Camera Strap for Telephoto

Liam_89

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Liam
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Hi,
After deliberating on which camera shoulder strap I should buy,
I have decided on the Black Rapid Sport Breathe,
I’d mainly want it to haul around my tamron 150-600 G2 on a D7500 connected to the lens foot,
And possibly my other lenses but the strap attached to camera body instead of lens foot,
Anybody got any experience with this said strap ?,
I’d also want to make up a safety tether be it a diy one or a genuine blackrapid carabiner,
Anyone got photos of this strap attached to their camera and how you have it set up with or without a tether,
Just want peace of mind on how’s best to be set up before mine arrives and I attach it wrongly and cause damage,
Any input would be great,
Thanks
 
Personally I use the (nikon) LN-2 strap connected to the metal brackets on the lenses. Of course this is only helpful if the long lens has built in brackets. However if they do have built in strap brackets you would expect the lens to come with an appropriate strap
 
I have this strap, its awesome. I also have the double which I use for the big telephotos and clip them on both ends to keep it out of the grass when in the woods.
 
As mentioned in previous such discussions I use a BR (cannot recall the model but not a Breathe) but rather than attaching the screw each time I have attached it to a Wimberly C12 clamp. On my long lens I have fitted an Arca Swiss style lens plate and an L bracket to the Canon 5D3 body makes life easier IMO as I also use a Gimbal on the tripod and a tilt head on the monopod but with Arca Swiss clamps.

Like you plan I use a security tether, the BR one, though as the camera end of it was designed with Nikon in mind it has scuffed the paint on the body lug. In hindsight/future I will something like an OpTech Pro Loop.

HTH :)
 
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I have one of these.

When I ordered it I bought an extra screw in ring. One ring is in the lens foot and the main strap is attached to that. The other ring is screwed into the bottom of the grip and the thin nylon strap that came in the box is attached to that and then clipped to the D ring on the main strap using a small carabiner. This way if the BR carabiner failed the camera would be held on the D ring.
 
I use the BR on a Sigma 150-600 on a Canon body. I replaced the standard screw with a metal one that as an allen key. Like Gary I also made up a tether attached to the D ring and used the original BR screw into the camera's tripod bush. I think I use some PD bits to make it. Occasionally I use the strap with a shorter lens that doesn't have a foot. I have the PD quick release anchors on my camera so I take the screw off the tether and hook the caribiner to one of the anchors.
 
Cheers for the input,
Just got home with the strap it’s a very nice bit of kit,
I wasn’t too chuffed on the idea of £35 for the Black rapid tether kit with a carabiner and strap,
So I got on amazon and got this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/2x-Camera-Tether-Carabiner-Protection/dp/B076777WS6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1531422019&sr=8-4&keywords=Camera+tether&th=1

Whilst having the main strap connected to the lens foot I can have this tether kit attached to my camera L bracket plate which I’ve also just ordered
Hopefully this should be a good secure setup,
Out of interest which Allen key screw did you buy ?
I’ll get one
 
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I briefly had a Black Rapid strap, won it in a raffle. Took it out of the box, looked at it, put it back in the box and sold it - some idiot gave me £30 for it. I was not hanging my gear on that!

For carrying my 100-400 Mk2 and upwards I use a home assembled strap (see image - sorry about the IQ). A little OTT for my 100-400 or your 150-600, but cheap comfy and very MUCH stronger! The main strap is from a Think Tank backpack but LowePro ones will work identically. Add a 3/8 Eye bolt and QR clamp and away to go. This is similar to the one I use:

https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/camera-straps/products/low-rider-strap
 

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The strap on the BR is more than strong enough. It’s the method of fastening that’s the potential issue. Your strap is no different. You still have two potential sources of the camera coming undone. The eyebolt coming unscrewed and the plate clamp coming loose. Whilst you’ve made everything heavier I don’t see any advantages in your design. I wouldn’t hang my gear from your strap without an extra tether.
 
The strap on the BR is more than strong enough. It’s the method of fastening that’s the potential issue. Your strap is no different. You still have two potential sources of the camera coming undone. The eyebolt coming unscrewed and the plate clamp coming loose. Whilst you’ve made everything heavier I don’t see any advantages in your design. I wouldn’t hang my gear from your strap without an extra tether.

The Eye Bolt is held with red locktite - can't get it out without a gas torch. The QR plate was mounted on my (ex) 600 F4 in 2007 and hasn't been touched/tightened since, same with my current 800 F5.6 - QR plate mounted in Nov 2013 not touched since. Never had a QR plate loosen on any lens since I went to Arca type, they do seem to like working loose on camera bodies though!

It is a heavier setup than the BR that I won, but still light enough that it's weight is irrelevant and (as I said) it is a bit OTT but then it was designed and built for much heavier lenses and has very much better padding for my shoulder. A tether would do little harm if one lacks confidence but might get in the way if one wants to quickly attach a mono pod etc - personal choice.

I was merely concerned for the OP's gear as the BR products that I have seen/tried have left me underwhelmed, this weighs a little more, costs less (virtually free in my case) and will support me let alone a camera, plus it is very comfortable with lightweight lenses (150-600 etc) and still good with my 800 F5.6.

Those are some of the advantages.
 
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