I got the b-grip (www.bgrip.com
) to try out because of my disdain of neck straps. I have been shooting for almost 25 years and have never even come close to dropping something. So for me they are way more of a hindrance than anything else. I will use a neck strap for theme parks and such but even then it is wrapped around my wrist. I have no problem holding the camera in my hand all day. But I may just be used to it.
I stumbled on the b-grip as it was featured on the front page of Adorama on one visit. I noted it, but moved on to what I was looking for. About a week later I remembered it for some reason, and went for a closer look. (http://www.adorama.com/CZPOP9.html) At $50 it seemed kinda high. But as I looked into other systems of the same kind, the b-grip stood out, and was cheaper than most of the others.
Well it arrived yesterday, so this is a quick once over. Next week however I will probably have it on for about 16 hours a day, So look for a full review in a week and a half.
It is made out of high quality ABS. So it should last forever. If feels very solid but yet light weight. It is very comfortable to wear. Though very awkward at first, you get used to it rather quickly. In fact I am wearing it as I type this, with my 50D with the 70-200 2.8 mounted.
You thread your belt through it and wear it like a hand gun holster. I however,I have decided to use a second belt so I can position it as needed on the fly with out having to take off my belt to be able to move it to the back when needed.
It attaches to the camera side with a mount very much like a tripod quick release plate. It is a proprietary measurement. It is just a tad smaller than a RC-2 size plate. Had they thought and made it the same size, it would have been better as it could do double duty. There is a lil arm on the plate that flips forward. This keeps the camera from falling forward when you extend it then set the camera down. Nice feature but if you have a heavy lens it does not help at all.
The belt side is obviously like the other half of the tripod QR. There is a lever you have to move 90 degrees to mount or unmount the camera. So it is a 2 hand operation to mount it or unmount it. HOWEVER there is a secondary catch that keeps the camera from falling out when the lever is moved. You have to lift and rotate the camera forward for it to come out. It takes a few seconds the first few times to disengage the camera when you first use it. But practice a few times and in 10 minutes, how you need to move the camera becomes second nature.
The latch system is rated for 70 pounds. WAY more than any camera setup you will be hand holding. Even if you have to 1200 5.6!!! (36.4 pounds + camera). And I feel confident in its ability to hold. I have not tried jumping fences like in the videos on the bgrip website. But I feel at first look they were not exaggerating anything.
It extends down for about 4-5 inches. This keeps the lens up off your leg so there is no rubbing as you walk. It keeps the camera more straight down than falling over. If you can understand my poor description
It also comes with a rain cover. They call it waterproof. But it is just the same nylon that they make jackets out of. I guess it will work as you make a mad dash for cover when it rains. But if you have time to pull it out and put it on.... you have time to simply find shelter.
It also comes with a safety strap. This thing does not inspire confidence. But I think it will give you a extra second to catch the camera of it falls. And if it does fall it will most likely be your fault not the b-grip. It is just a quick release that you pinch. with cords on each side. One that will go on your strap bung on the camera. The other to the b-grip. I may not install this.
As I mentioned this is just a quick once over for now. I will end up living with this for a week straight next week. I will up date then on actual usage.
