Keldon Loc: Yukon, B.C.

Has anyone experienced or developed chronic lower back pain after extended use of a sling strap such as the Black Rapid and others? By extended use I mean two or three hours for most days over several weeks and/or months.

Johnj168 Loc: Granbury Texas

I've been using the black rapid strap for about 4 years and never experienced any problems. I've used it as much as 12 hrs a day for a week or two at a time.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I have found that the issue with any pack or strap is how balanced the weight is, and the heavier the more important balance is. It could be how you distribute the weight rather than the type of strap. If you can keep the weight centered or balanced it may help. I use a TAMRAC Velocity pack with side pockets as my standard grab bag with camera, six lenses, flash and accessories. It is not light,(10-12lbs) but very adjustable so I can distribute the weight according to what I am doing. Never had a problem, but if I'm hiking with it I adjust it differently (centered on back) to casual wandering about (shoulder sling), and if actively taking pictures swing it round to front waist position for easy access to change lenses and so forth. I can also use it and balance it with other items such as a laptop bag (courier type). Either way balance seems to help, but unbalanced does put stress on the back which can lead to discomfort.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I have a Black Rapid slingstrap. Have used it for several years. I use it on my 6D which usually has my 70-200 f/2.8 L II lens on it. I had 4 vertebra in my cervical spine fused last year and I find that it relieves pressure on my neck considerably, especially compared to my 7DII with 100-400 L II that I use with a neck strap. I also have a bad vertebra or two in my lower back. (More surgery!). The Black Rapid does seem to cause some additional discomfort in my lower back. I tend to think it is because I lean into the camera to shield it and keep my hand on it to prevent it from banging around when walking, especially when near people or objects. For me it's kind of a toss-up as to which works better, a neck strap or sling strap.

Bobbee

I hurt my back (SI JOINT) last Oct. Then I royally aggravated it doing a month of construction working on my house in NY to put it up for sale. I could not walk without pain, or sit, or stand, or laydown. It was bad. Blow your brains out BAD!! Came back on 4/14. Had a wedding on 4/16. Lots of pain killers and patches to do that. But............I picked up my harness, put it on, close my eyes and gritted my teeth and locked my two D800's (24-70 & 70-200) one at a time onto the strap. Not too bad. I could do this. Did the 8-9 hours. The next day, and after the drugs wore off, I have to say the pain did not increase above what I had felt. I shot another wedding about a month later, with the hurt back. Still nothing increased. So for me, and it is my SI, it did not effect me any more, any less.

BTW, last Friday they stuck a needle in my SI and pumped Cort-Steroids into it. I feel better now. I did it without anesthesia. The Dr. asked me if i was up all night worrying about the pain. I said I could not find any mention of it on the internet, so why worry. If you are getting it. They hit you with a small pain killer that takes effect imed and then all you feel is the pressure as they move up the joint injecting. Somewhat like when you get the nerve block when you go to the dentist to get a filling. Not mind blowing discomfort. But the Dr. said everyone's brain is built different. Others do not push the feeling out as well. i told him I got slammed in the knee when I was 14. What they did to me in the hospital emergency room that afternoon made me impervious to alot of pain. I broke the nurses hand that day during one procedure. Who told that idiot to put her hand 'inside' mine. HA!!!! Payback!!!

rogerl Loc: UK (Harrogate, North Yorkshire)

I also suffer neck & back pain. A fellow member recommended this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/SPIDER-PRO-SINGLE-CAMERA-SYSTEM/dp/B004SIMNF0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1455709945&sr=1-1&keywords=spiderpro+single+camera+system. I liked the sound of it but was put off by the price (= $145). I then did some research and found this clone which I've bought: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eggsnow-Holster-Camera-Single-Cameras/dp/B00M0E6API/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1455710058&sr=1-1&keywords=Eggsnow+Pro+Waist+Holster+Camera+Belt+Plate+Single+Camera+System+for+DSRL%2FSLR%2F+Film+Cameras .I like it and, as far as I can see, it is very well made & identical to the SpiderPro.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

NO.

Marilyng Loc: Lorain,Oh.

I use a cotton carrier vest that hooks my camera in front of me so I just lift my camera point & shoot.Now if I have my big Sigma I have to hold the camera with one hand just so it isn't bobbling all over but I never experience any back pain. Maybe u need a vest type carrier,I really love mine! Being a retired nurse I have had my share of back pain so I make sure I have enough support with my camera.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

I won't add my panoply of physical problems to this thread, but I just had to laugh. It kinda reminded me of old farts at the nursing home bragging about which one had the most painful problem. Maybe we should have a triage section. (Please forgive me but I couldn't help myself).

Bobbee

I like that. I am pretty destructive and abusive to myself. I would be on that section all day!!

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

When I got fitted for a backpack, the fellow at REI filled the pack with sand bags and had me walk around the store for 30 minutes. Then he asked me where my back hurt. That told him what kind of backpack I should use and how to fill it. I find with some packs (sling or not) all the weight goes to the bottom. Unfortunately, that doesn't work for me. So I have to find some way to pack it so that the weight is at the top. For that reason, I like the Tamrac pack that puts your camera facing down at the top of the pack. I think it's more how you individually carry weight and how the pack is configured.

Keldon Loc: Yukon, B.C.

Thanks everyone for your input, unfortunately I must conclude that the problem is mine and I'm going to have to live with it until I find a better way to carry my camera.

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

5 yrs, none yet - but I do alternate between the Black Rapid and a Cotton Carrier (for active applications).

lrm Loc: Sarasota, FL

get a cotton carrier. It has saved my back for 6-7 hours of shooting with heavy lenses.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I had the back and neck pain when I used the normal strap. That cleared up when I switched to a sling (Black Rapid) style of strap. Yes, my lower back still aches, but that's because I have 3 herniated discs. But my upper back used to bother me with the neck strap.