Need help on neck/Shoulder Strap for camera body...!!!

[Halfrack]

Black Rapid deservedly has a lot of very happy users, and for good reason, it's an evolved design and they just work. I also use the quite amazing Spider Pro System http://www.spiderholster.com/ This gets the bodies off the neck & shoulder, and puts the weight on the hips. It's a great setup for events shooting and sports like track & field where I routinely shoot with 3 bodies, two of which travel on the Spider Pro belt. They are 1-Series bodies with 24-70 and another with 70-200. A 300 f/2.8 is on a third body on a monopod. I can RUN with this setup.

-PW

I have BR and Spider setups and am moving forward with the Spider's only.  Most straps don't allow for things like bending over, while the Spider doesn't give them the space beyond pivoting in place.  My only dislike was the plate that Spider uses - it put's a 'C' that two fingers have to fit through if you use your camera vertically.  So I actually ordered the F1 plate from CarrySpeed, the one that has the pin on a pivot - and it works great with the Spider holster.  I'm actually using mine with a Think Tank belt, so I can add a lens carrier and other accessories without having a backpack on.

Here's a list of vendors I pulled from other posts on the boards here:

http://www.carryspeed.com
http://spiderholster.com
http://www.customslr.com
http://www.upstrap-pro.com
http://www.holdfastgear.com
http://www.cottoncarrier.com/
http://luma-labs.com/products/cinch

ThinkTank, Lowepro, BlackRapid, Op/Tech, Crumpler

[RLPhoto]

Do anyone uses a neck/shoulder strap other than the one that comes w/the ESO bodies?  I'm looking for a more comfortable one and would like to know for those of you that uses one other than the one provided by Canon upon purchase of a camera body.  I also have a slight concern on the safety/strenght of some that have easy release clips/buckles.  Are they secure?  I'm shooting w/a 5D M2 and main usage is for walking around the city and vacation and I could use one that's more comforting to the neck.  Thanks for your input!

Black Rapid Straps. Done.

[picturesbyme]

I never use the factory ones either. If brand name is not the most important on your list look at these. As inexpensive they are the first 2 are my fav. I used them on 5D2s, 7D, 60D. They all have quick release.

The targus is very strong, an the neck part is really comfortable. Adjustable length easily can make it a shoulder or neck strap. Has a little extra pocket for an SD card but fit a CF too.. The vivitar has a stretchy neoprene material, which acts as a shock absorber. Great for my neck and it's very easy to remove or adjust. 
The LP worth a look too.


http://www.shopping.com/targus-targus-digital-tg-dwss-wide-shoulder/info

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?is=REG&Q=&A=details&O=productlist&sku=740460

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1AR0E68309

[brad-man]

See link below It is not neck strap but definitely will decrease the load from your neck. I'm using it and it is best thing I bought for carrying Pro body with heavy lens. It is expensive but worth it.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/836943-REG/Cotton_Carrier_124_RTL_D_Camera_Vest_for_All.html
They have few other product that you might check on.

Looks mighty efficient, and I bet the girls go crazy for that Robocop look...

[Quasimodo]

See link below It is not neck strap but definitely will decrease the load from your neck. I'm using it and it is best thing I bought for carrying Pro body with heavy lens. It is expensive but worth it.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/836943-REG/Cotton_Carrier_124_RTL_D_Camera_Vest_for_All.html
They have few other product that you might check on.

See that looks safer to me since you don't have to worry about it flying out and hitting somebody. A bit out of my price range currently but looks nice.

I have not read the whole thread, but I have myself just ordered two Black Rapid RS 7 with the additional strap to secure it even better and two pockets to extra battery and memory card. Hence I have no real experience with it, but after reading alot about different options, this one looked like the right one for me. It was that or the double Spider holster, but the latter looked too professional to me (given that this is not my main job, and I have maybe ten small jobs during the year). However, the idea with the Spider hoster to get all the weight on your hips rather than on your shoulder was tempting.

Getting my Black Rapids on Monday or Tuesday and looking forward to get rid of my Canon straps, and not having to remove the strap whenever you want to take a picture:)

[dswtan]

The popularity of BR is undeniable in this thread and similar others and best wishes to all, but I want to add another shout-out for the less common Op/Tech. They work well for my needs (serious amateur, not pro), are very flexible (reconfigurable/modular), and have proven to be secure in my experience (2yrs owning).

I see some people worry about plastic clips, but I think I see similar clips are also used on the modular BR RS-7 -- and on military equipment such as helmets. I have also dealt with a fair amount of metal fatigue in my time, so metal clips can fail too.

The main thing that drew me to Op/Tech was the flexibility for rapid use on a tripod -- I want to minimize any excuses I might have to use a tripod as often as posisble (I'm mostly landscape/nature), and I couldn't find any good quick solutions for BR or others with Arca plates.

