Double camera strap field test, Installment 2: I have now had the chance to mount up my cameras on the "Safe and Fast" Double camera strap and wear it around the house and yard for a...

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I have now had the chance to mount up my cameras on the "Safe and Fast" Double camera strap and wear it around the house and yard for a bit. First impressions are:

1. The strap system itself is relatively well built, albeit from obviously inferior materials.
2. The mounting hardware itself is a bright spot in the system, it appears well machined and attaches easily. The rubber sealing washer gives good grip to the camera bottom, but I doubt it would hold up to repeated use over time. Another problem is that every time you wanted to use the camera somewhere else, the hardware HAS to be removed. There is no allowance for removing the camera from the strap with the hardware attached, a major design flaw in my opinion.
3. We have the inherent problem common to all straps that attach utilizing the tripod socket, no way to mount the camera on a tripod! And especially if you use quick-release plates of any kind!
4. The single mount point, sling strap design allows the cameras to spin and swing freely as you walk. If you are tall as I am, this means that the cameras can actually bang into each other as well as anything you may be passing by or climbing over (bleachers, people, doorways, etc.). Shorter people may be able to shorten the straps (they are adjustable and I shortened them 6" to fit me) and avoid this issue, but it is doubtful. Uncontrolled spinning also means the cameras may not be facing the way you expect them to be when you reach for one (read fingerprints on the lens!).
5. After 15 minutes in this setup I quickly found the padded straps(claimed to be a shock absorption system) were nowhere nearly padded enough as the pull on my shoulders was quite uncomfortable. The from and back adjustments seemed to have no position to make these straps more comfortable. Also, when the strap spread was narrowed to help stabilize the camera swing issue, the strap pads wore on the sides of my neck and the material is far from soft! This left red abrasions on my neck almost immediately! This might not be of any concern if you were wearing this setup over a heavy shirt or jacket but I test in a T-shirt.

Two nice features of this strap include:
1. The sling straps themselves contain an enclosed steel wire in them that would make it more difficult for a thief to cut the straps and run off with your prized camera and lens. I would dearly love to see this feature added to more strap systems!
2. The strap has two much smaller web straps attached to the strap pads that allow you to add a couple of small items to the rig (like a light meter and a cleaning cloth bag).

Quick summary:
At $25 you will get what you pay for with this strap, but do not expect it to be comfortable or convenient. The comfort issue is such that I will NOT be taking this system into the field for an in-depth performance test as I think it would cripple me in 2 or 3 hours time.

Attached to a Nikon

Safe and Fast being worn

OpTech being worn. Note the closer fit and the better camera positioning

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

MT Shooter wrote:

I have now had the chance to mount up my cameras on the "Safe and Fast" Double camera strap and wear it around the house and yard for a bit. First impressions are:

1. The strap system itself is relatively well built, albeit from obviously inferior materials.
2. The mounting hardware itself is a bright spot in the system, it appears well machined and attaches easily. The rubber sealing washer gives good grip to the camera bottom, but I doubt it would hold up to repeated use over time. Another problem is that every time you wanted to use the camera somewhere else, the hardware HAS to be removed. There is no allowance for removing the camera from the strap with the hardware attached, a major design flaw in my opinion.
3. We have the inherent problem common to all straps that attach utilizing the tripod socket, no way to mount the camera on a tripod! And especially if you use quick-release plates of any kind!
4. The single mount point, sling strap design allows the cameras to spin and swing freely as you walk. If you are tall as I am, this means that the cameras can actually bang into each other as well as anything you may be passing by or climbing over (bleachers, people, doorways, etc.). Shorter people may be able to shorten the straps (they are adjustable and I shortened them 6" to fit me) and avoid this issue, but it is doubtful. Uncontrolled spinning also means the cameras may not be facing the way you expect them to be when you reach for one (read fingerprints on the lens!).
5. After 15 minutes in this setup I quickly found the padded straps(claimed to be a shock absorption system) were nowhere nearly padded enough as the pull on my shoulders was quite uncomfortable. The from and back adjustments seemed to have no position to make these straps more comfortable. Also, when the strap spread was narrowed to help stabilize the camera swing issue, the strap pads wore on the sides of my neck and the material is far from soft! This left red abrasions on my neck almost immediately! This might not be of any concern if you were wearing this setup over a heavy shirt or jacket but I test in a T-shirt.

