I've had the Black Rapid RS-4 for about 2-3 months now, and I think it's one of the best straps out there. However, this weekend I almost had a heart attack when the damn connector fell off my D700!
We were at the Brookfield Zoo and I was walking around with a 50mm (too hot and too heavy to break out the 80-200). After about an hour we stopped for a break, I lifted the camera up to take a shot and as soon as I raised it up the connector (attached to the tripod mount) simply fell off. Wet myself? Almost. It seems as if the constant banging against my hip while walking had spun the camera around a few times and unscrewed the connector from the tripod mount. Talk about a design flaw, I almost ruined the pants I was wearing along with $3K worth of equipment.
I still love the camera-sling concept and I wanted to give my strap a second chance so I decided that a little backup system was in order. So my solution was to buy 2 carabiners and a nylon strap, I could then create a failsafe loop from the upper left eyelet on the camera to the ConnectR-2 carabiner on the strap. So now if the connector is unscrewed, I still have a fairly sturdy (and entirely temporary) backup line. It seems to be working fine besides a little bit of extra weight, below is a pic of the contraption on my F100. I'd highly recommend this to anyone else rocking the BR strap.
I've had that Black Rapid strap for about half a season now (8 months) haven't had one problem with it I wear it about 20 hours a week don't know what I would do if I didn't have it
Most of the time body/grip and 70 - 200 VR on it; I tested the strap and conection with a 45 lbs weight before I strted using it
I was psyched about the Black Rapid, until I started to hear these stories. I ordered an Optech Dual Harness for $34, lol... The normal one was a bit small for me, so I sent it in for an exchange for the larger one. It seemed very well made though, and a bargain!
I use a Blackrapid with a Manfrotto quickrelease plate and check the screw every time I have the camera in the portrait position. It falled once, but that was when the tripod collar of the 70-200 disconnected.
I actually hook mine through the left hand camera strap ring. I find it works just as good and no chance that it could come loose. Mostly because I hate having the connector on the bottom.
Eric Schwab wrote:
I actually hook mine through the left hand camera strap ring. I find it works just as good and no chance that it could come loose. Mostly because I hate having the connector on the bottom.
Interesting, that seems way more elegant than my over-engineered solution. It would be nice to have that tripod mount back.
I'm also surprised people keep trying this strap, because of the connector problems. It needs an attachment like the Manfrotto quick release plates, where it tightens down, but then you can use two little set screws to literally lock it in place. It means you can't get it off without a wrench, but on the other hand you know it won't come off.
If a ball head did this we would be outraged. If a lens mount worked it was loose we would storm the companies HQ. If a softbox wouldn't stay on no one would buy it. But for some reason people still use this Black Rapid strap with the unsafe connector.
May 26, 2010 at 08:07 AM
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Lance Lee wrote:
I'm also surprised people keep trying this strap, because of the connector problems. It needs an attachment like the Manfrotto quick release plates, where it tightens down, but then you can use two little set screws to literally lock it in place. It means you can't get it off without a wrench, but on the other hand you know it won't come off.
If a ball head did this we would be outraged. If a lens mount worked it was loose we would storm the companies HQ. If a softbox wouldn't stay on no one would buy it. But for some reason people still use this Black Rapid strap with the unsafe connector....Show more →
Agreed. However, the BR strap is so good at distributing weight that I'm willing to overlook it's flaws. Neck and back pain have completely gone away since I bought this strap, and I really don't want to go back to my old Optech Pro. Although maybe there's another sling style strap that has addressed this problem. Anyone have any recommendations?
The buckle came undone suddenly on mine. Luckily I had my D700 and 105mm VR in my hand when I noticed the slack. I would have been pissed if it hit the ground.
ExtendedPuppet wrote:
I was psyched about the Black Rapid, until I started to hear these stories. I ordered an Optech Dual Harness for $34, lol... The normal one was a bit small for me, so I sent it in for an exchange for the larger one. It seemed very well made though, and a bargain!
+1...I looked hard at the Black Rapid System since so many people seem to use it but I just couldn't get over the 'horror stories' and the 'no fail safe' single point attachment (along with the famous design flaw/recall). It also seems like it interferes with vertical grip handling. The Optech Dual Harness works out great for me and is a huge bargain compared to the over-engineered Think Tank Dual Harness.
It happen to me too..I bought it when if first came out and when I was shooting with my mark III then I was shooting then noticed when while I was shooting it actually came undone when I grabbed for my camera so I as lucky I didn't let go of it..
When I use the r strap, I am constantly checking the connection, that's just the OCD in me. Using a sling strap is the best, hard to go back to anything else.
