Comments on: R-Strap by BlackRapid – Camera Strap Review

By: Tim Xu

Tim Xu — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:21:55 +0000

I highly recommend a Carry Speed brand name sling strap, they really fix a lot existing problem on other sling strap, which is the best value in market for $35 only.

1. their mounting plate offer an extra tripod mount which you install almost whatever without remove the mounting plate
2. they build pretty tough, as I measured, their strap thickness is 50% thicker than black rapid R strap, I feel much safer
3. it comes with a Uni Strap, which is very helpful to hold your camera to your hip or you may use it as security strap.
4. the price is very resonable, i go it for $35 Only.
5.they have tons of video show how tough it is, they even hang a 160lb guy on that strap to test it.

By: Arno

Arno — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:25:41 +0000

Update on “my ideal sling strap”
After trying three different designs, I finally found my ideal strap:
The Op/Tech Sling with a modified attachment system.

The Op/Tech is (for my shoulders) by far the most comfortable strap. Its pad is of stretch neoprene, which provides soft pressure and a shock absorber.

The fastening system is not what I want, though. So I am using the Sun Sniper’s BEAR fastener to attach to the camera’s tripod socket. Actually, I am attaching to the L-plate’s socket, which I always have mounted on my camera, and I am attaching via a screw clamp, so I can quickly remove it to clamp the camera to a tripod, or attach the strap to the tripod collar of a longer lens.

The BEAR fastener has a built-in swivel and therefore is built very ‘short’, allowing for a longer strap loop and therefore more movement to handle the camera for the varying positions.

The Op/Tech clip connectors remain on the strap for extra utility when needed, using their very flexible connecting system for the task at hand.

By: Arno

Arno — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:18:51 +0000

Eric,
I like cameras with battle scars. It shows that they are being used and not just sit in the cabinet

That said, I would find it highly annoying if the fastener would have to be undone every time you want to put the camera into your bag.

By: eric epie

eric epie — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:38:58 +0000

The only problem about Black Rapid’s metal screw or the R2 is if you forgot to unscrew it and put it on your camera bag, the R2 gouges the lower corner bottom of your camera just under your the lcd screen about a quarter of an inch depending if the R2 swings from side to side. It has already scraped and ruined my 7D and could not do anything unless you want to repaint it black. Better to unscrew it before putting your camera inside your bag other than that this strap is a good shutterbug accessory.

By: Vic

Vic — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 06:03:21 +0000

George, your detailed explanation predicting what may go wrong with the strap is right on. The D ring of mine failed, sending my D700 and wide angle lens to the floor. Still awaiting to hear how much the damages will be… Black Rapid won’t return phone calls. Now you’re warned…

By: Arno

Arno — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 03:51:35 +0000

It is clear to me that I will have one of these straps. I built a test rig to compare different attachment points on the camera and found the bottom (tripod mount) position the best. In contrast to some of the accounts above, the camera would hang upside down, the lens pointing _back_ and down, which has the grip pointing out and just right for the right hand to grab it. This goes for the heavy wide and mid range zooms. The 70-200 will remain level.

I always have an RRS L-plate attached, to which I will clamp a smaller RRS clamp (B2-FAB B). The strap’s fastener will screw into that small clamp. If I need the camera to go on the tripod, the clamp will be removed quickly without wearing out the CR-2 gasket (which I might swap against a steel spring washer).

The only open question is as to which strap: Rapid or Sun Sniper. I might just order both and return the one I don’t like. The design of the shoulder pad will be key for me as I’m skinny and don’t have a lot of natural cushion there. Too soft a pad will allow the actual strap to cut into my shoulder, so I’m looking for the wider, stiffer pad.

What I really liked (with my test rig) was to hang the A850 with the 70-200/2.8, fastener on the tripod collar. The lens will be level, pointing back. What a sweet solution!

By: robert steere

robert steere — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:54:57 +0000

My pro camera & lens fell to the ground due to the Rstrap. Unknown to me, the end of the strap through use had gotten close to the plastic strap length adjustment part which is on the strap and very close to the shoulder pad. The strap gave way when it finally passed through. This happened very quickly without warning. To solve this, I folded the very end of the strap over itself twice and sewed it. Now the strap end will catch on the plastic piece. Problem solved and I’ve been happy with the Rstrap.

By: Terry Watson

Terry Watson — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 04:43:18 +0000

I have been using Black Rapid slings for over a year now. There are a couple of ways I use them: first, as designed, with one camera body (Canon 7d) over one shoulder and often a Canon 40d with a long lens over the other shoulder. I keep the lens hoods on the lenses which tends to protect the lens a bit. This is often the setup I use when doing portraits at various outdoor locations. I find I prefer a simple strap with plastic snap catches to the more elaborate Black Rapid straps.

The other way that I use them is slightly at odds to the design idea. I do a lot of hiking in the mountains, almost always wearing a backpack. I create a ‘chain’ of cheap aluminum carbiners off of each backpack shoulder strap. At the end of the chain, I clip one of the Black Rapid tripod-mount screw-in adaptors, which is of course screwed into the tripod mount of the camera or the lens. This way I am not using their straps at all – just the high quality hardware.It works really well, and with the carbiners it’s easy to unclip a camera if I want for any reason, such as when I take off the backpack. It’s easy to get the length just right so the cameras hang comfortably under my arms and yet have enough length to easily pull them up to my eye for photos.

The hardware is very high quality.

Terry
Seattle

By: robert steere

robert steere — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:16:20 +0000

A major problem with the Rstrap RS-4. My DSLR dropped to the pavement when the strap came out of the quick release adjustment. If you tap the quick release to give yourself another inch, it could be the end of the strap and your camera comes crashing to the ground. There should be something on the end of the strap to prevent it from going completely through the quick release.

By: David

David — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:51:06 +0000

Useful review, thanks.

Has anyone compared the R-Strap to a Cameraslinger? I prefer the idea of not having the strap at the front across your chest.