niXer Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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I am probably going to hear a lot of "You should have known better" but I had to figure it out for myself.
I want to preface this with I'm not saying CarrySpeed is a bad brand. Their straps are actually quite nice, convenient to use and comfortable. The mounting plates are secure and easy to take on and off BUT that being said the way their straps hook up to your camera... yeah they all pretty much failed me.
I shoot a lot. I take my camera with me everywhere I go, in any weather condition. So I am willing to admit it's partly my fault. I don't think they were meant for the abuse I put them through.
I didn't want to spend money on a BlackRapid which is funny since I bounced around many brands from Lowepro to CustomSLR and then finally to CarrySpeed and that all cost me more than just simply buying a BlackRapid.
When I first got the CS-1 MKII I thought I was a genius saving so much money. My D7000 + 70-200mm VRI were mounted to it 80% of the time. When I first got it, it felt perfect!
After just a few months it amounted to this:
See that notch there, yeah that isn't meant to be there. That was what happened from my camera gear swinging at the side. I always use to put some gaffer's tape there to try and prevent it from going all the way through. You can also see the notch in the mounting plate as well.
I didn't learn. The next strap I went to was their FS-1 PRO. I thought this would be different. It actually cost more than the BlackRapid with the added bonus of an Arca-Swiss compatible mounting plate!
The first thing that happened was the screw that held the ball head to the plate, got lose and fell off. Luckily I was sitting and had my camera in my hand when it happened. I was able to find a screw that fit and tighten it back on but it was signs of problems to come.
Fast forward again to last month and boom complete failure:
This time It was my D3 + 70-200mm mounted on it and again LUCKILY I had it in my hand before the ballhead slipped completely out. Had I not had it I would have lost my gear to the gorilla exhibit at the zoo.
So yeah I'm done with CarrySpeed. For smaller, light cameras I doubt they would ever have the same problems I have. Also yeah... I still haven't bought a BlackRapid. I said forget it and went with the simple and basic Kirk Security Strap. It's not as comfortable or convenient but damn is it secure.
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