Dual Camera Straps

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Bill
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I'd never intended to go down this route, but the time has come that I don't really have any choice but to use two bodies.

I'm currently using Op-Tech, which I do like - however their dual straps have got pretty awful reviews.

The obvious choice at the moment is the Black Rapid RS DR-1, I'm on the larger side so the DR-2 isn't very appealing.

Having seen a 1DX connected to a black rapid fall on to concrete earlier this year, I'm a little sceptical. I assume it was down to user error (seemingly worked itself loose) but it still wasn't nice to see! Coupled with the fact that I'll be using aftermarket camera grips I'm also wary of trusting their tripod mounts.

Any advice or opinions are greatly appreciated.
 
I use a BR DR1 for a couple of 1srs bodies and the smaller BR Yeti for a couple of 5D2's...nothing's bounced yet.

Bob
 
Often wondered - with the straps which affix to the tripod thread, like the Black Rapids, do they not get in the way when shooting portrait?
 
Often wondered - with the straps which affix to the tripod thread, like the Black Rapids, do they not get in the way when shooting portrait?
I shoot portrait using the top buttons with my right hand over the top so it's not a problem for me.

Bob
 
Ok, to clarify, I mean those using a grip (or the 'grip' part of a 1-series body)
 
I use the optech dual and love it. Twin 7d's gripped, one with a 100-400 mk2 and the other with a 70-200 2.8, no issues and comfy as hell
 
Admittedly, I've heard a lot more good things about the BR straps than bad, it seems like the obvious choice really.

I use the optech dual and love it. Twin 7d's gripped, one with a 100-400 mk2 and the other with a 70-200 2.8, no issues and comfy as hell

Don't get me wrong, I too love my current Op-Tech sling. One thing that I don't like about the dual is that with my sling 9/10 when I'm using it I take it off the strap and just hold it. I purely use the strap for carrying it around. Since they seem to have removed the clip from the dual, I'm guessing this is no longer possible. Big shame really!
 
I use the double harness, not the dual sling, looked at both but the harness looked like it kept things in place. If I stand or walk with it on my cameras are pretty much at my hip and ready to 'draw' six shooter style.
 
I've heard / read numerous reviews of Black Rapid, Op-Tech and other 'solutions' failing, or simply coming undone. I'm yet to hear of the bog-standard strap that comes with the camera, doing the same. After seven years or so of shooting events with two cameras, I haven't felt the need to spend money on a different strap that may break, when I already have straps for my cameras.

The straps that come with the cameras do a fine job: nothing in the way of quickly chucking the camera on a tripod, they make the camera hang comfortably at your side without swinging around, no need to unclip to do anything, takes up next to no room in your bag, not restrictive, don't make you look like a wannabe commando.

Have you shot much with two bodies so far? Why do you feel you need to buy something else?
 
On a recent trip I was carrying my 1DX and 500 mm on my shoulder and my 7D MkII with a 100-400 in my hand which I found a bit cumbersome so I've just bought a Cotton Carriers dual camera harness. Mainly so that I can carry the 7D and 100-400 on the chest plate. It came with the second camera mount although I doubt I will use that. Seems to be a decent solution for my needs.

Bit expensive new but I picked mine up on fleabay for £43 all in. Brand new and boxed so wasn't much of a risk if it didn't work.
 
I'm another happy user of the Op-Tech Dual harness. I tend to use it with just one body attached (as I usually have time to do a lens change if I need to)
As already mentioned it's very comfortable, happy to wander about for hours with gripped FF + 70-200 f/2.8,

Some people dislike the use of the quick release clips Op-tech use - with the dual harness, teh harness cannot fall off you, and the camera is clipped to the harness by 2 clips (one for each 'end' of a traditional strap). This means it is safe even if one fails (or, as I found, your young daughter grabs one and releases it!).
 
where have you found bad reviews of the optech? its considered one of the best dual harness systems out there. theres a new tripple one out too, atleast in the states

and oem bundled straps are terrible, a good optech strap is just so much better, abit more bulk but way more comfortable.

I use the 3/8ths style connector instead of uniloop, and have a short 4" or so length, that fixes the strap buckle face and lifting issue.

and if you want br style fixing, you can get arca swiss plates with strap lugs, and go seemlessly from handheld to tripod/monopod, or 7dayshop sell a small spinny connector

currently with my sling im using top right lug, and my grip as a lower right lug, im using that, both with 3/8ths and its comfortable and hangs well too
 
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