blackest Loc: Ireland

I just bought a strap, it has a locking carabiner clip and a 1/4 bolt on that for the tripod mount of the camera, but why attach it there? If it's attached to the right hand strap lug where straps are intended to attach then the bolt can't unscrew itself and the strap still works as intended.

For my little point and shoot where there is no real strap lugs, then you would have to use the tripod hole but with a dslr not so much. What do you think?

Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

There are a few different brands of straps that you can purchase that fasten to the lug and not to the tripod socket. Everyone has a different preference.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I have a good "Black Rapid" sling strap that has a pocket for 2 extra batteries and pockets for memory cards. The wide part (with the pockets) goes over my left shoulder and the camera hangs at my hip (under my right arm. The strap screws into the tripod bolt hole in the bottom of the camera and is pretty good. The only bad part is that if the lug comes unscrewed, the camera (and lens) will drop to the ground. This happened to be once (fortunately in tall grass on soft ground) and I got a keeper that fastens into the original strap attachment on the top edge of the camera and extends to a carabiner clip which attaches to the camera strap. IF the bolt comes unscrewed, the camera will fall about 4 inches and be stopped by the safety. I also got the Jollo for my wife's camera. I probably could have made one but for the $8 it cost to buy, I probably couldn't have made one as easily or inexpensively. I was lucky, if the camera and my 80-400mm lens had fallen on pavement, it might have been bad. Oh the beauty of this is that if I put the camera on a tripod, all I have to do is unhook the carabiner clip (it has a screw lock) and remove the strap from the tripod socket. It takes an additions couple of minutes. Its a small price to pay for some added security.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

I use the tripod lug, but my Olympus M43 camera is quite light, if I had a much heavier camera I would consider using the hand strap fittings.
In my case the camera lug bolt has a thick rubber washer which prevents it unscrewing, in any case I check the screw regularly.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

On my BlackRapid Cross Shot Breathe Camera Strap, I attached the tripod lug to an arca-swiss clamp and fasten it to my L-plate or a lens foot if the lens is heavy. Great for hiking and makes for quick deployment. Makes for a lanyard when I use a tripod as well. Pricey, in my opinion, and worth every dime.

I used loc-tite and have had zero issues with hundreds of uses.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

I was using a Black Rapid sling strap on my Nikon for years, actually on several Nikon's over the past few years all connected to the tripod screw using the Black Rapid caribiner and screw, never an issue, never worked loose, and I used Arca Swiss plates to make tripod use with the Black Rapid connector easy and no trouble , just unhook the caribiner and mount the arca Swiss plate in the clamp

Switching from Nikon to Canon recently all I needed to do was add an arca Swiss plate with a Black Rapid connector built in that folds into the arca Swiss mount so I can get another decade out of the Black Rapid sling strap and allow for easy tripod mounting!

BTW tried connecting with the camera lugs with a different brand of sling strap, lug connection straps were always in the way it seemed when shooting, and camera "hung" wrong in the carrying position for me

I will stick with Black Rapid connected by the tripod mount on the QR plate

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

Agree, have used BR for years and never a problem. Also, their customer service is top notch! Some how I lost the strap that goes under the arm and called BR and a week later, received a new strap. They know how to take care of their customers!

blackest Loc: Ireland

Thats really the thing with these, checking the screw because it can come undone.
With the eyelet holes some cameras have an integrated ring, others have one added. But it is secure and the locking carabiner through that isn't going to come off. It's possible that the lock on the carabiner might unscrew but it's also spring loaded into the closed position. So you would have to be really unlucky to lose the camera from that, it's the same risk as with using the tripod mount hole.

Attaching at the top lug avoids the possibility of the tripod screw coming loose altogether. Plus it's easy to unclip when you want to use the tripod or say a hand strap.

At the moment I'm using an arca swiss plate with 2 lugs either side the left side has a neck strap and the right a hand strap and now I have the shoulder strap. I think the neck strap can go and perhaps attach an auxiliary safety strap, although is it really needed?

I'm kind of reminded of a little experiment where some kids were given two planks/ boards and some rope and had to figure out how to cross a room without touching it with their feet. They used both boards and crossed. Then one board was taken away and they also crossed, faster this time.

