BlackRapid poll and feedback

Over the years, I've notice a lot of threads asking about BlackRapid straps. BlackRapid themselves have gone through several versions of their straps and I've tried to capture as many of them as I can in this poll (based on what's listed on their website and the models available from BH). Perhaps through our collective experience, we can aggregate some of our experiences with the straps.

This is by no means intended to be a BlackRapid fanboy thread. I've used several versions myself. In fact, I still use the Yeti strap and convert between it's single and double camera options. There have been previous discussion about caribiners or fasteners. Frankly, I've never had an experience except for once. I was holding my camera by my side and somehow I found that it had slipped off the caribiner. I can't fault the system, because I don't know if I had just forgotten to screw down the lock. It only happened once and that was many years ago. I don't have a tether, but perhaps I should use something... I'm thinking paracord instead of the tether kit that BlackRapid sells.

I have found the straps themselves not to stay in place forever. During use, I have no issue with the straps lengthening, but I have noticed that the more I take them on and off the straps will lengthen. For that reason, I've secured the straps with safety pins so that they cannot adjust by themselves. The armpit adjustment strap dangles annoyingling, too, and I've found that to be the same on every model I've used. The plastic secure for the excess strap length doesn't really work.

I'm 5' 7", average build at 165 lbs. I found that the RS-Sport felt more secure than the Sport Slim version. I got the Slim thinking that I could wear it underneath a jacket without looking like my shoulders were lopsided. The slim was just too narrow feeling on my shoulder. I'm now using the Yeti and it feels like the original Sport as far as I can remember.

I recommend the BlackRapid straps to everyone. They are pricey, but I like the fact that they have been in business for a relatively long period of time now and their products have worked for me.

Oh and I have a nifty looking MoneyMaker double harness from Holdfast. Their fasteners that fit in the tripod mount do not feel nearly as secure - their rubber washers even feel cheap. I trust BlackRapid's FastenR-3. I've not used any other version of fastener.

I thought I chose unlimited choices for the poll... can a mod fix that please?

RS-7 here, I also paid for "The Brad"

It works well enough for me, I do have to make sure it stays tight and the carabiner stays tight from time to time though. Also I don't use it all the time, a lot of times I just go strapless or keep my camera in my top loading shoulder bag.

They are a bit overpriced IMO though.

I bought a RS-5 and added the Brad soon after. I like it, but don't find myself ever using it since I prefer my Crumpler wrist strap.

Thanks for the feedback. I just noticed there's an edit poll option, so I've edited to accept up to 10 choices. Seems like the unlimited option isn't working.

I have the Double Strap, used mostly with 2 bodies, occasionally I split it and use just a single strap cross body.

I don't use a tether system and have never had a mount come loose. I do check them for tightness whenever attaching or removing a camera. Have up to 6 lbs hanging on the heaviest side. When using both sides I do use the extra strap in back to pull the cameras slightly behind me, so they aren't sticking out off my hip so much.

It looks like I need one of these, RE the carabiner coming loose... http://www.blackrapid.​com/products/lockstar

I've been shocked as to how loose it was many a times, and just lucky that it didn't come off my camera.

Interesting. Something like that should come standard.

agreed

Why make it standard when they can scare you into purchasing it separately?

I have the metro strap and have been happy with it.

Figures the first thread I find after hitting "buy" on B&H is this one. I can claim ownership, but not delivery yet. But I can add my logic on getting the Yeti + 2 Acratech Swift Clamps.

I often walk around with a super telephoto "hunting" wildlife. Most of the time I have an OpTech neck strap attached to the body, but 90% of the time I'm carrying the entire setup by the len's tripod foot. I've been wanting to get something to help move the weight away from my neck when I am waiting for something to happen. With a few events coming up where I plan to carry two cameras it made sense to get the Yeti.

Why the Acratech plates for ridiculous money? ....yeah, I got two of those suckers

I use lens plates to assist in handholding and will regularly interchange a super tele between my hands and a tripod. On top of that I really like that the weakest link of the Black Rapid system (the screw) is integrated into the Acratech system.

I also got a pair of Lockstars.

Nathan wrote in post #17477475
Interesting. Something like that should come standard.

I have the R-7, and I'm pleased with it. While it's never failed, I do periodically check the carabiner to verify that it's tight. I agree that the straps should include a locking carabiner, if for no other reason than for the peace of mind. Offering the lockstar now as an additional accessory is suggestive of a design flaw.

I think it could be interpretted as a design flaw, but I think it's more to answer some demand. It's almost at least partially marketed as a means to prevent the body from scratching against the caribiner (shouldn't happen, in my opinion, because gravity pulls the camera away from the metal parts... unless you throw it around inside a bag still attached).

My sister's a pretty avid rock climber and I've seen all sorts of types of caribiners. Various designs and some that seem even less secure than these BlackRapid ones - for example, the spring loaded ones without a locking mechanism... yet, people still hang from them.

Love my BlackRapid DR-2. Been using it for several years typically with 2 gripped Canon bodies. One usually has a 70-200 attached and the other a 100-400 or, less often, a 24-70.
Absolutely great product, really takes the strain off the neck. Can honestly say that the weight is almost unnoticed. With the short strap that ties the 2 straps together in back the gear hangs behind the hips and doesn't move much while walking.
Wish the additional mounts were not so expensive but there are alternatives on Ebay so I may order a couple and see how well made they are. I've not had any trouble with either the mounts or the carabiners but I do check them each and every time I hang a camera on the harness.

Disclaimer: I am sponsored by BlackRapid and receive my gear at no cost. Despite that my comments above are my honest opinion of the products that I have used.