Anyone have any experience with this strap? I have neck problems so I can no longer carry my camera around my neck. I have tried hanging from my shoulder, or over my head, but have trouble getting the camera quickly into position. The RS-7 seems perfect.
I have one and I think it works well. I also have their double camera strap. I often use it to carry my 7D with 500 f4 and 1.4 extender. I really like how fast I can pull the camera up to shooting position, usually a couple seconds.
Even though it is way more comfortable than a neck strap it still causes pain with a 10 pound setup and 3-4 hours of continous carrying but I beats the alternatives I have found.
I have one and find it perfect for a second body and short lens. I cannot imaging carrying my 500 f4 using this strap or anything else off my shoulders or neck. Just too much weight. I put a whimberly plate on the end of mine and can remove or swap out a camera body fast if I want to. Did reinforce the connection with picture frame wire.
My wife and I both have used this strap and on a couple of occasions the connector from the strap to the camera has let go resulting in the camera falling to the ground (once on concrete). We now use the Spider Holster http://www.spiderholster.com/ which is far more secure and gives you more freedom of movement with your camera. Since my wife is a wedding photographer, it has gotten lots of use over the last 2 years and has never failed. They also have excellent customer service.
I wonder if Don Kates had the BR strap with the rubber washer?
I understand there were some reports similar to this before the rubber washer introduction. I believe it is much less likely to come out on its own. However, like any equipment if it best to check it occasionally. Before I started using it with the 500f4 I spoke to the company. According to them the minimum strength of all the component is 300 pounds so it is not going to break. They did advise to me to a hand on my big lens at all times since they didn't design it with this in mind.
I also emailed Bill Majoros, author of Secrets of Digital Bird Photography. He said he loves using it with his 500 f4. He has a picture in his book with him using it http://digitalbirdphotography.org/3.12.html
Doug, it happened on both versions. There is an "eye" that attaches to the camera and then the strap snaps to the eye. The problem was with the snap. The first version we had, just had a simple snap. That frequently let go. They quickly changed the snap in such a way that there was a sleeve that screwed down over the snap keep it from opening up. Unfortunately, dirt would get into the threads and prevent it from screwing down all the way (not to mention that the threads were soft). You would screw it down thinking it safe, when in fact it hadn't screwed down all the way and would let go at some point. The strap itself also was somewhat restrictive and at times the camera had to be removed from the strap so you could shoot. This involved fumbling with the screw on the snap, shooting, and then trying to put it back on the snap. I suppose if you are leisurely shooting, it's not an issue. Plenty of time to keep checking the connection; but I (and so does my wife) shoot in high paced situations where we need a little more confidence in our gear and don't have time to keep checking our strap. It only takes a 1Ds Mark III and a 200 f2 hitting the concrete once for me to decide this is not the strap for me. (Unfortunately, the other times didn't have quite the same impact.)
My wife and I have the newer version with the screw down nap clamp. We like them a lot and use them all the time. She carries a 7D with 100-400 I carry a 1D4 with 70-200 F2.8 sometimes with extenders. In our humble opinion they are great tools.
The clip I have from Black Rapid is basically a locking mini carabineer. With this version it would be very hard for it to loosen up. I suppose if the thread mechanism on the carabineer no longer worked from dirt you could easily replace it.
Anyway, most camera stores carry these. I suggest you go to a shop and test out the different carrying options then you’ll be more confident on which is right for you.
That's the mechanism that failed. Replacing it when it fails is too late. The damage is done. I'm not in the market for a carrying device. As I said in a previous post, we now use the Spider Holster which has worked flawlessly.
I have had a BR-7 strap for over a year now and it has worked flawlessly. Carried a 300/2.8 with it and the screw has not loosened one iota (dampening the rubber washer is the trick) - as far as the locking carabineer coming undone I would have thought that was nigh on impossible unless it was not fully tightened or the screw was somehow damaged. Great piece of kit that I would not be without these days.
I have an R-7 and I hike with my 1dmkIV attached to a 1.4x and a 500mm... I would not ever go back to a neck strap.. To date I have had zero issues and would highly recommend a strap system to anyone. As long as you pay attention on your connections you are fine. I disconnect and connect all the time.. I trust my rig to it and I inspect the links all the time.
Thats my 2 cents...
Kurt
Black Rapid RS-7 Camera Strap
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