RealBohemian Loc: Toronto

I was considering buy this kind of camera strap and after some reaserch i find this article
Karel
Interesting article about Camera Sling straps

Question to Canon.
There is an inquiry request for : EOS (SLR) Camera Systems , EOS
Digital SLR Cameras, EOS 7D
User Question : Hello, I recently purchased a shoulder strap for my 7D.
It is the type which can have a 1/4-20 stainless screw attached to it
... which can thread into the 1/4-20 thread on the bottom of the camera.
My concern is not the Stainless Steel screw..., but the solidness of the
thread insert in the camera itself, which (I believe) was primarily designed
to hold a camera, right side up, on top of a tripod. Is the screw insert solid
enough and secure enough inside the camera body so that it won't pull
out when the camera (and lens /70-200mm)is hanging upside down at my
hip as I walk around with it. Is there a maximum pull load rating on the
screw insert? Or,if you could confirm that it is more than solid enough
to handle all your pro DSLR's (hanging upside down with a 70-200mm
lens) it would prompt me to carry it upside down near my hip with the
shoulder strap. Thank you in advance for all your help. Sincerely. XXX

Response from Canon Technical Support

Dear xxx
Thank you for your inquiry. We value you as a Canon customer and
appreciate the opportunity to assist you. With regards to this
accessory there is no guarantee from Canon that it will properly hold
the camera in the position you mention.
Your notions regarding the 1/4" 20 thread on the bottom are correct,
this is for connection to a tripod for holding the camera right side up.
In this regard it is very strong and should have no problem holding the
camera. There is no published maximum load for this mount though and
for this reason I can't guarantee the cameras safety when mounted with
such a heavy lens being held down on your hip. The mount wasn't really
designed for this and damage may occur if this were to fall in this
position. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause you at
this time.
I hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if we can
be of any further assistance with your EOS 7D.
Thank you for choosing Canon.
Sincerely,
Technical Support Representative

Here is the response to same question from Nikon

Nikons response
"HI
Thanks for the question and sorry for the delay in responding.
The camera tripod mount is designed to support the weight of the
camera and lens but is not designed for potential shocks that this sort of
strap [using the tripod socket] may impart on it. In normal usage of this
sort of strap (sliding the camera up or down) it should be fine but we
would not recommend swinging or dropping the camera and having the
strap catch it. We don't publish any particular test data, though....
-David"
New Information (July 19, 2011):
At the recent New England Camera Club Council Conference in Amherst,
MA, Nikon staff were asked about attaching a sling style strap to the tripod socket.
We were told that the tripod socket is not designed to hang the
weight of a camera from it, and there would be serious concerns about the internal camera seals being loaded in a way they were not designed for.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Thank you!

AK Dreamer Loc: Alaska & Nevada

Thanks for this information! I sometimes carry three cameras and have considered purchasing two of these straps. I have wondered about the strength of the threaded insert in the camera and, thanks to you, I now know. I believe I'll pass on purchasing these carrying straps.

Mickey Oberman Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I am an old stick in the mud who is very careful about treating my cameras with the care and respect due a delicate - or rugged instrument.

I can just imagine two or three expensive cameras banging together each on its own bungee cord.

What seems to be needed is a belt around the waist with quick release fasteners at spaced intervals around its perimeter to keep the cameras from destroying each other and parts of the photographer's anatomy.

RealBohemian Loc: Toronto

AK Dreamer
look into this, it my be just for your needs, no more neck strain....

http://buy.cottoncarrier.com/cotton-carrier-camera-system-p/124rtl-d.htm
Karel

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

I have a Black Rapid that I carry a D60 with a hand grip and 70-200 2.8 as a secondary camera to my 50D with a 300 2.8 and it works great for me.

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

Thanks for posting this important information. Very interesting.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

with long lenses 70-200 etc I attach the Black Rapid to the quick release lense plate on the lense. I use Really Right stuff lens plates and the socket is an intergal part of the lens plate and have not had a problem. with the heavy lens I would not attch the strap to the camera body

howdysmom Loc: the Northwoods of Wisconsin

Love my Black Rapid!!!!

Turbo Loc: Raleigh, NC

I have had a COTTON CARRIER strap and absolutely LOVE it !

It uses the 1/4-20 stainless Steel insert but also a pair of regular straps attached to your shoulder belt. So the risk of dropping your camera is essentially nil.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks for posting this. I considered using that type of holder, but decided against it. Since camera makers didn't design the tripod mount to carry the weight of the camera, they would not give their approval - too much liability. On the other hand, thousands of photographers use this type of carrier. If you get one, just make sure it is screwed in tight.

Mdw612 Loc: New Jersey

I have no issue with my Black-Rapid strap! On the other hand I would not use it for a heavy lens, and I haven't had any issues banging cameras.

Dan821 Loc: Traveling........

I use the Black Rapid strap and carried a D7000 with 24-70 f2.8 attached all over Indonesia and Thailand with no issues. I would suggest to use the tripod mount with the longer lenses, but I see no difference between the Black Rapid system and the Cotton Carrier system listed previously. They both use the bottom plate tripod attachment point on the body.

gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

It would be a GREAT surprise if either Canon or Nikon responded any other way. Though the Black Rapid Strap ( I have one) seems to work very well, and though the 'in camera' thread seems to be more than adequate to hold the camera, neither camera company should open themselves to any liability issues IN CASE something should ever go wrong. And with the huge number of cameras out there, SOMETHING will happen, probably because of user error, and the company would be blamed for it.

Turbo Loc: Raleigh, NC

The big difference between the black Rapid and the Cotton carrier is that the C.C. has 2 straps attached to the regular camera hook-ups. Those then go to the C.C. shoulder strap. In case you drop the camera, it will NOT fall to the ground.