optech strap fails in a big way! [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

adnic

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 02:34

hi all
a cautionary tale for anyone considering or using an optech pro strap.
i have a pair of them on my work eos bodies & yesterday at a job..approx 30 secs before i was due to shoot the deputy premier of qld the optech broke clean through where the plastic ring meets the main body of the strap.
everything hit the ground & the flash was smashed from the mount resulting in one broken flash, one unuseable flash shoe & there fore one redundant eos & 70-200 2.8.
luckily i have learnt to always have two systems in place so the job was done ok, but i will never use an optech strap again & warn everyone to be careful with them.
adam

FlyingPhotog

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 02:36

Just another thing to add to the pre-shoot checklist along with fresh batteries, clean glass and a formatted CF card...

AdamC

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 02:39

Wow, amazing. Any photos of the failure point?

Goshawk

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 03:56

Ouch, that must have hurt. Will stick to my straps without rings or clips.

sprite

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 05:09

m-bartelt

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 05:17

bazz8

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 05:26

Hmn I am waiting for the hand strap to suit the vertical grip for my 40D could have got one for 8-12 dollars and finally went for the Canon genuine $50.00 in Sth Australia
it better be good don,t want that happening to me.
Feel for you I hope the repair bill is not to stiff or insurance covers it
regards
Bazz8

calicokat

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 05:27

thanks for the heads up, sorry to hear the story though

Jim G

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 05:30

Damn hey.... That's no good :(

The_Camera_Poser

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 06:23

Bugger!

ben_r_

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 10:44

I would like to see images of the failure point. TONS of these straps have been sold and are used EXTREMELY widely among a lot more than just photography equipment and I have never heard or read of one breaking. This is either a rare occurrence, or something else happened. Maybe the strap was worn down from constant rubbing, who knows, could have been anything else....

Post some pics please.

MannP

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 11:03

I'm very curious to see pics too. I was considering an optech strap until this. I actually just wanted the loop system. The QR, not so much. I've even seen people secure their qr straps with zip ties. I just want a neoprene strap with a loop connector. Can't find one.

Sorry about your equipment adnic. That sucks.

Jim Neiger

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 11:15

I've been using Optech starps to carry my 500mm with probody attached and my 300mm F2.8 as well. I use them almost on a daily basis and have never had a problem. I just inspected my straps and they look fine. Maybe you had a deffective strap. How old was it? How much did you use it before it broke?

arkphotos

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 11:22

And what sort of environment were you in? Any extreme cold?

msowsun

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 11:30

EDIT: The OP has never responded after the first post with any sort of evidence or explanation.... Therefore I have serious doubts about the claim that the buckle broke. At the very least, this would be a "one in a million" occurrence and not something that anyone should be concerned with as many experienced photographers have said they never have heard of an Optech strap or hardware failing.

adnic , Is this the part that broke?

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/IMG_1415_640.jpg

James Salenger

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 11:34

I hate plastic

ben_r_

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 11:58

adnic , Is this the part that broke?

Yea I couldnt figure out what ring the OP was referring to either...

Sparky98

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 12:01

I regularly visit 3 different photography forums and read a couple of photography magazines and this is the first time I have read that someone has had a strap break so I think this must be a rare occurance. Because they rarely give trouble we probably take straps for granted. Everything we carry usually has some sort of strap attached to it so maybe we ought to spend a little time inspecting all the straps that we depend on to support the loads we carry.

Most camera straps are so overbuilt for the loads they carry if they break it seems to me it either has to be a manufacturing defect or a some kind of friction rubbing through part of the strap. The one point that concerns me and that I check occasionally is the attachment point to the camera body. I don't trust the nylon looped through that skinny little ring on the camera body.

alexg

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 12:19

it's very strange to see pro gear using plastic in such vital joints... I would never trust it... here's another one i would stay away from

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_CmraSpprtStrp.php

this seems much more reliable

http://upstrap-pro.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=QR

ben_r_

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 12:29

this seems much more reliable

http://upstrap-pro.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=QR

Thats not plastic too? Looks like it to me.

