A much stronger strap connection point
May 7, 2015 12:09:49 #
After adding a battery grip on my 7D mk2 I didn't feel safe with the quick connect shoulder strap plate screwed to the grip. Lots of weight with the grip, camera and 100/400 lens at nearly 8 pounds hanging on the grip's connection to the camera. I wandered through the shop looking for something to make a security strap to add to the setup, found all kinds of extra camera straps but nothing I liked then came up with this tether strap from a cordless drill, turned out to be the right length to go around the lens barrel and not have to use the grip plate connection. The tether is too short to accidentally slip off and it rotates around the lens for any position with the weight supported at the strongest point between the camera and the lens. I think this is a much safer connection than through the grip as there is no leverage point. I have tested to see if the strap could possibly push the lens release button and could not get it to push the release in far enough. Simple fix for a simple problem that might save my camera and lens.
May 7, 2015 12:25:29 #
Elliott Design wrote:
After adding a battery grip on my 7D mk2 I didn't ... (show quote)
Looks like this could eventually wear off the lenses paint. And what keeps the camera to just drop to the ground, if is slips out of that loop?
May 7, 2015 12:43:40 #
May 7, 2015 12:52:43 #
RobertW
Loc: Breezy Point, New York
8 lbs!! Wow- am I happier than ever with my EM-1 and my "Nifty-fifty" (Leica25mmf1.4) lens + my leica D-Lux-6!!!
May 7, 2015 13:02:52 #
speters wrote:
Looks like this could eventually wear off the lenses paint. And what keeps the camera to just drop to the ground, if is slips out of that loop?
Good point, but by the time a soft nylon strap eventually wears the paint off the lens I would imagine I'll be too old to care and the lens will most likely end up it in a yardsale anyway. The post states the tether is too small to slip off over the lens so that is no problem either, you have to put it around the barrel then attach the lens to the camera.
May 7, 2015 13:05:48 #
rpavich wrote:
I am once again reminded why I switched to a small Mirrorless X100T. :)
I've thought of it, but still using this beast as long as I can carry it.
May 7, 2015 13:09:14 #
RobertW wrote:
8 lbs!! Wow- am I happier than ever with my EM-1 and my "Nifty-fifty" (Leica25mmf1.4) lens + my leica D-Lux-6!!!
When I want to go light weight I use a T3i and a nifty-fifty or an 18/135 but for some reason I just can't get the distant wildlife shots with that setup.
May 7, 2015 13:43:39 #
May 7, 2015 15:06:11 #
RobertW wrote:
Try the 75-300 on the EM1 with the sight from the SP100!
Thanks Robert, I have a 70-300 for my T3i and it's light enough, but I'm not looking to change camera/lens, or go with a smaller sensor, the point was the tether around the lens is a stronger point to attach the 7D mk2 and heavy lens to a harness strap in place of directly to the grip.
May 7, 2015 15:08:41 #
Elliott Design wrote:
After adding a battery grip on my 7D mk2 I didn't ... (show quote)
Looks like you have made a "home version" of the OpTech Lens Loop:
http://optechusa.com/lens-loops.html
May 7, 2015 16:19:56 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Looks like you have made a "home version" of the OpTech Lens Loop:
http://optechusa.com/lens-loops.html
http://optechusa.com/lens-loops.html
MT, didn't figure I had invented anything, just a country tinker's way of solving a need (we do think beyond duck tape and bailing wire around here sometimes). Glad to see they are already available and thanks for the link, maybe someone will benefit from it, would be well worth the $10 if I hadn't already rigged this up.
May 7, 2015 16:22:08 #
rpavich wrote:
I am once again reminded why I switched to a small Mirrorless X100T. :)
Yes, I hear gravity has no effect on them. (Just kiddin' ya'. :D)
May 7, 2015 16:22:32 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Looks like you have made a "home version" of the OpTech Lens Loop:
http://optechusa.com/lens-loops.html
http://optechusa.com/lens-loops.html
Right. I saw that the other day.
May 7, 2015 16:25:02 #
Just be aware that a year or more ago, a member posted a picture of a metal connector like that. The swiveling part was worn so thin it was about to separate. Just keep an eye on it and follow the manufacturer's recommendation to lube it every month or 300,000 steps, whichever comes first. :D
May 7, 2015 16:26:08 #
You have two unused strap mounts on the sides of the camera - why not utilize them instead of string loop around the lens? They are specifically designed to carry the weight of camera and lens. In contrast, the camera/lens mount is not designed to be repeatedly yanked with force. A broken or warped mount is someting you want to avoid.
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