Safety on a camera sling

Lornamower

Lornamower

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Lorna
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Just recently I've bought myself a cross the body camera sling to make it more comfortable for me to carry around for hours on end. Its all great and dandy and its so nice to be able to carry it around without horrible neck pains and a head ache.

I just worry that if the screw that screws in to the tripod mount ever unscrews, camera and lens will plummet a whole leg length to its demise...So my question is, has anyone come up with some kind of safety feature so if this event were to happen the camera wouldn't just drop? I as have noticed it has been a few of turns off of tight a couple of occasions, and just wondered if anyone had the same worries.

Thanks for any responses they are muchly appreciated :)
 
someone i was talking to a few weeks ago puts plumbers tape on his threads - not sure if this would stop it undoing it's self.
 
If you're talking about Black Rapid straps? I really wouldn't worry. I've had my RS-sport for a while, and have swung various combinations from it over my hip. I used to get killer neck pain from the default Nikon straps, hated them.

I have back problems [had major surgery a few years ago] so the normal strap with Dslr + heavy lens would really tug on me and I'd be uncomfortable for the day.

Since I got the BR-sport it's been no issue to carry my D90 + anything up to an 80-200mm 2.8, pretty heavy lens which has no tripod collar. You are best to attach to the collar if your lens has one, but the 80-200 I had, old style, did not. I was attaching to the body. I would suggest not using a tripod plate though. They will come looser quicker than the screw on the black rapid. Also what is the point?? You still have to unscrew from either body or collar! And you do know the lick technique right? See that rubber O-ring on the screw, lick it before tightening ;) it will never loosen.

What you're experiencing is the tripod plate loosening from the collar/body, not the screw from the strap. The rubber seal is there for a reason, lick + use direct ;)
 
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I thought about the ptfe tape that plumbers use, but my dad says it just seals the threads to stop water pushing through and doesnt actually stop them unscrewing :( which is a shame.

I dont have a black rapid. I got a cheaper alternative from ebay which has like a spinning plate on the botttom which is attached to a carabena which then clips onto the slidijg bit that then goes up and down the strap. Its the caden one so i dont have the rubber ring, otherwise i would be licking it! :lol: but thank you :)
 
Ah ok, I would suggest getting a Black rapid in that case. So you can lick away ;) :D

Honestly though, the BR straps are that secure, i've never felt like my camera and lens where going to drop off. That's why they're worth the extra few quid.
 
I've used the BR strap for a couple of years and never had an issue. Always conscious of possibility of unscrewing, so check it is tight every so often. It always is - even after a 10th mile hike. I've had more issues with the standard issue NIKON strap.
 
I use the Q-Strap on both of my (heavy) D3S cameras and with the 'L' bracket there is never a hint of movement ... I did once have one of the standard screw-in lugs come lose just as I was getting out of the van ... fortunately the camera fell on the seat and not the concrete drive :eek:
 
Loctite threadlocker on the threads should add some reassurance, blue 243 is the one I use on bike brake mounting bolts.
 
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tijuana taxi said:
Loctite threadlocker on the threads should add some reassurance, blue 243 is the one I use on bike brake mounting bolts.
Click to expand...

Loctite is definitely better than ptfe tape. It's a bit permanent though and difficult to remove should you ever need to.

The trouble with ptfe tape is that it will prevent the threads from properly engaging and ptfe itself is very low friction so you could make matters worse.

I haven't done myself yet but I'd favour the auxiliary strap to a separate anchor as suggested on the link above.
 
I use the Q strap on two camera bodies and if you check the screw on a regular basis you shoud have no problems, failing that try screwing them up tight and putting some electrical tape around the thread and onto the clasp, should prevent the unit from un-screwing itself

BUT checking regularly is the key I think!

Les :thumbs:
 
I'd personally just keep an eye on it in the mean time and save for a BlackRapid RS-7.

I'm genuinely not a fan of any camera strap but carrying 2.5kg around in your right hand for 5 hours is not fun so bit the bullet and bought one again.

I got it for £50 on eBay, brand new in box with a £59.99 sticker from the store they bought it from still on it. :lol:
 
I use the Quick Strap. If it's tightened firmly (not locked down OVERTIGHT)! it won't undo. But check now and again, just to put your mind at rest.

I use various Loctites at work. I wouldn't put the stuff anywhere near a camera! Use it if you want a permanent fitting, but not on something that gets screwed and unscrewed from time to time.

Plumbers tape? that's a bit desperate!

Just check the the coupling from time to time if you're concerned.
 
Length of para-cord with a small karabiner clipped to something will do as a backup.
 
I was at a club on Wednesday night doing a talk. I arrived to the sound of a 7D dropping to the floor. A guy was showing his new shoulder strap off to a colleague and it had unscrewed :(

With this sort of thing I guess you need to check the screws on a regular basis. Just to be safe.
 
That would never happen with a Black rapid, if you moisten [or lick as I said earlier] the rubber seal. It acts like a suction cup, stops that screw turning as it's tightened up squeezing that rubber ring seal. Like an O-ring on water pipes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWJKrqP40Nw&feature=fvwrel

at 1:30 Jared demonstrates.
 
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Blue Loctite is designed to be used where parts need to be removed again, never had any problems with it on bike parts.
 
Cagey75 said:
That would never happen with a Black rapid, if you moisten [or lick as I said earlier] the rubber seal. It acts like a suction cup, stops that screw turning as it's tightened up squeezing that rubber ring seal. Like an O-ring on water pipes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWJKrqP40Nw&feature=fvwrel

at 1:30 Jared demonstrates.
Click to expand...

It was an ARS something or other, they're not something I'm too familiar with to be honest.
 
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