Black Rapid Camera Strap +++UPDATE+++

Or sit down a bit more carefully....remember the lens would be horizontal generally as you would attach it to the tripod collar on a 70-200, not the camera body [well, i certainly do, on a nikon, does the canon version have a collar?]. I use a double strap regularly and being short, my biggest problem is if the flash is on board too, but as long as I remember its there and hold things steady if heading to my knees, not a problem.
 
Yv said:
Or sit down a bit more carefully....remember the lens would be horizontal generally as you would attach it to the tripod collar on a 70-200, not the camera body [well, i certainly do, on a nikon, does the canon version have a collar?]. I use a double strap regularly and being short, my biggest problem is if the flash is on board too, but as long as I remember its there and hold things steady if heading to my knees, not a problem.
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One work around would be to sit on a stool instead of the floor. By the way this is in the context of shooting football, pitchside
 
OK, without a flash on, and with the strap fasten to lens tripod collar, I can kneel on the floor with no part of lens/camera touching the floor, and I am very short - it does mean I have the strap short of course. If it was attached to camera body, yes, lens would be on floor, which would be a problem.

edit: yes, even when horizontal, the action of raising the camera [assuming you would have camera forward, lens pointing backwards, which is optimum position for pulling up to face quickly] may cause lens hood to scuff along the floor, granted.
 
R-Strap v good :thumbs:

You can adjust it to have the camera hang at any height you like. But obviously, if you're low to the ground, so will the camera be. You can slide it round so it hangs in your lap though, or around your back if you like.

You can adjust the length, adjust the bumpers, and slide it around your body any which way.
 
Yep - I got one a couple of weeks ago and used it in anger for the first time last Saturday at footy.

Overall, very happy with it. The camera (1D + 70-200) sits down by my side in the "ready" position so I can just grab it and shoot away. It's better than a neckstrap as the camera is out of the way but still easily accessible. When wandering around it also keeps it out of the way nicely but you can whip it up and snap away then just dangle it down again.

The only problem I had was the camera bashing against my stool. I'll shorten the strap a bit for this Saturday and see how I get on. If you're sitting on the floor the camera will be too, but if you're on the floor just put the camera on the floor next to you anyway - no need for a strap.

You've also got to make sure that the camera dangles the "right" way around ie with the grip facing outwards otherwise it's not quite as easy to pick up quickly. It can rotate on the connector.

Also also, it's nice not to have the straps in the way. With a neck strap I was always getting annoyed with the points where it connected to the camera as it would flap about and get in my vision. The Black Rapid thingy connects to the tripod socket so keeps everything away from your hands & eyes.

Also also also, if you use a neckstrap and have it over one shoulder, bringing the camera up always results in the neck strap dragging on your clothing and slowing down the movement - something that has caused me to miss some crucial shots in the past. The Black Rapid has a roller thingy so the camera always comes up straight away without moving the strap about.

Overall, many more pluses than minuses.
 
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Something else I would add, more relevent to women that men perhaps, but the chest strap is high enough to not impinge on ones chesty bits anyway, but the double strap is so secure with two cameras bolted to it that I spend most weddings wandering round with that strap unfastened. If opting for the diagonal fit single strap, there is also a female version available with an extra 'kink' in the line so it doesn't run across your m/b[delete as applicable :lol:]oobs
 
The point of the Rapid Strap is to enable you to be active and still have quick access to your camera and remain hands free without fear of the camera falling from the shoulder. I'm wondering what environment would you be sitting down and still wanting that handsfree security?

I use a Double Rapid Strap at weddings and events so I can comfortably carry my D700 + 70-200 and D3s + 24-70 without any problems. When I get low for a shot or sit down I'm careful to hold the cameras against bashing the floor, chairs etc.
 
i find when using mine that it can Knock the af/mf switch over too... nothing a bit of gaffer tape doesnt cure though....:thumbs:
 
I loosen the tripod collar on the 70-200 to allow it to rotate.
As for the camera/lens resting on the floor - well as long as you don't bash it down, who cares?
 
Arkady said:
I loosen the tripod collar on the 70-200 to allow it to rotate.
As for the camera/lens resting on the floor - well as long as you don't bash it down, who cares?
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I thought of doing this, but how loose can you have the tripod collar? I don't want it accidently coming off.

I should mention that I am also using the BRAD attachment thingy that goes under the armpit. Maybe this is restricting the strap somewhat :shrug:
 
redmonkee said:
I thought of doing this, but how loose can you have the tripod collar? I don't want it accidently coming off.

I should mention that I am also using the BRAD attachment thingy that goes under the armpit. Maybe this is restricting the strap somewhat :shrug:
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On the Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR-I you can undo the screw all the way - the collar won't come off the lens and the screw won't come off the collar.
You may find with it too loose that the camera turns around while hanging down, so I have mine not 'loose' but a friction-fit, if that makes sense - it won't rotate unless I rotate it.
 
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