Black Rapid Classic Camera Sling

Finally purchased and have been using for 2 months now one of these camera straps. The camera sits on the hip rather than the chest and so there is no tiredness in the neck from the weight of the camera after an hour or so. Access to take a photo is great as the camera slides along the strap when raised. At first I was nervous about the camera hanging uncovered at my hip but completely relaxed about that now and I'm finding that I am now carrying my camera more often.

I can't believe I took so long to get one of these and ditch my camera's original strap.

I heartily recommend this product when out and about using a single lens.

How does it work for verticals? I bought an Op/Tech sling strap and used it for about a week before tossing it. Whenever I tried to turn the camera to vertical position the strap would get in the way. I was constantly fighting with it. 

 

--Ron

Just as well as with horizontals. The strap has enough give in it for it not to interfere with your attempted positioning of the camera and the connecting mechanism allows the camera to easily slip to vertical.

The extent to which verticals work as well as horizontal shots is shown by the fact that I could not remember any difference between the two and, faced with your question, had to go back to the strap to see if I could find a difference. I couldn't.

The difference is that the Op/Tech stupidly enough is attached to the strap eyelet, so it gets in the way of the finder unless you hold the camera like a point and shoot with the grip down in vertical shots. If you have a L-plate or arca-swiss QR plate on the camera and attach to that eyelet, the Op/Tech will work much better and more like a Black Rapid.

 

/Peter

Finally purchased and have been using for 2 months now one of these camera straps. The camera sits on the hip rather than the chest and so there is no tiredness in the neck from the weight of the camera after an hour or so. Access to take a photo is great as the camera slides along the strap when raised. At first I was nervous about the camera hanging uncovered at my hip but completely relaxed about that now and I'm finding that I am now carrying my camera more often.

I can't believe I took so long to get one of these and ditch my camera's original strap.

I heartily recommend this product when out and about using a single lens.

I have been using one for a few months as well, but I bought the additional strap so I have belt and braces. Great system and would recomend it.

funny peculiar, thanks for the additional info on the Black Rapid. I know a few other people who like this strap.

 

However, I've also heard some concerns voiced about stress on the tripod boss on either the camera or battery pack when using a Black Rapid (or similar strap). 

 

Merco_61, you're absolutely right about the Op/Tech. In fact they suggest connecting it to a QR plate, provided the plate has a strap loop. Not all of them do. 

 

--Ron

I've got 2 RS-7s (curves), love 'em. Have used it heaps with the 70-200 attached, in which case you attach the strap to the lens, not the camera. Have not had any trouble with anything whatsoever. But I have read of some coming loose, so I always check that it's tight when I put it on, good habit and reassuring. No probs!

 

Can go all day with the 70-200 on a D300s, would hate to do that with the neck strap.

I always check that the connection is properly screwed in as I depart home.  

 

I can't remember where I read it but when researching these straps before buying one I did see one author assert that he had heard the same rumour about risk to the tripod bush and, investigating, found it to be untrue with no reported cases.  I'm not saying that by way of guarantee, but it was good enough for me.

I always check that the connection is properly screwed in as I depart home.  

 

I can't remember where I read it but when researching these straps before buying one I did see one author assert that he had heard the same rumour about risk to the tripod bush and, investigating, found it to be untrue with no reported cases.  I'm not saying that by way of guarantee, but it was good enough for me.

 

I'm not sure where I read it either. Maybe the same place. In any case, I'll be taking a closer look at the Black Rapid strap.

 

--Ron

I'm sure you won't regret it.