The problem with using metal anywhere in a camera strap I think is that its heavier for one and for two it increases the potential of scratching stuff up.

Permagrin

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 12:32

I've never heard of an optech strap failing. How old was it?

I have the up strap, the R strap (I think I have a camera strap obsession) and crumpler's strap (as well as kata's and several optechs). They all have their benefits but oddly enough, crumpler's is my favorite. None have failed though.

darkninja67

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 12:51

Never heard of an Optech failing but anything is possible. Sorry about the loss though. I always have a hand on the grip of my camera or barrel of the lens when it is around my neck.

Permagrin

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 12:53

Never heard of an Optech failing but anything is possible. Sorry about the loss though. I always have a hand on the grip of my camera or barrel of the lens when it is around my neck.

I agree, I didn't mean to imply anything else. I just wondered if age contributed to it.

OP, I forgot to mention, sorry to hear about your flash

kevEOS

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 15:08

it's very strange to see pro gear using plastic in such vital joints... I would never trust it... here's another one i would stay away from

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_product_CmraSpprtStrp.php

There are a few stories/pictures out there of the ThinkTank straps breaking at the metal clips. The area where the metal clips rotate. I'm sure like the OP-Tech it's just an isolated case. I actually trust plastic more than I do metal. Well atleast when it comes to these types of rotating joints.

krb

16th of August 2008 (Sat), 18:19

it's very strange to see pro gear using plastic in such vital joints... I would never trust it...

...

this seems much more reliable

http://upstrap-pro.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=QR
I have the upstrap. It's a nice strap but those are still plastic side release buckles.

johnnybfan

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 01:04

It seems to me that if you don't use your quick releases very often there should be less chance for failure. What I mean is, if you are using the quick releases often you are flexing the plastic where the prongs fit into the receiver. That could cause failure after a while.

I had my strap nearly come off my camera earlier this year. It just worked its way loose from the clips that hold it in place. I was lucky that I noticed that it was loose - it would have pulled out the next time I put the strap over my shoulder. I didn't catch it because I didn't ever check out the strap/camera connections, but because I got lucky. I check it every time I use it now.

Sorry to here about your loss.

franklinn

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 01:59

Sorry to here about your loss.

It's been a couple of months, hopefully he's over it by now ;)

gkuenning

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 03:51

Plastics have a bad rep with a lot of people. But it depends on what you're designing for. For every parameter, there's a plastic that outperforms metal on that parameter. In a lot of cases, plastic is better than metal on every relevant parameter, which is why designers have switched to plastic for those uses.

It's worth remembering that carbon fiber, which is generally found only in very high-end applications, is a plastic. So is Kevlar. Kevlar ropes are stronger and lighter than steel cables, and they don't rust.

It's unfortunate that this clip failure caused such a catastrophic loss, but it's not an indictment of plastics in general.

lukeap69

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 07:40

Mine is on the way and this is discouraging.

Sorry for your lost.

S.Horton

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 07:44

Not camera related...

But checking straps is important. I had a quick release system, one day it just gave out and a $2000 custom electric bass went flying and hit the slab floor of a rehearsal studio and cracked the headstock. :(

I check ANYTHING that has a strap attached to it before slinging it around my neck.

That reminds me -- I had a specialized QuikLok system on my Dean Elite (1979, hand-made, s#979) for that exact reason -- It occurs to me I've never seen the same type of super-secure strap system for cameras.

twofruitz

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 07:48

I will stick to OEM :)

ben_r_

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 10:39

I will stick to OEM :)
If youve got the neck for it great! But those Canon straps kill me.

jrm27

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 10:45

But checking straps is important. I had a quick release system, one day it just gave out and a $2000 custom electric bass went flying and hit the slab floor of a rehearsal studio and cracked the headstock.

That is why I'm not a fan of Schaller straplocks! I've heard of that happening quite often. No Schallers on any of my guitars at all.

foxbat

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 11:20

If youve got the neck for it great! But those Canon straps kill me.
The OEM is an instrument of torture in some parts of the world!

argyle

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 12:15

Doesn't anyone check their equipment before using? Its quite simple, and it only takes a few seconds. A pound of prevention is cheaper than a pound of cure. I say the OP is partly at fault if he/she didn't inspect the gear before using. I've been using Optech Pro Loops for years...never had any issues whatsoever...then again, I give my stuff a good once-over before putting it to use.

