Simple strap mod for larger lenses

pyry

I've got a little mod that I hope you'll find useful.

I've been using a LowePro Speedster quick-release strap for quite a while. I also like to 'wear' the camera over the shoulder, behind my back. That's all very nice, but doesn't really work with a big heavy lens like my L-trombone.

A couple of weeks ago I finally did something to that problem. I bought another strap and a cheap carabiner hook for about 12 euro total.

Here's the setup:


A Manfrotto quick-release plate (had one already) goes on the tripod collar on the lens. The hook attaches to the hoop used to tighten the plate's screw and then an extra end of the strap to the hook. Et Voilá, I can now attach my strap to the camera and the lens. And it sits comfortably behind my back now.

Like this:





The camera stays put where it is and my hands are completely free, but with the quick releases I can still get to it. And now it's surprisingly comfortable

If you've got questions, ask away!

PS. I feel I'll have start the joking about the focus (it's my IR-camera, has front focusing...) and the mess in my kitchen :rofl

claudermilk

I have a slightly different approach. On the right side, you see the strap lug on the bottom of your battery grip. I use that one with my Op/Tech Pro Loop. Then with lenses from 24-70 through the 100-400 so far it works very well. The camera hangs with the lens facing straight down along the leg. I can even leave a monopod attached since I use the Manfrotto 3232 head, so it runs along the bottom of the lens & is *just* longer so will take a hit before the lens if disaster strikes. I've hung the rig both with & without the monopod all day & it works well.

pyry

claudermilk wrote:

I have a slightly different approach. On the right side, you see the strap lug on the bottom of your battery grip. I use that one with my Op/Tech Pro Loop. Then with lenses from 24-70 through the 100-400 so far it works very well. The camera hangs with the lens facing straight down along the leg. I can even leave a monopod attached since I use the Manfrotto 3232 head, so it runs along the bottom of the lens & is *just* longer so will take a hit before the lens if disaster strikes. I've hung the rig both with & without the monopod all day & it works well.

I specifically wanted to avoid having lens pointing down, hence the attachment to the lens. This way Precious doesn't get kicked around as much when the going gets rough.

It is an option though.

Photoskipper

Great idea but I am a bit concern the excessive stress on the lens mount and the body.
As we know the weakest point in the SLR system is the lens mount. If we hang the lens and the body to each end of the strap, the bending force on the mount may be high.
I usually use the 2kg 70-200 F2.8 IS on the older 300D body to enjoy the 1.6X tele conversion while using the 5D with 24-105 F4 as my primary camera for the field work.

As the 300D body is much lighter, I do not use it to hang the weight of the lens. I would to hold the lens by hand for standby. If I need to spare my hands for the 5D and put the 300D with the heavy lens standby, I use the mounting plate of the tripod collar to hook it on the belt or one of the loop in the Lowepro vest with the strap cross my shoulder to secure the camera and lens.

ziggy53

pyry wrote:

...

A Manfrotto quick-release plate (had one already) goes on the tripod collar on the lens. The hook attaches to the hoop used to tighten the plate's screw and then an extra end of the strap to the hook. ...

I am terribly concerned that the "D" ring of the Manfrotto quick-release plate is not designed to handle this load, and may give without warning.

The only thing I would suspend from that ring is the plate itself, nothing heavy and certainly nothing valuable.

I believe the concept is good. Perhaps a replacement screw and appendage could be created to provide proper structural strength. I suggest you show a machinist the parts and the application and see what they come up with.

pyry

Photoskipper wrote:

Great idea but I am a bit concern the excessive stress on the lens mount and the body.
As we know the weakest point in the SLR system is the lens mount. If we hang the lens and the body to each end of the strap, the bending force on the mount may be high.

I use the mounting plate of the tripod collar to hook it on the belt or one of the loop in the Lowepro vest with the strap cross my shoulder to secure the camera and lens.

The lens mount is not stressed much - the strap isn't that tight. There'd be more load on it if hanged down with both ends of the strap on the camera. And the mount can take that too. The reason I did this is I need my hands free a lot when I'm trekking around outdoors, hanging by the lip of the collar isn't an option.

ziggy53 wrote:

I am terribly concerned that the "D" ring of the Manfrotto quick-release plate is not designed to handle this load, and may give without warning.

It's actually pretty solid. I admit it's not meant for hanging stuff, but it can take people over-tightening the screw with it - and that is a lot of load.

It's not optimal for the job however for another reason. The combination of the hook and the D-loop does not rotate freely and that can if twisted enough start to unscrew the plate. I'm probably going to replace it for this reason alone, when I find a good part.

I've had this setup with me for two short hikes now. It's held without issues so far *knocking wood*.

Thanks for your comments and for bringing up good points!

DJ-S1

Looks like a home version of the Black Rapid discussed here? I believe that they say you can use QR plate D-ring, but they sell their own adapter as well.

pyry

DJ-S1 wrote:

Looks like a home version of the Black Rapid discussed here? I believe that they say you can use QR plate D-ring, but they sell their own adapter as well.

