Black Rapid / Alternates

hollis_f said:
I must admit, it does make me think that buying the cheapo Ebay versions, re-branding them and selling them on for £200 quid each should make a fortune. After all if the logic is - "Black-Rapid expensive, Q-Strap cheap: therefore: Black-Rapid reliable, Q-strap fall apart instantly" then the same logic should apply and my re-branded knockoffs, being twice as expensive as the BR, should be twice as reliable. Yes, moronic. But no different to the comments from people who've never tried both.

I own a BR-7 and really like it. I found I had need of a double-harness once every month or so. I wasn't going to pay £100 for the BR version, so I bought an Ebay copy for 1/3 the price. As far as I can tell the quality is identical.
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well said, as i said my friend has the black rapid and says he wishes he saved the money.
 
I've ordered a couple of the TP branded straps, hopefully they'll be sent soon and I can give my verdict :)
 
rssmrry said:
I've ordered a couple of the TP branded straps, hopefully they'll be sent soon and I can give my verdict :)
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It's good value, well made and no risk of damaging the camera!
 
I have just brought the 'lady version' of Black Rapid and it's fantastic. I went via Amazon as their prices were best.
 
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BlackRapid here and I wouldnt swap to another type of strap now... super fast and easy to use
 
Q strap owner here as well (i use 2 of them) and i can vouch for it, great piece of kit and is very comfortable to use for the money :)
 
futureal33 said:
Would the eBay Q strap + BR FastenR TR1 be a good combo?
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Do you mean the FastenR-T1? If so that's the combo I'm using (see post #21) and so far both bits have worked flawlessly, however I do still have reservations about the quality/sizing of the thread on the T1... it's close on being too short and the diametre undersized

Seems to be a well recognised problem - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=948056
 
futureal33 said:
Would the eBay Q strap + BR FastenR TR1 be a good combo?
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No - used on its own with the current carabiner, it will scratch the base of your camera. Until the current carabiner design is changed I would not use it at all as a damaged camera simply isn't worth the money saved.
 
just got a sun sniper pro strap and have to say its pretty fantastic..
 
gramps said:
No - used on its own with the current carabiner, it will scratch the base of your camera. Until the current carabiner design is changed I would not use it at all as a damaged camera simply isn't worth the money saved.
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Gramps - what strap would you recommend? I want a BlackRapid type strap (diagonal) bur definitely don't want my camera scratched..
Thanks for the help :)
 
futureal33 said:
Gramps - what strap would you recommend? I want a BlackRapid type strap (diagonal) bur definitely don't want my camera scratched..
Thanks for the help :)
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The original Black Rapid is fine, regrettably I sold mine when I bought the double Q-Strap - it was a mistake with the current carabiner. I have advised the distributors and they claim they are reporting to their manufacturers (back-street China somewhere I guess!).
I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Black Rapid again, it's a quality, safe and reasonably secure option, however as a trial I've bought two of the TP shoulder straps and they are very good for the money - no risk of camera damage, (no metal bits), comfy padded non-slip shoulder pad and looks good.
 
futureal33 said:
Where do you buy the TP straps from?
Also, which black rapid did you have? There seem to be a few versions!

Thanks
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TP straps available
HERE - I think it was the RS-7 I had, single strap with the round fastener and no extras ... about 3 times the TP price!
 
The TP strap could be used as a straight shoulder strap, around the neck, or I think Black Rapid style (across the chest).
The RS-7 comes with everything you need to use it, but doesn't come with any of the 'extras' like phone cases etc.
 
futureal33 said:
Is the TP strap a neck strap?

The RS-7 looks good, I assume it comes with everything you need to use it?

Thank you :)
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The TP strap is a neck strap, you can buy an adaptor to turn it into a sling strap. Thats what i did when i got my TP strap last time round click me

I also spotted these on that well known auction site.
 
adam* said:
Hi guys

Just wanted to hear opinions on the Black Rapid straps or any of the imitations (any good? still reliable?).

Cheers

Adam
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I have the Black Rapid RS-7 and its brilliant, far better than the standard strap. Combined with a hand strap on the body it feels so much more natural and comfortable. Would replace it in an instant if I lost it.