JC4

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 12:25

Feels like bait to me. I didn't notice till I read the thread, but the OP posted mid August, and never followed up. No answers to where it broke, or photos offered.

Bait, and total BS!

ben_r_

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 17:54

Feels like bait to me. I didn't notice till I read the thread, but the OP posted mid August, and never followed up. No answers to where it broke, or photos offered.

Bait, and total BS!
That was my first assumption too. Especially seeing as how the OP has nearly no posts, was new at the time and after several of us asked for pictures he/she came back with nothing. So Im going to go ahead and agree, I think this is a fake claim, or caused by something other than the Op/Tech strap itself.

ivicyrusivi

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 19:14

damn sorry to hear that mate!

i never understand why they use those plastic connectors! i mean even if they want a quick release system, why not use caribineers - if rock climbers trust thier lives with them, i would certainly trust my camera with them!!!!!

S-Man

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 19:20

Wow, what could have possibly happened to piss someone off at OpTech? They make great straps. I used to have one and it was very comfortable, just a little short for me and hot with direct skin contact. But it felt well made and durable. I can't imagine one just snapping for no reason.

ben_r_

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 19:21

ivicyrusivi

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 19:28

It might be because they are concerned with metal scratching everything it touches.

ive never really had a problem with curved metal surfaces scratching stuff, but fair enough how bout giving them a layer of plastic? like heat shrink/pvc?

im sure theres a solution rather then cheap plastic clips!

edit - ooh ooh carbon fiber caribineers :D

Woolburr

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 19:43

ive never really had a problem with curved metal surfaces scratching stuff, but fair enough how bout giving them a layer of plastic? like heat shrink/pvc?

im sure theres a solution rather then cheap plastic clips!

edit - ooh ooh carbon fiber caribineers :D

And exactly what proof do you have that the clips are made of "cheap" plastic? Not all plastics are cheap....not all plastics are fragile...not all plastics fail when they are subjected to hard use. There have been a lot of opinions floated here...but darn few facts. If you have a smoking gun....serve it up.

tumblew33d

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 19:50

That is why I'm not a fan of Schaller straplocks! I've heard of that happening quite often. No Schallers on any of my guitars at all.

Schallers are fixed solidly (bolted) to your strap though, then they 'cradle' the strap buttons on your guitar (if you've fitted them the right way up) and have spring loaded bearings to secure them, so there's no chance of the guitar 'falling out'.

Only way your guitar will hit the deck is if the strap button screws pop out of the body of your guitar, and that's not the Schallers failing!

I'd like to see some pics of the failed op-tech strap too. OP?

ivicyrusivi

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 20:52

And exactly what proof do you have that the clips are made of "cheap" plastic? Not all plastics are cheap....not all plastics are fragile...not all plastics fail when they are subjected to hard use. There have been a lot of opinions floated here...but darn few facts. If you have a smoking gun....serve it up.

err lol not that i want to entertain this argument you seem to want, but who says WHAT "cheap" plastic clips im talking about? i never specifically said a brand! :p

IMO (and thats really what it is - my opinion - regardless of who thinks what) these types of clips are not exactly strong when it comes to pulling forces, especially when those forces are coupled with a knock (for example) to one of the sides!

hope ive "served" a big enough portion for you to swallow/choke on? :p

Woolburr

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 21:23

err lol not that i want to entertain this argument you seem to want, but who says WHAT "cheap" plastic clips im talking about? i never specifically said a brand! :p

IMO (and thats really what it is - my opinion - regardless of who thinks what) these types of clips are not exactly strong when it comes to pulling forces, especially when those forces are coupled with a knock (for example) to one of the sides!

