Black Rapid Question for those with Vertical Grip Cameras...

[ChristopherChen]

Hi all

My girlfriend recently got a Black Rapid R-strap for her 5dmk2, I tried it the other day while shooting some pictures and I love it!

Currently I'm using an optech strap, usually slung on one arm, don't really like the weight on my neck. I love the quick draw factor of the R-strap, I don't really have to fumble around clumsily, but of course the camera is left to dangle on its own.

However I use my camera with a battery grip and I would think that the Strap Connector would probably interfere with the use of vertical shooting, getting in the way of my hand. I read on the website that it can be mounted on lenses too, but what about lenses without tripod collars?

I also checked out David Duchemin's site, and he uses the R-strap with the side strap loop found on the camera...though the method can be quite scary.

Does anyone have a solution to using the R-strap with vertical grips? Or perhaps an ingenius way to mount the R-strap on the traditional camera strap loops?

Thanks guys!

Christopher.

[Tatexi]

You might want to check these out:

http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2008/12/pimping-the-r-strap/
http://blog.duncandavidson.com/2009/02/hacking-the-r-strap.html

[ChristopherChen]

Thanks so much for that!

I've checked out the pixelated image entry by DuChemin, nice one!

It's the first time I'm seeing the Davidson one, I believe new R-straps come with a Caribiner type clip system - That's the kind my gf's one came with. I thought of the idea of hooking it up via the strap loops on camera, but Canon strap loops offer very little clearance compared to the Nikon pictured on that site.

Thanks!

[Headshotzx]

Before my Rstrap, I tied one end of the optech pro loop on the camera's left strap lug, and the other end on the batt grip's strap lug, around a Canon E1 hand strap at the same place. That gave me a 'vertical rapid strap' kind of contraption that works really well for long heavy lenses (the lenses automatically make everything point down which is the way I want it.

But to answer your question, no the R strap (with CR2/FR2 or manfrotto D ring) never hindered my vertical shooting with a battery grip.

[ChristopherChen]

But to answer your question, no the R strap (with CR2/FR2 or manfrotto D ring) never hindered my vertical shooting with a battery grip.

Thanks very much, actually I've not tried it out on my setup yet. Perhaps I'll do so later tonight.

One thing that I still can't get over though, the strength of that little tripod screw joint. While I don't think Canon did a bad job or whatever, but I just feel it was never designed to carry a camera upside down for extended periods of time.

I read about some horror stories of the 1st generation R-strap, but it seems they've fixed these issues with their new connectors.

Or at least...I hope so!

[Dmab]

Thanks very much, actually I've not tried it out on my setup yet. Perhaps I'll do so later tonight.

One thing that I still can't get over though, the strength of that little tripod screw joint. While I don't think Canon did a bad job or whatever, but I just feel it was never designed to carry a camera upside down for extended periods of time.

I read about some horror stories of the 1st generation R-strap, but it seems they've fixed these issues with their new connectors.

Or at least...I hope so!

One thing you have to worry about with screwing the rstrap to the camera is the possibility of the screw becoming unscrewed over the course of a day

It may have just been me, but after 8 hours of shooting around town one day with my 1Dm3 + 70-200 f4 IS and the rstrap attached to the tripod mount on the 70-200, somehow the screw mount unscrewed and in the motion of placing the camera back down to my side after shooting, it detached, Luckily I also kept an optech handstrap attached to the camera so the whole rig didn't fall to the ground.

Kinda took the wind out of the sails on my love of the rstrap. Haven't used it since :(

[20DNewbie]

L bracket and a kirk clamp on the strap for me, clamp it on the side and it's out of the way.

[mikejet]

I use the R4 strap on my 50D with grip. It's attached to the bottom of the grip with the FastnR. No issues shooting vertical.

I used all day this past Saturday shooting over 500 shots and it came in handy. Especially when I wanted to eat lol. Camera drops to your side so you don't have to worry about getting food on it!

[DerekW]

But to answer your question, no the R strap (with CR2/FR2 or manfrotto D ring) never hindered my vertical shooting with a battery grip.

I haven't found it a hinderance either. I do often check to make sure the screw is tight. Dmab , do you have the newer FastenR-2? I haven't had it get loose yet, but I do check frequently.

All in all, as dumb as it sounds, with the thousands of dollars I've spent on gear, it has been one of my most satisfying purchases.

[ChristopherChen]

One thing you have to worry about with screwing the rstrap to the camera is the possibility of the screw becoming unscrewed over the course of a day
:(

Sigh I just read a whole load of posts on the FM forums with pics documenting the screw coming loose on the connectR-2. And I just bought mine yesterday, kinda makes me feel scared to even use it to begin with!

I find it so hard to come to terms with the fact that they can't fix a simple thing like this.

I tried turning the screw on my connectR-2 but so far it hasn't budged at all.

[DerekW]

Yikes, here's a pic of a whole different issue, I was talking about the screw coming off the camera body itself
http://dreamscapestudio.net/ConnectR-2.jpg

[ChristopherChen]

That's the exact same picture I came across...:(

Makes me wish I never bought one to begin with, worse still local stores here don't accept refunds.

Well to give the company the benefit of the doubt, it did state that only the first batch was affected. I tried to unscrew that same portion on my strap by hand but it didn't budge at all.

