BlackRapid camera straps reviewed

I’ve never really been a camera strap user. Anyone who has ever spent a full day out shooting knows the burden a camera strap puts on your neck and the insecurity of having your camera haphazardly hang against your chest ready to swing into anything you might pass. It never occurred to me to upgrade my most basic camera accessory, until I was introduced to the R-Strap by BlackRapid. With so many variations of the R-Strap available, the potential it has to make any photographic experience more comfortable and convenient is difficult to ignore.

The R-Strap is worn diagonally across the torso from shoulder to hip. The idea is that your camera hangs snugly by your side, supported by the padded shoulder strap. Whether you’re big or little, these straps are all adjustable, so you can tailor it just right to suit. Before BlackRapid, I had only used my original strap as extra insurance while shooting in case of a knock and drop. I had bought a sling camera bag in which to store it safely instead, but this meant missing shoots while I awkwardly fiddle with clips and zips to get my camera into shooting position.

The R-Strap’s design functions solve these problem by keeping your camera secure, safely positioned and ready for action. So far, I was impressed. The strap felt comfortable, and the concept made sense. But I was yet to attach my camera to the end of it. This was the part I was nervous about.

BlackRapid camera straps

The R-Strap is designed to attach to either your camera body via its tripod socket using it’s locking FastenR (FR-3). This way, it hangs down and sits on your hip, upside down. The idea of this didn’t sit so well with me at first so I was sure investigate the fastenR before attaching my camera. It seemed secure enough. The solid stock stainless steel design is fitted with a high-grade rubber compression washer to ensure a solid connection. The actual ConnectR (CR-2) itself is made of high strength Zinc Alloy Ingot. It also swivels, allowing you to safely attach your camera and lens with an extra screw-lock to ensure the safety of your camera and lens.

BlackRapid FastenR-3 and ConnectR-2

I first tried the RS-Sport. It’s wider shoulder pad and under-arm stabilizing strap makes it perfect for more challenging shooting situations. The stabilizing strap secures the weight and position of your camera, even when in shooting position, as the strap can’t slide like it can with some of the other R-Straps. The shoulder pad is well padded so it wont dig into your shoulder like your original strap does when worn over long periods of time. The Sports strap retails at R760.

The BlackRapid RS-Sport

Impressed? Let’s take this a step further with the RS DR-1. That’s code for ‘double the fun’. This double sling camera strap allows you to carry two cameras, or, only use half the contraption as a single strap. MODS capability allows you to customize your double strap even further with extra straps and storage features. The double strap retails at R1 400.

BlackRapid Double strap

Point and shoot camera owners, you have not been forgotten. The Snap R20 Point and Shoot Bag and Strap System allows you to easily glide your camera from its bag to shooting position. In much the same way as the others, your camera can attach to your strap so that when you remove it from the bag, it glides up the sling strap to shooting position. This way, there’s no need to worry about dropping or forgetting your camera. See no need for the bag? Simply unlatch it from the main strap. The Snap R20 retails for R430 and makes the perfect Christmas present.

BlackRapid Snap R20

BlackRapid’s newest strap on the market is the Metro Strap. It is the lightest in this range and its design makes it easily portable and packable. Without sacrificing comfort or speed, the Metro Straps compact shoulder pad and slim design is most convenient for micro camera owners. Or anyone just getting into photography. The Metro strap retails at R460.

BlackRapid Metro Strap

For most photographers, especially those just starting out, spending over R700 on a camera strap could be seen as money not spent on another lens, lens filter, or other accessory. Until you have big fat camera bodies and lenses to carry around, perhaps these camera straps are not yet a completely necessary part of your photographic equipment. However, for photographers often juggling more than one camera or spending hours at a time waiting for that perfect shot, the R-Strap is the way forward.

BlackRapid camera straps and accessories are available from Sunshineco. Contact them on tel: 021-461-0595, email sales@sunshinecompany, www.sunshinecompany.co.za

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