Which sling strap?

maninsuitcase

maninsuitcase

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Chris
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I am going to use some of my christmas cash to invest in a sling strap and am after some advice.

I was originally looking at the Luma Loop but have discovered the $70 doesn't include the tripod mount mount, taking it to $85 (~£55) + shipping + customs. The reason I liked this one was the use of a rope loop rather than a clip hook like most but the cost now seems a bit excessive.

So that seems to leave me with the Black Rapid or the Sun Sniper. These appear to be almost identical so why should I pay £15 more for a BR over the SS? Or is the actual reality they are so similar the extra money is just paying for the name.
 
Whereabouts are you looking for these? On amazon they seem to be pretty much the same price.....what models are you looking at too?

Chris
 
Optech also do a version. I sold my black rapid rs4 in favor of the optech, as the optech can be used as a traditional strap or as a sling when you buy the sling kit. It cost £35 all in too. The reason I changed is because the optech uses the strap mount points rather than the tripod socket, which was becoming a huge pain having to remove the strap everytime you wanted to mount on a tripod.
 
chris321 said:
Whereabouts are you looking for these? On amazon they seem to be pretty much the same price.....what models are you looking at too?

Chris
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Warehouse express has the basic sun sniper for 40 and the rs-7 for 55.

The multiple mount opitions of the luma was a big reason I liked it but its just too expensive.
 
Sun-Sniper has a stainless steel bearing that connects with the camera directly. No carabiner. That leads to less swinging and better spinning. A huge advantage!
 
PeterSunbounce said:
Sun-Sniper has a stainless steel bearing that connects with the camera directly. No carabiner. That leads to less swinging and better spinning. A huge advantage!
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Is that on all models as looking on the web site it looks like it's a feature on the Bear models only not the basic one I was looking at.
 
I've just bought a Blackrapid RS-4 and a FastenR-T1 connector so I can have both strap or tripod available quickly.

Makes taking the camera out and about so much easier and so much more comfortable than the Canon strap! Quite expensive for what it is, but well worth it.
 
maninsuitcase said:
The OpTech one does look quite good actually and I like how it keeps the tripod mount free.

http://www.jackthehat.co.uk/optech-utility-strap-sling-p-487.html At that money I could get a FastnR 2 if I wanted later.
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I'm also looking for a new strap, the optech sling looks good but are those 'quick release' clips front and back not a bit of a risk? looks easy for someone to remove your camera for you.
Does anyone have one of these and can confirm if they are secure?
 
PaulF said:
I'm also looking for a new strap, the optech sling looks good but are those 'quick release' clips front and back not a bit of a risk? looks easy for someone to remove your camera for you.
Does anyone have one of these and can confirm if they are secure?
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I'd noticed that actually, but look at the BR and it has one on the front as well but I guess it's the rear one you need to worry about.
 
PaulF said:
I'm also looking for a new strap, the optech sling looks good but are those 'quick release' clips front and back not a bit of a risk? looks easy for someone to remove your camera for you.
Does anyone have one of these and can confirm if they are secure?
Click to expand...

If it ever arrives from the place I ordered it from, Ill report back.
 
I've got the optech for my PEN. It's pretty secure but the two loops get in the way when they're both attached. To use it as a proper sling strap it needs to hang off on loop. Fine for a PEN but probably not a big slr. The strap is also way too long and I find it's not as slick as the BR. I figure if I need the tripod socket I've got time to unscrew the BR attachment.

Hope that helps.

V
 
maninsuitcase said:
Well the OpTech is waiting for me at home, will post a bit of a review once I have had 15 with it.
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Where did you get it from? Mine still hasnt arrived and I ordered it on the 16th!
 
Initial impressions are in:
Its nicely made, seems pretty solid and should take and support the weight well. The clips for the camera are a nice method and really quick to use. The clips slide nicely and initial impressions are the shoulder pad should stay put during use. The clips to the pad aren't too soft but theft could be an issue with the rear one as theres no lock on them. Something like the Black Rapid BUCK clip might be a good idea if you have some posh gear.

Landscape the strap is out of the way once you figure out how to hold it right with the strap over the hand.

Portrait theres either something I am missing or I may need to hold grip down/find a different option as the strap is right in my face often blocking the view finder. Time will tell but if I find I am removing the strap for portrait I will need to think again, possibly investing in a BR Fastnr-2 or similar as attaching to my tripod QR plate as a test fixed it 100%. As there are 2 clips you could even use 1 for the camera and 1 for a tripod mount as depending if you plan on using a tripod or not that day.
 
I use the BR double harness all the time for weddings and events and find it invaluable. It takes both my D700 and D300 with a 24-70 and 70-200 and I carry them both for 12-14 hours at a time.
I really don't know what I'd do without it now.
Phil.
 
PaulF said:
I'm also looking for a new strap, the optech sling looks good but are those 'quick release' clips front and back not a bit of a risk? looks easy for someone to remove your camera for you.
Does anyone have one of these and can confirm if they are secure?
Click to expand...

never had an issue with them - its secure
 
maninsuitcase said:
Hugh how do you shoot portrait with the OpTech sling, I haven't yet found a way which means I don't get an eyeful of strap.
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I have to admit when I'm working I use the dual harness, but I've never had a problem with an eyeful of sling when I'm not
 
How do you have the sling mounted to the camera, Tripod point or strap point? I am using the strap point and if I can't figure something out this evening I will be ordering the Black Rapid FastenR-2 to swap to tripod point.
 
no I'm on the strap point - I'm trying to think what I do when I shoot portrait but the sling tends to fall over my right arm and stay out of the way there
 
Had a go tonight and found a few options, one is to have the strap under my palm which seems the most natural but may leave rub marks on the camera, the second is to lift the strap right up so I am under it which seems to give the best access but requires a touch more thought to do.
 
Bit of an update.

After a few weeks of getting annoyed by the strap in my face when shooting portrait I put the connector onto my ball head QR and instantly solved the issue. So I have a Black Rapid FastenR-2 in the post. Maybe I should have just got an RS-4/7 in the 1st place. Oh well lesson learned.
 
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