I like the Black Rapid...been using it for awhile now - I usually have my D600 with a 24-70 attached.  I don't leave the strap on any particular body, so when I'm setting up at a site, I'll put it on and be sure it is tight before I start shooting...I also check it occasionally throughout the shoot...never had an issue with it getting loose.  I do the same if I use it with the 70-200 - attach to the tripod base of the lens.  This weekend I picked up two Op/Tech Classic straps and am going to give them a shot too.  While it isn't too often, I sometimes like to have all 3 bodies available and wanted to get away from the basic Nikon strap that I'm not too fond of.  I chose the Op/Tech straps because of the disconnect they have.  Good size clips so you don't have to have the strap on all the time.  Don't like having the strap on when I'm using the monopod.  Interesting feature I discovered when you remove the main piece of the strap is that the two ends connect forming a short "handle" so it is easy to get the bodies in and out of the bag...we'll see how I like it after using them for a few weeks along with the Black Rapid...planning two busy days of shooting this coming weekend...Not sure if I'll shoot all three bodies, but I am going to try the different straps...

It would be great to hear how you get on Sportz.

I'll let you know once I've used them a few times...

Another nice thing about the Op/Tech system is that all their accessories use the same connectors. It's too bad that the sling strap is so awkward when the camera is used vertically.

--Ron

I like the Black Rapid...been using it for awhile now - I usually have my D600 with a 24-70 attached.  I don't leave the strap on any particular body, so when I'm setting up at a site, I'll put it on and be sure it is tight before I start shooting...I also check it occasionally throughout the shoot...never had an issue with it getting loose.  I do the same if I use it with the 70-200 - attach to the tripod base of the lens.  This weekend I picked up two Op/Tech Classic straps and am going to give them a shot too.  While it isn't too often, I sometimes like to have all 3 bodies available and wanted to get away from the basic Nikon strap that I'm not too fond of.  I chose the Op/Tech straps because of the disconnect they have.  Good size clips so you don't have to have the strap on all the time.  Don't like having the strap on when I'm using the monopod.  Interesting feature I discovered when you remove the main piece of the strap is that the two ends connect forming a short "handle" so it is easy to get the bodies in and out of the bag...we'll see how I like it after using them for a few weeks along with the Black Rapid...planning two busy days of shooting this coming weekend...Not sure if I'll shoot all three bodies, but I am going to try the different straps...

I purchased additional fittings so I have them on the bottom of all my camera's, which means I just disconnect the black rapid from one and fit to another. I also have them fitted to the tripod attachment.

I purchased additional fittings so I have them on the bottom of all my camera's, which means I just disconnect the black rapid from one and fit to another. I also have them fitted to the tripod attachment.

 

I will keep that option in mind Tony - thanks!  Don't get me wrong, I really like the Black Rapid strap...only real issue I have with it is when I have it over my left sholder with camera on right hip, it sometimes gets tangled with my phone / phone clip which I have mounted to my belt on the right...other than that, it is the perfect setup...The primary reason I'm trying the Op/Tech is for when I want to carry my third body...I think it will make it easier than having two Black Rapids...My plan is one of each allowing one camera via Black Rapid on my hip and one on Op/Tech around my neck...If that doesn't work as I hope, I'll probably try the two Black Rapids and just have the connector on each of the bodies for quick changes as Tony suggested...

...only real issue I have with it is when I have it over my left sholder with camera on right hip, it sometimes gets tangled with my phone / phone clip which I have mounted to my belt on the right...

Which is likely why there is a model now which has a cellphone pocket. It is called RS5.

I bought a few cheap carabiners, I put one in my trouser belt loop at my hip. When the camera is on the BR, at my hip, and I'm not going to be using it for a bit, I attach the carabiner so it stops the camera falling forward or moving around too much. Also good for a two camera set up so they don't bang together.

Different topic, but I always have a large (6 inch or so) carabiner attached to the wrist loop on my monopod...I have the wrist loop secured so it can't pull open and the carabiner allows me to quickly hook to the standard chain link fences around the fields in my area.  That leaves a foot on the ground and the carabiner attached to the fence if I need hands free for some particular reason - or just to take a break while there's no action for awhile.  I might play with your carabiner idea this weekend - have a few extras lying around the house...

Good idea, but I don't generally get near any such fences!

I'd like to see someone grab your camera and run!!