hope ive "served" a big enough portion for you to swallow/choke on? :p

Argument? No...I wasn't the one that categorized all plastics as being cheap. As has been previously stated, many plastics are stronger than steel...placing silly conditions and circumstances into the mix doesn't serve any logical purpose. If you push the button on a metal seat belt buckle, it will release too. Imagine that. :rolleyes:

ivicyrusivi

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 21:39

Argument? No...I wasn't the one that categorized all plastics as being cheap. As has been previously stated, many plastics are stronger than steel...placing silly conditions and circumstances into the mix doesn't serve any logical purpose. If you push the button on a metal seat belt buckle, it will release too. Imagine that. :rolleyes:

err... you might want to read what i wrote again! i didnt say all plastics... infact what i think you'll find is that i said "cheap plastic CLIPS"! i do admit that i am generalising, but the majority of THESE type of clips are infact cheap plastics NOT "stronger then steel" or is that what you think yours is? lol... so :rolleyes: all you want :D

and i didnt say a metal seat belt! i said carabiner - some of which CANT be released just by pushing on a part of it! My apologies if you dont know what they are, but a simple google will show you what im talking about! infact here - carabiner wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carabiner)

Woolburr

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 21:57

err... you might want to read what i wrote again! i didnt say all plastics... infact what i think you'll find is that i said "cheap plastic CLIPS"! i do admit that i am generalising, but the majority of THESE type of clips are infact cheap plastics NOT "stronger then steel" or is that what you think yours is? lol... so :rolleyes: all you want :D

and i didnt say a metal seat belt! i said carabiner - some of which CANT be released just by pushing on a part of it! My apologies if you dont know what they are, but a simple google will show you what im talking about! infact here - carabiner wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carabiner)

I'm a certified climbing and rappelling instructor so I have a slight idea what a carabiner is. BTW....unless it is a locking version of the caribiner...I would have just as much faith in the plastic buckle. And once again...where is your proof that the clips are somehow made of inferior materials? Do you work for a manufacturer of plastic clips or perhaps for a testing agency?

ivicyrusivi

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 22:14

I'm a certified climbing and rappelling instructor so I have a slight idea what a carabiner is. BTW....unless it is a locking version of the caribiner...I would have just as much faith in the plastic buckle. And once again...where is your proof that the clips are somehow made of inferior materials? Do you work for a manufacturer of plastic clips or perhaps for a testing agency?

oh sweet :) was thinkin you might not know seeing as you mentioned a belt buckle :D

Your right about the non locking ones, but i meant the locking type! as for my proof of inferior plastics, well i have none - except for the fact they are not made out of kevlar etc (i think they are made from general abs plastic)! but from my experience these type of clips (again in general) can snap (as the OP has found)! My suggestion of using a carabiner was mearly friendly banter as an idea/question to why they dont use other methods!

another solution might be some sort of failsafe clip/bungie cord attached on d-ringsalong with the clips?

Woolburr

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 22:34

Personally I recommend the #824 from here (http://www.texasbasket.com/pl/large.html).

ivicyrusivi

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 22:37

Personally I recommend the #824 from here (http://www.texasbasket.com/pl/large.html).

LMAO :lol: hrrm the weave is a little loose though, your daisy's might slip out :lol::lol:

Woolburr

16th of October 2008 (Thu), 22:38

You soak it in a little water before you use it...things swell up and make a nice tight fit. :lol:

gravity

17th of October 2008 (Fri), 01:33

Damn... sorry to hear about that. I'm using the Lowepro strap with quick release button now. Hopefully that won't happens <fingers crossed!!!>

Brad Remick

17th of October 2008 (Fri), 19:43

Well my two new POTN straps arrived today. Despite the fact that they have plastic part, I think I'll give 'em a try.

donaldjl

18th of October 2008 (Sat), 02:38

as for my proof of inferior plastics, well i have none - except for the fact they are not made out of kevlar etc (i think they are made from general abs plastic)!

The hardware from many straps on camera straps, backpacks, camera bags, etc. are often made from acetals, like Celcon and Delrin. It's quite a durable material when properly designed and processed, and rarely fails.

As others mentioned, it's quite rare to hear of a general failure. Not that it can't or won't happen, but it happens very infrequently. It's a serious bummer to hear of the accident. :(