Two nice features of this strap include:
1. The sling straps themselves contain an enclosed steel wire in them that would make it more difficult for a thief to cut the straps and run off with your prized camera and lens. I would dearly love to see this feature added to more strap systems!
2. The strap has two much smaller web straps attached to the strap pads that allow you to add a couple of small items to the rig (like a light meter and a cleaning cloth bag).

Quick summary:
At $25 you will get what you pay for with this strap, but do not expect it to be comfortable or convenient. The comfort issue is such that I will NOT be taking this system into the field for an in-depth performance test as I think it would cripple me in 2 or 3 hours time.

I have now had the chance to mount up my cameras o... (show quote)

I, myself use an Op/Tech Dual Harness: http://optechusa.com/dual-harness.html

The Op/Tech eliminates many of the cons you listed.

For an opposite gender friendly double strap they also have a double sling: http://optechusa.com/double-sling.html

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

robert-photos wrote:

MT Shooter wrote:

I have now had the chance to mount up my cameras on the "Safe and Fast" Double camera strap and wear it around the house and yard for a bit. First impressions are:

1. The strap system itself is relatively well built, albeit from obviously inferior materials.
2. The mounting hardware itself is a bright spot in the system, it appears well machined and attaches easily. The rubber sealing washer gives good grip to the camera bottom, but I doubt it would hold up to repeated use over time. Another problem is that every time you wanted to use the camera somewhere else, the hardware HAS to be removed. There is no allowance for removing the camera from the strap with the hardware attached, a major design flaw in my opinion.
3. We have the inherent problem common to all straps that attach utilizing the tripod socket, no way to mount the camera on a tripod! And especially if you use quick-release plates of any kind!
4. The single mount point, sling strap design allows the cameras to spin and swing freely as you walk. If you are tall as I am, this means that the cameras can actually bang into each other as well as anything you may be passing by or climbing over (bleachers, people, doorways, etc.). Shorter people may be able to shorten the straps (they are adjustable and I shortened them 6" to fit me) and avoid this issue, but it is doubtful. Uncontrolled spinning also means the cameras may not be facing the way you expect them to be when you reach for one (read fingerprints on the lens!).
5. After 15 minutes in this setup I quickly found the padded straps(claimed to be a shock absorption system) were nowhere nearly padded enough as the pull on my shoulders was quite uncomfortable. The from and back adjustments seemed to have no position to make these straps more comfortable. Also, when the strap spread was narrowed to help stabilize the camera swing issue, the strap pads wore on the sides of my neck and the material is far from soft! This left red abrasions on my neck almost immediately! This might not be of any concern if you were wearing this setup over a heavy shirt or jacket but I test in a T-shirt.

Two nice features of this strap include:
1. The sling straps themselves contain an enclosed steel wire in them that would make it more difficult for a thief to cut the straps and run off with your prized camera and lens. I would dearly love to see this feature added to more strap systems!
2. The strap has two much smaller web straps attached to the strap pads that allow you to add a couple of small items to the rig (like a light meter and a cleaning cloth bag).

Quick summary:
At $25 you will get what you pay for with this strap, but do not expect it to be comfortable or convenient. The comfort issue is such that I will NOT be taking this system into the field for an in-depth performance test as I think it would cripple me in 2 or 3 hours time.

I have now had the chance to mount up my cameras o... (show quote)

I, myself use an Op/Tech Dual Harness: http://optechusa.com/dual-harness.html

The Op/Tech eliminates many of the cons you listed.

