Comments on: BlackRapid R-Strap RS-4 user review http://www.robertsdonovan.com/?p=986 Photography and random thoughts Sun, 19 May 2013 17:22:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Robert http://www.robertsdonovan.com/?p=986&cpage=1#comment-33429 Robert Sun, 20 Jan 2013 16:09:38 +0000 http://www.booleansplit.com/?p=556#comment-33429 Ellen, sorry to be a bit late getting around to replying to your comment! Now that the BlackRapid style straps have been out for a couple of years, it seems obvious that they are really best for action photography where it's more critical that the camera be right at hand than casual photography where the stability of the camera while walking is a concern. For me, I found that my old Nikon neoprene strap worked the best on my full sized DSLRs. Recently, I have traded up to an Olympus OM-D and have found a strap made of 3/8" nylon rope works quite well as it glides effortlessly across my body without snagging or twisting like my old Nikon strap tended to do. I will try to find time to do a write-up on the rope strap I'm using but it might be worth looking into for you. Cheers! Ellen, sorry to be a bit late getting around to replying to your comment! Now that the BlackRapid style straps have been out for a couple of years, it seems obvious that they are really best for action photography where it’s more critical that the camera be right at hand than casual photography where the stability of the camera while walking is a concern. For me, I found that my old Nikon neoprene strap worked the best on my full sized DSLRs. Recently, I have traded up to an Olympus OM-D and have found a strap made of 3/8″ nylon rope works quite well as it glides effortlessly across my body without snagging or twisting like my old Nikon strap tended to do. I will try to find time to do a write-up on the rope strap I’m using but it might be worth looking into for you. Cheers!

]]> By: Ellen Finch http://www.robertsdonovan.com/?p=986&cpage=1#comment-33381 Ellen Finch Mon, 03 Dec 2012 02:26:48 +0000 http://www.booleansplit.com/?p=556#comment-33381 After a couple of weeks in which a half dozen photographers with BlackRapid straps raved about how good they were, I tried one on in the camera shop. Had my doubts starting then, but went ahead and bought it anyway. Like you, I'd gone to carrying my regular camera strap the same cross-shoulder way that the blackrapid fits, but wasn't satisfied with how hard it was to shift the camera and strap around when I wanted to shoot. I've got the latest, obviously redesigned strap, but I still have the problem with the camera bouncing around and coming back to the front like you did; like others have, I've found that the only way to deal with this is to always hold it with one hand, which I did *not* have to do with my regular camera strap. Like you, the shoulder strap constantly rotates into the wrong position, even using the clip at the low point of the strap which is supposed to pull it back into position when you let go of the camera--because I don't ever let go of it because it swings and bumps around so much. I also don't like that I can't set it down flat and I don't like that I have to remove the neck strap (which I consider to be my safety strap) completely to put it onto a tripod, so if it's going on & off the tripod a lot, I have no neck strap on the camera. Having spent the money, I'm trying very hard to figure out ways to make it work for me, but now having read this (while trying to find out why the strap wouldn't stay adjusted every time I shortened it), I'm starting to think that going back to my old-fashioned strap might work better for me. Thanks for all the detailed notes, and the detailed strap photo, which helped me (I think) to get it threaded correctly. After a couple of weeks in which a half dozen photographers with BlackRapid straps raved about how good they were, I tried one on in the camera shop. Had my doubts starting then, but went ahead and bought it anyway. Like you, I’d gone to carrying my regular camera strap the same cross-shoulder way that the blackrapid fits, but wasn’t satisfied with how hard it was to shift the camera and strap around when I wanted to shoot.

I’ve got the latest, obviously redesigned strap, but I still have the problem with the camera bouncing around and coming back to the front like you did; like others have, I’ve found that the only way to deal with this is to always hold it with one hand, which I did *not* have to do with my regular camera strap. Like you, the shoulder strap constantly rotates into the wrong position, even using the clip at the low point of the strap which is supposed to pull it back into position when you let go of the camera–because I don’t ever let go of it because it swings and bumps around so much.