Op/Tech allows me to have a permanent L-plate, handstrap (3rd party), and completely configurable sling and neck strap -- and it's low cost too (though this was not the main driver, personally). 

I have no affiliation with Op/Tech -- just a happy customer!

[Dylan777]

agree on RS-7....I don't even know where my Canon neck strap now a day.

[brianleighty]

The popularity of BR is undeniable in this thread and similar others and best wishes to all, but I want to add another shout-out for the less common Op/Tech. They work well for my needs (serious amateur, not pro), are very flexible (reconfigurable/modular), and have proven to be secure in my experience (2yrs owning).

I see some people worry about plastic clips, but I think I see similar clips are also used on the modular BR RS-7 -- and on military equipment such as helmets. I have also dealt with a fair amount of metal fatigue in my time, so metal clips can fail too.

The main thing that drew me to Op/Tech was the flexibility for rapid use on a tripod -- I want to minimize any excuses I might have to use a tripod as often as posisble (I'm mostly landscape/nature), and I couldn't find any good quick solutions for BR or others with Arca plates.

Op/Tech allows me to have a permanent L-plate, handstrap (3rd party), and completely configurable sling and neck strap -- and it's low cost too (though this was not the main driver, personally). 

I have no affiliation with Op/Tech -- just a happy customer!

Thanks for that suggestion. I might try them out. BR is too expensive to just try out but these are cheap enough to see if I even like it. The reviews on Amazon all seem pretty good too. Thanks for the suggestion.

[canon23]

Thanks All for all your feed back thus far.  There seems to be a few very good products.  I do have a question for anyone who has ever used the Carry Speed sling strap.  They seem to be a newer company.  Has anyone ever used either the FS-SLIM Camera Sling Strap with F-1 Foldable Mounting Plate or the FS-PRO camera sling strap with F-1 foldable mounting plate version?  If so, please identify which one you've used and on what camera body and what's your opinion of it?  Thanks alot!

[jalbfb]

Another vote for Black Rapid.  RS-7 is what I use.

[7enderbender]

Only because I don't think anyone has mentioned them yet:

I had the Domke 1.5" strap with swivel carabiners first. It's ok but not great, especially since the wide version is not available without the swivel thingies.

I then found the Crumpler strap without clips. It's nice, wide and comfortable - and unsuspicious looking. Only negative is that it gets tangled more easily when stored. Not a big deal though.

I personally decided against anything that is attached to the tripod socket of the battery grip only.

[ScottyP]

We use "The Cinch" by Luma Labs.  The length is easily adjustable so that the camera can be held securely close to your body when your not using it.  My girl friend and I have them on several cameras.

+1,000!
I use the Cinch Strap by Luma Labs too, and it is a fantastic shoulder sling.  Diifferent from all the others, in a way I really appreciate.  http://luma-labs.com/products/cinch

1.)  It is more secure because it mounts on TWO points instead of just one.  It cannot "twirl" as easily if it is attached at 2 points instead of just dangling by one point, if you picture that.
2.)  The titular "CINCH-ing" action is brilliant.  Slack it out for room to shoot with.  Snug it up tight for secure walking around.
3.)  They now have a "membrane connector"  so you can leave any tripod plate mounted at all times while also having the strap connected.  Even if your tripod plate is just a solid piece with no strap slot.  http://luma-labs.com/products/m-connect

[OliverO]

I like the Camdapter system: a tripod mounting plate, hand strap, and shoulder strap that work together. One end of the shoulder strap attaches to the camera's normal strap lug and the other to the tripod mounting plate.
I like handstraps because I have small hands, and the strap feels like it gives me a more secure grip on the camera. And the shoulder strap lets the camera hang comfortably at hip level (or wherever you adjust it to), with the lens pointing down. The tripod mounting plate is available in versions compatible with Arca Swiss, Manfrotto, and maybe another brand or two. The handstrap and the padded part of the shoulder strap are leather, and are available in black, several shades of brown, and even some more interesting designs with rhinestones or snakeskin. I find it comfortable enough to carry a 5D3 with a 70-300 lens attached.

[neuroanatomist]

The Camdapter looks great - if my bodies didn't already have two lugs (7D is gripped), and I didn't already have a pair of E1 Handstraps, I'd use that system.

[RustyTheGeek]

I wrote a nice reply with lots of good info and other ideas not already stated here but no matter what I do, I can't post it.  All I get is "Access Denied - Security Block" or a 403 Error.  If I preview it, all I see is "Fetching Preview..."
I've tried logging in and out, different browsers, whatever.  Just this message took hours to post.  I give up.  Bummer.  What a waste of time.