Camera sling straps?

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shufflemoomin

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Hey all,

I've been using the manufacturer supplied camera straps on all my bodies since purchasing them. Since I shoot gigs, I'm tired of carrying 10kg+ around my neck each night and I've seen other guys using over-the-shoulder sling-type straps. None of them knew which brand of strap they had and there seemed too much plastic involved in their construction for my liking. Does anyone use these and can recommend ones that are good quality and can trusted? Ideally ones that aren't using plastic anywhere on them?
 
Ive got the Joby one and much prefer it over the BR type, although i cant comment on which is stronger.
The Joby one has the self adjusting strap so you can keep it close and tight to your torso when walking but when you raise it up to your eye the strap automatically expands so it doesn't constrain movement.
 
+1 for Black Rapid. I use mine mainly when I go motor racing and usually have a Canon 50d with 70-300 L lens attached. very happy with this set up.
 
Another satisfied Black Rapid user here, RS4 and Snap30,
bob
 
And another Blackrapid rs-7 user here...
 
I have a Black Rapid RS4 and am happy with it. I have a 7d with 70-200 and a flashgun on for the weight side of things.
 
I also shoot gigs and use 2 Blackrapid RS 7's on a 5dmk3(24/70) and a 7d(70/210) both ungripped. Works great for me and can be comfortable even f working a long day festival.
Although I have considered changing or modifying them to be a harness so there is no strap crossing at all.
 
shufflemoomin said:
Hey all,

I've been using the manufacturer supplied camera straps on all my bodies since purchasing them. Since I shoot gigs, I'm tired of carrying 10kg+ around my neck each night and I've seen other guys using over-the-shoulder sling-type straps. None of them knew which brand of strap they had and there seemed too much plastic involved in their construction for my liking. Does anyone use these and can recommend ones that are good quality and can trusted? Ideally ones that aren't using plastic anywhere on them?
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All straps are pointless in one way or another, And a (sling-types) Looks so ridiculous IMO, the best way is to use your hands:) I wouldn't risk my camera & lens on a Rapid strap one cut and it's gone, and its easy to get damaged this way, I have seen only a very few people use the Rapid straps in my area but to me they look like that old westen movie Ok Corral.

But the choice is up to you of cause i am only give you my opinion I never used any.;)
 
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I'm in exactly the same position! I've had my eye on a Crumpler Singapore Sling for a while, but now I'm starting to wonder if I should go for a Black Rapid instead, after hearing everyone raving about them...!
 
Michael.K said:
All straps are pointless in one way or another, And a (sling-types) Looks so ridiculous IMO, the best way is to use your hands:) I wouldn't risk my camera & lens on a Rapid strap one cut and it's gone, and its easy to get damaged this way, I have seen only a very few people use the Rapid strap in my area but to me they look like that old westen movie Ok Corral.

But the choice is up to you of cause i am only give you my opinion I never used any.;)
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Depends where your using them, in a busy photopit with two cameras as long as you set the lenghts of the slings correctly there so easy to use. I used to use the supplied strap but they can be too cumbersome and have a habit of slipping off your shoulder. This is my personal experience but make you own mind up
 
Michael.K said:
All straps are pointless in one way or another, And a (sling-types) Looks so ridiculous IMO, the best way is to use your hands:) I wouldn't risk my camera & lens on a Rapid strap one cut and it's gone, and its easy to get damaged this way, I have seen only a very few people use the Rapid straps in my area but to me they look like that old westen movie Ok Corral.

But the choice is up to you of cause i am only give you my opinion I never used any.;)
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Lol if someone gets so near to me with a knife they can have whatever they want. It needs to be a very sharp one to make that cut though.

If you have heavy equipment it spreads the load and makes it very comfortable to carry. But as you've never used one you wouldn't know I guess :)

But I agree they are not for everyone.
 
Michael.K said:
All straps are pointless in one way or another, And a (sling-types) Looks so ridiculous IMO, the best way is to use your hands:) I wouldn't risk my camera & lens on a Rapid strap one cut and it's gone, and its easy to get damaged this way, I have seen only a very few people use the Rapid straps in my area but to me they look like that old westen movie Ok Corral.

But the choice is up to you of cause i am only give you my opinion I never used any.;)
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I certainly like my Black Rapid, and wouldn't trade it back for the old style strap. A D4 and 70-200 can start to weigh you down after awhile. LOL

No piece of equipment ever invented is 100% perfect...everything has some drawbacks. Not using a strap means you're always holding your camera and don't have use of your hands. Put that camera down for an instant, and someone walks off with it without even using a knife. Lose your grip, and gravity provides the destructive force. Use a traditional strap, and the camera hangs awkwardly from your neck, free to swing out and smash into things when you lean over. Pick your poison...
 
Michael.K said:
All straps are pointless in one way or another, And a (sling-types) Looks so ridiculous IMO, the best way is to use your hands:) I wouldn't risk my camera & lens on a Rapid strap one cut and it's gone, and its easy to get damaged this way, I have seen only a very few people use the Rapid straps in my area but to me they look like that old westen movie Ok Corral.

But the choice is up to you of cause i am only give you my opinion I never used any.;)
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I'd like to see someone try and cut through a Sun Sniper strap.
 
+1 for the Sunsniper, no way anyones cutting through one of those without you knowing about it lol.
I love my sunsniper my only complaint about it was that it kept slipping round but fitting the BRAD sorted that
 
Apart from the overpricing of Black Rapids and similar, what I don’t like is the amount of metal on them.

Metal in a camera bag is never a good idea in terms of keeping lenses, screens and bodywork undamaged. I have home-made two straps, one with no metal at all and the other with just a small metal lug that remains captive on the camera. For ‘belt and braces’ security I have also incorporated a safety loop, however it’s never been needed.

Sam-D
 
Sam-D said:
Apart from the overpricing of Black Rapids and similar, what I don’t like is the amount of metal on them.

Metal in a camera bag is never a good idea in terms of keeping lenses, screens and bodywork undamaged. I have home-made two straps, one with no metal at all and the other with just a small metal lug that remains captive on the camera. For ‘belt and braces’ security I have also incorporated a safety loop, however it’s never been needed.

Sam-D
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What other metal is on them besides the "hook" that attached to the bottom of the camera?
 
I use the the Black Rapid double strap & have had to replace both carabiners which broke after 18 months use. Not overly impressed :(
 
Friend is buying a new flash gun because she used a Black Rapid. Luckily it broke the fall of the camera.

Nothing failed - it just came undone. Yes, this happens.
 
Nothing I have ever seen in a camera strap is perfect, all will have their issues. To date I have used various manufacturers straps, some cheapy one's found on ebay and a Q Strap. Of the one's I have used the Black Rapid I have now is my favourite.
 
I only ever use my Black Rapid on my long lenses and it's attached to the stud on the tripod point on the lens... I also have another stud attached to the base of the grip and there's a short length of boot lace threaded between them below the carabiner on the sling so that if anything fails, it can only fall about 3 inches! :)

I also have a Canon E1 grip added that takes the weight off my wrist when I'm shooting... That's as much of a godsend as the Black Rapid!
 
Just to add my two penneth, I bought a Qstrap, the one that has a security wire through it; I'm new to the whole DSLR thing and have used it on the two outings I have done and whilst it is attached to my camera I still hold the camera as well (rightly or wrongly)as I am not keen on a £1000 worth of hardware swinging wildly. I have no regrets on the purchase as it is far more useful than any neck strap. Nikon d7000+16-85mm lens.
 
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