SWIVEL CONNECTORS for Camera STRAP any hints?

[johnstoy]

Swivel connectors for camera strap...

I just ordered a set of 150 lbs. test, fishing tackle ball bearing swivels for the camera neck strap connectors...extra heavy duty fishing tackle split rings, are also on my camera now...

the belt loops connectors keep unraveling after a lot of twisting...I don't trust the belt buckle combination at all...
Not with my white L lens on my straps...

Any suggestions for a 100% reliable camera swivel connection to the neck strap?...

Hopefully ones that won't scratch the glass on the camera...

Would it also be applicable for the hand wrap strap connections?

Please advise, as this is so critical for carrying the heavy lenses on the camera...

[Freff]

Personally I wouldn't use them. They are likely to scratch your gear. I use the POTN strap and at first was a bit sceptical at using quick release connectors. I have been using it a while now, and I'm very confident with it. The connectors are of quality are require a bit of pressure to release them. I use this strap with my 1D and 70-200IS which is about as heavy as it gets for general shooting with no probs.

[johnstoy]

Thanks Tony,
I was worried about the quick release feature of the straps... the scratching of the camera by the metal components from fishing tackle is most likely to happen over and over again...

I'll just use that stuff for fishing then...

The swivel would only be good if it wasn't long enough to reach any of the scratchable surfaces...however, to get a ball bearing swivel strong enough to trust with a valuable camera, they all need to be over approx. 1.25 inch in length...that's just long enough to reach the viewer glass on top of the camera...

I'll put an order in right now for the POTN neck strap...

Again, Thanks Tony.

[jrsforums]

Op/Tech USA, mfg. of the POTN strap, makes a swivel hook connector to replace the loop connectors. I use them and attach to 1/2" split rings (from Ace) attached to the camera lugs. The hooks are plastic, but they could as well be metal. They do not scratch the camera and do not get even close to the lenses.

I like this set up better as when I want the strap off...it is OFF.

[TMR Design]

Op/Tech USA, mfg. of the POTN strap, makes a swivel hook connector to replace the loop connectors. I use them and attach to 1/2" split rings (from Ace) attached to the camera lugs. The hooks are plastic, but they could as well be metal. They do not scratch the camera and do not get even close to the lenses.

I like this set up better as when I want the strap off...it is OFF.

Does anyone have a picture of this?

[jrsforums]

Does anyone have a picture of this?

Op/Tech site: http://optechusa.com/product/detail/?PRODUCT_ID=48&PRODUCT_SUB_ID=&CATEGORY_ID=4 swivel is #1

B&H site: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=328123&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Close up of the same swivel (actually a black-gray) used on hand strap (custom made by Op/Tech for me). I use this, without next strap 80-90% of the time. Before I got this I used a hakuba hand strap (not grip) with a small metal swivel hook from Ace hdwr.

[TMR Design]

Looks good but I'm not liking the metal swivel hook. That looks like its just going to scrape uo the black coating.

Are you using this? Do you mount the swivel hook right to the camera or is there a component I'm not seeing?

I like the idea of completely removing the strap when not needed.

[jrsforums]

Looks good but I'm not liking the metal swivel hook.
The Op/Tech is plastic, with a wire frame piece (think of like heavier than a paper clip) used as the "catch"
That looks like its just going to scrape uo the black coating.
It doesn't though. I have used on my 20D for almost 2 years...with metal Ace hooks, before I got the Op/Tech's....no scratches....and on the 5D for a year now...with the Op/Tech's and a mix of Op/tech and Ace (metal) on the hand strap (I use which ever I find first)

Are you using this? Yes. I think I said so in my posts. I would not have posted it unless I did. IF I didn't personally use/know it, I would have referenced to some other source. Do you mount the swivel hook right to the camera or is there a component I'm not seeing? There is a component you missed in reading. From my first post in this thread, "...I use them and attach to 1/2" split rings (from Ace) attached to the camera lugs..." The split rings provide the seperation from the body. I guess if I examined the interior of the lugs, the black is probably worn off, but I bet you would find the same from the webbing or loops of other straps...over time.

I like the idea of completely removing the strap when not needed.

Me, too. Which is why I do it. I also like the "safety" of the hand strap. I have a pretty good grip so don't need a hand "grip", which also is cumbersome and constricting (to me). The strap works nicely.

BTW....my original hand strap, thhe Hakaba, is here;http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=194759&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

A (poor) pix of it with the Ace metal swivel:

[TMR Design]

Thanks John. What made you decide to use the split rings? You indicate that it seperates it from the camera. Did you feel this needed to be done or did you just decide to try and liked it?

[jrsforums]

Thanks John. What made you decide to use the split rings? You indicate that it seperates it from the camera. Did you feel this needed to be done or did you just decide to try and liked it?

Decision was quite pragmatic. I wanted exchangeable, which meant totally removable. That precluded using straps to attach. Split rings were strong and would fit on lugs, which were designed for narrow straps. IT works.

[johnstoy]

Just received the Ball Bearing Swivels...

They are:
Made By SAMPO, "The Only American Made" Ball-Bearing Swivels with split rings...
12 pack of 70 Lbs. Test retails for 24.95 on sale for 4.95
12 pack of 50 Lbs. Test retails for 24.95 on sale for 4.95

They are placed next to a ruler...

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/stoy17/Canon%20Bits/IMG_65671.jpg

It looks like I'll be able to use the larger 70 pound test Swivels...I'm in the process of ordering the POTN Neck Strap and will try to thread the end loops through the split ring on each side...

The vendor "Cabela's" didn't have heavier ones in stock for at least another month..."Bass Pro Shop's" also was limited to different weight parameters...So I ordered these from Cabela's...

[TMR Design]

OK here's a good one for you. Is it possible to get black split rings?

[johnstoy]

OK here's a good one for you. Is it possible to get black split rings?

I originally searched for "Blue Steel" split rings, haven't found any yet...I think it's more of a machinist type of thing...

However...
I know the swivels are made in black too, but were out of stock... and are probably like the ones with split rings, I posted a picture of here...

I have a pair of split rings that came with a generic neck strap... they are made of a very dark, near black wire...their breaking threshold is very questionable, they are junk...

I'd call around on Long Island, to the local hardware store and to a local saltwater fishing tackle shop...the tackle shops probably have these ball bearing swivels too and possibly in black...