I also don’t like that I can’t set it down flat and I don’t like that I have to remove the neck strap (which I consider to be my safety strap) completely to put it onto a tripod, so if it’s going on & off the tripod a lot, I have no neck strap on the camera.

Having spent the money, I’m trying very hard to figure out ways to make it work for me, but now having read this (while trying to find out why the strap wouldn’t stay adjusted every time I shortened it), I’m starting to think that going back to my old-fashioned strap might work better for me.

Thanks for all the detailed notes, and the detailed strap photo, which helped me (I think) to get it threaded correctly.

]]> By: Robert http://www.robertsdonovan.com/?p=986&cpage=1#comment-30928 Robert Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:12:25 +0000 http://www.booleansplit.com/?p=556#comment-30928 I've seen a few pros using the DR-1 double strap while shooting sports events with large zoom lenses and that seems to make sense. Otherwise, I just don't like the way the Blackrapid straps position the camera on the side of your hip under your arm. It's good if you're stationary and need quick access to your camera but it just gets in the way if you're walking. Just <em>my</em> opinion. I’ve seen a few pros using the DR-1 double strap while shooting sports events with large zoom lenses and that seems to make sense. Otherwise, I just don’t like the way the Blackrapid straps position the camera on the side of your hip under your arm. It’s good if you’re stationary and need quick access to your camera but it just gets in the way if you’re walking. Just my opinion.

]]> By: Cliff Wiegand http://www.robertsdonovan.com/?p=986&cpage=1#comment-30479 Cliff Wiegand Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:37:23 +0000 http://www.booleansplit.com/?p=556#comment-30479 They seem to have redesigned the strap (Purchased 5/12). There is no longer a "tag end", but rather the end sits in a plastic loop. It's very hard to describe and led to a long time before I could figure out how to correctly adjust the length. I don't know if mine was assembled incorrectly, or if I took it apart in my efforts to get the adjustment correct. I ended up with a mess, and felt like my daughters must have felt the first time they tried to figure out how to put on a bra (I remember there cries of "mom, I need help"). I've finally figured it out and will now see if I like the strap. Up to this point I didn't, because my length adjustments kept slipping. They seem to have redesigned the strap (Purchased 5/12). There is no longer a “tag end”, but rather the end sits in a plastic loop. It’s very hard to describe and led to a long time before I could figure out how to correctly adjust the length. I don’t know if mine was assembled incorrectly, or if I took it apart in my efforts to get the adjustment correct. I ended up with a mess, and felt like my daughters must have felt the first time they tried to figure out how to put on a bra (I remember there cries of “mom, I need help”). I’ve finally figured it out and will now see if I like the strap. Up to this point I didn’t, because my length adjustments kept slipping.

]]> By: Sam http://www.robertsdonovan.com/?p=986&cpage=1#comment-20549 Sam Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:32:09 +0000 http://www.booleansplit.com/?p=556#comment-20549 Here's what I do: same BR attachment as you, + a 3$ carabiner locking clip from a rock climbing store sturdier than the newer BR one + a light weight lowepro harness fo 13$ meant to hold a toploader bag but instead clipped on itself I get the camera (K-5) out of the way left of my ribcage but close enough to have it ready, lens down. With my right elbow bent I can quickly grab it, shoot and even drop it back into carry with no damage. The harness even gives me 3 extra hooks for lenses! The main problem is that the magnesium alloy is wearing off just where your photo would indicate. A workaround is to put reflective aluminum tape there so it slides (use a thick amount). Or put duct tape on the carabiner or a cloth sleeve. But in my opinion, shoddy design. How can you sell a camera strap that damages your camera (possibly voiding warranty)?! Here’s what I do:

same BR attachment as you, + a 3$ carabiner locking clip from a rock climbing store sturdier than the newer BR one + a light weight lowepro harness fo 13$ meant to hold a toploader bag but instead clipped on itself

I get the camera (K-5) out of the way left of my ribcage but close enough to have it ready, lens down. With my right elbow bent I can quickly grab it, shoot and even drop it back into carry with no damage. The harness even gives me 3 extra hooks for lenses!

