Camera Sling
- Thread starter Coolhandchuck
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pwp said:
I have never had one break, it was docholliday that mentioned having Manfrotto plates crack. I also used the RC2 system for years. More times than I care to remember, I found that the spring loaded clamp had not properly seated (after the click) and that my camera/lens was being precariously held in place. Fortunately, I always discovered the condition before anything bad happened. Does that sound like user error? You bet it was. Nevertheless, the fact that it happened more than once made me uncomfortable with the setup. I'm glad you are happy with the system and wish you all the luck with it. My user error aside, I do not feel it is a strong enough or secure enough system. It is why I went through the expense to switch to the Arca system.
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Loswr
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pwp said:
There's a much better way, the BlackRapid FastenR-T1. It came out after that YouTube video, though. It's a replacement for the D-ring on the Manfrotto RC2 plate, one that's designed to carry a load.
I used that system for a while, I far prefer the Arca-Swiss setup I now use.
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neuroanatomist said:
Agreed, that's a far more elegant, simple solution. Nice.
BTW, what is it that makes the Arca-Swiss system attract such devoted fervor when compared to the Manfrotto 234RC Monopod head & RC2?
Am I missing something? Or is it a treatable case of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)
-pw
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pwp said:
One thing is that you can slide the foot back and forth in clamp to get the balance right.
Jim
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Jim Saunders said:
OK. I'll give a quick and probably incomplete list of reasons:
1) As Jim said, adjustable balance on the fly.
2) Plates are more comfortable to hold on the lens collar and less obtrusive on the camera while being non-rotational.
3) Quieter to engage/disengage.
4) Strong as a vice (because it is a vice).
5) Non-proprietary. There are ballheads out there other than Manfrotto's. I tend to favor Markins and Acratech, while many here like the Really Right Stuff models. Oh yea, I hear there's even a company called Arca-Swiss that makes some really nice heads
The point is interchangeability. Hope this helps.
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Loswr
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pwp said:
Honestly, if the only thing you're using is a monopod with a 'light' lens (e.g. 100-400L), the 234RC is quite good. On a ballhead, the RC2 plates have some play inside the clamp even when 'locked down'. There's no risk of it coming loose (thanks to the secondary locking pin), but the play makes precise positioning more challenging, and I suspect it's a source of potential vibration. Not showstopping issues, but annoying.
However, the real benefit to the Arca-Swiss system is compatibility. With AS plates, I can switch from monopod head to ballhead to gimbal head to macro rail, attach a flash bracket, connect one of my BR straps or the Arca attachment for my SpiderPro holster, etc. With AS plates, i can buy them from several vendors (Wimberley, RRS, Kirk), and they work with clamps/heads with multiple choices from several high quality vendors. With the RC2 plate/clamp setup, options are very limited. Want to use an L-bracket? Manfrotto doesn't make dedicated ones, and their universal RC2 L-bracket, frankly, sucks. Want to use a gimbal head? Say you get Manfrotto's...does your RC2 plate work on it? Nope, you need a different one of their proprietary plates, the 357PVL (the plate for their video heads). Their very nice 410 geared head? Needs yet a different Manfrotto plate, the RC4.
Bottom line, if you have a few plates and just a ballhead and tilt head, the RC2 system is ok. But the AS system has a robust design with no play when locked, and more importantly, offers the flexibility to grow as your needs change.
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Thanks Neuro. Makes good sense. I do use Manfrotto 234RC Monopod head & RC2 only with monopods.
For tripods I switch to Manfrotto RC4 Quick Release plate. I rarely find I'm switching between the two on the same project.
I have a choice, lighten the load in my wallet with the obvious benefit of lightening the load in my camera bag pockets and taste the advantages of Arca-Swiss compatibility.
-pw
For tripods I switch to Manfrotto RC4 Quick Release plate. I rarely find I'm switching between the two on the same project.
I have a choice, lighten the load in my wallet with the obvious benefit of lightening the load in my camera bag pockets and taste the advantages of Arca-Swiss compatibility.
