The weak "link" is the screw/swivel that holds the caribiner to the metal rectangle loop.
In my case, my hardware did not fail...it was the strap itself that came unbuckled, loose and finally came un-looped through the plastic hardware. Luckily my hand was on my gear and it didn't fall into the dirt.
Nonetheless, that swivel is the weak point, no matter how good the rest of the connection is. It twists, moves and looks generally very weak.
schristie11 wrote:
I've personally had OEM Canon and Nikon and other straps including OpTech fail in different ways during the last 30 years of being in the field with cameras.
I just accept it as part of reality that nothing is perfect and to always stay aware of the camera.
However, my BR has not failed yet, and has almost made me complacent about where my camera is.. almost.
Like I said, do some searching around, you will find reports of everything on earth that is MAN made fails - at some point - some where - for some one.
I'm an engineer and understand the whole QA issue well. This is clearly a not ready for prime time product based on the number of issues and jury rigs that users are implementing. My sample set isn't large, but none of the OEM straps I've had or the others I've mentioned have failed in 30 years of shooting often in challenging conditions. Yet, the BR has failed twice for me. That's not insignificant. You could write off a single instance as a fluke but twice you can't.
I'm glad you enjoy yours. Keep a good grip on your camera though.
I just think it is annoying so many state that the metal loop is the "real" problem becasue they saw some other brands metal part fail in the past
and then the same person posts again to say that well actually it was the plastic part that failed on their BR.
Seems like I saw this several times from several people.
In all the different brand straps I had, the part that failed was alwasy the plastic too, or occasional some stitching.
I don't find any strap made commercially that has no plastic and all extremely well made metal parts except for the nylon stap of course, and flawless stitching. Do you all know of one?
Honestly I keep my hand close to or on my camera with ANY strap that has a plastic part anywhere on it.
The main things I like about my BR strap is the comfortable padding and the adjustable length and the bump stoppers that prevent swaying and swinging, and the elastic retainers for the end of strap that hangs loose to keep it from dangling in the way and whipping about. Oh, and I find the metal clip and button to be fab, I love it personally.
Give me those types of features on another strap and I'll consider it too.
But with a lot of time using mine in the field it's never failed or looks like it will.
schristie11 wrote:
I just think it is annoying so many state that the metal loop is the "real" problem becasue they saw some other brands metal part fail in the past
and then the same person posts again to say that well actually it was the plastic part that failed on their BR.
Seems like I saw this several times from several people.
In all the different brand straps I had, the part that failed was alwasy the plastic too, or occasional some stitching.
I don't find any strap made commercially that has no plastic and all extremely well made metal parts except for the nylon stap of course, and flawless stitching. Do you all know of one?
Honestly I keep my hand close to or on my camera with ANY strap that has a plastic part anywhere on it.
The main things I like about my BR strap is the comfortable padding and the adjustable length and the bump stoppers that prevent swaying and swinging, and the elastic retainers for the end of strap that hangs loose to keep it from dangling in the way and whipping about. Oh, and I find the metal clip and button to be fab, I love it personally.
Give me those types of features on another strap and I'll consider it too.
But with a lot of time using mine in the field it's never failed or looks like it will. ...Show more →
Keep telling yourself that. I use a strap so I don't have to keep holding onto the camera. The Black Rapid didn't instill then, nor does it now, the confidence that their product will do what it is supposed to. Glad you like yours. I'm sure you won't be terribly upset when it fails you at some point.
So, exactly how many people posted in this thread they had a failure form a BR product?
I bet you can count it on one hand.
Google the same thing for other mfg's and you will find a similar failure rate.
I'm glad that you can use this forum to get your frustration out about your personal situation. There is no need to patronize me though.
I just came to reinforce that not every BR strap fails, and that also other product mfg's have failures of the same kind.
Maybe someone will read these words and consider trying a BR product and not think there just one side to the story (yours).
If you used another BR strap after you had one fail, you might be like me and want to keep a hand on or near it just in case it failed again
Well I have had other MFG's fail too and so I do that with every strap, even ones that have not failed yet.
Sometimes I can't keep a hand on it and so I test luck, but I pray neither you or I ever have a camera fall to the ground.
I'm sure it works well for you. As you say, you keep your hand near the camera just in case (good plan). That doesn't work for lots of us who want the strap to hold the camera without fail so we CAN use our hands for other stuff.
