Black Rapid and dropped camera?

[JPAZ]

All,

I know this has been discussed before but could not find specific comments about just how "strong" this strap is.  I am contemplating the Black Rapid 7.

If I have a 5diii + 70-200 or 70-300 hanging from this I am sure it will be more comfortable than a neck strap but I'll be worrying about the camera and lens dropping.  I worry that a single connection to the tripod plate or the swivel / turnbuckle will fail.  I do a lot of travel and almost always have a camera hanging off of me.  I've also looked at the usual alternatives that are analogous, some of which attach to the lug instead of the tripod mount. All of these have an occasional review that describes a catastrophic "camera-lens-go-to-ground" experience.   

Am I overly concerned?  Can anyone relate their experiences (good or bad) with a fairly heavy DSLR/lens setup and these straps?

Thanks in advance.

JP

[pulsarman]

I've been using the Blackrapid for two years with my 7d and now another with my 5diii. They are fantastic, never had a problem with them.  I attach them to a small 1 inch clamp (Kirk QRC-1) and then the clamp to a camera plate (for RRS). For heavy lenses I attach the strap to a lens plate so that there is much less stress on the camera mount. Have used this with a 500mm.  Can also go from hand held to monopod or tripod rapidly (so to speak) by attaching lens plate to arca type head while keeping strap over my shoulder.  Can't claim credit for this approach ... Read it on the web somewhere.

[neuroanatomist]

I've carried a gripped body with large white zoom (70-200/2.8, 100-400, 28-300) for close to 3 years on a Blackrapid RS-4 strap.  Moreover, I've spent the morning with a Blackrapid Sport Left strap carrying a 600mm f/4L IS II with a 1D X - $20K in gear. I trust the strap.

Both of my straps have Kirk 1" clamps, easy to move around the Arca-Swiss type lens/body plates.

[brad-man]

All parts of the BR system are more than strong enough for your gear. The only possible trouble (I have read about) is the danger of the fasten-r-thingy that attaches to the camera or lens plate working it's way off by unscrewing. The connector has a gasket on it that compresses when tightened, so I really don't see it happening, but I have read horror stories. I never had it happen, and I have since attached it to an arca-compatible clamp with some LockTite. That should never come loose, and it is very convenient when switching around between sling/tripod/monopod. Just make sure you get authentic BR stuff, as there are a lot of knockoffs out there. I believe inferior aftermarket turnbuckles are responsible for most catastrophic failures...

[alexturton]

I've been using black rapid 7 and double rapid for 2 years with no problems.

I frequently carry 7ds and 70200 2.8 is with tcs all day at zoos.very sturdy and reliable. I would never go back to a normal strap.

[jp121]

I have the BlackRapid Curve. I just bought it and had the same concerns. The web site asks you to check the screw everytime you use it. They also advise that you use the connector to torque up the 'tightness', until you see the rubber compress. They have an instructional video.

I have used mine with a 5D3 + 20-200 2.8 II and it was amazing. However get used to placing your hand on the camera and 'guiding' the lens to the ground as you kneel.

[Kernuak]

All parts of the BR system are more than strong enough for your gear. The only possible trouble (I have read about) is the danger of the fasten-r-thingy that attaches to the camera or lens plate working it's way off by unscrewing. The connector has a gasket on it that compresses when tightened, so I really don't see it happening, but I have read horror stories. I never had it happen, and I have since attached it to an arca-compatible clamp with some LockTite. That should never come loose, and it is very convenient when switching around between sling/tripod/monopod. Just make sure you get authentic BR stuff, as there are a lot of knockoffs out there. I believe inferior aftermarket turnbuckles are responsible for most catastrophic failures...

I have noticed the carabiner coming loose on mine, so I'm constantly checking it when I use it.

[nonac]

The failures that I have read about relate to failure of the tripod socket itself on the camera body.  I have no idea how the tripod socket is attached inside the camera body?  It may vary by manufacturer and some may be more prone to failure than others.  I won't risk that. I have a BR strap; however, I only use it on a lens plate, never attached to the camera body.

