Sling Strap tripod mount question: I asked this question 2 years ago and I want to ask as un update. I have a Black Rapid Sling Strap which I really love. I have read a fair amount...

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

I asked this question 2 years ago and I want to ask as un update. I have a Black Rapid Sling Strap which I really love. I have read a fair amount about people saying using the tripod screw hole is dangerous and could damage the camera. Most of what I have read has been the old "I heard about a friend of a friend who..." I still not heard directly from a single person with direct evidence that it can in fact do damage to the camera. I have heard from all the analytics who say the technical specs show that it will fail, however I have never seen any technical specs for that part of the camera. I have used the strap for 3 years with a D3100 which is a pretty plasticy body(meaning I would not expect it to be the strongest body) I have not had a single problem. I want to use it with my D7100 which I feel has a much stronger frame. The heaviest lens I have is 55-300.
So has anyone experienced tripod screw hole failure or damage to the bottom of the camera from using any sling strap that uses the tripod hole? Thanks

Curve_in Loc: Virginia

At the one year mark, I've had no failure for my D7000 with a 17-55 lens.

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

No problem here, and I've been using it for two years to tote my D800E with a battery grip and a 28-300mm lens.

DVZ Loc: Littleton CO

All I can tell you is that I use mine all the time for variety of cameras and activities. Hiking on Colorado mountain trails is probably the roughest use I give it. However, I'm still careful, if I'm jumping over logs or off boulders I don't let my camera swing wildly or take the large shock load when I land. I support the camera those times. The cameras that I have used it on are D5100, D300, D600, D750 with as many lenses. The other thing I do that works equally as well when I know I'll need both hands for scrambling or the weather is bad is I take the strap off and use a camera holster bag.

mper812 Loc: Atlanta GA area

I have had no problems with my D7100 and my sling strap mount. I strongly recommend that you make sure the screw mount is tightly in place as the may tend to unscrew itself from movement while you are walking or hiking. I always check mine periodically .

Jaackil wrote:

I asked this question 2 years ago and I want to as... (show quote)

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

DVZ wrote:

All I can tell you is that I use mine all the time... (show quote)

Thanks, I agree, I think no matter what strap you use you need to use common sense. I wouldnt let a camera swing wildly or take a large shock load even with a traditional strap either.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

mper812 wrote:

I have had no problems with my D7100 and my sling strap mount. I strongly recommend that you make sure the screw mount is tightly in place as the may tend to unscrew itself from movement while you are walking or hiking. I always check mine periodically .

I agree! I constantly check mine even though my Black Rapid has a rubber washer that keeps it tight and I have never found it to be loose. I never take for granted that it can still come loose.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Jaackil wrote:

I asked this question 2 years ago and I want to as... (show quote)

Nikon sells the strap with their logo on it. That speaks volumes to whether or not it is strong enough. If you think about it, putting a camera on a tripod with a lens on it puts far more stress on the tripod screw socket than letting it dangle from a Black Rapid strap. Especially if the lens is a collarless zoom.

The analytics are merely armchair photographers who's greatest claim to fame is that the can do a google search at lightning speed and post what they read. The are the single largest source of internet rumors and photography "Zombie Myths" ("truths and facts that are widely circulated, but are neither truth nor fact) .

:)

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Jaackil wrote:

I asked this question 2 years ago and I want to as... (show quote)

Nikon sells the strap with their logo on it. That speaks volumes to whether or not it is strong enough. If you think about it, putting a camera on a tripod with a lens on it puts far more stress on the tripod screw socket than letting it dangle from a Black Rapid strap. Especially if the lens is a collarless zoom.

The analytics are merely armchair photographers who's greatest claim to fame is that the can do a google search at lightning speed and post what they read. The are the single largest source of internet rumors and photography "Zombie Myths" ("truths and facts that are widely circulated, but are neither truth nor fact). :)

I've been using BR straps for 4 years - no issues. I did not use the earlier strap because I did not trust the attachment - not because it was structurally unsound, but because the part that screws into the camera didn't seem like it would stay tightened.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Gene51 wrote:

Nikon sells the strap with their logo on it. That ... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida

i can tell you this, I have had my Nikon D800 and my Nikon 14-24 2.8 lens on my black rapid Sling with never a problem as well as my nikon 70-200 2.8 lens attached as well, if someone has had a problem,. my thoughts would be, that they either did not attach the camera body to their sling properly or didn't tighten the sling screw sufficiently, or did not periodically check the sling connections....

Jaackil wrote:

I asked this question 2 years ago and I want to as... (show quote)

lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Very Well said, Gene!!

Gene51 wrote:

Nikon sells the strap with their logo on it. That ... (show quote)

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

Gene51 wrote:

Nikon sells the strap with their logo on it. That ... (show quote)

I did not realize that. Just looked it up apparently the Nikon Logo on the strap makes it much more valuable to the tune of $30. At that price I like my BR logo better.
I guess that is the ultimate endorsement that it is safe to use. Thanks

tjphxaz Loc: Phoenix, AZ

I have used both sling and hand straps from Black Rapid for a couple of years on the cameras/lenses listed below with no issues. Check the BR website for accessories that allow you to leave tripod QR plates attached to camera while using the sling.

SonyBug

If it is safe, I have a question for those that carry it upside down. (I carry mine from the strap mount) Is it faster to orient the camera from upside down over carrying it in a more upright position.

In other words, why do you like the upside down position?