What is interesting is that you really don't hear about straps failing pretty much anywhere. There have been a number of people who have had BR strap failures. Also, to my knowledge you don't see too many (as in zero) jury rigs on other straps "just in case." So, I agree with you it would be interesting.
not to mention the damage the damn carabiner of the BR-7 can cause to the rear edge of the base plate of the D700. I'd sure be happy to hear from owners of this combination of gear about how they kept that from happening. I found the perfect way, though, it's called not using the BR-7 Cotton Carrier system works perfectly for my needs, strange stares notwithstanding.
I have used BR for about 3 years and have yet to have even an issue with anything coming loose, let alone falling. I wet the rubber fasteners and lock them on super tight, and I would need a concentrated effort (and muscle strain) to unscrew them at this point.
I have used the BlackRapids quite a bit, both the new and the old, and despite the fact that they have unscrewed numerous times despite how tight you screw everything in, I still love it. But after the first and only broken body I figured out a nice little fix, I just use the Optech quick release connecters and use them as a sort of safety strap. Its really simple, just run the quick release straps onto the R-Strap and viola, if it does unscrew you can at least notice that it has happened and screw it back in. To be honest though, I do plan on getting the Optech double harness, its stupidly cheap and it has a lot more versatility.
I have been using black rapid straps for several years with no problems.
I did replace the original hardware and was kind of disappointed that they didn't offer a free replacement for the original hardware but I still find it a worthwhile product I just make sure to double check everything is tight when I pick up my camera for each shoot.
iGeekPro wrote:
I have used the BlackRapids quite a bit, both the new and the old, and despite the fact that they have unscrewed numerous times despite how tight you screw everything in, I still love it. But after the first and only broken body I figured out a nice little fix, I just use the Optech quick release connecters and use them as a sort of safety strap. Its really simple, just run the quick release straps onto the R-Strap and viola, if it does unscrew you can at least notice that it has happened and screw it back in. To be honest though, I do plan on getting the Optech double harness, its stupidly cheap and it has a lot more versatility. ...Show more →
iGeekPro wrote:
I have used the BlackRapids quite a bit, both the new and the old, and despite the fact that they have unscrewed numerous times despite how tight you screw everything in, I still love it. But after the first and only broken body I figured out a nice little fix, I just use the Optech quick release connecters and use them as a sort of safety strap. Its really simple, just run the quick release straps onto the R-Strap and viola, if it does unscrew you can at least notice that it has happened and screw it back in. To be honest though, I do plan on getting the Optech double harness, its stupidly cheap and it has a lot more versatility. ...Show more →
Op-tech do "fail"John and Scott. I went to grab my camera by the strap at the thick neoprene area and one od the snap buckles just let go. The camera did not drop as the other side was attached but had it been on my neck or shoulder it would have slid right off. Now best I can figure is when I hooked it up it was not centered and it went in but did not lock. I don't sit and whine or blame, it just happened. All straps can "fail" or screw up but to say something is not ready ridiculous baised on a few Internet reports.
Wickedfn4u wrote:
Op-tech do "fail"John and Scott. I went to grab my camera by the strap at the thick neoprene area and one od the snap buckles just let go. The camera did not drop as the other side was attached but had it been on my neck or shoulder it would have slid right off. Now best I can figure is when I hooked it up it was not centered and it went in but did not lock. I don't sit and whine or blame, it just happened. All straps can "fail" or screw up but to say something is not ready ridiculous baised on a few Internet reports. ...Show more →
My opinion on it not being ready for prime time is based on my experience with it after owning one and comparing it to others I own that perform much better.
I think the reports from others here who think that it needs safety lanyards and other backups pretty well supports the claim. Never had to do that with any other strap.
I believe 99% it was operator error just like anyone else that had issue on here unless they can show different. I was just showing nothing is 100% fool proof. I don't really care if an opinion is different I like the strap and comfort andWill continue to use and recommend.
not to mention the damage the damn carabiner of the BR-7 can cause to the rear edge of the base plate of the D700. I'd sure be happy to hear from owners of this combination of gear about how they kept that from happening. I found the perfect way, though, it's called not using the BR-7 
Cotton Carrier system works perfectly for my needs, strange stares notwithstanding. 