Black Rapid or Luma Loop

I have read over the various comments here and on another forum and would appreciate any opinions - especially from someone who has tried both.

I own an older model Black Rapid and have never been happy with the attachment to the camera (I have a close to first generation strap). I was about to go back and order the new connectors (expensive for both) or maybe just order a new RS-7 for not much more and then I saw a thread about the Luma Loop.

Here's the question - has anybody tried both and can comment on strap comfort and ease of sliding the camera up to shoot? I like my Black Rapid but am really intrigued by the connection options of the Luma Loop and the idea of a formed strap which might be more comfortable.

Jim

Never tried the Luma, but I love my Black Rapid RS-7

Same here. Nothin' but love for my RS-7. I was a bit worried about security at first, but the new connection system has earned my trust. It looks much more secure and low-profile than the older connection system. I've never used the other strap, so I can't help there.

Thanks for the comments - the RS-7 looks like a good choice but I would still like to know more about the Luma Loop.

Jim

I use the luma loop, but have never used the BR. I find the luma very comfortable, and the snap release real nice. Of course it probable is less secure then the screw lock release on the BR, though you could always put the screw locking system on the luma.

The luma is more about comfort ease of use. The luma is designed more for the times you might opt not to carry a camera, with the luma you just always take the camera, it's so comfy, and distributes weight very well, barely notice it's there.

Again I've never used the BR, but it seems like the luma is designed for comfort, the BR for convenience.

I ended up with the RS-7. It a big step up from my original. The connectors are much better.

Jim

One loves their blackrapid straps, until you start whacking your camera into things.

I have one, used it briefly, had all sorts of problems with it (admittedly an early one) and then gave up on them. Customer service was poor. Design is questionable, and I was always whacking it into walls, tables and other stuff.

If you want a sure fire carry system the Cotton Carrier is it. Otherwise, I think upstraps are a much better solution.

Of the two, the luma loop looks to be considerably more useful and flexible than the blackrapid. Especially true if you have L brackets or other mounting brackets on your camera. Of this style of strap, I'd say it is the better design by more than a fair amount.

J.

I have been looking into straps recently and I hate that the BlackRapid has to screw into the bottom of the camera because I like to keep QR plates on at all times. The Luma Loop looks like it could be the strap for me. I am just wondering is there a best place to buy them? I went to their website but I am just wondering if there might be a cheaper place to pick them up.

I use the RS-1 from a long time back, and its still serving me well. Blackrapid sent the connectr 2 as a replacement, and I purchased the fastenR-2 and I can finally use my vertical grip.

Even though the connectr and fastenr has NEVER opened/slipped out on me before, I keep having this feeling (even more so when i use my 70-200) that something's gonna snap/slip out and my gear's just going to hit the floor and smash into a million pieces. Paranoia. I always keep one hand holding on to the lens/body while walking with the Rstrap, but I would let it sit free when I am stationery.

Blackrapid just released a fastenR-3 that looks strangely similar to the PodMount by Luma Labs. It certainly looks sleeker but i wonder how much benefits it would have vs their also low profile fasternR-2. Less moving parts perhaps. Maybe 1 day i will be fully confident about the system to not hold on to my gear while walking, but i think as long as there are moving parts somewhere/something with the potential to unscrew, it'd be hard.

for those of you who use or used the blackrapid versions...have you or did you ever try the brad mod (or equivalent thereof)? it seems that it would help reduce the swinging a bit....and looks potentially more comfortable....

opinions?

RS-7 here. I hate using strap. most of the time, it's not even attached. and when I do, i dont ever use it unless i need to both hands to do something. decided to give it a try and make the purchased in February... LOVE IT! LOVE IT! even my wife love it and thought it's a great tool for me to use.

I must quantify however, that i shoot my 5D Mark II with the E1 handstrap only. I use the Rstrap mainly to 'rest' my hands while not shooting (I constantly hook on and off the camera). I find even the Rstrap gets in the way of my shooting.

That could be due to the fact that even though i'm right handed, i sling the Rstrap on my right shoulder (it is the only way it feels comfortable) and my master eye is my left eye so i use that to focus. Yea, i know i'm weird. Maybe that's why the strap gets in my way. Haha.

ceriltheblade wrote in post #9845818
for those of you who use or used the blackrapid versions...have you or did you ever try the brad mod (or equivalent thereof)? it seems that it would help reduce the swinging a bit....and looks potentially more comfortable....

opinions?

I had a Blackrapid strap from the beginning and went through the various permutations while they redesigned what was not ready from the beginning. I had my camera come unclipped twice and fall to the floor. After that, I quit using it.

I don't see the point in modding a strap that costs $50 or more. For that price it ought to do what it says it will do otherwise one is just as well off to make one's own as we have seen others do here. At that price point, one should have every expectation of it working correctly and the first time. This is the #1 promise that Blackrapid failed to deliver on.

That said, looking at this Luma Loop with the loops that you can attache anywhere on camera or bracket look to be much more secure and flexible in use than the BlackRapid kludges are. I think it could be made to work much better with a tripod than the BlackRapid (which essentially rules out tripod usage). If I were going to go back to the sling method, this is the one that I would choose for its better design and implementation.

The Blackrapid product has never been more than 80% there - not ready for prime time.

J.

With my original R Strap I was concerned that the camera would come loose. With the new design (RS7) I no longer have that concern.

I am not quite sure why some are having problems with the camera hitting things. Adjusted correctly the R Strap (both old and new) hung very securely against my hip with the lens pointing down and back. This seems like an ideal carry position and very secure while walking.

Jim

I was never comfortable with the RS connector because of the possibility of it coming loose. Instead, I just hitched up a figure-8 loop around the left lug and hooked the strap right up to it:

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