Lens Strap Tripod Socket Failure - How many have had it happen? (Page 4): That appears to be very similar, I might even say almost identical, to my setup. The short strap and...

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

darkmanCANADA wrote:

See picture of my setup.

That appears to be very similar, I might even say almost identical, to my setup. The short strap and connectors I used were a bit different. My strap is not looped on at the carabiner end, but is held on to it with a spring loaded clasp.

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

Hankwt wrote:

How many member here on UHH have actually had a tripod socket fail ??? or Have first Hand knowledge of such failures- reading about it on the internet does not count. ???????

I will start I know first hand of none so 0

next ???

One of the gentlemen in my photography club had the tripod socket fail, sent his 5dMkii to the ground. A dozen or so of use saw it happen and stood frozen. The camera took a couple of dings, but the lens hood did not survive, he was lucky he was standing on a soft grass mound instead of the paved trail he just stepped off of, the damage could have been a lot worse.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Annie_Girl wrote:

One of the gentlemen in my photography club had the tripod socket fail, sent his 5dMkii to the ground. A dozen or so of use saw it happen and stood frozen. The camera took a couple of dings, but the lens hood did not survive, he was lucky he was standing on a soft grass mound instead of the paved trail he just stepped off of, the damage could have been a lot worse.

So the bottom of his camera body cracked open and the tripod socket was pulled out of his camera while it was still attached to a Black rapid style strap?

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

strap lugs are designed for carrying the weight of the camera and lens, Tripod sockets are designed for supporting the camera, not hanging the camera. One would do so at risk.

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

mwsilvers wrote:

So the bottom of his camera body cracked open and the tripod socket was pulled out of his camera while it was still attached to a Black rapid style strap?

the failure was with the stap not the camera body, I will have to see if I can find the pictures on our club facebook page, camera had some dings, lens hood took the most damage, where the strap connects to the camera is where the failure took place.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Annie_Girl wrote:

the failure was with the stap not the camera body, I will have to see if I can find the pictures on our club facebook page, camera had some dings, lens hood took the most damage, where the strap connects to the camera is where the failure took place.

I would be curious what the nature of the strap failure was. Some early examples of the Black Rapid had carabiners that separated. That problem was fixed. The most common problem with straps attached to the tripod mounts is that they unscrew, usually because they are not installed tightly enough and checked before each outing. When tightened sufficiently and checked regularly, few problems occur. Even so many people who use this type of strap, including me, add an additional short tether from the left strap lug to the carabiner so that in the event the carabiner should unscrew from the tripod socket, the camera could only fall a few inches.

I believe this thread was about the concern that tripod sockets could actually fail as a result of using this type of strap. In the case you mention, it appears the tripod mount itself did not fail.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

I use both Black Rapid and Cotton Carrier attached to the camera tripod mount with lenses up through 300mm. I've never had a problem.

For longer lenses, I attach to the lens mount.
When attaching the Black Rapid screw, I slightly wet the rubber washer, then tighten the screw until the washer slightly bulges. I have never had the screw loosen in the slightest.
I have heard that some people use non-Black Rapid attachment screws (e.g. Manfrotto) which can come apart.

I also use an inexpensive OpTech strap. Which strap I use depends on camera, lens and how I want the camera to hang.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Hankwt wrote:

There seems to be a continued debate on UHH concer... (show quote)

The Q should be "what make and model camera has had a failure of the tripod socket when a camera strap is mounted to it?"

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Hankwt wrote:

There seems to be a continued debate on UHH concer... (show quote)

Never had one fail. But then I use the tripod socket for what the manufacturer put it there for - securing the camera to a tripod. Duh!

riverlass Loc: northern California

mwsilvers wrote:

That's fine I often do that as well myself, but are you concerned more with the tripod mount failing or the possibility the tripod and its precious cargo could be knocked to the ground? The D5100 and 18-300 combo after all is not really all that heavy. My friend's Canon 5D iii and 70-200 f2.8L combo is around 900 grams heavier, almost two more pounds, and he uses it successfully on his Black Rapid strap attached to the cameras tripod mount.

Yes, I'm concerned with the tripod failing, but it's also about the security of the combo when I'm doing all my hiking and walking. The D5100 and 18-300 lens are not as heavy as some others, but heavy enough for me and I rely on my OP/TECH strap to give me that peace of mind. It's all about getting the support that you need.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

riverlass wrote:

Yes, I'm concerned with the tripod failing, but it's also about the security of the combo when I'm doing all my hiking and walking. The D5100 and 18-300 lens are not as heavy as some others, but heavy enough for me and I rely on my OP/TECH strap to give me that peace of mind. It's all about getting the support that you need.

Whatever works for you. I note with some amusement that you took an entire year to respond to my post. You are clearly a person who likes to tie up loose ends. Its nice to not be forgotten after such a long period. :)

riverlass Loc: northern California

mwsilvers wrote:

Whatever works for you. I note with some amusement that you took an entire year to respond to my post. You are clearly a person who likes to tie up loose ends. Its nice to not be forgotten after such a long period. :)

Is that how long it was? Funny... that must be why I couldn't remember what I wrote. Had to go back and look at the whole thread.
I got a notification that I had a message... this morning. Maybe UHH is "tieing up loose ends." Anyway, I'm so glad you finally got my response. LOL! Take care.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

riverlass wrote:

Is that how long it was? Funny... that must be why I couldn't remember what I wrote. Had to go back and look at the whole thread.
I got a notification that I had a message... this morning. Maybe UHH is "tieing up loose ends." Anyway, I'm so glad you finally got my response. LOL! Take care.

Yeah, romanticf16 reopened this thread with a comment. The last post to it prior to that was in early June of '13.

Budnjax Loc: NE Florida

I think this falls into the category of urban legend. I've been fooling around with cameras of all types for over 50 years, have known many who owned camera stores and quite a few others who did photo equipment repair and have never heard a documented case of where a tripod socket gave way due to having a carrying strap screwed into the socket failing for any reason. If I thought that was likely then I would never buy that brand of camera again....or even put a camera of mine onto a tripod or monopod.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Budnjax wrote:

I think this falls into the category of urban lege... (show quote)

Attached is a picture of a Nikon with a broken tripod socket, supposedly the result of using a Black Rapid type strap. I believe MTShooter may have posted it originally, but I could be wrong. In any case it's hard to determine how it happened. This has not dissuaded me from using my Black Rapid strap.