I am only 5'3", and have a fairly bad back. I have used a regular wide camera strap for all my needs up to and including my Canon 60D and Canon EF 70-300 IS zoom. I just upgraded my zoom lens to an L , It is the Canon 100-400 L IS, which is much heavier.
I have always carried my camera strap across my chest like a sling strap. I would like to know the most comfortable and most reliable sling strap system for a person of my stature. I also want the strap to go over my right shoulder (left handed). I know BH has the left handed BlackRapid RS-L Sport Extreme, but I don't know how comfortable it is.
I've watched the you tube videos of different systems 'til I'm blue in the face, and I want to know what some of you like the best.
Posted by David Chauvin on April 17, 2014 at 7:13 AM
I use a Black Rapid and it works well. I like that the camera can ride on on the backside of your hip while walking and comes to hand very naturally when you need it. The only down side for me is that it attaches to the tripod screw hole so if you are going back and forth to a tripod its a pain.
Posted by Hali Sowle on April 17, 2014 at 10:09 AM
I will agree with the Black Rapid option. I have tried both the regular and the "ladies" version and I prefer the original despite the more ergonomic form of the ladies's style. I use a small Really Right Stuff clamp to get around the need to use the tripod screw hole issue, and screw the BR sling into the screw hole on that and then slide it over my RRS plate and tighten it. I'm just very careful to make sure everything is tight before I let it hang on my hip. Have never had a problem with it detaching.
I also use the RRS clamp with my BlackRapid straps, which works well for Arca-Swiss plates and is half the price of the Acratech clamp BR promotes on their website. It's a nice combo for a wildlife shooter to hang a 70-200 or 100-400 while carrying a bigger lens on another body.
I am the one who listed the question about a good strap. I need the support and a REALLY good cushion. The cushion on the BlackRapid is just not enough for me.
I've ordered the OP/TECH USA Utility Strap - Sling for $29.99 at Amazon. Plus, I took one of the reviewer's advice and ordered the Fotasy NSQS Stainless Steel Screw with Fotasy Premier Cleaning Cloth for Quick Release Neck Strap, R-Strap for $5.99. The OP/Tech strap has 2 quick release attachments. I will attach one to the body, where a normal strap would go. And, I will attach the tripod screw attachment to the other loop and make it a longer connection. That way, my main camera support will be from the body as intended, and I will have a backup with the tripod connection.
I don't trust, that even my Canon 60D was meant to be carried just from the tripod mount. I don't want to mess up my tripod mount unless absolutely necessary to save my camera. I cannot imagine both quick release straps breaking at the same time. So, I think this should work just fine for me.
Discussion
4 repliesI have always carried my camera strap across my chest like a sling strap. I would like to know the most comfortable and most reliable sling strap system for a person of my stature. I also want the strap to go over my right shoulder (left handed). I know BH has the left handed BlackRapid RS-L Sport Extreme, but I don't know how comfortable it is.
I've watched the you tube videos of different systems 'til I'm blue in the face, and I want to know what some of you like the best.
Max
I've ordered the OP/TECH USA Utility Strap - Sling for $29.99 at Amazon. Plus, I took one of the reviewer's advice and ordered the Fotasy NSQS Stainless Steel Screw with Fotasy Premier Cleaning Cloth for Quick Release Neck Strap, R-Strap for $5.99. The OP/Tech strap has 2 quick release attachments. I will attach one to the body, where a normal strap would go. And, I will attach the tripod screw attachment to the other loop and make it a longer connection. That way, my main camera support will be from the body as intended, and I will have a backup with the tripod connection.
I don't trust, that even my Canon 60D was meant to be carried just from the tripod mount. I don't want to mess up my tripod mount unless absolutely necessary to save my camera. I cannot imagine both quick release straps breaking at the same time. So, I think this should work just fine for me.