Any R-Strap Users?

Iota

I was looking to replace the strap that came with my Rebel and came across the RS-4 product in another forum. It's a bit pricier than an OP/Tech strap, but at least from the pictures/video it looks to be a bit better in build quality. The extra pockets on the sling are an added bonus.

Just curious if anyone was using one....

Link to video intro: http://www.blackrapid.com/video/r-strap-instructions/

-Iota

Seefutlung

I use one. It is a very well made strap and works as advertised. My only complaint is working with two cameras can be a bit awkward. (Rapid makes a two camera strap which looks a bit unwieldly.)

Gary

Ric Grupe

OP/TECH straps are very well made. I have one that has had a pro body and 400mm lens hanging from it for years now. No complaints and quite comfortable.

cbbr

I have 2 Rapidstraps and love them. They are very well made and have room for an extra battery or 2, a few memory cards and a Nikon remote each. That's what lives in both of mine anyway.

Scott_Quier

I've used one with one camera and, when I was shooting weddings, I had two on at a time ... each with it's own camera. They work very, very well.

pmbpro

I bought the single R-strap (with that pocket for memory cards/cell phone, etc) over a year ago and it's fantastic!

I had since gotten a back-up camera, so I now shoot with two at certain events (to especially avoid changing lenses on one camera). I subsequently bought the Double strap version and was recently in Los Angeles at a 4-day convention. I've worn the gear all day shooting at that event and had absolutely no problem with it!

An FYI for the women on this forum: I'm a female, so it fit me quite well in the chest area too (which was an initial concern).

I also loved being hands-free at moments when networking, handing out business cards, signing stuff, etc., then quickly going back to shooting.

I've done some successful DIY projects for photography supplies and all, but I wasn't comfortable doing that for straps and didn't have the time, so didn't bother. I figured a company with the tools and materials would do a much better job than me for what I needed, so I didn't mind the price with these straps.

As far as I'm concerned, whatever hardware/camera gear I've ever bought, these straps (Single or Double) were the best purchases I ever made.

Paula

Zerodog

It is a HUGE upgrade from a conventional strap. I love my R-strap. For walking around you can't beat it.

craig_d

I think just about any camera strap that you actually have to pay for will be an improvement over the nasty things the camera companies give you for free when you buy a camera. I use a LowePro Voyager S and I'm happy with it.

rookieshooter

<-------- satisfied R-strap user.

My only gripes are as follows.

1. No quick release mechanism. This is good since it's safer but it would be nice if there were a snap installed in the strap itself for when I need to get the camera down low.

2. The attachment mechanism that screws into the bracket in the camera comes loose over time. There have been instances where I've checked it and it was one or two turns away from coming loose, which concerns me. So now I'm constantly checking it to make sure it's screwed in tightly.

Toshido

rookieshooter wrote:

<

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satisfied R-strap user.

My only gripes are as follows.

1. No quick release mechanism. This is good since it's safer but it would be nice if there were a snap installed in the strap itself for when I need to get the camera down low.

2. The attachment mechanism that screws into the bracket in the camera comes loose over time. There have been instances where I've checked it and it was one or two turns away from coming loose, which concerns me. So now I'm constantly checking it to make sure it's screwed in tightly.

Try a dab of blue loctite on the screw. It is a removable loctite, just make sure you do not get the permament (RED) loctite.
Even red loctite can come off though, but much easier on big screws and with heat.

The blue stuff should be just fine to hold it in place.


if that scares you too much, put some teflon tape on the screw. Should help hold it in place as well.

GSPeP

Also a very satisfied R-strap user.

Just spent last saturday from 8:30am till 6:30pm taking pictures of our local carnival with a 5DII incl. battery grip + 28-300L IS + 580EX flash. No problems at all. With a neck strap I would have had back problems.

Mav

Another very satisfied R-Strap user - feel much happier walking around all day with the camera on the r-strap. I would highly recommend it

davemj98

Satisfied user
I carry my @900 w/VG and 70-200 and 58 Flash all day with no problem
Dave

Rhuarc

I have been looking at getting the R-Strap for a birthday present for myself. My only concern is that the only way to mount the strap to the camera is using the tripod mount.

1) Is this really safe? I have read various things that say the tripod mount is not meant to be a weight bearing point for a camera to be swinging around from, etc... Also, if I am using a grip for my 40D I would think the tripod connector on the grip is not as stable. Has anyone figured out a way to adapt the R-Strap for use with the regular camera strap mounts?

2) Because it uses the tripod mount, does this make shooting difficult if you are wanting to use a tripod? It seems to me like you would be quite often having to unscrew the R-Strap mount and put back on a QR plate.

It seems that R-Strap has some sort of a different connector you can purchase. http://www.blackrapid.com/product/hardware/connectr/

I guess I could use this along with a regular split steel ring on the camera strap mounts. I have also looked at the Luma strap system since they offer a way to connect the camera to the regular mounts, but I like the expansion pockets that are available on the R-Strap.