Having the tripod screw, doesn't necessarily mean it's the best way of attaching it.

My arca swiss plate has 2 1/4 bolts to stop the plate from sliding from the tripod although there are a couple of 1/4 threaded holes the strap screw interferes with either of the 2 bolts. It seems the shoulder mounting is better plus its a few seconds to switch camera bodies if i needed too.

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

I wonder what caused this?

TonyF Loc: Bradenton, FL

That's exactly how I attach mine, but I had to add a little rubber extension to the lug for the carabineer.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Not a strap failure

https://noshoes.wordpress.com/category/wisdom/

"Today I placed the camera atop the tripod with flash attached and turned to retrieve a second remote flash. Count to three and crash I spin around to see the tripod laying flat against the tile floor with the tripod mount and the a section of the lower housing of the camera firmly attached minus the rest of the camera.

I slowly pick up the pieces and find that the lens, the flash, and the camera all still function. It is hard to believe but I am pleased I can continue with the shoot. I must say I am more surprised that I am not overwhelmed with grief and anger."

Posted November 27th 2005.

http://www.karlgrobl.com/EquipmentReviews/StrapsRstrapBlackRapid.htm

Black rapid was started in Fall 2006
"Ronald Dean Henry a professional photographer working in a photojournalistic style, founded BlackRapid in the fall of 2006. Ronald saw a need for a better method of shooting and developed the R-Strap to keep his camera safe while providing fast and easy access"

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

My personal preference is to use the camera lug. There is a reason why the makers put then there, The tripod socked was designed to attach the camera to a tripod, hence the name. It was not designed to hold the combined weight of a camera and lens, bouncing around on a strap, every step will put extra stress on the connection. Just because something may be convenient doesn't make it right. My 2 cents.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Good deal - lots of people just see a picture and take it for granted it proves something.... in many cases it only proves people can be fooled into spreading false rumors as fact... :)

I have used a Black Rapid strap on my Tripod socket for many years and not once has it even tried to pull out, nope, not even close.

In fact, Nikon sells the Black Rapid straps on their web site, for their DSLR camera lineup, and state the connection is for the tripod socket. Sort of approves it use eh?

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

This is a case where common sense is just plain WRONG.

Strap lugs were designed and included in camera designs when SLRs and rangefinders were both SMALLER and LIGHTER than current DSLRs.

They are designed to be used with NECK STRAPS... which were not only common when SLRs/rangefinders were the predominate portable camera, but because of the small size and light weight of those camera types, were completely sufficient.

Let me make a suggestion; take a look at cut-away views of your camera. If it is a low to medium end camera, the construction will be primarily plastic and MOST of the strap lugs will be inserted in this plastic with MINIMAL ANCHORING.

Upper level cameras with metal frames or sub-frames are somewhat sturdier... but NO strap lug is as secure as the tripod mount on the same camera.

Contrary to what was previously stated, the tripod mount IS designed to support the weight of a camera and lens combination. That's EXACTLY what it is designed to do.

Think about it: what do you think it's doing when your camera is mounted on the tripod?

The point that it wasn't made to support a camera bouncing around upside down is illogical for two reasons: first, upside down or rightside up doesn't matter because the structure of the base plate remains the same and it was designed to support the weight of the camera and lens. Second, people who talk about cameras bouncing around on tripod lug mounted straps have OBVIOUSLY never used one. Movement is restricted, and in cases where it isn't, people wearing the strap generally restrain the camera movement with their hand or arm.

Neck straps can be uncomfortable, ESPECIALLY with heavy lenses mounted and over a long day shooting. This is not a problem with over the shoulder straps.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

AMEN DON!!!

Like you and David, I have used Black Rapid products for YEARS and have NEVER, EVER had ANY problems.

And that's under some pretty tough conditions and HEAVY usage. Whether attached to the tripod socket on the camera OR the lens foot.

The instructions included with EACH BR strap tell you to tighten the screw BEFORE use to prevent accidents. When used as intended, this type of mounting system works without a hitch.