Black Rapid RS-5 Camera Strap: I am thinking about ordering a Black Rapid RS-5 camera strap that allows the camera to hang at your side instead of on your chest. It seems like a safer...

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I am thinking about ordering a Black Rapid RS-5 camera strap that allows the camera to hang at your side instead of on your chest. It seems like a safer and handier setup to me since I can easily keep my hand on my camera that way. Any comments from people who have used this type of strap would be welcome. Thanks.

Mtneye Loc: Newbury Park, CA

I have a Black Rapid strap which I used and liked, but later discovered a Peak Design strapping system and much preferred it. Lightweight, thin and extremely strong, it uses a button system. Swings from the hip and has a few other attachments for the hip, belt, backpack as well.

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

LFingar wrote:

I am thinking about ordering a Black Rapid RS-5 camera strap that allows the camera to hang at your side instead of on your chest. It seems like a safer and handier setup to me since I can easily keep my hand on my camera that way. Any comments from people who have used this type of strap would be welcome. Thanks.

If you look on the web you'll find lots of discussion around camera straps that connect to the tripod socket and the fact that the tripod socket isn't designed to carry the camera weight.
This pushed me in the direction of the optech sling system which attaches to the strap lug (like a typical camera strap).
A sling strap makes a lot of sense when you are walking around with a large camera and a long lens.
I like the optech sling but....the connection to the camera is plastic and I'm constantly worried that this isn't the greatest idea either.
A buddy of mine has the black rapid and seems quite confident about it.
There's my input FWIW.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

LFingar wrote:

I am thinking about ordering a Black Rapid RS-5 camera strap that allows the camera to hang at your side instead of on your chest. It seems like a safer and handier setup to me since I can easily keep my hand on my camera that way. Any comments from people who have used this type of strap would be welcome. Thanks.

I prefer my camera on the side rather than in front. But I could never feel secure with the camera hanging by the tripod apparatus so I retired my Black Rapid and got a DSPTCH strap which connects to the strap lugs. Like it a lot. Very simple, lightweight and comfortable, doesn't have any extra gizmos on it to get bunched up anywhere.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

LFingar wrote:

I am thinking about ordering a Black Rapid RS-5 camera strap that allows the camera to hang at your side instead of on your chest. It seems like a safer and handier setup to me since I can easily keep my hand on my camera that way. Any comments from people who have used this type of strap would be welcome. Thanks.

I refuse to use any strap that attaches to the tripod socket of the camera, it was NOT designed to handle that type of loading.
I prefer the strap to attach to the cameras strap lugs that were specifically designed for that purpose. My sling of choice is the OpTech Utility Sling. Made in the USA to the highest of standards. I have personally used one since 1982, yes, the SAME one the entire time! Durability is NEVER an issue with them and all their straps are interchangeable in design. Very well made!

http://optechusa.com/utility-strap-sling.html

unclebe1 Loc: NYC & Wellington, FL

I have the RS-7 and love it. I've read all about the fact that the design of the tripod socket is not meant to hold the camera on a strap, but I've never experienced nor had anyone else I know experience a failure. I often carry a Sony Alpha 850 with vertical grip, Zeiss lens and flash. It's a heavy sucker and I have no qualms about it. Just my 2 cents FWIW. :)

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

MT Shooter wrote:

I refuse to use any strap that attaches to the tri... (show quote)

1982! Wow! Did it come with a pocket to keep your flash powder dry? :D
Thanks for the link!

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Thanks everybody for the quick response. I'll have to check out some of the other products mentioned.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

I second all those who recommend the Op Tech system, I also use their double sling, one camera on each side. The only problem is they take care of the weight so well it is easy to forget you are wearing your camera(s).

Also, compared with many other strap systems on the market, they are not expensive.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

MT Shooter wrote:

I refuse to use any strap that attaches to the tri... (show quote)

I have used OpTech Adapt-its and other accessories to adapt my BlackRapid strap to allow the camera to be hung from the strap lugs. I would only use the tripod sockets as accessory emergency tethers.

megharupa8 Loc: Dallas Texas

Check out this. New strap from Nikon

http://www.nikon.com/news/2014/0225_strap_03.htm

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I have the RS-7 which has a more comfortable shoulder pad. The strap is very well built. One or two posts here did mention catastrophic failures of the tripod socket. That worries me plus you can bump the dangling camera against something. This is a bigger concern than the tripod socket failing. Therefore, I almost always hold on the camera to minimize both risks. This would be true regardless of how the strap attaches to the camera.

My biggest complaint about straps that attach to the tripod socket is the inconvenience of unscrewing the strap from the camera so you can attach the camera to a tripod.

I have an Optech hand grip that snaps over the hand which is very nice but prevents you from using your right hand for anything else.

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

Like others, the Optech is the one for me! Works great, priced right and made in the USA!

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

The OPtech certainly seems to have some advantages with it's design. I like that I wouldn't have to unscrew the mount to put it on a tripod. I am curious though why so many refer to catastrophic mount failure. Has anyone ever seen such a failure? The only thing that I could picture happening, and then only on a cheaply built body, would be for the mount point to pull free of the camera frame. Anyway, I appreciate having the Optech system pointed out to me. It is definitely something I will look at.

Hankwt Loc: kingsville ontario

I dont see a price on the Nikon Version .......... my guess -----$ 169.00 ??? lol