Camera Strap Buddy

The only negative about the item is that it does tend to come loose (unscrewed) but a rubber or nylon washer cures this. I used a tap washer on mine. Otherwise a good buy.
 
Meh, that's an awfully ingenious little thing - makes any strap into basically the same thing as a (very expensive) Blackrapid. :D
 
wontolla said:
The only negative about the item is that it does tend to come loose (unscrewed) but a rubber or nylon washer cures this. I used a tap washer on mine. Otherwise a good buy.
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Thanks for the tip! Looks like my next purchase. At least it's inexpensive for a change.
 
DekHog said:
Meh, that's an awfully ingenious little thing - makes any strap into basically the same thing as a (very expensive) Blackrapid. :D
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Most great inventions are that simple! ie, not a lot to go wrong!
(it also helps if they are cheap!)
 
DekHog said:
Meh, that's an awfully ingenious little thing - makes any strap into basically the same thing as a (very expensive) Blackrapid. :D
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, it's not quite the same as the BlackRapid system, though it looks fine in the vid, and if you're not wearing a coat or jacket AND are using a "slippy" strap without a padded shoulder grip it probably will work ok ... but ... the Strap Buddy requires the entire strap to rotate around your body when raising the camera to shooting position - with a BR, the entire strap including the padded "grippy" shoulder section, stays in place - and the camera slides up along the strap. Much more fluid in use especially if you're wearing a coat!
I use an RS-4 with a FastenR-2 as it lets me keep the tripod QR plate permanently attached to the camera body and just unclip the strap when mounting the camera - no dangling straps to get in the way or to catch on tripod knobs etc when unmounting the camera again - one heart-stopping incident when my standard Nikon strap snagged, resulting in a drop (onto grass, thankfully) convinced me that 50 odd quid for a BlackRapid might be worth the outlay.
Totally agree with your sentiment about the pricing though - apart from the quality engineering of the metal parts, its hard to see where the expense lies!
 
Sergei said:
Unfortunately, it's not quite the same as the BlackRapid system, though it looks fine in the vid, and if you're not wearing a coat or jacket AND are using a "slippy" strap without a padded shoulder grip it probably will work ok ... but ... the Strap Buddy requires the entire strap to rotate around your body when raising the camera to shooting position - with a BR, the entire strap including the padded "grippy" shoulder section, stays in place - and the camera slides up along the strap. Much more fluid in use especially if you're wearing a coat!
I use an RS-4 with a FastenR-2 as it lets me keep the tripod QR plate permanently attached to the camera body and just unclip the strap when mounting the camera - no dangling straps to get in the way or to catch on tripod knobs etc when unmounting the camera again - one heart-stopping incident when my standard Nikon strap snagged, resulting in a drop (onto grass, thankfully) convinced me that 50 odd quid for a BlackRapid might be worth the outlay.
Totally agree with your sentiment about the pricing though - apart from the quality engineering of the metal parts, its hard to see where the expense lies!
Click to expand...



Yeah the whole strap needs to slide and that's the problem. The black rapid is expensive but just works so well. The adjustable bumpers push the strap back into place as you let the camera back down to your side if it does happen to shift on your shoulder. You can completely detach the strap with a single catch which now come with a screw down lock for extra security. I have a love/hate relationship with camera straps, handy when I need my hands free and can't put the camera down, but I hate it being in my way at times and having to take it off my shoulder to shoot. The black rapid solves this, I just wish it wasnt so damn pricey.
 
lensflair said:
.............The black rapid solves this, I just wish it wasnt so damn pricey.
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Yep!! - I'd been thinking about it for a while and the price had always put me off, but after a few close calls and then the dropping incident, I convinced myself that I just needed one.
You do, of course, also get a natty little black mesh drawstring bag (why? - I have no idea ..... I can't ever see myself keeping the strap in it!) and an equally natty sticker, should you wish to provide free advertising for Black Rapid!
It may not suit everyone, but price aside, it's a good comfortable strap and I can't see myself going back to a standard one.
 
I have used a Black Rapid for some months now - that device ain't no Black Rapid ! It is a "cheapo" attempted copy which fails miserably.

The camera "buckle" doesn't slide on the strap and worst of all the camera is hanging way, way too high. I have my camera hanging way down on my hip; it is easy to grab hold of it to use and if you do need to steady the camera a bit you can do it without bending your arm as you have to do on this thing.

Yes a BR isn't cheap, but it is worth every penny !
 
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