Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hi guys,
I'm thinking of moving over to a sling strap but I have two issues that are stopping me, one is the price of BR straps and the second is the L-bracket on my D700. I'm not convinced that the tripod socket is the strongest point to hang my camera from and some of the solutions, using a clamp, seem dangerous to me.

What I'm thinking of doing it picking up a tactical strap such as this and using a climbing carabiner along with the strap eyelet on the bottom of the RRS L-bracket to hang it from. The strap is designed for a larger load as is the carabiner so I think this would work but I'm still hesitant. Any one care to wade in on this? Is it a horribly bad idea?

That goes nice with an M4.

Bro-in-law uses a BR strap on his D700 for over a year shooting weddings and events with hefty lenses etc and no signs of breakage. Ditto for me and my Canon bodies. Both our BR straps are attached to the accessory screw port on our Arca-swiss style clamps without any issues. <knock>

Once you go that way, you'll never go back...

I personally switch between the two since it kinda depends on the situation.

I made my own strap, and its very similar to the BR strap from parts from MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op). But I had to still get the D-loop connector from BR to make it easily work.

Thanks guys. I'm thinking that for $20 plus whatever it costs for the d-loop adapter from BR I could put something together. I'll just plug it into the accessory mount on the L-bracket as from what I've read here and elsewhere it doesn't seem to be a problem.

I recall seeing a d-loop from someone else which spun on the base, don't recall where it was but now I can't find it. Anyone see something like this?

Crud, my memory fails and I did not bookmark it but there was a start-up company that was offering a swivel adapter that attached to the tripod socket just like the BR FastenR BUT this one swiveled and you used your normal camera strap with it. I'll check at home and see if I save that URL.

AH HA! Got it! It's called the C-Loop...

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cus ... t-solution

crap, i'm pledging now LOL

Haha, don't even have to pledge, you can buy one now

http://customslr.com/products/c-loop/

Currently using the C-loop with my stock camera strap and the thickness the strap is making it hard to maneuver the camera.. swivel works great though and it's quite comfy. I funded the split strap glider as well. just waiting for it to come in the mail and i'll let you guys know how it works. seems a lot better than the BR design.

OMGosh.. i didn't know they were that $$ to purchase. BR D-loop is cheaper. I wonder if that CustomSLR sling strap would work though... it looks pretty good

Damn, didn't realize it was that expensive. I might as well just get a BR. Hmm much to think about.

ya, they were cheaper when you could pledge towards them.

I've been told recently that Henry's is going to or already does carry BR stuff. Has anyone seen it there?

i've seen the br straps at henry's and aden

I'll need to check that out, thanks Delsorbo!

What do you think? do you think the C-loop is better than the BR version?

I haven't received the strap yet so i'll let you know when it comes. The C-loop is very sturdy though. My camera feels more secure hanging off of two loops instead of 1 and it's very flush with the body.

I decided to try an off brand (although I HATE stuff that goes around the front of my neck; I can't even wear a tie or do up my top button without choking, so I really hate this type of strap).

It was $30 cheaper than the R-strap, but the rubber I noticed later has a strong odour, and the tripod attachment didn't work very well...so I ended up buying an R-strap D-ring and my $30 savings was blown.

Go for the R-strap if you get one...plus unlike the clone I have the carabiner has a locking mechanism!!!

Well if you look at it, if just one of those two loops do break, it's just as bad as a single loop breaking.

I have a BR-4 and RRS L-Bracket and I attached a heavy duty (metal clip inside) Ty-Rap to the spot of the L-Bracket that is for a hand strap. It is totally solid. Apparently BR is coming out with an Arca Swiss solution like they did for the Manfrotto crowd. I have used it a few times with my 40D and 17-55/2.8 IS and 70-200 F4/IS - no issues at all.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesycheem/5506308711/" title="BlackRapid_RRS-4313 by ~Jamesy~, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5506308711_ff6fa2a8e1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="BlackRapid_RRS-4313"></a>

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesycheem/5506308557/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesycheem/5506906412/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesycheem/5506308961/

true, but the full weight is split between each loop

Link? That being said, I'm content with my current setup of the FastenR screwed into the Jobu screw clamps. YMMV.

That is a pretty cool mod James. I can't wait for BR to come out with the accessory for the Arca Swiss solution.

Thanks. Just make sure you use high quality Ty-Raps. The ones I have are used in the telecommunications industry and they have a metal clip in the female portion to act as the grabber, rather than plastic found on most Ty-Raps.

On a similar topic -

Has anyone considered the cotton carrier?

http://www.cottoncarrier.com/

I was looking at it tonight in Henrys since I couldn't find the Spider Pro Holster system there. I don't like how it the locking mechanism has to go in the way it comes out. I understand it, but just my preference.
I also think the full vest looks like a baby carrier

Justin, that would put you into minivan territory

LOL it may... I'll stick to the Spider I think that it may work for me personally.

So I think everyone has a BR now, I think I just need to be different

I have the Q-Strap (ebay) essentially the same as the R-Strap. the plate is metal and so is the clip. The strap itself is pretty well made. If you're worried about the clip...just change it out with a climbing carabiner

Hmm, the Q-strap seems cheap enough at under $20. I'm wondering how good the clip and plate is.

Good mod Jamesy, I'm just bought the Q-Strap off of the bay and will try this out with the RRS. If the strap doesn't work out I'm out $20 and will have learned my lesson and get a proper R-Strap or the SunSniper steel.

I think I kinda like the cotton carrier system because it has an additional leash cord that would act as a safety precaution in case your camera falls from your grip and it can be removed from the holster with one hand but then again what I like about the spider pro is the way the camera is positioned once its in the holster...

oh boy.... decisions.. decisions....

good thing they are not readily available in toronto or else I could have bought any of them coz sometimes I am an impulse buyer..