BlackRapid straps...

JPR

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Hi all,

I have been using my blackrapid sport strap for a couple of years now, and as a whole I am very happy with it. I find it comfortable and gives me easy access to my camera when I need it. That being said I would like to share an experience I had with it, how it was resolved and why i still use blackrapid straps despite this!

I was on safari in India. I had my 5D MK III, 2xTC III and 70-200 2.8L IS II attached to my blackrapid sport via the lens tripod foot mount. I was standing up and sitting down a lot to take pictures. One time when bringing the camera down after a shot and the jeep started to move, however, where my set-up would normally stop and rest at my hip, it continued down, all the way down to bounce of the edge of the Jeep, out of the side and onto the dirt and rock path 5-6 feet below from the now accelerating vehicle! Somehow the camera had unlatched itself from the 'connectr'. Now at this point, if i where you, i would be asking if this guy had actually fastened his camera on correctly. Well I did, and i know I did because this is the second time it has happened. The first time result in nothing other than my bemused face when my camera i thought attached to my strap was not and tumbled unharmed 30cm (1 foot) into some snow. I had blamed myself for this first accident, assuming I had not fastened it in properly. So since then i make sure to periodically check that it is fastened and the screw tightened correctly. I had checked my connection minutes before on the safari and still within that short time-frame it came loose.

The camera survived without a problem, just a few minor scratches. The teleconverter was also fine, but my 70-200 had some major internal damage which resulted in ~440 gbp worth of repairs!

After hearing this, you might be surprised t hear that i still use this strap! Let me tell you why.... firstly, I contacted BR and they have reimbursed me for all my repair bills. They are really commitment to their products.
Secondly, they also sent me their tether kit and 'lockstar' to prevent this possibly happening again. If you have a BR strap i would strongly advise getting these accessories to ensure you do not have the same problem that i did! Seeing your prized lens and camera bounce along a dirt track is a heart wrenching experience... make sure it does not happen to you. Secure your camera fully, use the lockstar and if you can add an additional tether! :)

Bottom line - Use blackrapid straps, they are great, but add an additional tether and/or the 'lockstar' for additional security! :)
 
Wow, nasty experience with the camera, but amazing support from Black Rapid. Good advice you give :)

My camera came with no strap included so I tried one of their lady's camera straps about a year ago and just could not get on with it. I was very disappointed with the build quality, it was very uncomfortable. In the end I bought a Canon strap and I love it - nice wide strap to avoid shoulder slip and spread the weight, extremely comfortable.
 
Nice work by BR Customer service. I too use a BR and haven't had any issues, but good to see they actually care and help you out should the worst happen..
Can you imagine Nikon or Canon doing anything if one of their straps failed?
 
Can you imagine Nikon or Canon doing anything if one of their straps failed?

hahahaha NO! :rolleyes:

Nikon has just introduced a Black Rapid sling-strap that comes with both the Lockstar clip and also a secondary lanyard

http://www.nikon.com/news/2014/0225_strap_03.htm

I'd heard about this, but it is good to see! Kudos to Nikon for realising the potential! :):plus1:

I heard it would ship with new high end cameras (D4S's perhaps)? I hope it does.... would make sense to me...
 
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Love a bit of good customer service me. Worth paying more for any day of the week IMO. I wonder if the cheaper 'Q Strap' copy that I have seen for sale much cheaper would offer such compensation?
 
Love a bit of good customer service me. Worth paying more for any day of the week IMO. I wonder if the cheaper 'Q Strap' copy that I have seen for sale much cheaper would offer such compensation?

They where excellent indeed... I was not expecting anything from them when i initially contacted them, but look where it ended. their comitment to their camera and the fact they stand behind their product is what made me keep using mine... well that and a leash + the lockstar! :) seriously though... you guys who use BR, get a lockstar... They might not be this forgiving with everyone!
 
They where excellent indeed... I was not expecting anything from them when i initially contacted them, but look where it ended. their comitment to their camera and the fact they stand behind their product is what made me keep using mine... well that and a leash + the lockstar! :) seriously though... you guys who use BR, get a lockstar... They might not be this forgiving with everyone!

I do use BR now and have been doing for a while. I am currently trying to figure the best way to 'dual-wield' for weddings, but don't want the whole, strapped up cowboy look with one on each hip so have considered going back to more traditional straps.
 
don't want the whole, strapped up cowboy look with one on each hip so

I don't think Geek-chic has entered the world of photography yet, I am not a fan of this look either! :)

... have considered going back to more traditional straps.

The BR straps are great for one camera for a long time, but I do see the advantage of the old straps for such a situation... let me know what you figure out. Maybe use the BR for your main Camera/lens and normal strap on the same shoulder (left traditionally) for 2ndary camera/lens? No idea.... I don't do weddings! :)
 
I have the RS-7 and will be ordering the LockStar from Amazon.

Thanks for the tip!


Sent from my iPhone using Talk Photography Forums
 
Good to hear, the only problem I have with mine is the bottom of my 5D is all scraped away where the connector rubs on the bottom of the case.
 
Wow - now that's a great story about how to treat your customers. Great post!

I've happily been using my BR strap for 4 years, on a weekly basis without a problem. I am conscious it could unscrew itself if I don't keep my eye on it though!
 
Always good to hear about great customer support and service. I didn't even know the lock star existed, think I need to be getting one - not that I've ever had a problem but prevention is always the best cure.
 