Thanks!

Iota

Thanks for the info.. I think I'm definitely getting the 4 or 5.


Rhuarc, I actually have have a RC2 quick release plate on my camera w/grip (and 70/200L lens for that matter) that ties into my tripod/monopod at all times. It as a D-ring on the bottom that I'd actually attach the R-Strap to in both cases rather than using their screw in button. Here's a picture of the base plate I'm talking about.

I haven't heard about the concerns about putting weight on the tripod mount, but given the success stories previously mentioned, I'm sure if there was an issue we'd have heard about it.

-Iota

Rhuarc

Iota wrote:

Thanks for the info.. I think I'm definitely getting the 4 or 5.


Rhuarc, I actually have have a RC2 quick release plate on my camera w/grip (and 70/200L lens for that matter) that ties into my tripod/monopod at all times. It as a D-ring on the bottom that I'd actually attach the R-Strap to in both cases rather than using their screw in button. Here's a picture of the base plate I'm talking about.

I haven't heard about the concerns about putting weight on the tripod mount, but given the success stories previously mentioned, I'm sure if there was an issue we'd have heard about it.

-Iota

Thanks for the suggestion! I had actually considered that, because I have the same QR plates. My major concern with that is that the D ring on those QR plates do not go the who way through the plate. The only go into each side a small amount. (Not sure how much, but I would guess not much more than a 3/16" at the most) I would be afraid that over time this D ring could pull apart and the ends would come out of the holes. Call me paranoid!

I think I'm def going to get this though. Even if I don't end up using the tripod mount, I'm sure i can make it work somehow!

ziggy53

Iota wrote:

...


Rhuarc, I actually have have a RC2 quick release plate on my camera w/grip (and 70/200L lens for that matter) that ties into my tripod/monopod at all times. It as a D-ring on the bottom that I'd actually attach the R-Strap to in both cases rather than using their screw in button. Here's a picture of the base plate I'm talking about.

...

I highly recommend "not" using a common D-ring tightener bail for suspension of a camera and lens. You can test it for yourself but most of these are mild steel and you can pull the "D" off pretty easily with your hands. Contact the manufacturer to be sure that the part will handle your needs.

If you go with the Rapid "R" system you really need to also use their "FastenR" device to attach to the camera.

Alternately, you might consider the OpTech dual strap:

http://www.adorama.com/OTDHR.html?searchinfo=dual+camera+strap
http://www.optechusa.com/product/detail/?PRODUCT_ID=87

This system uses the camera strap attachments and allows you to use whatever quick release system you want on the bottom of the camera. The OpTech system also allows more configurations and is cheaper.

Rhuarc

ziggy53 wrote:

I highly recommend "not" using a common D-ring tightener bail for suspension of a camera and lens. You can test it for yourself but most of these are mild steel and you can pull the "D" off pretty easily with your hands. Contact the manufacturer to be sure that the part will handle your needs.

If you go with the Rapid "R" system you really need to also use their "FastenR" device to attach to the camera.

Alternately, you might consider the OpTech dual strap:

http://www.adorama.com/OTDHR.html?searchinfo=dual+camera+strap
http://www.optechusa.com/product/detail/?PRODUCT_ID=87

This system uses the camera strap attachments and allows you to use whatever quick release system you want on the bottom of the camera. The OpTech system also allows more configurations and is cheaper.

Thanks for the confirmation ziggy! After checking out the Optech site I actually think I am going to go with the R-Strap system, but then pick up a system connect from OpTech to use with the regular straps connectors on the camera. This will give me the best of both worlds.

Iota

Rhuarc wrote:

Thanks for the confirmation ziggy! After checking out the Optech site I actually think I am going to go with the R-Strap system, but then pick up a system connect from OpTech to use with the regular straps connectors on the camera. This will give me the best of both worlds.

Point noted, Ziggy.

My camera QR is actually a Camdapter which has an extra loop bar . When I get my R-Strap, I'll see if the connector will connect on to it. If so, that might be an option Rhuarc. (I love the camdapter)

http://camdapter.com/product_manfrotto_std.html

Zerodog

I have one of these Kirk camera plates attached to my D300s all the time.



I have a loop of nylon climbing webbing through that machined loop on the plate. I hook the R strap to the webbing. Good to go. You could swing from it. Using this attaching method, you can put your camera down, use a tripod, and never have it unscrew from the camera accidentally. The little R connector is cool. But it has some real limitations. I also have the Kirk foot for my 80-200 and have a loop of webbing to use with it too.

bakahage

Live in Japan and just bought the RS-7 direct from Black Rapid last week. Strap got here today and have to say that it is night and day from the "in the box" strap that comes with your camera. Also bought an extra connector for use on the tripod mount for my 70-200 2.8IS and must say I was surprised at how balanced it felt walking around.

Have only had it a day, but thus far am impressed with the service, build quality, and fell of the strap.