-pw
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pwp said:
Sorry...a bit late, but I've been on a shoot...they were genuine ones, straight from Bogen/Manfrotto. On one of their own heads and tripods. The plates cracked when locking down on the Manfrotto head. I missed it the first time and the camera fell (luckily, it was spread low, so it only dropped about 2' to the dirt). The other time, I heard the QR lock make a not so normal "pop" and caught the camera on the way down. It was a 203FE with a 350/5.6 Sonnar Superachromat - QR plate mounted on tripod RING, not the 203 body, so the weight was well balanced.
The tripod spider shattered on another occasion while spread out during a timed exposure (about 3 minutes in, I heard a "pop" and watched the rig collapse over). That was with a 203FE and 110/2 FE, so not that much weight. The temperature was only ~20F, so not the most extreme conditions. My comment should have said "plus, I don't use the Manfrotto QR system anymore".
Switched to AS plates, AS Z1 DP head, Gitzo carbon tripods, Optech sling straps and haven't had any problems since, even when colder and with heavier loads, both Hasselblad and 1Ds3...
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I cannot recommend BlackRapid straps because they scratch the paint off of your camera IME.
see http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=18131.0
for my experience with it and my comparison of BR/CarrySpeed.
I currently use and love CarrySpeed FS-Pro.
If I could choose again, I might get the FS-Slim -- same exact thing except the main neoprene strap is not as wide. It would be slightly easier to cram into a small bag.
see http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=18131.0
for my experience with it and my comparison of BR/CarrySpeed.
I currently use and love CarrySpeed FS-Pro.
If I could choose again, I might get the FS-Slim -- same exact thing except the main neoprene strap is not as wide. It would be slightly easier to cram into a small bag.
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Since posting, I decided to try getting the FastenR-T1 over my previous plate adapter setup and after using it for a while, I have decided that I like my older setup better than the FastenR-T1. I find myself taking the camera on and off the strap quite often, whether to mount it to a monopod/tripod or to give it to someone to take my picture or to take it off when I sit down (and I dont want it in my lap...say to drive). Taking the camera off the plate adapter is much easier than negotiating the clip and loop (because the loop never stays still, it is difficult to keep the clip open while stabilizing the loop...while holding the camera). Someone mentioned the FastenR-T1 as the more elegant option...In my experience, I respectfully disagree (maybe that person was stating that it looks more elegant, which I can see, but in practice, not so much).
As far as paint rubbing off, I don't have that problem, but I think the reason why is that I always have a tripod plate attached and the moving parts of the BR strap never touch my camera.
As far as paint rubbing off, I don't have that problem, but I think the reason why is that I always have a tripod plate attached and the moving parts of the BR strap never touch my camera.
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Loswr
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ikirumata said:
Your original post implies that you were attaching the BR carabiner directly to the D-ring on the RC2 plate. If so, that's a really bad idea, as that ring isn't designed to bear a load - that's the point of replacing the RC2 D-ring with the FastenR-T1.
Functionally, there should be no difference between the RC2 stock D-ring and the FastenR-T1, in terms of how you attach the strap or how you connect to a Manfrotto head - I don't understand your issue with the BR -T1 if you're using the Manfrotto plate ring.
Here's a post showing why using the RC2's D-ring is a bad idea, with pics:
http://community.the-digital-picture.com/showthread.php?t=3727&p=39095&viewfull=1#post39095
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Another vote for BR
I have had both the similar Carry Speed and Black Rapid products. I spent about 2 years with each before giving away the CS to a friend, it just didn't have the ease of use, smooth sliding and shoulder staying power I needed. It worked don't get me wrong and it didn't have more failure points than the BR but it just didn't stay put as well with the picking up and putting down motion. The strap stops aren't as nice on the CS either imho.
I have had both the similar Carry Speed and Black Rapid products. I spent about 2 years with each before giving away the CS to a friend, it just didn't have the ease of use, smooth sliding and shoulder staying power I needed. It worked don't get me wrong and it didn't have more failure points than the BR but it just didn't stay put as well with the picking up and putting down motion. The strap stops aren't as nice on the CS either imho.
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