the strap is going to going to give out. You could put it over a large enough tree branch and suspend your entire body weight from it for days, still won't break. The weak link here is not the strap (even the ones made from relatively cheap nylon are much tougher than you can possibly imagine) - the weak link is where the strap attaches to the camera.

If you are using a black rapid strap and a black rapid attachment you shoudn't have a problem. The problem most people run into is that they use something like a black rapid strap and then attach it to the ring on the bottom of a standard tripod mount quick release which of course was never designed for this purpose. The tripod mount ring fails, camera falls. So if your going to attach it to the bottom of a tripod mount, buy the black rapid replacement for the tripod mount screw/ring - which is specifically designed for this purpose. Even if you only intend to use it with a cheaper strap, it would be well worth the investment.

BTW I own a Black Rapid CS-5 myself, best money I ever spent. Worth every single penny, and it is just so much better than the cheap knock off I tried originally it isn't even funny. Night and day comparison.

Hi Robbins,
I think if I got the BR strap I would just manage by unscrewing the strap and putting on the tripod mount, another £15 on top of an already pricey £55 is quite a bit of money.
It's a shame they don't offer a choice between the Manfrotto tripod screw and the standard..

I really don't recommend that at all. Standard tripod quick releases are not designed to support the camera in that fashion, and the extra £15 could save you the price of a new camera when that mount gives way and your camera hits the ground. The other option would be the optech loop, I just ordered a couple myself, that way you can attach the strap to that instead of using the tripod mount.

I think I phrased it in a confusing way...

I would remove the strap and attach the tripod mount plate before putting it on the tripod, and then when finished with the tripod disconnect the plate and reattach the strap. £15 for the mounting plate screw is quite a lot on top of an already expensive strap.

 

[coastalconn]

My solution costs about $1.. Sorry about the crappy cell phone snap..

 

[shefjr]

My solution costs about $1.. Sorry about the crappy cell phone snap..https://www.mediafire.com/view/?j8a3dj186acjaw6

I'm curious Kris. Is that at all noisy? It seems like the two clasps (for lack of a better word) would hit each other and make a possibly startling sound that would scare off the birds. We all know you don't scare off the birds because you capture some great shots. So... I'm guessing you have a great technique for not making the metal on metal sound.

 

[Civchic]

I've been using my Op/tech strap for a couple of weeks now, including a long hike with my kids, and I LOVE IT. I also bought a couple of extension straps, and the best configuration I have now is to have the right camera strap lug connected direct to the Op/tech loop, then a 6" extension on the left lug connected to the loop. I found with both lugs directly connected to the loop it got in the way when I was shooting, but with only the right lug connected it was too dangly (and the second lug connection is a bit of extra security). The connectors are really sturdy and tight.

Totally worth the price (which is way cheaper than the BR).

 

[coastalconn]

My solution costs about $1.. Sorry about the crappy cell phone snap..

I'm curious Kris. Is that at all noisy? It seems like the two clasps (for lack of a better word) would hit each other and make a possibly startling sound that would scare off the birds. We all know you don't scare off the birds because you capture some great shots. So... I'm guessing you have a great technique for not making the metal on metal sound.

It's not noisy at all. It just kind of hangs there, maybe the weight deadens it... the 2 rings don't touch each other..

 

[BillM]

One thing I added to mine was a small key ring, people had mentioned this area as being the point of failure of the early model so I just consider it cheap insurance. And i found it at the bottom of a junk draw so the price was right

 

[robbins.photo]

Hi Robbins,
I think if I got the BR strap I would just manage by unscrewing the strap and putting on the tripod mount, another £15 on top of an already pricey £55 is quite a bit of money.
It's a shame they don't offer a choice between the Manfrotto tripod screw and the standard..

I really don't recommend that at all. Standard tripod quick releases are not designed to support the camera in that fashion, and the extra £15 could save you the price of a new camera when that mount gives way and your camera hits the ground. The other option would be the optech loop, I just ordered a couple myself, that way you can attach the strap to that instead of using the tripod mount.

I think I phrased it in a confusing way...

I would remove the strap and attach the tripod mount plate before putting it on the tripod, and then when finished with the tripod disconnect the plate and reattach the strap. £15 for the mounting plate screw is quite a lot on top of an already expensive strap.

Gotcha, ok well you should be good then. As others have mentioned I have made it a habit to just make sure the mount screw is secure before putting the camera's weight on it, never had a problem. In fact I'm looking at getting a second rs-5 and the connecting strap so I can carry 2 cameras soon. I really love the rs-5, has enough storage that I really don't need to lug around a camera bag with me anymore.