I had a BR strap that had significant wear after 3 weeks on safari, contacted them and got a replacement via the local stockist very quickly. Agree great customer service which promotes huge brand loyalty.

A
 
Good to hear, the only problem I have with mine is the bottom of my 5D is all scraped away where the connector rubs on the bottom of the case.

I've heard about this too, but I have not experienced that problem (on my 5DIII, 450D or 100D). I fear it might be a camera related issue... some people get it, some don't! Though i doubt canon will help you on this one! :(
 
When I buy my next strap I will get one of these out of principle. Companies like this get my support. Good service is hard to find and bad service gets around fast ( see YouTube for " United breaks guitars")
 
Delighted to hear they reimbursed the repair cost - excellent customer service.

Having tried Black Rapid and Sun Sniper I prefer the latter. One Black Rapid I had rubbed the webbing because there was a sharp bit inside. I avoid possible drops with a separate bungee safety-rope from the camera to the strap.
 
Delighted to hear they reimbursed the repair cost - excellent customer service.
Having tried Black Rapid and Sun Sniper I prefer the latter.

I've heard good things about those straps too!

I avoid possible drops with a separate bungee safety-rope from the camera to the strap.

Indeed... i wish i had done that earlier, would have saved a lot of time and worry! wise words!
 
Those Carry Speed straps are no longer in production, an infringement on BR rights I believe.
 
Those Carry Speed straps are no longer in production, an infringement on BR rights I believe.

Will it stop the Chinese ;) damn i liked the look of those
 
You can still buy them - I was in Holland a couple of weeks ago and saw it in a couple of shops there. I bought mine from Ebay, brand new in the box, no problems there whatsoever.

Oh and that's another reason to boycott BR! Removing all competition to peddle their inferior product. Pfft.
 
I've heard about this too, but I have not experienced that problem (on my 5DIII, 450D or 100D). I fear it might be a camera related issue... some people get it, some don't! Though i doubt canon will help you on this one! :(

Sounds like they may have altered the design slightly as on mine I can't see how it would be avoided, maybe there are few versions of the connector?
 
I have a black rapid and touch wood have not had a problem. I also think its great that BR have reimbursed the cost of repairing your lens.

However, I would be pretty pi$$ed off to have just spend £55 odd on a strap only to be told that I now need to spend another £10 for a puddly clip to prevent my camera from dropping to the ground.

Clearly this is a design flaw or they wouldn't have designed this clip so why have they not contacted me to send me a clip free of charge and why are they not standard on all new straps?
 
I have the Carry Speed Pro. Best strap by far!
Pity they have been discontinued, but still a few about if you search.
 
Nice work by BR Customer service. I too use a BR and haven't had any issues, but good to see they actually care and help you out should the worst happen..
Can you imagine Nikon or Canon doing anything if one of their straps failed?

I paid £66 for the BR Lady's strap. I paid £5 for the Canon strap.
 
but yeah the black rapid attachment to the tripod socket has been a weak point for years

http://www.sunsnipershop.com/SNIPER...a%80%9CSTAINLESS-STEELa%80%9C-big-22::32.html

....I have the latest (bought yesterday) BlackRapid Sport 2 cross-body strap and I think you'll find that their tripod socket attachment would require enormous force to become undone of its own accord - The sort of force which would bend the camera body frame first! That of course assumes you screw it in properly and firmly in the first place.

Also, the BlackRapid carabiner can be locked. So I don't see the problem on current BlackRapid straps.
 
there have been lots of cases of them coming undone (or abit loose), the rotating design of the sun sniper should largely fix the issue, its simply better
 
I made my own version of a black rapid type strap from a laptop case strap as I was throwing the bag away anyway. I had to get the needle and some high-tensile cotton out but 10 miinutes work, a couple of carabiners and I have something very robust for my use (would NOT use it with a 5kg lens, mind).
 
However, I would be pretty pi$$ed off to have just spend £55 odd on a strap only to be told that I now need to spend another £10 for a puddly clip to prevent my camera from dropping to the ground.

Clearly this is a design flaw or they wouldn't have designed this clip so why have they not contacted me to send me a clip free of charge and why are they not standard on all new straps?

I agree, and after i confronted them about the issue they sent me one for free... I also suggested that they should include it as standard on all straps! It is worth the 10 gbp for piece of mind, considering HOW much camera gear you have...
 
I found it quite incongruous that this is being offered as the 'best thing since sliced bread' but you need to get another part to make it the 'best thing since sliced bread' - and on top of that I'm being asked to believe that their Customer Service is second to none!

Hmmm :thinking:
 
It's a great design and for the most part, works very well. However, when using heavy lenses they suggest you use an additional safety system for about a tenner. Don't blow it all out of proportion, it does exactly what it says on the tin, AND they ADVISE that you take precautions on heavy gear, what's wrong with that ?

I've had mine for a couple of years and it's been carrying a gripped 7D with either a 70-200 f2.8 or a 300 f4 & 1.4 EX without any trouble (and I don't have the LockStar bit). I may well invest in another now I have 2 bodies to carry about.
 
I bought a Black Rapid 7 quite a while ago. Initially I didn't get on with it as it always gripped clothing and made me look like a crazy tramp :D Since then I've managed to figure out what clothing it likes and what it doesn't! I used it in the last week during a 4 day event and it's very handy and I can't see how anything can unlock or detach on this particular model.
 
I have owned the BR strap for what seems like ages now - I LOVE it - It is comfortable to wear and (touch wood) feels incredibly secure.

Great info on the customer service they provided :)
 
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