WARNING SPIDER HOLSTER USERS!!!!!!!!

Well today the buckle has unclipped. I dropped my absolutely mint 1dmkIII with 24-70L. I PUT A MINOR CRACK IN THE BODY. Camera works perfectly but I am not pleased.

This is the second time this has happened. The first time I dropped my 1dmkIII with 35L. Luckily it did not do any physical damage. I took this incident as "User error" but I am 100% I heard a positive "CLICK". I am certain its not my error but the buckle itself.

PLEASE INSPECT THE BUCKLE. I own a Think tank belt and the buckle is SUPERIOR to the spider belt buckle.

User of this product I urge you to slightly manipulate the buckle by gently twisting it. IT WILL UNCLIP. Analyzing the clip it has minor play in the "female" side. The plastic buckle will have minor play and with any weight on the belt it will unclip.

I've contacted spider and waiting for reply.

I have NOT had any issues with my 5d or 5dmkII with this system. The 1dmkIII has been the only one that I've had issues with. Looking at this clip I do not see any visible defects except flimsy female end.

I am merely expressing my experiences but after looking at this buckle thoroughly I can see this as a potential issue to anyone loading the belt with a heavy lens and body.

good to know, but obviously YMMV.

You should post a video detailing the flaws.

I've been thinking of getting a Spyder holster. Do you like them aside from the buckle flaw?

I actually returned mine a week after getting it. I thought I was really going to love it but it wasn't for me. I didn't have it long but in the time I used it I found it to be secure but uncomfortable.

I'm disgusted. I will post a small vid. You just need that sweet spot twist and the buckle opens up. I was holding my 9mth old so I decided the camera is not as important

The holster area is very close to the buckle. With weight it puts strain on the belt (obviously) with the belt on your waist it will marginally twist or add weight to one side of the buckle. Any bouncing will potentially push the locking mechanism inwards opening up the buckle.

vid will be posted soon.

On a serious note: I am livid that I dropped my camera.

I hate to hear this as I am getting ready to get a Spider Holster. I recently had my 3rd back surgery about 6 months ago and have to find a new way to carry my camera.

Hawk, what are your thoughts on the holsters design and use?

Robert, how was the craftsmanship? What was uncomfortable about it?

AlanU wrote in post #9837039
I'm disgusted. I will post a small vid. You just need that sweet spot twist and the buckle opens up. I was holding my 9mth old so I decided the camera is not as important

The holster area is very close to the buckle. With weight it puts strain on the belt (obviously) with the belt on your waist it will marginally twist or add weight to one side of the buckle. Any bouncing will potentially push the locking mechanism inwards opening up the buckle.

vid will be posted soon.

On a serious note: I am livid that I dropped my camera.

Sorry to hear about the camera, this would make me livid as well.
As a precaution you could leave the camera strap on and loosely wear it diagonally across the body. This should still give you the functionality of the spider holster and the extra protection of the strap.
I understand cotton carrrier have introduced this as an option with special straps.

Ouch. Sorry about your luck with the spider. I'd be pretty ticked off too if my 1D3 had taken a flop *or two* like that.

Franko515 wrote in post #9837063
I hate to hear this as I am getting ready to get a Spider Holster. I recently had my 3rd back surgery about 6 months ago and have to find a new way to carry my camera.

Hawk, what are your thoughts on the holsters design and use?

Robert, how was the craftsmanship? What was uncomfortable about it?

Hey Franko,

I didn't have the displeasure of finding a hardware bug or defect as Alan did but my problem is that I was never a 'tool belt' kind of guy and that's what this reminded me of.

Whether my body was gripped or not, big or small lens, I just felt like my pants were going to fall down all the time.. lolol.. not really but it just didn't suit me and I didn't like all that weight at my waist.

For what it's worth, I have a bad back and found that I didn't like where all the weight was falling with the Spider. My back is better without a tool belt.

BTW, craftsmanship, hardware and build is exceptional. It's a great product for the right photographer, just not me.

If you look at a thinktank modular belt it is QUALITY. The buckle CANNOT be manipulated whatsoever and it extremely solid.

The spider belt's quality is OK. I do not like the velcro that must be used to adjust the waist size. The loops provided on the belt are difficult to loop back on after you adjust the size.

Sometimes you must follow your gut feeling. I NEVER EVER liked the looks and design of the plastic spider buckle. For a belt that is crucial in carrying expensive gear I find the buckle to be sub standard.

Please disregard my grease stained hands.....being an auto tech
As I mentioned before it takes a certain sweet spot to unbuckle the clip. Initially it may appear that I am applying alot of force. Once a certain twist is applied this clip opens. Bare in mind this buckle has unclipped with only the weight of the camera gear and no hands touching the clip itself. A certain angle of force applied on "MY" particular buckle has opened.

VIDEO:

http://s378.photobucke​t.com …view¤t=MV​I_0263.flv

The clip system is well built. The belt is the one in question.

Sorry to heat about your MK-3.
Inspect it carefully as there is probably more damage than first apparent. Pay close attention to the mirror box and pentaprism assemblies. Make sure the AF viewfinder dots are still positioned correctly.

I would avoid the Spider.
The Mk-3 is simply too big and heavy (and expensive) to be bee-bopping around with it hanging in the breeze by one mounting point.

A Kata sling with a one point tether that attaches to the upper part of the sling via an op-tech cam strap is what I use.
The sling gives some shock protection, and keeps dirt and water out. The cam is easy to deploy and pretty safe as long as you're standing. You can run as hard as you like, and it won't go nowhere except with you...

Wow! Good to know - I won't be hanging my 1D's on a spider setup! Thanks.

Please note that this incident is unfortunately my experience. I've analyzed the buckle and see NO defects. I am not claiming that all spider buckles will have the same failures.

This is a warning to others. I will be expressing concerns to the manufacturer.

Mike, I've not had any trouble with mine, and it's VERY secure as it clicks in. I tried to torque it like Alan is doing in the video, and I have NO play in the mechanism at all.