[brad-man]

All parts of the BR system are more than strong enough for your gear. The only possible trouble (I have read about) is the danger of the fasten-r-thingy that attaches to the camera or lens plate working it's way off by unscrewing. The connector has a gasket on it that compresses when tightened, so I really don't see it happening, but I have read horror stories. I never had it happen, and I have since attached it to an arca-compatible clamp with some LockTite. That should never come loose, and it is very convenient when switching around between sling/tripod/monopod. Just make sure you get authentic BR stuff, as there are a lot of knockoffs out there. I believe inferior aftermarket turnbuckles are responsible for most catastrophic failures...

I have noticed the carabiner coming loose on mine, so I'm constantly checking it when I use it.

That is another reason to put a clamp on. Put some LockTite on the threads, snug it down and no worries. Having said that, when your strap is supporting thousands of dollars of gear, it's hard not to check it occasionally

[brad-man]

The failures that I have read about relate to failure of the tripod socket itself on the camera body.  I have no idea how the tripod socket is attached inside the camera body?  It may vary by manufacturer and some may be more prone to failure than others.  I won't risk that. I have a BR strap; however, I only use it on a lens plate, never attached to the camera body.

That must have been a Sony   I've never heard that one. I suppose you could take it to the next level and start worrying about your lens mount...

[ChilledXpress]

I loved my black rapid strap (RS-5)... I did have one fail on me carrying a 7D and a 50L. Not a heavy load but the design at the time had a rectangle bracket with a pin swivel mounted carabineer. The point at which the swivel met the hole in the rectangle had widened itself open to the point that when cocked right, it slipped through. I lost the whole rig onto the driveway. I heard a metallic click and the next thing I heard was the bouncing of my 50L/7D. I checked it quite often over the 2 years of use... never noticed it getting wonky. I wrote and they offered to send a new connector. Fortunately, besides a few scuffs both body and lens are ok. I now use carryspeed connector as I trust it a bit more. No, I don't work for them either. I also like the Sunsniper straps with the stretch point ...but I still use the carryspeed connector for both straps.

[JPAZ]

Lots of good comments.  Thanks.

The Sunsniper has a strap with a metal cable incorporated to deter theft.  Of course, one can still be robbed, but this does prevent a knife slash and grab.  BTW, mysmall fanny-pack that I wear in front has this same system and I think it is more secure than a moneybelt or using a pants pocket for cash and credit cards.

Anyone ever look at the BR vs the Sunsniper in real life (just in terms of comfort and utility carrying your gear)?

[DanoPhoto]

I have used the RS-7 for a couple of years and followed the sage advice from Neuro about using a 1" Kirk clamp with some LocTite blue on the fastener.


Never have had an issue or concern carrying any body/lens combo.


Stuff happens all the time, but the BR strap and Kirk clamp are great combo.

[nonac]

The failures that I have read about relate to failure of the tripod socket itself on the camera body.  I have no idea how the tripod socket is attached inside the camera body?  It may vary by manufacturer and some may be more prone to failure than others.  I won't risk that. I have a BR strap; however, I only use it on a lens plate, never attached to the camera body.

That must have been a Sony   I've never heard that one. I suppose you could take it to the next level and start worrying about your lens mount...

I feel comfortable with the lens foot because it is a single piece of metal that has been threaded.  The tripod socket is actually inserted into the camera body and fastened there in some manner. So, it can come out of the body. 

[Jim K]

I have used a Black Rapid 7 to carry my 100-400 and ungripped 7D combo for about two years, no problems. I connect the BR 7 directly  to the lens. Once I tried it with the 500mm but that is too heavy for me to HH for more than a minute or so. Another plus with the BR is that the camera/lens does not hit the tripod like a neckstrap setup would when you are moving from the 100-400/7D for BIF to the tripod mounted 500/gripped 7D for nest shots.

The 5D3 has a neck strap. Usually shoot it with shorter lenses HH. When I use it with the tripod mounted 500 the neck strap just hangs there. Same thing with a tripod for landscapes, it just hangs there.

My gripped 7D has a neckstrap and is usually used with the tripod mounted 500mm. Makes it easy to swap T/Cs on and off, don't have to hold the body when making the swap. Also use it with shorter lenses.

Very happy with the Black Rapid 7.