[82NoMe]

If you can unscrew it, Loctite it (Red) ...

[BEEEsH]

Yikes, here's a pic of a whole different issue, I was talking about the screw coming off the camera body itself
http://dreamscapestudio.net/ConnectR-2.jpg


OK that officially scares me.

I bought one a few days ago and absolutely love it. (Got the RS-4) I remember when I was in the store, playing around with it, examining it looking for flaws or defects or ways my camera could break. I thought about it, but now this confirms my fears. Yikes. I remember looking online and seeing the old clips and thought wow, that design was waaaay to risky. The setup shipping with the RS-4 seemed like their best efforts.

Is there a story behind this photo?

[ChristopherChen]

Is there a story behind this photo?

Yes there is a story behind this...I spent a good part of my night reading though the entire post at FM...

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/771373

[BEEEsH]

Yes there is a story behind this...I spent a good part of my night reading though the entire post at FM...

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/771373

Yah I did the same thing. I did some research and found that the new RS-4's ship with the newer CR2's. Basically the newer CR2 is exactly the same as the older CR2, except they used some form of loctite formula (either blue or red) to fasten it together.

I just got a pair of pliers and tried to 'unscrew' mine and it didn't budge at all.
I hope its ok.

[ChristopherChen]

Yes same for me, I noticed there was some residue of super glue or whatever, I suppose it's the loctite.

Hopefully it holds up.

I'm thinking of a way to tether the strap to my camera strap lugs instead of the tripod socket.

[BEEEsH]

I'll more than likely use this with my 5D + Grip. So I'm thinking that as long as I can loop something between the strap loop and the grip loop (designed for the leather handstrap) I should be good. (more piece of mind)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=workaround.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=485769&is=REG
This might be good.

[ChristopherChen]

Man I can't help but feel dissapointed, its sucks so bad that you have to worry about basic reliability on a strap which costs so much. :(

I posted a thread on the r-photographers forum, hopefully black rapid comes up with an assurance or a solution.

[BEEEsH]

yeah. I agree.

[wernersl]

One thing you have to worry about with screwing the rstrap to the camera is the possibility of the screw becoming unscrewed over the course of a day

It may have just been me, but after 8 hours of shooting around town one day with my 1Dm3 + 70-200 f4 IS and the rstrap attached to the tripod mount on the 70-200, somehow the screw mount unscrewed and in the motion of placing the camera back down to my side after shooting, it detached, Luckily I also kept an optech handstrap attached to the camera so the whole rig didn't fall to the ground.

Kinda took the wind out of the sails on my love of the rstrap. Haven't used it since :(
just curious...did you wet the rubber washer before attaching to the camera. seems that would help with a secure seal to the tripod mount, preventing it from coming undone. i am thinking of picking up the RS DR1 double strap. dont have a second body yet, but i will soon enough. either way i think the dual set up will be more secure on my body than a single strap.

[wernersl]

found these from reading through the FM thread. unfortunately it takes the swivel action out of the design. as long as the threads on the connectR-2 are secured with loctite then i think this could be a viable product.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/metal-1.html

[ChristopherChen]

Thanks for that I did check that out on the FM forums too!

It's a swivel for a rifle sling, perhaps I'll go check out my local army surplus market to see whether there's any suitable connectors.

[jackb88]

I got one recently and the carabiner has a pin that goes into the screw to keep it from backing out.

[ChristopherChen]

I believe that is the same version as I have.

I'll take a pic of it tonight and post it up! :D

[ChristopherChen]

http://www.sun-sniper.com/index.php?id=sun_sniper_strap0&L=1

Anyone seen this? :)

[DerekW]

Yeah, I saw that linked off the strobist site. My first thought was..."Guess BlackRapid didn't copyright their idea in Europe."

[ChristopherChen]

Anyways here's what I was referring to:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/ChristopherChen/StrapCarabiner-1.jpg

See that little hole at the base of the carabiner, seems like its filled with superglue or loctite, is this normal. There's residue around the area which looks like dried up glue.

Does everyone else's look like this as well?

Thanks folks.

[DerekW]

Mine's like that as well. It's either filled with loctite or possibly a set screw in there, then glued. Either way, I'd say that it will keep the screw from coming out.

[jrotello]

The follow link shows the approach I took. I was looking for a way keep the RC2 plate while using the R-Strap. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=8178968&postcount=399

[hfgarris]

As I recall the threads during the transition from the old to new fastener...

They started shipping the new locking fastener2 and some people had the screw come loose.

Then some appeared with loctite on the screw threads, which on a few apparently oozed up into the D-ring causing the carabiner not to rotate.

The above pictures looks like a solution to applying the loctite in a controlled area at the tip of the screw without gumming up the swivel area. If there is a pin in there too ... all the better!

-howard

[ChristopherChen]

The follow link shows the approach I took. I was looking for a way keep the RC2 plate while using the R-Strap. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=8178968&postcount=399

Nice I saw your link in another thread, good stuff!

I was thinking of doing the same thing, the tether would really help imho!

[DerekW]

jrotello, you know, I'm not worried about the connectr or clip coming loose or whatever, but always hated that I couldn't set the camera down properly with it.Your solution looks like it would solve that problem as well, as long as one has a grip on the camera