Camera + long lens strap recommendations

Jannyfox

Jannyfox

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Jan
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This may have been asked before. I want an across the body type strap (like the Black Rapid) to carry my Canon 550D and Sigma 150-600mm while bird watching. However, being a bit paranoid about my kit, I've never liked the idea of having the whole lot hanging from one point. Being practical, my hands are a bit knackered so I'm not good at wrenching things up really tight. Is there a strap that offers two tripod bush fixing points so I can use the one on the camera as well as the one on the lens foot? Or a bit I can add to a standard strap to achieve the same? What I don't want to do is utilise the normal neck strap fixing points as that has to stay on. I use the same camera for everything and the neck strap gets used when the long lens isn't on.
 
Well, I've had a D750 + battery pack hanging off a BR strap with a 120-300 f/2.8 lens attached. Dunno what it weighs but if it's less than 5kg I'll be suprised. And the BR attachment has never missed a beat.

However, like you I'm slightly paranoid so go for a belt & braces approach. I have an Arca L bracket attached to my camera (which is good for flipping aspect ratio on the tripod) and I attach the BR to an Arca receiver on the side of the L (i.e. on the left of the camera). I then have a separate OpTech clip which attaches to the strap itself (not the Arca mount) which is also attached to the L bracket. Single point of failure is obviously the L bracket, but they're pretty sturdy and don't really get removed - unlike the BR which is clipped on and off, so more likely to be done up poorly etc.

Like this:

Ryzulell.jpg
 
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Over 200mm ƒ2.8, I fit to the lens foot and
no longer to the camera.
 
Peak design slide giveS two points of contact as standard and is about £30 cheaper than BR....
 
Hertsman said:
Peak design slide giveS two points of contact as standard and is about £30 cheaper than BR....
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This. Prolly easiest.

Canon Bob said:
Why not a Black Rapid double then?
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Or this. Works well and super-comfy with the weight spread over both shoulders. The camera/lens hangs across your tummy, no other options. Also check out OpTech, with the option of four attachment points (though one is really all you need if everything's properly hooked up).
 
FWIW

I have the BR strap and like other posters I like a 'belt 'n braces approach. So use the BR tether accessories:-

I have an L plate (Arca Swiss grooved) on the 5D3 body and on my 100-400 an Arca Swiss lens plate

Whether attached to the L plate when using a short lens or the combo above I attach the tether to the BR clip ~ thus should the connection fail lower than the BR clip the tether provides a backstop support and mitigates for that primary attachment point ever failing due to me not ensuring the Arca clamp is tight enough or some part of that 'attachment' failing.

Now granted this still relies on the BR strap and its clip being 100% reliable.....................but even if you use a two point attachment unless those two points are independently attached to two separate straps on/across you body there will always be reliance on one point of mounting somewhere in the 'system'.

NB I forgot to say the BR clip and its stud screw are attached to an Arca Swiss clamp so I am not always having to remove and reattach the screw but also find the Arca clamp easy enough to lock off nice and tight. Therefore, @Jannyfox provided you are able to tighten an Arca clamp AOK but your concern is mainly about the BR screw stud tightness this approach may be of help???
 
Thanks guys. That all gives me something to look into. I'd had a quick look at both Peak Design and Black Rapid but didn't know if there was anything else. I'll concentrate on those two and look at the accessory kits too. I'll confess I never thought about a second attachment to a QR plate. That's easily done, and yes I can nip my Manfrotto plate up tight (enough). I have no worries about the strap itself failing - my only concern is with anything I have to physically tighten myself. I'm just happier with 2 independant fixings, but the double BR strap wouldn't be an answer as I'm already carrying a rucksack on my back and binoculars to the front and there isn't a lot of me to hang things off!
Daniel - when the big lens is on the camera it's always slung by the lens foot. At the moment I'm using the lens strap, which attaches at the foot, but it doesn't hang nicely and I have to carry it across my arm, and it's making my hands, arms and back ache................aahh - old age.........:( With two fixings it's easy enough to arrange them so the load is only carried by one, unless that one comes loose.
 
Jannyfox said:
Thanks guys. That all gives me something to look into. I'd had a quick look at both Peak Design and Black Rapid but didn't know if there was anything else. I'll concentrate on those two and look at the accessory kits too. I'll confess I never thought about a second attachment to a QR plate. That's easily done, and yes I can nip my Manfrotto plate up tight (enough). I have no worries about the strap itself failing - my only concern is with anything I have to physically tighten myself. I'm just happier with 2 independant fixings, but the double BR strap wouldn't be an answer as I'm already carrying a rucksack on my back and binoculars to the front and there isn't a lot of me to hang things off!
Daniel - when the big lens is on the camera it's always slung by the lens foot. At the moment I'm using the lens strap, which attaches at the foot, but it doesn't hang nicely and I have to carry it across my arm, and it's making my hands, arms and back ache................aahh - old age.........:( With two fixings it's easy enough to arrange them so the load is only carried by one, unless that one comes loose.
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Jan, if you're wearing a backpack, there are straps designed to clip on to the shoulder harness. Binos too. Quite a few options if you search around, mostly from the straps manufacturers already mentioned :)
 
HoppyUK said:
Jan, if you're wearing a backpack, there are straps designed to clip on to the shoulder harness. Binos too. Quite a few options if you search around, mostly from the straps manufacturers already mentioned :)
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Thanks. I haven't had chance properly yet to look at the options but I'm going for simple and flexible so I don't have to have the rucksack. Tbh it's the sort of everyday, non rigid rucksack you wouldn't want to hang something heavy off. It would make it even more uncomfortable.
 
Jannyfox said:
Thanks. I haven't had chance properly yet to look at the options but I'm going for simple and flexible so I don't have to have the rucksack. Tbh it's the sort of everyday, non rigid rucksack you wouldn't want to hang something heavy off. It would make it even more uncomfortable.
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Problem is though Jan, any shoulder strap is going to be awkward with the backpack on top. You may need more than one strap, for with/without the backpack.

But search around and see what all the options are. A good carrying solution makes a huge difference. For a total solution (recommended ;)) you may have to consider a couple of camera/lens strap options for different occasions, and even a new backpack. It'll be worth it though.

FWIW, I don't much care for backpacks (excellent though they are for a lot of gear) and my favourite trekking combo is a ThinkTank Speed Freak shoulder/waist bag (or the Change-Up bag https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/speed-convertibles ) plus a sling-strap over the other shoulder. I have both Peak Design and Black Rapid sling-straps. Easy, comfy, good access, plenty of capacity.
 
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Okay, I've decided on a BR Curve and an Op Tech strap to provide the extra anchor to the camera's tripod bush. I'm not worried about having the rucksack on top as when I'm walking around the camera/lens and binoculars are out ready for use, leaving very little in it. I've never been keen on shoulder bags - they get in the way.
Thanks all for the suggestions. They made thinking it all through much easier.
 
Jannyfox said:
Okay, I've decided on a BR Curve and an Op Tech strap to provide the extra anchor to the camera's tripod bush. I'm not worried about having the rucksack on top as when I'm walking around the camera/lens and binoculars are out ready for use, leaving very little in it. I've never been keen on shoulder bags - they get in the way.
Thanks all for the suggestions. They made thinking it all through much easier.
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Best of luck with your decision, one that suits your personal preferences.
 
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