For an opposite gender friendly double strap they also have a double sling: http://optechusa.com/double-sling.html

quote=MT Shooter I have now had the chance to mou... (show quote)

If you had read the initial notice of this series you would see my position on the OpTech. My reviews of the OpTech are the entire reason I was hired to do these reviews.
You can see that post here:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-97386-1.html

I have owned a Black Rapid and returned it for many of the reasons stated in these reviews. I have not worn the OpTech Dual Harness but I did try one on at the OpTech manufacturing facility and did not care for the very long straps that allowed a lot of camera swing. Other than that, I liked it nearly as much as their Double Sling Strap, which I do own and use regularly.

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

Sorry, going through Newest Topics and didn't see this was a continuation of a previous post :oops:

Update: I modified the Double Harness by substituting shorter camera attachment straps. I agree with you that the harness straps were too long and I'm 6ft.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

robert-photos wrote:

Sorry, going through Newest Topics and didn't see this was a continuation of a previous post :oops:

No problem at all, I just posted the other two pics to this post.

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

MT Shooter wrote:

robert-photos wrote:

Sorry, going through Newest Topics and didn't see this was a continuation of a previous post :oops:

No problem at all, I just posted the other two pics to this post.

I like the stability of the cross chest strap since I'm always dealing with crowds or confined areas. I also prefer the camera bodies to be closer to my waist rather than low by my hips. It just feels more secure.

I have RRS "L" brackets which are left on so attachment to the tripod mount is not an option for me.

Nice review :thumbup:

Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

MT, maybe a strap with a loop on each end going around your back at the waist and with the loop around each camera strap just above the camera would prevent camera swing. The loop should be big enough to allow the camera to swing up for use. If you wanted to try it you could make one out of light cord. Just a thought.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

The Safe and Fast looks a lot like the OpTech harness I have which does NOT connect by use of the tripod mount. Mine has the usual camera strap attachments. Interesting...

Bob55 Loc: Valhalla NY

Previously there was a useful discussion about camera slings. What would all of you recommend using to carry a 7D and maybe a 70 to 300 lens and a monopod?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Millismote wrote:

MT, maybe a strap with a loop on each end going around your back at the waist and with the loop around each camera strap just above the camera would prevent camera swing. The loop should be big enough to allow the camera to swing up for use. If you wanted to try it you could make one out of light cord. Just a thought.

My whole point of these reviews is to show that the camera accessory manufacturers have no business designing products without the users input. There are a LOT of things that could be done to make any strap better, but these companies do not pay attention to what WORKS, just "what we can do cheaper". That attitude irks me.
I originally started my double camera strap quest right here on UHH over a year ago. After trying a few, I settled on the OpTech. These last 2 are paid reviews from companies looking for good feedback. What they get from me will be totally blunt, honest results. What they choose to do with those results is entirely up to them.
Several years ago I did a field test of 6 different photo vests for a New York supplier. Two were great and got high marks, both reviews were published. One was "good" but ridiculously over-priced. 3 were pretty much so poorly made that they were worthless at any price. Surprise, none of those other 4 reviews were ever published. But I still had 6 photo vests to get rid of, and 2 of them went right to the trash as I would not even want to give them to anyone.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

BboH wrote:

The Safe and Fast looks a lot like the OpTech harness I have which does NOT connect by use of the tripod mount. Mine has the usual camera strap attachments. Interesting...

The basic design is similar, but the construction quality is severely lacking. I have been to the OpTech factory many times and watched their manufacturing process. I have never been to China. ;-)

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Bob55 wrote:

Previously there was a useful discussion about camera slings. What would all of you recommend using to carry a 7D and maybe a 70 to 300 lens and a monopod?

Here is the only strap I have trusted to hang any of my cameras from since 1982!

http://optechusa.com/pro-strap.html

Bob55 Loc: Valhalla NY

MT, I recall a stap that holds a camera at the hip. When one wants to use the camera it slide up and returns to the hip when finished. Can you comment about the quality and usefulness? Thanks, Bob