Looks very similar indeed! That adapter bit looks like it might just do what I want it to. Thanks for the tip!

ziggy53

pyry wrote:

Looks very similar indeed! That adapter bit looks like it might just do what I want it to. Thanks for the tip!

The adapter screw looks like an excellent idea.

Nikolai

Love the idea!
I checked the adapter, and while it's cool, paying $12 + $6 s/h makes it a "thinker".
Instead I think I can simply purchase a sturdy L plate from the hardware store, drill a couple of holes, use one of the tripod-type screews, and the whole thing will become one of my "less-than-$5-DIY-weekend" projects

Nikolai

I knew it wouldn't take me long to figure out a simple/cheap way of doing it .
The thing is - I always have long QR plate attached to the ring.

And lo and behold: zero cost 1 minute DIY lens strap: just rearrange the pro-loop strap end-point:

1: DIY lens strap:



2: DIY lens strap:



Well, to be perfectly honest, I had a spare strap, so I didn't take the original endpoint off the camera, but even if I didn't, it would simply take me an extra minute

PS
AND I had a chance to use my gels :ivar

pyry

Nikolai wrote:

I knew it wouldn't take me long to figure out a simple/cheap way of doing it .
The thing is - I always have long QR plate attached to the ring.

That QR-plate looks pretty sturdy! And unlike the $12 FastenR and other L-shaped bits of metal is unlikely to be a pain in the back.

What/whose plate is that exactly?

Nikolai wrote:

Well, to be perfectly honest, I had a spare strap, so I didn't take the original endpoint off the camera, but even if I didn't, it would simply take me an extra minute

I like how those ends work. Un- and then re-doing speedster strap ends begins with the tee kettle

Nikolai wrote:

PS
AND I had a chance to use my gels :ivar

Seriously good looking shots btw. Have I mentioned before I'm envious of your setup?

I was laughing at the cart full of gear in one your Conveyor threads though, there's always a price ain't there?

Nikolai

pyry wrote:

That QR-plate looks pretty sturdy! And unlike the $12 FastenR and other L-shaped bits of metal is unlikely to be a pain in the back.

Totally! No extra weight (I mean, come on, a weigth of a strap end?), no metal parts... I loved it so much I decided to leave it there, it's very comphy!

What/whose plate is that exactly?

It's one of the Wimberley's... Been awhile, don't remember the SKU

Seriously good looking shots btw. Have I mentioned before I'm envious of your setup?

Thanks!

I was laughing at the cart full of gear in one your Conveyor threads though, there's always a price ain't there?

I've ordered a large transport case, maybe it'll look less ridiculous next time :-)

pyry

Nikolai wrote:

Totally! No extra weight (I mean, come on, a weigth of a strap end?), no metal parts... I loved it so much I decided to leave it there, it's very comphy!

Yay, my idea is useful!

Nikolai wrote:

It's one of the Wimberley's... Been awhile, don't remember the SKU

Found it, it's another 'thinker'.

Nikolai wrote:

I've ordered a large transport case, maybe it'll look less ridiculous next time :-)

It's gonna have to be the size of Space Ball One!
Remember to put the bumper sticker "We brake for nobody" on the back of it

Nikolai

pyry wrote:

Yay, my idea is useful!

It's gonna have to be the size of Space Ball One!
Remember to put the bumper sticker "We brake for nobody" on the back of it

That's could be a perfect place for one of them sm stickies...

claudermilk

Huh, why the reverse mount? Anyway, another interesting way of mounting. I personally don't think there's any dangerous stress on the lens mounts (at least with xxD or xD bodies + 70-200/2.8's or (guessing here) the 100-400 as Nikolai showed--they're meant to hold that much. As for kicking around with my method, it really doesn't--the rig hangs right alongside my leg & doesn't bounce much at all; no ill effects after many days like that.

rpcrowe

I do it a bit differently...
I will carry one camera with a shorter lens (sometimes two cameras with two different lenses of shorter focal lengths) around my neck on an OPTECH Reporter Strap which facilitates the carrying of two bodies without getting them tangled. The camera/lens combination I most often use is the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS on a 30D.

I carry a longer lens (most often a 70-200mm f/4L IS) on a 350D at my left side in a holster case. The lens is equipped with a screw-in lens hood and an OPTECH Hood Hat in lieu of the standard OEM hood and lens cap. I also have a hand grip on this camera.

It is very easy to reach into the case, slip my hand through the hand-strap and remove the camera to shoot. I may or may not have the Hood Hat on the lens (depending if I have been using the camera or not).

My wife has sewn a velcro tab across the left shoulder of my shooting vest to keep the strap in place and I usually slip the belt loop of the Think Tank holster case through the adjustment tab of the vest.

The holster case doesn't swing around, keeps the camera and lens well protected and getting the camera into operation is quicker than describing how to do it.

I will also often use two long lenses in basically the same set up. I will carry the 70-200mm f/4L IS on a strap and the 300mm f/4L IS in the holster case. I switched from a Tamrac Zoom 19 to a Think Tank holster case because it can adjust in length to accommodate a camera with a long lens such as the 300mm f/4L IS.