iyernat

Can a tripod thread be trusted to hold a hanging camera ? I just purchased a shoulder harness to hold a camera. It came with a clip at the end that screws into the tripod thread. How much can I trust this to not let go of the camera and give me a heart attach .....

Bamboo Loc: South Carolina

Go to search at the top of page and type in Black Rapid strap. You will find many links with thousands of comments an opinions.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

You have a valid concern. The tripod thread on the base plate of your camera (and its heavy lens) was never designed as an an attachment point for transporting your gear on a strap. That said, many such straps have been sold and used successfully - check out Black Rapid and Cystom SLR. But you might also take a look at Peak Design.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Even Nikon seems to recommend Black Rapid's R Strap...

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

FWIW, I have used a Black Rapid R strap for several years now, and no issues at all.

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

I'm sure that there is a limit to what the tripod connector can handle on the camera base but I've not found it. I love shoulder straps and particularly with heavy lenses. My maximum weight has been about twelve pounds (camera and a long fast telephoto) and there's never been a problem. That's not to say there can't be a problem depending on the camera you have and the weight but it's not something I've ever worried about and so far there have been no problems.

Add to that, it`s not always the camera mount anyway. When I have a very long heavy lens I mount the strap to the lens not to the camera which saves stress on the camera. It's possible that if I relied on the camera to support all the weight I may be in trouble. I know Nikon recommends strongly to not hang a camera pointing down when a long heavy lens is mounted. They recommend that the lens is supported with one hand and the camera with the other. In this case they`re concerned about the lens mount as opposed to the tripod mount. That means that mounting the lens on the strap eases stress on the camera too.

I should add too that it`s not the design of the strap that is the issue, it`s the design of the tripod mount on the camera. I`ve seen a lot of different models of strap all of which have a sturdy screw to go into the tripod mount. So the question is whether the mount was designed to handle the stress not whether the strap can take it.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I have black rapid straps and never had a problem. BTW N ikon put their name on a black rapid strap.

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

Be careful here, Nikon only recommends the black rapid strap for certain bodies. 6 mos or so ago the black rapid strap was available from Nikon. I just went there and looked at all their straps and the black rapid is not shown.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Personally, I wouldn't. The load application is completely opposite that for which the tripod thread is designed.

This may have been revised in newer cameras due to some concept that this is a great way to attach a camera strap. Your best bet is to consult the manufacturer and inquire.
--Bob

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Still shows on the current page 2 of the Nikon Store.

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Store/Logo-Items.page

(Download)

jgitomer Loc: Skippack Pennsylvania

Why not just avoid the issue and buy a comfortable strap that attaches to one or both of the lugs intended for straps?

I have experience with the Op-Tech strap which I found much more comfortable than the Nikon straps due to superior (make that any) padding plus the fact that I need only attach it to one lug. Another advantage is when compared to the Black Rapid strap shown in the Nikon catalog it is inexpensive.

Jerry

iyernat

Does someone sell a 4" - 6" strap that I can loop through one side of the camera triangle/strap holder and hook the other end to the black strap carabinieri. This will be an insurance in case the tripod thread fails. I would not even know what to search for in ebay.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Of course the Nikon branded straps, sell for higher prices, Black Rapid sells cheaper non Nikon branded models.

FWIW - tried hanging from the lugs, did not like how the camera hung with a lens attached - when hung from the tripod thread, seemed to be more comfortable and protected.

I also keep an Arca Swiss plate on my camera that has the Black Rapid connect-r attached to the plate in a spare threaded hole so camera goes from strap to tripod or monopod in a snap.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

I think you would want a "tether kit" - Black Rapid sells them as do other companies, and I am sure they can be found on EBAY as well - make sure of the quality of the tether & connections.

http://www.blackrapid.com/products/tether-kit

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

Again as I stated you have to be careful here as Nikon lists which cameras each strap is compatible with. These are not necessarily recommended for every Nikon camera body and/or lens combo.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I use a Black Rapid strap on my 13lb 6oz camera/body combo and it has never let me down. I use a Swiss Arca plate attached to the bottom of the camera body that attaches to the Black Rapid strap and the same type of plate on the foot of heavier lenses.