Heavy camera...best strap?

[wdh777]

So I have a 5dm3 with a 28-300 and a battery grip attached. It seems like everyone recommends a black rapid strap but attaching it to a battery grip mount concerns me. At least I would use the lens tripod mount vs battery grip mount which would otherwise eliminate the black rapid  Others have recommended a ustrap. It seems small but also seems pretty strong when attached to the two camera strap mounts. Any thoughts and suggestions?  Thanks

[wickidwombat]

i used a 1D with that lens for over a year and never had any issue with the BR strap connected to the camera tripod mount, some prefer to connect to the tripod foot but i like to remove the foot if not needed for more comfortable handheld shooting

[Mt Spokane Photography]

For a heavy camera / lens, attach to the lens tripod mount.  I haven't found a better one than Black Rapid, but individual preferences vary.  The tolerance of the camera mount on the lens and body is very low, its one of the items that Canon and Nikon have not outsourced (at least before the earthquake), so I avoid poacing extra stress on it whenever I can.  Just a tiny runout of a few 10 thousands of a inch can affect the image from one side to the other.

[RLPhoto]

Black rapid rules. I have the double strap but sometimes I split it and just use one strap.

[pwp]

I like the BR straps. But with a lot of weight swinging off the tripod thread, I'd be a bit cautious. A few years ago I dislodged the tripod thread in the base of a 5D Classic grip. In that instance I probably overtightened a SpiderPro plate with the supplied hex/allen key. Fortunately no damage was done beyond the wrecked thread. You'd be hard pressed to strip the thread, but just think about how that little thread is mounted into the body. It's a separate component, engineered for lighter duties. I'd regard the thread in grips to be less robust than those in the body. And the thread in the lens collar will probably be more robust again.

Just something to think about...

PW

[neuroanatomist]

At least I would use the lens tripod mount vs battery grip mount which would otherwise eliminate the black rapid
[/quote]

How so?  I carry my gripped 5DII + 28-300L with the BlackRapid strap attached to the tripod collar.

[cliffwang]

I also use BR.  BR is rock.  As neuroanatomist mentioned, if you use tripod often, BR is not good for you.

[Hillsilly]

You often hear of the need for a strong strap, but do (reasonable quality) camera straps ever break or snap in the real world?  Ok, I'm sure it has happened, but what are the chances?

With my Mamiya RB67 (my biggest camera - weighing several KGs), I just used the Mamiya strap and apart from some fraying, it held up fine.  With my other cameras (including a 1Ds II with a variety of lenses), after much experimentation, I now just use Tamrac N-45s.  I like the Tamracs because they are longer than most straps and have a comfortable suede shoulder bit.  To me, they just feel good.  I know that traditional looking camera straps aren't that popular any more, but I like them and I think that's the key to camera strap shopping.  Find something that suits you, as you'll be the one wearing it.

[GuyF]

A colleague put me on to OP/Tech straps. He'd used one for years with a variety of gear. I got their Pro Loop strap a few years ago and have it attached to my 300mm f2.8 IS. So far no problems. The strap attaches to the lugs on the lens so there's less strain on the body. The spongey neoprene is comfortable and has little non-slip "bumps" on the underside.

http://optechusa.com/pro-strap.html

Guy.

[Marine03]

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Color-Carry-Speed-Camera/dp/B004G7RD6W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339153742&sr=8-1



I've used this since December and really like it, seems strong, is adjustable mounts in tripod mount but you can screw a tripod onto it, also has a back up fabric thing that ties onto another spot for add safety

[Mike Miami]

I use the op/tech CPS version connected to a C-loop which is then connected to a 1" Kirk clamp. That I will clamp onto the Kirk L-bracket which connects in 2 spots on the camera body (extra security) and not just the tripod socket.
Clamp disconnects quickly to remove strap for when using on a tripod or to connect to lens plate.
The neoprene op/tech strap is very comfortable. I had the BR rs7 but found it digging into my neck after a few hours of use - very well built and secure but not comfortable for me.
I can use the soft neoprene op/tech for hours with no neck gouging.
Now if Kirk can hurry and get their L bracket for the 5D3 w/ grip out I'll be in business.
I have been using the above setup with the 5D2 and 70-200 w/wo 2x. Have RRS lens plate connected to the lens so the neck strap easily connects to lens as well.

[sheedoe]

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Color-Carry-Speed-Camera/dp/B004G7RD6W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339153742&sr=8-1



I've used this since December and really like it, seems strong, is adjustable mounts in tripod mount but you can screw a tripod onto it, also has a back up fabric thing that ties onto another spot for add saf

"
+1 for the carry speed. I have the double strap and just love it. But buy from http://www.carryspeed.com/ website directly because they have the newer design with c3 plate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ncUUrZ3l6k&feature=player_embedded
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[neuroanatomist]

As neuroanatomist mentioned, if you use tripod often, BR is not good for you.

I don't think I mentioned that.  Personally, I have the BlackRapid FastenR-3 semi-permanently attached (with a little Loctite Blue) to a Kirk QRC-1 1" clamp, and I have Wimberley Arca-Swiss-type plates on bodies, and on lenses with tripod collars. That makes it very easy to switch the attachment point of the BR strap, or remove it and mount the camera/lens on a tripod or monopod (both of which have a Wimberley C-12 clamp).

[itsnotmeyouknow]

Whatever you do, don't get the Sun sniper one.  It comes with anti theft guarantees up to quite a small amount but it isn't secure.  I had my Pentax 645D on one for a while and it unscrewed itself twice (once falling into my hand as I was walking by a 200m cliff and another time in Brussels airport landing on a very hard floor).  Both times I was certain that I had screwed it in tightly, gave it a second chance but regretted it.  I am awaiting my 645D's return from Japan where it has had a repair the cost of which totals £1600.  I wouldn't recommend them to my worst enemy - even Ken Rockwell

I've used the Black Rapid straps and they are far far more secure.  At first I wasn't sure about them with my Canon, as I am used to the Pentax's two tripod lugs (1 on side 1 on bottom - the one on the side is perfect and makes it more comfortable than using the bottom one.

[Jim K]

I use a Black Rapid RS-7 strap attached to the lens foot of my 100-400.

Since I started with Manfrotto gear I still have some around. Using the Black Rapid FastenR T1 with the Manfrotto QR plate I can either hand hold the 100-400 or quickly mount it on the Manfrotto monopod head. Occasionally I mount the 100-400 on the old Manfrotto 055 tripod with the same QR plate. And the BR FastenR T1 makes removing the QR plate easy if I want to take it off.