The main problem is that the magnesium alloy is wearing off just where your photo would indicate. A workaround is to put reflective aluminum tape there so it slides (use a thick amount). Or put duct tape on the carabiner or a cloth sleeve. But in my opinion, shoddy design. How can you sell a camera strap that damages your camera (possibly voiding warranty)?!

]]> By: Kalbach http://www.robertsdonovan.com/?p=986&cpage=1#comment-20290 Kalbach Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:53:15 +0000 http://www.booleansplit.com/?p=556#comment-20290 Euro2012 on Poland and Ukraine Euro2012 on Poland and Ukraine

]]> By: Robert http://www.robertsdonovan.com/?p=986&cpage=1#comment-5145 Robert Thu, 19 May 2011 21:32:02 +0000 http://www.booleansplit.com/?p=556#comment-5145 Chuck- Thanks for pointing out the updates that have been made since I reviewed the original RS-4. Also, please note that I don't care for my camera bumping along either (which was one of the things I did not like about the RS-4). Worn across the shoulder my DSLR rests comfortably and stably in the middle of my back while walking. Wearing your camera around your neck and hanging in the front is about the worst thing you can do! Cheers! Chuck-

Thanks for pointing out the updates that have been made since I reviewed the original RS-4. Also, please note that I don’t care for my camera bumping along either (which was one of the things I did not like about the RS-4). Worn across the shoulder my DSLR rests comfortably and stably in the middle of my back while walking. Wearing your camera around your neck and hanging in the front is about the worst thing you can do!

Cheers!

]]> By: Chuck http://www.robertsdonovan.com/?p=986&cpage=1#comment-5099 Chuck Sun, 15 May 2011 00:29:18 +0000 http://www.booleansplit.com/?p=556#comment-5099 First, there is a new quik connect and attachment. Second, it seems as if the basics of this strap have escaped you. Setting on a table trure, not stable. Pad position, if you use the bumper (the extra clip) as intended the pad will reset itself when the camera is returned to carrying position. See video on black rapid web site. Carring, I place the lens facing the rear and place my hand on my camera, sure beats the thing bouncing all over my chest with no comfortable way to hold it with my hand. And you can disconect the strap in a second. I can't stand the way a camera bounces all over my chest, always in the way on a traditional strap, and the strap is always in the way. Check out the web site and videos, the newst ones have to "bumpers" one to reset the strap, one to hold the camera in a more rearward position. I think with some guidance you may learn to like this strap as I do. First, there is a new quik connect and attachment.
Second, it seems as if the basics of this strap have escaped you. Setting on a table trure, not stable. Pad position, if you use the bumper (the extra clip) as intended the pad will reset itself when the camera is returned to carrying position. See video on black rapid web site. Carring, I place the lens facing the rear and place my hand on my camera, sure beats the thing bouncing all over my chest with no comfortable way to hold it with my hand. And you can disconect the strap in a second.
I can’t stand the way a camera bounces all over my chest, always in the way on a traditional strap, and the strap is always in the way.
Check out the web site and videos, the newst ones have to “bumpers” one to reset the strap, one to hold the camera in a more rearward position. I think with some guidance you may learn to like this strap as I do.

]]> By: Anthony Kovats http://www.robertsdonovan.com/?p=986&cpage=1#comment-4892 Anthony Kovats Wed, 13 Apr 2011 05:17:24 +0000 http://www.booleansplit.com/?p=556#comment-4892 I too purchased the new and improved BR4 thinking this was a great solution. I did everything correctly and right away realized the damage it could have caused my camera. It's sits nicely on a shelf now. I too purchased the new and improved BR4 thinking this was a great solution. I did everything correctly and right away realized the damage it could have caused my camera. It’s sits nicely on a shelf now.

]]> By: HT http://www.robertsdonovan.com/?p=986&cpage=1#comment-3992 HT Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:59:39 +0000 http://www.booleansplit.com/?p=556#comment-3992 Thank you very much for your post, you just saved my $50+ dollars as i was on my way to buy it today. i'll stick with my good old domke strap.... Thank you very much for your post, you just saved my $50+ dollars as i was on my way to buy it today. i’ll stick with my good old domke strap….

]]>