:)

Sam
 
Euan said:
The TP strap is a neck strap, you can buy an adaptor to turn it into a sling strap. Thats what i did when i got my TP strap last time round click me

I also spotted these on that well known auction site.
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Forgive my ignorance, but having never seen one of these in the flesh I have no idea!

Is the only connection to camera through the 1/4" thread for a tripod? Is that safe to have all that weight dangling off that? What if it becomes unscrewed etc?
 
Hiya,

That one from ebay is the closest ive seen to the blackrapid connector, the rubber washer should stop it becoming unscrewed and the hook is on a swivel as well. I had no problems when i had a black rapid. Im tempted to order the ebay one to see the quality of it.
 
futureal33 said:
Is the only connection to camera through the 1/4" thread for a tripod?
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Yes

futureal33 said:
Is that safe to have all that weight dangling off that? What if it becomes unscrewed etc?
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It carries the weight fine and a thick rubber washer keeps it pretty well fixed to the camera ... if it became unscrewed? .... crash :gag:
 
Euan said:
Hiya,

That one from ebay is the closest ive seen to the blackrapid connector, the rubber washer should stop it becoming unscrewed and the hook is on a swivel as well. I had no problems when i had a black rapid. Im tempted to order the ebay one to see the quality of it.
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I ordered a second screw in connector from Ebay for my Q Strap, to get rid of the big connecting plate that came with the strap, much better quality, machined by a UK company much cheaper than the BR alternative and just as good.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110678239016
 
I'm in the process of testing their RS-DR2 and RS Sport models at the moment. Both have pros and cons so far.

The single is great but only if you're using one body. If you try to combine it with a regular strap on the other body, you have three choices. These are left shoulder so the weight of both cameras is on one shoulder, right shoulder so it clatters against the BR mounted body or around the neck so that it restricts the sliding action of the BR mounted body.

The double strap is great all round aside from the fact that (at best) you look like a paratrooper but (at worst) you look like a dick/baby in a stroller. Once you've come to terms with that, you'll be fine! :)

Those are mainly negatives I know but the positives can be discovered on the site and from talking to most users. It's a very good design with a few issues.
 
Ffoeg said:
Interesting design, and novel use of a tap washer!

Post some gen when you've had chance to try it please :)
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the connector worked very well, much better than the plate that came with the Q strap, which was a bit bulky, i have put the BR connector on my body and the one i purchased of Ebay on my 70-200 tripod mount.
 
Tabascokid said:
I'm in the process of testing their RS-DR2 and RS Sport models at the moment. Both have pros and cons so far.

The single is great but only if you're using one body. If you try to combine it with a regular strap on the other body, you have three choices. These are left shoulder so the weight of both cameras is on one shoulder, right shoulder so it clatters against the BR mounted body or around the neck so that it restricts the sliding action of the BR mounted body.

The double strap is great all round aside from the fact that (at best) you look like a paratrooper but (at worst) you look like a dick/baby in a stroller. Once you've come to terms with that, you'll be fine! :)

Those are mainly negatives I know but the positives can be discovered on the site and from talking to most users. It's a very good design with a few issues.
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Leon, you're descriptions of using it with another camera are what's keeping me from taking the plunge so far. Will get an ebay one for now to test it out. Otherwise it's those pricey upstraps
 
I ordered one of these on the back of someones advice on this forum.

It arrived today, and here are a couple of photos.

First impressions are very good. Nice stretchy shoulder pad (a bit like the Optech one) which supposedly makes weight distribution better - and I can already tell it would help.
The connection to the camera via the tripod screw thread feels secure, and there is nothing rough to scratch the camera - I am impressed.

I will be buying a GGS screen protector though, because the back of the camera now rubs against my jeans pocket / belt area - so this would be a word of advice to anyone else!

I certainly cant see any weakness on this strap, or anywhere "to keep an eye on" - and feel confident using it, although I will have to get used to not bashing it into things as I walk past - as it does stick out from your hip about 6"

Pics:


IMG_7320 by futureal33, on Flickr


IMG_7323 by futureal33, on Flickr
 
Carabiner looks very similar to the one I had problems with, if it is at all rough then be careful!

5981612317_aa0b6926ca_b.jpg
 
Has anyone found an alternative to the BR FastenR-T1....?? £17.....PLEASE !!!!
 
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