I had the previous Luma and it was nice (even carrying a D3s but I still knew I was carrying a D3s!). I went with a Black Rapid Sport II for the 5D2 and it is also nice. I like the Nylon of the leather of the Luma. It's all personal pref.
Is there some issue that makes quick releases a problem for/with this strap? A strap hanging from a tripod is an accident waiting to happen, especially in close quarters.
Has anyone added these, or are they in the works from Luma?
Is there some issue that makes quick releases a problem for/with this strap? A strap hanging from a tripod is an accident waiting to happen, especially in close quarters.
Has anyone added these, or are they in the works from Luma?
The issue has to do with geometry. Unlike other straps, the front webbing (with the quick adjuster) needs to be long enough so that the camera can move to your eye freely, but short enough that when you tighten the Cinch down, it stays very stable. We had two iterations of a quick disconnect system for our previous Loop and are very familiar with what it takes to make a QR; the trouble is that they are 4-5 inches long. Add one to the front of the strap, and that is 4-5" that can't be adjusted for length and upon which the Cinch length adjuster can't travel.
We are tackling the issue on two fronts. We are collecting as much feedback from as wide a user base as we possibly can to see precisely how uses have their Cinches adjusted for length. Given enough data, we might find that a standard quick release will work perfectly fine. The other path we are going down is to build an entirely new quick release system that is very short.
This is something we are actively working on (it is the most requested feature in all the feedback we've received). There are many options on the table and we are dedicated to choosing (or creating) the very best solution available. We also will be including current Cinch customers into whatever we develop as best we can.
Having said all that, there will always be a version of the Cinch that connects just as the current one does. Many professionals (especially in the field) want a strap that is dead-to-nuts reliable and as simple as possible. This is what the current Cinch connection system does today, and it will always be part of the lineup.
i'm one of those who likes Q/R systems and have used the OPtech ones and have yet to have it fail in almost 15 years of use. it has pretty much proven to be reliable. it allows me:
to use or 2 straps between 3 bodies (at $70ea it adds up)
have no strap when i really don't need/want one. i store my bodies w/o straps on. less bulk. in use on a tripod less of a potential grab loop.
I received mine last week and while I think it's a nice design, there are a few things that I have comments on:
- I hope they update it in the future with some kind of quick release. I often shoot tethered on a tripod and the strap really got in the way while on a shoot the other day.
- I like the way my camera (5D MkII) hangs on my side as I'm walking. It doesn't swing around as much as it used to with the old Luma.
- Shooting from the hip is now a two-step process which is not as convenient as it used to be with the old slider system. You have to give the cinch a tug when you bring the camera up to your eye and then another tug when you drop the camera back to your side. Although you can lift the camera to your eye without pulling the cinch, the shoulder strap will slide down your back but sometimes gets stuck depending on what fabric your shirt/jacket is made out of.
I'll be looking forward to any new developments as I think the strap has lots of potential.
Update: I spent the day walking around with my camera today and the ability to use the strap around my neck like a conventional strap is a real plus. I'm liking the strap the more I use it.
Just sharing some images of the Cinch on my camera. I like it a lot but, I do hope Luma Labs finds a solution for a quick release. As you can see in the photos, I use it along with my RRS L bracket and Canon E-2 hand strap.
kawboy613 wrote:
I would like to see this strap, on a person... seeing it attached to the camera is great, but show us how it is on the person.
I don't see anything at the luma site, so this is where i'm looking.
thanks!
Honestly, it's very comfortable. I mounted my 70-200 II on it and it hangs straight down when on the hip and back. This is great since there's less chance of bumping into things. Also,there's not much movement when it's cinched as the name implies. The shoulder pad is very comfortable and isn't as bulky like the RS straps. It has a bit of stretch which is a nice touch and it the rubber under strap which keeps movement to minimum. I recommend it over the BR.
I'm actually surprised with how much I like this strap. At first, it took a little getting used to coming from a slider. It still may never be quite as good for super-fast holstering or draws, but once you get used to how to get the camera up to your eye, it's almost as good. The grip on the inside of the shoulder pad is just grippy enough, the cinch is just cinchy enough. Works equally as well across your chest as over your shoulder, which isn't the case with BRs. The resting position is really nice with a 14-24, and pretty good with a 70-200. If I have the bottom mount connected to the tripod foot receiver on the 70-200, once the camera is up to you eye if you hold it vertically the strap basically has no slack. That may be because I ordered a small, but it's actually not bad, it just takes some getting used to. The only other thing is when you have a smaller lens on and it's attached to the regular tripod mount, holding the camera with the vertical grip you're holding it on top of the mounting screw for the strap. It's pretty low-profile, but could get annoying on long shoots.
So I think this will make a great general carry strap. I am shooting a road race with it on Sunday, so we'll see how it compares to the BR in more hectic situations.
