Kirk Security Strap review

[neuroanatomist]

I think you're talking about the dovetail on the bottom of the clamp when you refer to adding to the profile? I agree, that seems like a great feature. But, the 'lens plate' question I had is about using the clamp with an AS plate on a lens (tripod collar, like on a 100-400 or supertele), where the plate is oriented 90-deg relative to a camera body plate, and with no swivel on the clamp, that means the strap has to twist to accomodate that.

But - looking at it again, I'm asking a flawed question. Sorry for the confusion! The clamp is actually oriented to hold a collared lens plate on the axis of the strap.  It looks like with a camera plate, the natural hang would have the back of the camera facing your body - is that the case? 

Thanks again!

[FunPhotons]

Neuro,
   Got it. OK just tried with a 70-200 2.8, wondering why I hadn't done that before. With a L black or smaller lens I have it on the bottom of RRS right angle body bracket. This places the orientation with the lens going perpendicular to your body. Imagine holding your right arm straight out to your right, that's what the lens does. It's a good position, well balanced and the knob keeps the back of the camera from hitting and rubbing your leg.

With the White L collared lens it now orients to the back. That is the front of the lens is pointing backwards. Well balanced, comfortable, works well even with the added weight. So you get lens pointed left, or lens pointed back.

The bigger issue is where is the camera grip? It needs to be in a good orientation (out) for easy grab. In both cases it is either pointing front (for the black L) or pointing right (for the white L). Both are the right spots for easy grab, the lenses and stable and secure at my side.

(Edit: using your nomenclature, with a black L the back of the camera is against your leg, with the white it faces forward. )

Phew ... when you said this I wondered if it would be a bust with L lenses but it works just great. Also, I tried the strap across the chest  and it works as well as over the single shoulder.

Seriously liking this strap.

[neuroanatomist]

Makes perfect sense - thanks yet again!

[FunPhotons]

I took it out for a hike up a 3000 foot peak. Performed well, the best part is that the camera really snugs tight against my side. No knocking about, I believe the clamp design gives this performance, whereas for the BR strap it looks like it bounces around more from what I've seen observing photogs using them.

On the other hand while hiking it's not as quick a draw as the BR. I usually don't have a lot of time since I'm hiking with somebody so I pull out the camera for a quick landscape or shot of people I'm hiking with. With a backpack it was a little awkward sometimes. Not a big deal if you can take an extra second or two to get it set up, but nonetheless the BR has an edge here surely.

As I said I thought the dovetail on the bottom was a superfluous feature. If you're going to the bother of using a tripod, is taking it off the bracket that much worse? Well I found out on the hike that the best aspect of having it is for monopods, not tripods. Out with a monopod having the dovetail makes it really quick and easy to put it on the pod for a shot, and take it off again for a hike.

Overall great strap. Pluses are it orients the camera for a snug and tight against you fit, much like a regular camera strap, while working with a Arca-Swiss camera bracket, and it has a dovetail on the bottom for quick attach. On the downside the strap isn't the most high end one you'll find, and it is a second or sometimes two slower probably than using the BR.

[dr croubie]

ok, this is getting annoying. I can reply to this thread with a short sentence, but when I try to paste in my long reponse, I get 'access denied, security block'?

Anyway, long story short, I want one. Anyone know where ships to aus with cheapish postage?

[FunPhotons]

ok, this is getting annoying. I can reply to this thread with a short sentence, but when I try to paste in my long reponse, I get 'access denied, security block'?

Anyway, long story short, I want one. Anyone know where ships to aus with cheapish postage?

I got it from B&H, I'd be surprised if they didn't ship down under.

[dr croubie]

Yeah, I've checked there, $75 plus $33 shipping.
Maybe I'll have to take the excuse to buy something else while i'm there to spread the shipping cost around (I hear that Sigma 35mm is nice)...

[victorwol]

Looks interesting... Although makes me a bit nervous the idea of the clamp getting lose and the camera falling... What are your thoughts about that? I've being using arca clamps for a noon time, but never to hang a camera...

[FunPhotons]

Looks interesting... Although makes me a bit nervous the idea of the clamp getting lose and the camera falling... What are your thoughts about that? I've being using arca clamps for a noon time, but never to hang a camera...

Held tight for 3000 ft up and 3000 ft down over rocky trails. I don't see it as an issue.

I think that it comes down to if you have a Swiss-Arca plate arrangement and want a strap, do you want a traditional strap style where it keeps the camera orientated, or do you want a Black Rapid style where the camera swings around more but also comes to the eye a bit easier.

[dr croubie]

Just wondering, if you attach the strap/clamp to the bottom of your camera's bracket, is the knob on the strap/clamp towards your face, or towards the lens? (and can you unclip it to swap it the other way?) How much past the screen/lensmount does it stick in either direction, and is it easy to unscrew from that position?
(I'm sort of wondering about being stabbed in the chin by it, possible?)

[crasher8]

Just wondering, if you attach the strap/clamp to the bottom of your camera's bracket, is the knob on the strap/clamp towards your face, or towards the lens? (and can you unclip it to swap it the other way?) How much past the screen/lensmount does it stick in either direction, and is it easy to unscrew from that position?
(I'm sort of wondering about being stabbed in the chin by it, possible?)

just what I was thinking, don't want that knob bumping me as I shoot

[FunPhotons]

The knob can go either way, forward or backward. If backward then it helps keep the back of the camera off your hip. If forward then it is out of the way.

You can wear the strap and clamp in a total of four positions/orientations and it works fine in them all. And of course you can replace the strap with whatever strap you wish, as long as it is of the correct width. Also you can reverse the strap if you like a opposite orientation. As I said the strap isn't a high end item so feel free to experiment.

You can wear the strap and clamp in a total of four positions/orientations and it works fine in them all. And of course you can replace the strap with whatever strap you wish, as long as it is of the correct width.

The knob doesn't bother me against my side or the other way. I think the 'intended' orientation is with knob forward, strap across the chest. When it is in this orientation the camera is snug and secure at your hip, very comfortable and doesn't bounce.

[dr croubie]

Sounds good. I've been looking for places in Aus that might sell them, not found one yet (as it was when I was looking for my original A/S setup, most places haven't even heard of A/S on this side of the world).
Adorama quoted something stupid like $60 shipping, so loks like B+H it is (as it was when I bought my plates and tripod a year ago).

Oh well, i'll have to go see what else I "need" to buy while i'm shipping anyway, maybe a Lee kit or something...

[FunPhotons]

Note; with this and any other strap, if you're concerned about it accidentally coming loose you can use some of these

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010HA6A6/

as backup